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CSS Escalate The Feel Good Factor At Latitude

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CSS have just raised the bar once more, of how to create high spirited festival jinks, with a blistering thirty minute set on Latitude's Obelisk stage this evening (July 14). The Brazillians' fronted by the uber-sexy catsuit-wearing Lovefoxxx played ten songs, most of which are pulled from the band's self-titled album. Following CSS festival tradition - as previously seen recently at Glastonbury and Wireless festivals - of sucking helium from the balloons that adorn the stage, Lovefoxx brashly, screechingly, got the party started with tracks including 'Meeting Paris Hilton', 'Alala' and 'Alcohol'. CSS also threw in their regular live cover of L7's 'Pretend We're Dead' - going down a storm with the packed out main arena. Check out guest blogger Stephen Dalton's report from the CSS show on the Uncut Latitude blog here CSS Don't forget Uncut is at Latitude Festival all weekend bringing you up-to-date blogs, news and pictures. Pic credit: Andy Willsher

CSS have just raised the bar once more, of how to create high spirited festival jinks, with a blistering thirty minute set on Latitude’s Obelisk stage this evening (July 14).

The Brazillians’ fronted by the uber-sexy catsuit-wearing Lovefoxxx played ten songs, most of which are pulled from the band’s self-titled album.

Following CSS festival tradition – as previously seen recently at Glastonbury and Wireless festivals – of sucking helium from the balloons that adorn the stage, Lovefoxx brashly, screechingly, got the party started with tracks including ‘Meeting Paris Hilton’, ‘Alala’ and ‘Alcohol’.

CSS also threw in their regular live cover of L7’s ‘Pretend We’re Dead’ – going down a storm with the packed out main arena.

Check out guest blogger Stephen Dalton’s report from the CSS show on the Uncut Latitude blog here CSS

Don’t forget Uncut is at Latitude Festival all weekend bringing you up-to-date blogs, news and pictures.

Pic credit: Andy Willsher

CSS’s Lovefoxxx brings bubble magic to Latitude

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Saturday night at Latitude. Another festival, another field, and another show-stopping performance from those bouncy Brazilians CSS. Which means another winning mix of weapons-grade disco sarcasm, sloppy-sexy funk and stoopid-kool attitood. Plus an ace cover of L7’s grunge anthem “Pretend We’re Dead” and the magnificent “Alcohol”, the best fall-down-drunk party anthem that Shaun Ryder should have written. Never mind that Lovefoxxx wears the same spangled kaleidoscopic catsuit that she wore at Wireless and Glastonbury. Never mind that she performs the same party trick of sucking in helium from the on-stage balloons before rapping in a Minnie Mouse squeak. Barely a year on the UK radar and CSS are turning into the ultimate feelgood festival band. They have the four-year-olds and the 40-year-olds dancing. If there was a roof on Latitude, they would have raised it. “That was magical and amazing!” they declare as they leave. Correct. Words: Stephen Dalton

Saturday night at Latitude. Another festival, another field, and another show-stopping performance from those bouncy Brazilians CSS. Which means another winning mix of weapons-grade disco sarcasm, sloppy-sexy funk and stoopid-kool attitood.

Rickie Lee Jones and Seasick Steve

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At some point in the last few years, Rickie Lee Jones appears to have subtly evolved from the Duchess Of Coolsville into a spiritual, raging poet-figure who comes across like a West Coast counterpart of Patti Smith. This is how she turns up at Latitude, after having just written a new song with h...

At some point in the last few years, Rickie Lee Jones appears to have subtly evolved from the Duchess Of Coolsville into a spiritual, raging poet-figure who comes across like a West Coast counterpart of Patti Smith.

Rickie Lee Jones Writes Song For Latitude

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Rickie Lee Jones played an intense and engaging show on the Uncut Stage at the Latitude Festival, beginning with a song written with her two bandmates mere moments before they came onstage. Jones' set was cut down to 30 minutes due to technical problems, which meant there was no time for her most famous song, "Chuck E's In Love". Instead, she concentrated on material from her excellent 2007 album, "The Sermon On Exposition Boulevard". In the 30 minutes, Rickie Lee Jones still managed to show that her voice was stronger than ever. She also showed a rough virtuosity on guitar (e-bowing it like a cello at times) and drums. Uncut is at Latitude Festival all weekend bringing you up-to-date blogs, news and pictures. Check out the special Uncut Latitude blog here throughout the day Uncut.co.uk/latitude Pic credit: Andy Willsher

Rickie Lee Jones played an intense and engaging show on the Uncut Stage at the Latitude Festival, beginning with a song written with her two bandmates mere moments before they came onstage.

Jones’ set was cut down to 30 minutes due to technical problems, which meant there was no time for her most famous song, “Chuck E’s In Love”. Instead, she concentrated on material from her excellent 2007 album, “The Sermon On Exposition Boulevard”.

In the 30 minutes, Rickie Lee Jones still managed to show that her voice was stronger than ever. She also showed a rough virtuosity on guitar (e-bowing it like a cello at times) and drums.

Uncut is at Latitude Festival all weekend bringing you up-to-date blogs, news and pictures.

Check out the special Uncut Latitude blog here throughout the day Uncut.co.uk/latitude

Pic credit: Andy Willsher

Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong: The Next Big Thing?

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Trekking down to Latitude's Lake Stage, I hear that the hotly-tipped Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong are the new Television. The bad news is they’re not the new Television, but they are a pretty good Strokes. Lean by name, lean by nature, whip-thin weasel Joe - former Pipettes drummer (wait, come back!) and occasional Peep Show guest star - does his best impersonation of a hip-swivelling, finger-clicking dance machine, while his band, unruly Yardbirds lookalikes, rip out cut glass guitar lines over manic drumming. They might pinch from the New Yorkers, but The Jing Jang Jong are edgier, sabotaging their sing-along melodies with a few cacophonous string-bending sections on ‘Lonely Boy’, and exploring rock’n’doowop on ‘Brooklyn’. They might not be the groundbreaking troupe of envelope pushers I’d hoped, but Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong are tighter on their 15th gig than most bands are on their 500th. If you want a party band peddling stylish tales of heartbreak streets ahead of The Pigeon Detectives and their ilk, check them out. Words: Tom Pinnock

Trekking down to Latitude’s Lake Stage, I hear that the hotly-tipped Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong are the new Television. The bad news is they’re not the new Television, but they are a pretty good Strokes.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

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Ah, so this is art rock, Latitude style. Sad to report, it does nothing very much for me. But I guess it's always going to be hard to follow the Hold Steady. The kids seem to like Clap Your Hands..., which, I guess, is a good thing. To be honest, I've caught the last five minutes of the Hold S...

Ah, so this is art rock, Latitude style. Sad to report, it does nothing very much for me. But I guess it’s always going to be hard to follow the Hold Steady.

Stewart Lee, Royal Court Theatre, Loney Dear — the UNCUT Arts Blog

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It's all gone a bit Late Review round here. In the absence of Tom Paulin, here's UNCUT's Arts Blog. Latitude is not just about music but comedy, literature, theatre, film and cabaret too – plus various hybrids of all of them. Which can mean being assailed by armies of performance-art gonks and patchy student plays about the Iraq war in the middle of a forest. But it can also mean seeing A-list stand-ups like Stewart Lee riffing away about Big Brother, Martin Luther King and sardines on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Always one of the most pop-savvy comedians, Lee announced his intentions to see a last-minute festival addition. “Twenty seven years ago I wanted to go and see The Beat, but I had homework and my mum wouldn’t let me. Well, tonight I’m going to see The Beat play, at two in the morning, and there is nothing my mum can do about it.” Respect. A delegation from the Royal Court Theatre are also playing all three days of Latitude with their “Shuffle” programme of short plays inspired by pop songs. Uncut caught two gems on Saturday, a frothy one-man monologue based on the Eagles soft-rock classic “Hotel California” and a more artful, bittersweet examination of generational conflict between an ex-punk mother and a gangsta rap-loving son. Clever, funny stuff. For festival goers who can’t wait for the Arcade Fire’s Sunday night headline set, Swedish neo-folkies Loney, Dear provided a useful stop-gap on the Uncut stage on Saturday. Proving there is room for rueful reflection and acoustic elegance even in the middle of a giant teddy bears’ picnic like Latitude, these winsome Swedes conjured up a teasing preview of the ecstatic Arcadian bluster that awaits tomorrow night. One of the chief pleasures of Latitude is its relatively compact and manageable size. Which makes it very tempting to drift away from watching big-name bands who have already played half a dozen festivals this summer, and catch a few fringe oddballs instead. They don’t come much odder than Duloks, a cheerfully amateurish Anglo-Canadian trio who played a shambolic set on the fourth stage on Saturday dressed like slightly pervy children’s TV presenters. “Don’t take the brown acid,” singer Mira yelped. “It’s toilet paper with poo on it.” Yummy. But unsigned Leeds foursome Middlemen played a more coherent professional racket on the same stage an hour later. Their reggae-tinged rap-rock close-harmony chat-pop got a small but appreciative crowd bouncing, like a PG-rated Jamie T or Mike Skinner without the drugs. A classic singalong festival band in the making. STEPHEN DALTON

It’s all gone a bit Late Review round here. In the absence of Tom Paulin, here’s UNCUT’s Arts Blog. Latitude is not just about music but comedy, literature, theatre, film and cabaret too – plus various hybrids of all of them. Which can mean being assailed by armies of performance-art gonks and patchy student plays about the Iraq war in the middle of a forest.

Joan As Police Woman packs a piano punch in the Latitude Uncut Arena

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It's been an amazing day for startling-voiced female singers at Latitude. Having just been overawed by the ethereal primeval vocals from Bat For Lashes over on the main stage, I wandered into Joan As Policewoman in a busy Uncut Arena. Hailing from New Yawk, the Joan As Police Woman are fronted by...

It’s been an amazing day for startling-voiced female singers at Latitude. Having just been overawed by the ethereal primeval vocals from Bat For Lashes over on the main stage, I wandered into Joan As Policewoman in a busy Uncut Arena.

The Hold Steady: yup, still good

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How many times have people written this summer about The Hold Steady being the unexpected hits of a festival? Enough times, I guess, for the hardest-working band in showbusiness to become blase about these sort of shows. The thing is, as Craig Finn surveys the crowd with undisguised glee, it's clear...

How many times have people written this summer about The Hold Steady being the unexpected hits of a festival? Enough times, I guess, for the hardest-working band in showbusiness to become blase about these sort of shows. The thing is, as Craig Finn surveys the crowd with undisguised glee, it’s clear that this remarkable band’s appetite for rock’n’roll is still heroically potent.

The Hold Steady End Tour In Style At Latitude

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The Hold Steady ended their latest tour with a magnificent set on a hot summer afternoon at the Uncut-sponsored Latitude festival in Suffolk. After two solid months on the road, Craig Finn and his tireless road warriors proud their high-intensity, euphoric brand of rock'n'roll to Latitude. The tour has included an exclusive show at Uncut's 10th Birthday party, the Glastonbury Festival and, yesterday, GuilFest. Far from showing signs of fatigue, The Hold Steady were, if anything, more committed and energised than usual. Keyboardist Franz Nicolai raised his striking sartorial standards by wearing a dinner suit. The Hold Steady played: 1 Stuck Between Stations 2 Chips Ahoy 3 You Can Make Him Like You 4 Massive Nights 5 Party Pit 6 Hot Soft Light 7 Your Little Hoodrat Friend 8 Stevie Nix 9 Southtown Girls/ Killer Parties Click here for more on The Hold Steady in the special Uncut Latitude blog Hold Steady Check back thoughout the weekend, Uncut's roaming team of reporters are at Latitude Festival all weekend bringing you up to date blogs, news and pictures. Pic credit: Andy Willsher

The Hold Steady ended their latest tour with a magnificent set on a hot summer afternoon at the Uncut-sponsored Latitude festival in Suffolk.

After two solid months on the road, Craig Finn and his tireless road warriors proud their high-intensity, euphoric brand of rock’n’roll to Latitude. The tour has included an exclusive show at Uncut’s 10th Birthday party, the Glastonbury Festival and, yesterday, GuilFest.

Far from showing signs of fatigue, The Hold Steady were, if anything, more committed and energised than usual. Keyboardist Franz Nicolai raised his striking sartorial standards by wearing a dinner suit.

The Hold Steady played:

1 Stuck Between Stations

2 Chips Ahoy

3 You Can Make Him Like You

4 Massive Nights

5 Party Pit

6 Hot Soft Light

7 Your Little Hoodrat Friend

8 Stevie Nix

9 Southtown Girls/ Killer Parties

Click here for more on The Hold Steady in the special Uncut Latitude blog Hold Steady

Check back thoughout the weekend, Uncut’s roaming team of reporters are at Latitude Festival all weekend bringing you up to date blogs, news and pictures.

Pic credit: Andy Willsher

Dylan packs out comedy tent. Annuals. Bat For Lashes

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Something of a full afternoon, I have to report. So busy, in fact, I've only just got round to my first beer of the day. But, happily, I also had my first Latitude highlight: Bat For Lashes. Earlier, I caught Annuals. Hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina they whip up a kind of Arcade Fire sty...

Something of a full afternoon, I have to report. So busy, in fact, I’ve only just got round to my first beer of the day. But, happily, I also had my first Latitude highlight: Bat For Lashes.

Elvis Perkins Recruits Indie Stars For Latitude Hoedown

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Elvis Perkins was one of the early hits on Day Two of the Uncut-sponsored Latitude Festival. The son of actor Anthony Perkins played a rollicking set on Saturday afternoon on the Uncut stage, his folk-pop songs prompting comparisons with Bob Dylan and Willy Mason. Besides his famous family, Perkins seems pretty well-connected in indie circles, too. For the finale of "Doomsday", he was joined by most of Cold War Kids and Alec Ounsworth from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Click here for more on Elvis Perkins' exhuberant show in the special Uncut Latitude blog Elvis Perkins

Elvis Perkins was one of the early hits on Day Two of the Uncut-sponsored Latitude Festival.

The son of actor Anthony Perkins played a rollicking set on Saturday afternoon on the Uncut stage, his folk-pop songs prompting comparisons with Bob Dylan and Willy Mason.

Besides his famous family, Perkins seems pretty well-connected in indie circles, too. For the finale of “Doomsday”, he was joined by most of Cold War Kids and Alec Ounsworth from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

Click here for more on Elvis Perkins’ exhuberant show in the special Uncut Latitude blog Elvis Perkins

Elvis Perkins, Stephanie Dosen and the singer-songwriter glut

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Afternoon, lovely day here at Latitude, pretty densely populated with singer-songwriters, it has to be said. I started the day at the lovely Sunrise stage in the woods(apparently, its strikingly mellow atmosphere was fractured yesterday when Les Rita Mitsouko got booed off). Right now, though, there's an angsty strummer called Karima Francis who looks a bit like a dreadlocked Justine Frischmann and sounds, I'm afraid, like KT Tunstall trying to do a Jeff Buckley impression. It's a bit grim, but the crowds lying in the undergrowth seem to appreciate such a politely fraught start to the day. Stephanie Dosen is next, a blonde from Milwaukee who could easily be mistaken for one of the elfin stewards who hang lurk in these woods. A certain overproduced preciousness blighted her recent album for me, so this is better - stripped back to acoustic guitar, cello and violin. Nevertheless, the pursuit of the ethereal, and a twee, tasteful aesthetic (in ten years of the Cocteaus-affiliated Bella Union label, they've never signed anyone so reminiscent of Liz Fraser) can grate a little. Maybe Dosen's songs could do with a little more of the curious wit she reveals in her rambling monologues between songs, even if the kookiness gets a bit Phoebe from Friends occasionally. "I dedicate this song to all the owls whose homes were ruined by this tent," she announces. Quite. A swift hike up to the Uncut tent is rewarded with the excellent Elvis Perkins. Perkins doesn't appear to be remotely precious or, here at least, interested in baring his soul to the suffering public. Instead, he writes and plays excellent, roistering folk-pop songs in a distinct Dylan tradition. Perhaps Willy Mason is the closest modern analogue, but I think Perkins - the son of Anthony Perkins, intriguingly - is better than Masdon. It's a swaggering, roistering show from the stealthy opening of "While You Were Sleeping" to the revivalist hoedown finale of "Doomsday". By then, Perkins has been joined by most of Cold War Kids and Alec Ounsworth from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, while his drummer is cavorting round the stage with a bass drum strapped to his chest. All very jolly, and in the spirit of Michael's bizarre star-spotting here, I can report thatMartha Kearney from Newsnight seemed to be enjoying it, too.

Afternoon, lovely day here at Latitude, pretty densely populated with singer-songwriters, it has to be said. I started the day at the lovely Sunrise stage in the woods(apparently, its strikingly mellow atmosphere was fractured yesterday when Les Rita Mitsouko got booed off).

The view from Latitude… Catpeople and more pics of the fun here

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The infamous Latitude 'catpeople' - apparently we're ALL cats inside. Come to their cabin to discover your inner feline self. OR you could discover your inner fairy at the lovely fairy shops.... THIS is what jazz bands look like at Latitude. They are on the move from the stage literally floa...

The infamous Latitude ‘catpeople’ – apparently we’re ALL cats inside. Come to their cabin to discover your inner feline self.

The Smiths! Judge Dredd! Blackadder!

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Or, what I did this morning at Latitude. Despite feeling relatively delicate today (ah, bless the pear cider), a gentle stroll round the Latitude site does wonders for the constitution. It's getting really busy here already -- the Comedy Arena was packed by 1pm when Lee Mack came on. I like Lee Mack -- he's got an easy-going, engaging way about him, perfectly suited to the lazy Saturday morning vibe. He does some good jokes about Franz Ferdinand, predictive text and jugglers. Which makes me wonder: does every comedian at every festival do jokes about jugglers..? In the Film & Music Tent, there's Dunya Dinlemiyor, a Turner Prize nominated installation featuring a collection of Turkish Smiths' fans performing karaoke of their favourite Morrissey/Marr hits. It's quite touching, seeing these people sing their hearts out in front of the camera. Then it's back out, and another stroll. I see people dressed as cats, men in skirts, didgeridoo players and the usual array of colourful festival freaks. Farah got some great pictures, too. SOME FAMOUS PEOPLE SPOTTED AT LATITUDE BETWEEN 1pm AND 2pm ** Richard Curtis. He wrote Blackadder and Four Weddings & A Funeral. He is possibly richer than most A list rock stars. ** Don Letts. He practically invented the punky reggae party, don't you know. He was spotted crossing a bridge, sporting very impressive dreads. ** Pat Mills. The man who created Judge Dredd, which makes him a Cultural Legend. This is quite exciting, in a geeky comic fan way. ** The Hold Steady. Ambling through the site, carrying their equipment. And pushing a wheel barrow. This is rock news. Later, I hope to see Dylan Moran in the Comedy Arena, and Roger McGough is broadcasting a special edition of his Radio 4 show, Poetry, Please, which I'd like to catch. Off, now, to see Annuals. More later!

Or, what I did this morning at Latitude. Despite feeling relatively delicate today (ah, bless the pear cider), a gentle stroll round the Latitude site does wonders for the constitution.

Here comes the night…

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Or the stuff that happens after dark. I'm reporting on Latitude's nocturnal shenanigans, the prime focus of which is Sean Rowley and his Guilty Pleasures empire. Running across all three nights in the Comedy tent (very apt) from 10.30 to 3am, it's the mecca for prety much everyone still standing. Of course, you're either a fan or not. Look away now, if the following information is likely to cause offence: Five records played in the Guilty Pleasures tent between 12.20 and 12.40: Elton John & Kiki Dee -- Don't Go Breaking My Heart Irene Cara -- What A Feeling George Michael -- Faith Salt n Peppa -- Push It Starship -- We Built This City Crap, of course, but great fun -- possibly the perfect late night festival knees up. I also find some chaps in the woods, near the Sunrise Arena, pumping out House music on a rickety little stage. It's one of the great things about this festival -- it's deceptively small, and you think you've spotted everything there is, and then you just stumble across something enterprising happening somewhere you least expect it. Anyway, more later. Off to get some breakfast now...

Or the stuff that happens after dark. I’m reporting on Latitude’s nocturnal shenanigans, the prime focus of which is Sean Rowley and his Guilty Pleasures empire.

Latitude!

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This weekend Uncut is coming live from the Latitude Festival, and you can keep up to speed with all the latest news and reviews by visiting our dedicated site for the fest here - Latitude...

This weekend Uncut is coming live from the Latitude Festival, and you can keep up to speed with all the latest news and reviews by visiting our dedicated site for the fest here – Latitude

Welcome Back To Latitude Festival – Day Two

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Latitude Festival day two (July 14) is getting underway, basked in sunshine and the smell of cooking meats across the campsite. Last night, Damien Rice brought the main stage to a close, with a special rendition of Bob Dylan's classic "I Shall Be Released." Damien was joined onstage by The Magic Number's Romeo Stodart putting in his third appearance of the day - after playing the Obelisk stage himself and guesting with Midlake earlier too. Day two will see hyperactive and colourful Brazillian's CSS play the Obelisk stage before Damon Albarn's indie supergroup The Good, The Bad And The Queen headline tonight. Our favourite 10th birthday-party-playing band The Hold Steady are also playing the main stage today, and we're looking forward to another blistering performance. Craig Finn and co's super rise to glory is also evident in the fact that the band are playing live for Radio 4's 'Loose Ends' programme being filmed backstage. Also guesting on the show this morning with them are legendary music film-maker Don Letts and actor Ian Hart. Uncut is at Latitude Festival all weekend bringing you up-to-date blogs, news and pictures. Check out the special Uncut Latitude blog here throughout the day Uncut.co.uk/latitude Highlights across Latitude's four stages today are: Obelisk Arena The Good, The Bad And The Queen CSS Clap Your Hands Say Yeah The Hold Steady Bat For Lashes Uncut Arena Rodrigo Y Gabriela Rickie Lee Jones Joan as Policewoman Seasick Steve Elvis Perkins Sunrise Arena I’m From Barcelona Wheat Stephanie Dosen Lake Stage Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip Friendly Fires Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong Monkey Swallows the Universe

Latitude Festival day two (July 14) is getting underway, basked in sunshine and the smell of cooking meats across the campsite.

Last night, Damien Rice brought the main stage to a close, with a special rendition of Bob Dylan’s classic “I Shall Be Released.”

Damien was joined onstage by The Magic Number’s Romeo Stodart putting in his third appearance of the day – after playing the Obelisk stage himself and guesting with Midlake earlier too.

Day two will see hyperactive and colourful Brazillian’s CSS play the Obelisk stage before Damon Albarn’s indie supergroup The Good, The Bad And The Queen headline tonight.

Our favourite 10th birthday-party-playing band The Hold Steady are also playing the main stage today, and we’re looking forward to another blistering performance.

Craig Finn and co’s super rise to glory is also evident in the fact that the band are playing live for Radio 4’s ‘Loose Ends’ programme being filmed backstage. Also guesting on the show this morning with them are legendary music film-maker Don Letts and actor Ian Hart.

Uncut is at Latitude Festival all weekend bringing you up-to-date blogs, news and pictures.

Check out the special Uncut Latitude blog here throughout the day Uncut.co.uk/latitude

Highlights across Latitude’s four stages today are:

Obelisk Arena

The Good, The Bad And The Queen

CSS

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

The Hold Steady

Bat For Lashes

Uncut Arena

Rodrigo Y Gabriela

Rickie Lee Jones

Joan as Policewoman

Seasick Steve

Elvis Perkins

Sunrise Arena

I’m From Barcelona

Wheat

Stephanie Dosen

Lake Stage

Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip

Friendly Fires

Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong

Monkey Swallows the Universe

Uncut’s Ten Favourite Things At Latitude On Friday

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So after much heated debate, here are our favourite things from the first day at the Uncut-sponsored Latitude Festival: 1 SUNSHINE! Quite a lot of it! Especially appreciated by our photographer Andy, still traumatised by Glasto and T In The Park. 2 TINARIWEN It's the Malian desert blues band i...

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So after much heated debate, here are our favourite things from the first day at the Uncut-sponsored Latitude Festival:

Damien Rice Closes Latitude Day One

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Damien Rice has just brought a thrilling and surprisingly sunny first day of Latitude Festival to a close. Other artists who caused a stir included perennial Uncut-favourites Wilco, New Young Pony Club, Midlake and, on Uncut's own stage, the astonishing desert blues of Tinariwen. Across the field we have been entertained all day with poetry, cabaret, film and comedy as well as music. Mark Steel and Bill Bailey stood out from the comedy arena and had the audience in stitches. Other musical highlights from today have been Two Gallants, Alberta Cross, The Magic Numbers and Maps. We're looking forward to tomorrow where Uncut's birthday party band The Hold Steady are performing in the Obelisk Arena, and Rodrigo y Gabriela will be headlining our Uncut Arena. Uncut is at Latitude Festival all weekend bringing you up to date blogs, news and pictures. Click here for the special Uncut Latitude blog Uncut.co.uk/latitude

Damien Rice has just brought a thrilling and surprisingly sunny first day of Latitude Festival to a close.

Other artists who caused a stir included perennial Uncut-favourites Wilco, New Young Pony Club, Midlake and, on Uncut’s own stage, the astonishing desert blues of

Tinariwen.

Across the field we have been entertained all day with poetry, cabaret, film and comedy as well as music. Mark Steel and Bill Bailey stood out from the comedy arena and had the audience in stitches.

Other musical highlights from today have been Two Gallants, Alberta Cross, The Magic Numbers and Maps.

We’re looking forward to tomorrow where Uncut’s birthday party band The Hold Steady are performing in the Obelisk Arena, and Rodrigo y Gabriela will be headlining our Uncut Arena.

Uncut is at Latitude Festival all weekend bringing you up to date blogs, news and pictures. Click here for the special Uncut Latitude blog Uncut.co.uk/latitude