The multi-award winning Latitude Festival is poised to return to the beautiful Henham Park in Suffolk from July 25th to 28th, 2024. Headliners Duran Duran, Kasabian, Keane, London Grammar, and Sara Pascoe, Jo Brand, Judi Love and Joanne McNally spearhead an eclectic lineup that fuses music with the arts. Tickets are on sale now . Championing creativity, diversity, and artistic brilliance, Latitude Festival adds yet more names to the bill.
THEATRE
Experience the magic of theatre and performance at Latitude Festival with an electrifying lineup that promises to captivate and enthral audiences of all ages.
An Evening Without Kate Bush invites attendees to immerse themselves in the ethereal world of one of Britain’s most iconic musicians. Led by the talented Sarah-Louise Young, known for her roles in Fascinating Aïda and Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, this unique show celebrates the music of Kate Bush in a way that’s both joyful and mind-blowing. Young also presents I Am Your Tribute, where tribute acts take centre stage in a choose-your-own-adventure cabaret, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of tribute performers.
Jade Anouka’s Heart delves into the depths of love, loss, and self-discovery through a raw and honest exploration. With poetic storytelling and live music by UK Beatbox champion Grace Savage, this groundbreaking play celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the beauty of human connection.
Luke Wright returns with “Joy,” a collection of poems that ponder the nature of happiness and the joys of everyday life. Through his vibrant and urgent storytelling, Wright invites audiences to contemplate the possibility of pure, unbridled happiness, weaving together themes of family, fatherhood, and the sheer delight of language itself.
Luke Wright said , “I’m so pleased to be returning for my 18th Latitude Festival. It’s mad to think I could have raised a child in the time I’ve been slinging words on these stages. For 11 years I co-programed the biggest gathering of poets in Britain here. And for the last seven I’ve debuted new work at Latitude, launched my precious babies into the world with the best audience in the country. This year I’ll be performing JOY, a show about nostalgia, family, and the pursuit of happiness, seems appropriate as there will be bags of joy about in Suffolk that weekend.”
Shôn-Dale Jones presents “Cracking,” a thought-provoking blend of stand-up comedy and theatre that explores the complexities of love and hate in the digital age. Winner of the prestigious Tinniswood Award, this touching and humorous solo performance blurs the lines between fact and fiction, inviting audiences to ponder what it means to truly connect in a world filled with disconnect.
Wright & Grainger bring four captivating shows to Latitude Festival, each offering a unique perspective on ancient myths and modern storytelling: “Helios” transplants the Ancient Greek tale into a modern-day myth wound around the winding roads of rural England and into the everyday living of a towering city. “Half Man Half Bull” offers a retelling of two Ancient Greek Myths as a double album and “Orpheus” is a modern retelling of an ancient myth, weaving together spoken word and acoustic soul music to create a captivating narrative of impossible, death-defying love.
CONVERSATIONS, PODCASTS & POETRY
This year, Latitude presents a vibrant lineup of podcasts, conversations, and ideas, showcasing diverse voices and celebrating human experience.
Comedian Adam Buxton hosts a live edition of The Adam Buxton Podcast with guest Jo Brand. Buxton’s signature ‘rambly’ style combines humour and depth as he chats with celebrities, and his knack for giving guests room to breathe allows for candid and insightful conversations. Ryan Broderick brings a live edition of Garbage Day to the festival, his newsletter on internet culture, to life in a live edition, exploring memes, technology, and online phenomena with humour and insight.
Authors William Dalrymple and Anita Anand bring their acclaimed podcast, Empire, to life at Latitude, delving into the history of empires. Through intriguing stories, personalities, and events, they explore the fundamental questions of how empires rise, fall, and impact the world today. From the corridors of power to the battles that defined eras, Empire offers a compelling exploration of the forces that have shaped our past and continue to influence our present.
Diggory Waite and his mother, sex therapist Cate Campbell, present a live episode of hit podcast The Real Sex Education, discussing sexual education experiences with humour and openness, challenging taboos. In this live episode, Diggory and Cate engage with Latitude comedians and experts to revisit their own sexual education experiences, aiming to uncover how far they’ve come since then.
Alongside “Joy” at this year’s festival, East Anglian poet Luke Wright also returns to the Listening Post, unravelling modern Britain’s complexities with bold verses. Celebrated for electrifying performances, he boasts Fringe First and Stage Awards. As a founding member of Aisle16, he rejuvenated spoken word. With acclaimed collections and “After Engine Trouble” winning the Saboteur Award, Wright solidifies his legacy as a celebrated British poet.
At the festival, anxiety expert Joshua Fletcher, known as Anxiety Josh, shares his expertise in managing anxiety. Josh has authored three best-selling books on self-help for anxiety (And How Does That Make You Feel?, Anxiety: Panicking About Panic and Untangle your Anxiety) earning him a substantial social media following, especially on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where his relatable approach has resonated with over 250,000 followers. Author and comedian Marc Burrows celebrates the 40th anniversary of Sir Terry Pratchett’s iconic Discworld series, author and comedian Marc Burrows takes audiences on a comical yet insightful journey through the life and works of the beloved writer.
Maya Oppenheim discusses her compelling debut “The Pocket Guide to the Patriarchy”, a compelling exploration of gender inequality. Leading travel journalist Ash Bhardwaj explores the motivations behind travel, reflecting on personal
growth and transformative experiences from his debut book “Why We Travel” and Dr. Mya-Rose Craig, ‘Birdgirl’, shares her journey as a birder and environmental activist, inspiring audiences to embrace birdwatching and environmental advocacy.
Acclaimed playwright Anders Lustgarten discussed his debut novel, Three Burials, navigating contemporary Britain with humour and insight, offering a reflection on modern life. Joanna Neary returns with BookTalkBookTalkBook an absurdist parody of awkward live author events; an exploration of artificial intelligence and the creative process
ACROSS THE ARTS
Across the weekend, Almost Synchro, a group of Bristol-based swimmers, united by a passion for outdoor swimming perform at the festival will be taking to the festival waters. And Remember We Care… return to Latitude for their 15th year and are bringing two shows – A Memorial service for the Conservative Party as well as audience favourite – Danny Does The Crossword! where the audience has 40 minutes to complete a specially created, bespoke cryptic crossword. Creative Quests will be inviting audiences to set out on an adventure of curiosity, play & discovery across the festival, whilst Masterclass TRH will be presenting a series of creative workshops and opportunities to engage with the arts industry. Audiences will have plenty more opportunities to make and create themselves with workshops from artists including Geo Knits Slow, The Henham Tree Ring Project, Sharon Chin Bunting, as well as Character Design and Life Drawing from Norwich University of the Arts.
With an eclectic mix of performances that push boundaries and defy expectations, Latitude Festival promises an unforgettable celebration of music and the arts, where creativity knows no bounds.
