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.
