Music
Preview
Klarna presents Latitude Festival: the complete line-up deep dive
From the big names to the next generation of headliners – here are some of the unmissable acts performing at the festival's 20th edition this weekend
Latitude has always been about more than big names on a poster. For every chart-topping headliner, there’s a cult favourite, future breakthrough star or unexpected cultural moment waiting just around the corner. Oh, and sheep. Lots of pink sheep. It’s clearly a winning formula: this year Klarna presents Latitude Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary, continuing that tradition with a line-up that stretches from iconic innovators to rising newcomers, plus an unequaled array of comedy, theatre and dance that make Latitude unlike any other UK festival.
Whether you need persuading snatching a last minute ticket or your bag’s already packed and want to start planning your itinerary – here’s an in-depth look at the festival’s must-see acts.
The headliners
David Byrne
Few artists have shaped modern music quite like David Byrne. The Talking Heads visionary brings his singular blend of art-rock, funk and theatricality to Latitude for his only UK festival performance of the year, promising the kind of ecstatic, life-affirming spectacle that’s become the hallmark of his live shows. Expect Talking Heads hits from ‘Psycho Killer’ to ‘Once In A Lifetime’, alongside solo modern classics such as ‘Everyone’s Coming To My House’.
Teddy Swims
After breaking through in 2023 with the global smash hit ‘Lose Control’, Teddy Swims has enjoyed one of the most meteoric rises in recent pop. Blending soul, R&B, country and pop with effortless ease, the Georgia singer pairs powerhouse vocals with raw, heartfelt songwriting. Expect one of the weekend’s biggest singalong moments as he delivers hits including ‘The Door’, ‘Bad Dreams’ and, of course, his breakout anthem.
Lewis Capaldi
Following his courageous return to the stage last year, Lewis Capaldi continues a remarkable comeback as he takes his place among Latitude’s headline acts. The Scottish singer-songwriter has built a career on pairing powerhouse vocals with unfiltered emotion and a trademark wit, turning songs like ‘Someone You Loved’, ‘Before You Go’ and ‘Wish You The Best’ into some of the defining ballads of recent years. Having headlined the Obelisk Arena in 2022, Capaldi returns to Henham Park with a new chapter of his story to share — one shaped by resilience, honesty and the songs that have connected with millions.
Legends in their own right
Vanessa Carlton
More than two decades after ‘A Thousand Miles’ became one of the biggest smashes of the early 2000s, Vanessa Carlton remains a compelling songwriter whose blend of piano-led pop and confessional lyricism has only deepened with time. Her latest album, Veils, is soaked in dreamy and elegant atmospherics perfect for a sunny afternoon. Even if you’re just coming to belt out your favourite karaoke song, we wager you’ll stay for the whole thing.
Billy Ocean
Officially the UK’s most commercially successful Black artist of all time, Billy Ocean is Blighty’s proudest soul export with a catalogue of era-defining hits, from ‘When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going’ to ‘Love Really Hurts Without You’. This will be Ocean’s first visit to Latitude, making the occasion all the more joyous
The Flaming Lips
The Flaming Lips have spent more than 40 years proving that live music can be equal parts concert and fever dream. Led by the ever-eccentric Wayne Coyne, the psychedelic rock pioneers are renowned for their colourful performances, complete with giant inflatables, confetti cannons and euphoric singalongs. Don’t miss the chance to hear classics like ‘Do You Realize??’, ‘Race for the Prize’ and ‘Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1’ in all their technicolour glory.
![The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1 [Official Music Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZdDHi5SSIlM/0.jpg)
Peter Hook
For fans of post-punk and alternative music, Peter Hook & The Light are essential viewing. As the co-founder and bassist of Joy Division and New Order, Hook helped shape the sound of British music with his unmistakable melodic bass lines. Backed by his band The Light, he’ll revisit songs from two of the most influential catalogues in modern music, bringing classics like ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’, ‘Blue Monday’ and ‘Atmosphere’ back to the festival stage. It might be a little too soon after England’s World Cup departure to play ‘World in Motion’, though…
Indie royalty
Everything Everything
As their recent anniversary tour of Get To Heaven reminded us, Everything Everything have always been intent on carving out a lane of their own. Led by Jonathan Higgs’ unmistakable falsetto, the Salford band continue to push boundaries as they turn the catchy irresistibly weird, the weird unmistakably catchy.
Wet Leg
Few bands have exploded quite like Wet Leg. Since their self-titled debut won Grammys and BRIT Awards, the Isle of Wight duo have become one of British guitar music’s biggest success stories, pairing deadpan wit with razor-sharp riffs and irresistibly catchy hooks – listen to ‘mangetout’, it’ll be stuck between your ears all week. With acclaimed second album moisturizer adding even more firepower to their catalogue, this is shaping up to be one of the weekend’s most talked-about sets.
Temples
Temples arrived 12 years ago with a classic, kaleidoscopic style of psych-rock influenced heavily by the 60s. But far from getting stuck in the past, they have continued to reshape their sound with modern, synth-heavy influences and create something expansive and cinematic, as as their latest album BLISS proves.
The next generation
Man/Woman/Chainsaw
With their debut album set for release next month, there’s a lot of talk circling about Man/Woman/Chainsaw and their attention-grabbing name – and rightly so. Their music veers from hushed, violin-led passages to thrilling bursts of post-punk and art rock, earning them a reputation as one of the most unpredictable – and rewarding – young live acts around.
Getdown Services
With songs about Jamie Oliver 15-minute-meals, dog dribble and banging your head on a radiator, Getdown Services is truly an act that needs to be experienced live. But while the duos on-stage charisma no doubt adds another layer of humour to some frankly hilarious lyrics, don’t mistake the Bristol duo as unserious; there’s some cutting social commentary behind the gags and, importantly, they’ve got banger after banger in their locker.
Adult DVD
This Leeds act are blowing up right now thanks to their winning combo of baggy grooves, hypnotic bleep-bloop synths and infectious rhythms, sounding like the lovechild of LCD Soundsystem, Chemical Brothers and Kasabian. Their latest single ‘Cowboy On Aisle Three’ captures this anything-goes, nervous energy perfectly – don’t expect to stand still.
Overpass
Birmingham quartet Overpass are part of a new wave of British guitar bands writing huge choruses with festival stages in mind. Vocalist Joe Prendergast’s powerful, emotive voice sets them apart, as the band combine soaring indie anthems with a youthful confidence that’s won them an ever-growing fanbase.
Beyond the bands
Ross Noble
Recently hailed by the Guardian as a “master of nonsense” after witnessing his current Cranium of Curiosities tour, Ross Noble has made a career out of taking audiences on wildly unpredictable journeys. Famous for his quick-fire improvisation and surreal stream-of-consciousness style, his shows truly are never quite the same twice – so, honestly, who really knows what to expect for his Latitude performance?!
Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures: Swan Lake
One for the culture vultures. Matthew Bourne’s 1995 production of Swan Lake turned the classic ballet on its head, replacing the traditional female corps de ballet with an all-male ensemble of swans and creating a darker, more dramatic take on the story. 30 years later, it remains one of the most groundbreaking productions in modern dance. It’s worth noting this festival edition is a 25-minute excerpt of the full-performance, so don’t get too comfy – there’s plenty more to discover!
Gareth Malone: 20 Years of Latitude
In a special 20th birthday exclusive, the nation’s favourite choirmaster Gareth Malone will take to the stage to conduct 100 singers performing 20 songs from 20 years of the festival. Who are these singers, you ask? You, if you’re lucky and up for it. 100 festivalgoers will be selected on the Thursday, rehearse on Friday and perform with Gareth on Saturday. “No professional experience required,” says Latitude. “Just a voice and the nerve to use it.”
Inua Ellams
Nigerian-born British poet and playwright Inua Ellams brings his distinctive “cultural translation” style of storytelling to The Listening Post this year. Blending poetry, rhythm and personal reflection, Ellams explores identity, culture and modern life with wit and imagination, earning acclaim for works including Barber Shop Chronicles and his celebrated poetry collections.
Gok Wan
You may remember him from his body-positive fashion hit How To Look Good Naked, but these days Gok Wan (that’s Gok Wan MBE to you!) expresses confidence and connectivity through music, releasing his own house tracks and remixes, gracing some of the most respected stages from Glastonbury’s Glade to Ibiza’s amnesia.
Photo credits: Rune Hellestad – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images, Joseph Okpako/Wireimage, Jim Dyson/Redferns, Rick Kern/Getty Images, Pedro Becerra/Redferns, Erika Goldring/WireImage, Daniel Loveday/Comic Relief/Getty Images, Dave J Hogan/Getty Images and Rune Hellestad – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
