Best Ever Latitude

“Every year I feel that it has been the best yet and I have to say this year we’ve done it yet again,” he said, after the 35,000-capacity gathering had predictably sold out.

He pointed out that Latitude’s “well-known as being the festival that gives tomorrow’s superstars their first headline billing.

“We’re also very proud of Latitude’s record in championing and helping to break new acts. It only took Alt-J 12 months to graduate from The Lake Stage to headlining The BBC Radio 6 Music Stage,” he explained.

There was also the chance to see older pop icons doing their own special things as the crowd donned 3-D glasses for Kraftwerk’s specially lit set. Latitude also lives up to its name in the sense that there seems to be no limit to the range of entertainment on offer.

This year featured the “Water Dance,” a special Latitude commission from Italian artistic project Studio Festi, which involved aerial acrobatics, giant swans and luminous globes gliding over Henham Park’s moonlit lake. The eighth edition of Latitude also grew its reputation as what Benn calls “the UK’s favourite multi-arts festival,” courtesy of several classical music concerts, book readings and a packed-out comedy tent.

The other acts helping Latitude spread out a little further July 18-21 included Texas, Foals, Bloc Party, Hot Chip, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Beth Orton.