Field Day gets its acts together

Having a Field Day: Bat for Lashes

Joining the likes of Animal Collective, Bat for Lashes and Mulatu Astatke at this year’s Field Day festival are punk performance poet John Cooper Clarke, the Leonard Cohen-inspired Kurt Vile, ‘post dub-step’ outfit Mount Kimbie and Seth Troxler, a DJ whose vocal jams make him one of modern dance music’s most singular characters.

There will also be a first ever London festival appearance from Solange – better known as Beyonce’s little sister – who has been gaining fans in her own right since her single ‘Losing You’, an infectious break-up anthem evocative of early 80’s R&B, became a viral sensation last October.

Also playing are the four-piece Savages, who ranked highly on this year’s ones-to-watch lists,  and PalmaViolets, whose first single ‘Best of Friends’ was voted NME’s song of 2012.

Locally-based acts are not excluded from the fun, including SPLASHH, who will be showcasing their unique brand of floaty, fuzz-laden grunge pop tunes.

Now in its seventh year, Field Day aims to combine pioneering line-ups with a ‘village fête mentality’.

That means stalls inspired by country pastimes and games, including tug of war, sack races and egg and spoon races, will be the order of the day – or weekend – for those seeking a break from the bands.

Tom Baker, of the festival’s promoters Eat Your Own Ears, claims that with the new additions to the line-up the festival is likely to “blow people’s minds”. It’s an optimistic assessment, but one that may not be too far off the mark.