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An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
Chris Elwell-Sutton's rating
Reader rating
Mesmerising: Findlay Brown won over the audience with the smouldering intensity of his performance
The build-up to July's Latitude Festival in Suffolk got off to a highly promising start last night as part of a tour promoting the event's more interesting acts.
After a successful debut last year, the second Latitude offers an excellent musical line-up with a slight bias towards alternative folk and other credible guitar-based sounds, boasting Damien Rice, Jarvis Cocker and The Magic Numbers among its big draws, as well as a strong selection of art, film and live comedy. But last night was a showcase for some of the more hotly-tipped young musicians scheduled to appear at the event.
Alberta Cross, a London act who bonded over a love of psychedelia, Leonard Cohen and The Band, wore their influences on their sleeves, but with enough flair to please the audience.
Sporting a hat that exuded Deliverance-style hillbilly menace, lead singer Petter Ericson Stakee was captivating, boasting a pure and eerie falsetto in breathtaking contrast to his gruff speaking voice.
With some lovely close harmonies, a variety of tempos, and judicious use of electric piano, they brought an authentic Seventies country rock flavour to the proceedings.
Their compositions did not burst with originality and it was hard to identify any hit singles but they proved a worthy addition to the festival's bill nonetheless.
Potentially chart-bound tracks were in far greater supply when Angus and Julia Stone took the stage. The brother and sister were backed by a tight little band who brought out the best in their folk-tinged pop.
All Of Me, one of the highlights on the Australian singers' recent mini-album, was a sweetly atmospheric ballad, Julia's little-girl voice - which has provoked obvious comparisons with Joanna Newsom - shining over subtle acoustic backing and her brother's delicate harmonies.
Kooky and sexy, Julia was very much the frontwoman, delivering lead vocals and inter-song banter, which, while endearing, contained the kind of bogus wisdom often proffered by actors - very obvious truths stated slowly and in an overly earnest manner.
Well-constructed, lyrically accessible and anthemic, many of their tracks would not have sounded out of place on daytime radio. Private Lawns was their finest track, its cheeky, toe-tapping rhythm impossible to resist, with Julia throwing in a trumpet solo.
At first, it was hard to work out what had propelled headliner Findlay Brown to the brink of stardom, apart from his song Come Home being used in a recent ad campaign by Mastercard.
But while he may not have blown the crowd away with conventional crooning, his smouldering intensity was mesmerising.
The Yorkshireman's sophisticated guitar work and ethereal harmonies from an excellent band provided an ideal backdrop for his subtle, folky charms. He was equally impressive delivering the superb ballad I Will with only his acoustic guitar.
A refreshing event at which musicianship was a higher priority than hype, Longing For Latitude lived up to its name.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Price: £7.00
Details: Headliners: Findlay Brown, Angus & Julia Stone, Alberta Cross and Paris Motel ...more
* Online booking only
Just wanted to echo Elizabeth's comment above, really. Paris Motel were one of the most interesting live bands I've seen in London for a long time. My only criticism would be that their set was too short, and they were on stage too early, which is probably why the reviewer failed to give them a mention - maybe he arrived late!
- James Melbury, London
The short opening set from the 9-strong Paris Motel line-up was a grandiose sweep of beautiful, quirky melodies and sophisticated instrumentalism.
- Elizabeth Wootten, Oxford
