Latitude Festival located in the picturesque Suffolk countryside is always a summer highlight. This year the festival is back with a glittering array of artists for you to knock back a cider or two to and be consistently wowed by. Here's our round-up of who we think you should definitely be sure to catch over the course of the weekend. Thank us later. 

The festival has been running since 2005 and has continued to expand year after year. As one of the biggest and most popular festivals in the UK, the unique festival full of charm returns for another year boasting a stellar line-up with headliners The Maccabees, The National and New Order in tow. These three bands offer something for everyone and music fans will not be disappointed. Expect an attraction of edgy students in New Order's case, whilst The Maccabees will draw in quite the alternative crowd. 

The Maccabees' fourth studio album 'Marks To Prove It' was a spectacular return to form for the band, superbly followed by an extensive UK tour that reinforced why we fell in love with the Brighton-based quintet in the first place. Expect all the hits from fan favourite 'Toothpaste Kisses' to newer bangers such as 'Something Like Happiness' and the crowd pleaser that is 'Pelican'. 

The Lake Stage may be one of the smaller stages at the festival but the line-up is packed with exciting new artists that are ready to make some big noise. Dubbed 'stars of the future' Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens' favourites, Clean Cut Kid will take to the stage for a headline performance on Sunday evening. The Liverpool four-piece have racked up an impressive amount of gigging around the country recently and their rise is unstoppable. Think catchy beats blended with massive choruses and you're halfway there. Be sure to catch their set at the fest as Clean Cut Kid are a band who never disappoint - bonus points as they're undoubtedly one of the genuinely nicest bands around too. 

The Big Moon are a sassy girl band who command your attention with their hook-filled tracks that will have you hitting repeat in seconds. Get down the front for them for sure. Fellow Brighton babes, Fickle Friends are an electro-indie quintet who will provide your summer soundtrack with their shimmery indie gems and are always a treat to catch live. 

Head over to the DIY Alcove Stage to catch The Magic Gang in action with their music that has been described as 'very direct, very sexy, and very good' which is probably the most accurate description of the four-piece who make anthemic bangers ready to induce a mosh and/or sing-a-long session at any given moment. Check them out, they're seriously good. 

If music's not really your thing and you've been brought along by a friend or your partner, then fear not! There's a wide selection of comedy, theatre, dance, poetry, cabaret, film and so much more to please even the pickiest of people so you're in for a treat no matter what your particular tastes may be. 

Latitude Festival will run from 14-17th July. Tickets are available to buy now. For more info, please go to www.latitudefestival.com

Words Lauren Wade

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With festival season in full swing and Glasto done and dusted for another year, Southwold's Henham Park is set to deliver their eighth year of folksy frolicking. Providing an alternative to the usual festival staples, the Suffolk site sees Bloc Party, Kraftwerk and Foals take to the stage, delivering headline sets that are not to be missed. Clashes in set times means festival goers will have to be selective, when choosing who to watch. Fear not, Rock Revolver's definitive guide to Latitude 2013 is here to assist you in making these decisions, whether you're heading down to the festival or watching from the comfort of your home - there really is something for everyone.

 

Commencing on the 19th July, the three day festival opens in style with Theme Park on the BBC Radio 6 Music Stage. The London five piece will throw into the mix anthemic, ethereal indie as they plough through hits from their self-titled debut album (released in February this year). Heading over to the Obelisk Arena, which is set on top of a hill overlooking the whole site, the criminally underrated I Am Kloot will be picking tracks from their vast back catalogue to perform. Despite being overlooked in the past due to their lack of mainstream commercial success, their set at this year's festival will diminish any doubt that still lingers.

 

Remaining in the Obelisk Arena on Saturday, crowds will witness Rock Revolver favourite Jessie Ware brew a soulful serenity and throwback 90s vibes, with tunes such as Running, 110% and Wildest Moments. Following Ware, New York's Yeah Yeah Yeahs are set to tear it up and thrill with new material. Whilst, BBC Radio 6 Music Stage will play host to North London's Daughter and their strikingly intimate and captivating live show, before Alt-J headline the same stage later on that night.

 

Taking it down a notch, the final day of the festival features a special afternoon performance from Bobby Womack - the critically acclaimed and one of the most influential soul singers of all time. Off the back of their recent album success, Disclosure bring their sound to the masses on Sunday night on the BBC Radio 6 Music Stage before Beach House deliver a headline set (on the same stage).

 

As with many festivals, the fun and festivities are not limited to just these two stages. Across the weekend you can catch other artists such as Temples, Chvrches, Stealing Sheep, Drenge, Friends, Hookworms and Wave Machines on the i Arena stage, which is nestled under a canopy of trees in the Latitude woods. If that's not your cup of tea, The Lake Stage showcases the talent of tomorrow in an atmospheric and shimmering setting. This year you can catch sets from Swim Deep, The 1975, Wolf Alice, Port Isla, Jagwar Ma and Coves. Plus, tucked away at the near the banks of the lake, be there to witness another Rock Revolver favourite Catfish and the Bottlemen on The Alcove Stage.

 

If you need a bit of a break from the music, there is still plenty to satisfy your appetite with throughout your stay at Latitude. If you're a Bowie fan you're in for a treat this weekend; be sure not to miss Bowiefest in association with the ICA presents Bowie 1973, bringing together a wealth of talent, talks, appearances and more from those closely related to the star. If your taste buds still crave Bowie, then be sure to check out Ultimate Bowie.

 

If poetry and spoken word is your thing, it's worth coming to the festival for this stage alone. The spoken word extravaganza features the current poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, local hero Luke Wright, stand-up poet Tim Clare and Peterborough-based spoken word double act Dead Poets. Finally, the Graduate fashion show presented by Bip Ling, Jamie Laing and Storm Models promises to be a veritable feast of fashion antics.

 

Hopefully, this will wet your appetite for Latitude 2013 and serve as a guide of what's worth checking out if you are made to choose. Likewise with most festivals, there are always those gems waiting to be discovered, so get out there and catch some new music (and old favourites).

 

 

 

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Festivals...regardless of whether you love or hate the concept of thousands of people in a muddy field, the season has returned.The weather may not be quite up for it this year, but it will get better (hopefully). Without mainstream giant Glastonbury to outshine the rest, this year smaller festivals are to be given the chance to shine. Here's my guide to what's on, where and who's headlining.

1. Festival International De Benicassim July 12-15

The hottest European festival returns for another year in the Spanish sunshine. Located in Valencia, this festival is more than just a festival - it's a holiday. With three stages, four days and 100+ artists you're never short of something to do. The festival is situated right on the coast too, so once the music's over you can hit the beach to cool off. Alternatively if you're more of a city stroller, than local delights such as Barcelona and Madrid are only a couple of hours away. A four day ticket will set you back £155, however it's worth it to see the likes of Bob Dylan, The Stone Roses, New Order, Florence + The Machine, At The Drive In, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, The Horrors, Miles Kane, The Vaccines, The Maccabees, Howler, Spector, Crystal Castles and many more.

2. Reading & Leeds Festival August 24-26

Let's face it; Reading & Leeds is the festival that we will all be watching this year. Without Glasto this is the festival the focus has altered to. We'll see performances from The Cure, Kasabian, Foo Fighters, Paramore, Florence + The Machine, The Black Keys, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Vaccines, Kaiser Chiefs, You Me At Six, Enter Shikari, The Shins, The Maccabees, Foster The People, Graham Coxon, Passion Pit, Spector, Friends, Two Door Cinema Club, The Cribs, Dry The River, The Horrors, Tribes and that's only half of the artists featured across the weekend. Weekend tickets are £197.50 which includes camping from August 23rd.

3. Tramlines Festival July 20-22

This festival is incredible and it's free! What more could you ask for? Located in Sheffield, this event begun in 2009 and was a massive hit with the crowds; it returned in following years. With their slogan "Free for all" this is a festival that gives back to the community. The aim was to create an environment where you could wander in and out of your own accord, but don't let that fool you. The ticketless event is so popular with festival goers that to ensure entry to the main stage, you'd have roughly a two hour wait. So it's best to get there early and queue up. This year's line up sees artists such as Roots Manuva, We Are Scientists, Field Music, Ms Dynamite, Toddla T, Alt-J, Beth Jeans Houghton, Chew Lips, Frankie & The Heartstrings, Eugene McGuinness, Spector, Theme Park, This Many Boyfriends and Toy gracing the multiple venues. There's plenty more acts to be seen though, if that impressive lime up doesn't satisfy your musical cravings.

4. Latitude July 12-15

Residing on the Suffolk Coast, Latitude is a festival that is home to so much more than just music. It features elements such as: Comedy, Cabaret, Theatre, Film, Poetry, Literature, Dance, DJs, Art and Fashion. This year's line up includes Paul Weller, Bon Iver, Elbow, Metronomy, Laura Marling, Ben Howard, Richard Hawley, Michael Kiwanuka, Bat For Lashes, Simple Minds, Edward Sharpe and the The Magnetic Zeros, Alabama Shakes, White Lies, Lana Del Rey, Silver Seas, The Horrors, SBTRKT, Smoke Fairies, Wild Beasts, M83, Zola Jesus, Django Django, Breton and there's so much more to see throughout the weekend. Tickets for the festival come in different packages. A standard campsite ticket will cost you £175 and day tickets are £75 each. Children aged 5-12 years can purchase tickets for £5 but must be accompanied by an adult.

5. V Festival August 18-19

Some have said that V's lineup has disappointed this year, however I don't believe it has. With something for everyone, this is a festival that definitely doesn't disappoint. Here you can catch sets from The Stone Roses, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, The Killers, Snow Patrol, David Guetta, Ed Sheeran, Nicki Minaj, Tinie Tempah, Madness, Olly Murs, Example, Keane, Friendly Fires, Ben Howard, Maverick Sabre, Gossip, Newton Faulkner, Reverend & The Makers, Tom Jones, Nero, Happy Mondays, Noah & The Whale, Frank Turner, The Enemy, Miles Kane, Frank Ocean, The Feeling, Lawson plus more artists. Tickets for this festival cost £180 for a weekend camping ticket and for a day ticket it will cost you £86.

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