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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DRENCHED in hazy riffs reminiscent of Haim's debut album 'Days Are Gone', Florence Welch has revealed the fourth cut from her upcoming and eagerly anticipated third album 'How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful. Welch might be nursing a broken foot but there's nothing stopping her powerful vocals from producing a track as mighty as 'Delilah'. 

Unveiled on Annie Mac's Radio 1 show, the track is an up-tempo number that incorporates organic and electronic capabilities. The drumbeat and harmonies exist simultaneously, whilst elements of Florence's old school style will undoubtedly unite fans past and present. With lyrics such as "I never knew I was a dancer till Delilah showed me how" the urgency of the fast-paced track shines through, pulling at the heart strings and making us fall more in love with Florence then we already were. 

Speaking to Billboard, Welch claimed the band's new material comes from a period in which she was "fucking everything up". Welch also went on to say that. "Without the structure of touring, you have to face your own chaos. When I was left to my own devices I realised I was fucking everything up, I was in and out of a relationship, in and out of drinking too much. It was like picking yourself up and then dropping yourself, picking yourself up and dropping yourself. And that was exhausting." 

Of the songs heard from the album so far, it's difficult to pick a favourite as all of them contain heavy amounts of promise, but each new track presents new elements that inevitable look to form Florence + The Machine's most exciting album to date. 'Delilah' is beautifully atmospheric and another exciting chapter for Florence and her dreamy outfit. 

Florence + The Machine were recently confirmed to perform at this year's Glastonbury Festival, which runs from June 24-28 at Worthy Farm in Somerset. 

Words Lauren Wade

'How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful' is released via Island Records on June 1.

The tracklisting is as follows:

'Ship To Wreck' 

'What Kind Of Man'

'How Big How Blue How Beautiful'

'Queen Of Peace'

'Various Storms & Saints'

'Delilah'

'Long & Lost'

'Caught'

'Third Eye'

'St Jude'

'Mother' 

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Every once in a while a band comes along with the ability to defeat every obstacle placed in front of them. They go above and beyond in the name of music and their quest for greatness is prematurely fulfilled when the hype machine latches onto their sound.

Blackpool trio Darlia are that band, specifically ones who are leading the rock revival that is predicted to last long into 2014 and beyond. Comparisons to fellow revivalist newbies Drenge and Royal Blood are likely to emerge, however Darlia choose to do things a little differently with Radio 1 playlist boss Nigel Harding describing them as "the most exciting new guitar band in the UK."

Whilst there quiet-loud dynamic contributes majorly to their appeal, don't be surprised if you find yourself feeling nostalgic of a time when Nirvana were around - Darlia blend Nirvana-esque neo-grunge riffs with gut-rumbling basslines. All of this tessellates together, reeling you in before spitting listeners out again.

Their debut EP 'Knock Knock' justifies the hype and leaves you scrambling for the repeat button. Taking its lyrical and stylistic cues from the 90s Seattle grunge scene, the EP is one that switches between abrasive roars to breathless intervals, leaving listeners shaken to the core.

Opening track 'Queen Of Hearts' opens in a Nirvana-esque manner and signals to keen-eyed music fans that the 1994 rock revival begins here. The Blackpool newcomers' debut release incorporates ragged, uncompromising potential hit 'Napalm' sending out a near-perfect slice of brilliance complete with crushing riffs that cascade and collide.

Fresh madness ensues on final number 'Choke On Bones' with squealing guitars drenched in rock'n'roll sleaze. Their new-wave sound and swelling riffs are deeply immersive and will see them kick up some serious dust if they continue in this direction for the foreseeable future. One final thought - Darlia only deal in epics.

Words Lauren Wade

 http://www.darlia.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/DarliaOnline

https://twitter.com/DarliaSays

https://soundcloud.com/darliasounds

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Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe has a knack of choosing songs for his feature 'Hottest Record In The World' that have the ability to take on the charts and demolish them entirely. Rock Revolver favourite Catfish and The Bottlemen have reason to celebrate, as their latest track Rango premiered last week as the latest hottest record in the world. This summer is turning out to be essential for the four piece, with a slot on the BBC Introducing Stage at this year's Reading & Leeds Festival and an extensive UK tour continuing throughout August, the venues are getting bigger and the band more noteworthy; how does Rango measure up then?
 

With an overwhelming feeling that the band (hailing from North Wales) are gearing up for bigger and better things, Rango twists between Van McCann's ragged vocals and Billy Bibby's searing guitar. As we have already established, the band are not afraid of a huge chorus and they are definitely a welcome break from bands who are too afraid to unleash their potential.

Heavier moments arise as we approach the ending of this number, but with Catfish and The Bottlemen there are always some constants. The fact that the group choose to centre their lyrics about life in Llandudno is admirable and will see them take their sound far.

 

www.catfishandthebottlemen.com

https://www.facebook.com/catfishandthebottlemen?fref=ts

https://soundcloud.com/catfishandthebottlemen

http://www.twitter.com/thebottlemen

 

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Explosive Llandudno thrash guitar four piece Catfish and the Bottlemen are set to release their debut single Homesick on June 17th. Having worked with producer and Communion co-founder Ian Grimble (who's also worked with Red Hot Chili Peppers), the band have crafted an enthralling listen, sampling their talents and ready to capture music lovers' hearts.
 

The track, a brief take on the trials and tribulations of love sickness, opens on a hazy note with stirring guitars and tender moments galore! Pelting drums and even catchier choruses lead us to the epicentre of explosion, before coming full circle and entering subdued territory once more. With frontman Van McCann telling us, "I'm only looking out for you! You know it's obvious that's a lie!", you can't help but get the feeling that North Wales' most promising export have a tale or two to tell (even if it does sound a little like the Goo Goo Dolls' Iris every now and then).

Having picked up early support on the radio from the likes of Zane Lowe, Huw Stephens, Phil Taggart & Alice Levine and Steve Lamacq, the band are swiftly on their way to proving themselves to be the new indie staple of the music industry, especially since their packed out set at The Great Escape Festival last month.

Catch Catfish and the Bottlemen on their headline UK tour and get their sound in your lives now; you won't regret it.
 

 

www.catfishandthebottlemen.com

https://www.facebook.com/catfishandthebottlemen?fref=ts

https://soundcloud.com/catfishandthebottlemen

http://www.twitter.com/thebottlemen

 

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After eight years of being the Breakfast show host, it was announced earlier this year that Chris Moyles was to step down; Nick Grimshaw would be taking over. Now I don't listen to Radio 1 much anymore (I prefer xfm) but a couple of years ago when I was a frequent listener, it was Nick Grimshaw who was my favourite DJ on the station - obviously I'm delighted that Grimmy is the new host. I might even start listening again. It's not that I disliked Chris Moyles, I just found his show a tad dull as he talked more than he tended to play music.

 

This morning (September 14th) on the final show, each team member of the Breakfast show had a chance to thank the listeners. Here's what they said:

 

Newsreader Dominic Byrne commented that he "started this show when my boy Finn was six months old. Now he's nine, and we've had two other children since then. It's been a gigantic part of our lives as a family and for me personally. I feel very proud of what we've done and I don't think it will be done again. I feel very, very proud and thanks to everyone who's listened. I will miss it and genuinely from the bottom of my heart, thanks very much."

 

Dave Vitty added "I just want to say thanks very much to everybody who's listened over the years. I've worked with great people, and have done some great things. Without you, we wouldn't be here."

 

The show's producer Aled Haydn-Jones reflected on his time by saying "I was six when I played my first radio show to my Gran, I was fifteen on the day when I got my first radio show at hospital radio, and throughout the whole time, all I wanted to do was work on the breakfast show. I never thought I'd be doing it for nine years. I just want to say I love you guys and I love the audience and what an amazing place radio has been and Radio 1 still is."

 

Chris Moyles ended with a final farewell to his listeners "I've had best time ever, I've had a few lows, but mainly a gazillion highs doing this show. It has been my dream doing it and has been so much better than it could be.

Nick, have the best time. It's the best job in the world, you get a lot of grief with it, but it's worth going through that. Nick might have a rough time at the beginning but I hope they give him a try.

"It's been awesome, thanks to the team who've been great, and the listeners who are more than just people that listen to the show. I'm genuinely so excited and happy to have got here without being marched out of the building. Thanks to everyone who's worked on the show and all the people who've supported show. We're a tough act to follow, it's great. So long and thanks for all the fish."

If you would like to see how Nick Grimshaw's first show plays out, then you can catch him live on Radio 1, from Monday 24th September at 6.30am.

 

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