Latitude underway

Henham Park's three day bash in full swing

17 July 2009 - Latitude 2009 kicked off with a stormy start,  leaving thousands of festival-goers who turned up early to Henham Park lashed by rain as they watched Pet Shop Boys, Bat For Lashes and Little Boots.

British poet, playwright and singer from The Scaremongers, Simon Armitage kicked off proceedings with his band on Thursday night.

Victoria Hesketh, aka Little Boots is headlining the Sunrise arena tonight and said she loves the festival vibe.

She said: "It's very chilled, there's no soundcheck, there's no stress. You just go and do your show and all the crowds are great."

Regina Spektor, Ladyhawke, The Pretenders and hotly tipped newcomers The Temper Trap have played alongside Fever Ray and Squeeze.

"Walking around the site there is a great vibe," Temper Trap dummer Toby Dundas said. "We've had people asking us to watch a murder mystery play, there's comedy and all these kind of strange of events going on.

"It's very chilled, there's no soundcheck, there's no stress."  Little Boots

Elsewhere Golden Silvers and Charlotte Hatherley will also perform.

Grace Jones is set to headline on Saturday and Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds will wrap the festival up on Sunday.

Thom Yorke will also make his first solo appearance for a special midday set on Sunday.

Other acts on the bill include Editors, The Rumble Strips, Gossip, Saint Etienne and Noah And The Whale.

Singer Charlie Fink said fans may be a little surprised by their new material.

He said: "Initially people might be a bit sceptical about us doing a film album at Latitude but I'm sure they'll get into it."

The festival is now in its fourth year and has in the past been headlined by Franz Ferdinand, Sigur Ros, Interpol, Arcade Fire and Patti Smith.

Damian Jones