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James Poole reflection

Latitude 2013: posh teenagers and amazing drummers

I worry about the youth of today. Gig etiquette is simply not something that they understand. A case in point: as James Blake took to the stage for his Sunday afternoon slot at Latitude, it was almost as though anyone under the age of 20 had been ‘activated’, and their gormless trudge to the stage […]

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James Poole reflection

Latitude: the seventh edition

OK, I’ll come clean. While the summer has been more than a little hectic, I did manage to squeeze in Latitude. All very last minute, all very opportunistic. Despite the trenchfoot-friendly conditions, I’m chuffed to have made it. A festival with headliners including Weller and Elbow? Count me the hell in. Latitude is becoming firmly […]

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James Poole recommendations

Anna Calvi: Blues with an operatic sneer

Call it blues, delivered with an operatic sneer. Sounding like the nasty sister of Bat For Lashes – the one who grew up listening to dirty rock, as opposed to Kate Bush – Anna Calvi demands your attention. Take one part Florence Welch (the voice bit), one part Patti Smith (the attitude) and one part […]

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James Poole reflection

Latitude 2011

Let’s get the headliners out of the way. The National: singularly uninspiring. Like seeing a Joy Division covers band try to nail an Interpol set. Paolo Nutini: I couldn’t tell you, as I wouldn’t have been seen dead near to any stage with him on it. Suede: totally bobbins. I never liked them, and it […]

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James Poole recommendations

Foster The People: saving pop

It’s not just bands that I’ve seen before that I’m looking forward to at Latitude. I Am Kloot were behind the best album of 2010 – by a country mile. I’ve seen them play a few times, and they’re good enough for me to forgive one truly shocking gig where they were clearly off their […]

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defining freethinking James Poole recommendations

James Blake + Latitude = me properly chuffed

Now, don’t take the piss. It may not be Glastonbury, Bestival, Reading/Leeds – or even the V Festival – but I am looking forward to Latitude with all the anticipation of an alcoholic waiting for the shutters to be raised outside the Crown & Cushion. Call me old fashioned, but the relative tranquillity and calm […]

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James Poole

Missing Latitude

I’m gutted now. This weekend sees the Latitude Festival take place in the UK. I’m not going. It seemed like a good idea to pass up on tickets earlier in the year. Now I’m kicking myself. Over the past couple of years, it’s a festival which has treated me to some of my live music […]