How much fun can you have in a field? A lot if you're heading down to Victoria Park on Saturday May 25th.
Field Day returns for another year, bringing an eclectic mix of the industry's best musical talent, from the established to the rising stars in the indie and EDM genres. Certainly it's my type of one-dayer, where big headliner acts don't overshadow the breakthrough bands and DJs who thoroughly deserve our attention.
Daughter is one of these such bands, a London based three-piece made up of Elena Tonra, Igor Haefeli and Remi Aguilella. Think Ghosts meets The xx, throw in some Bjork experimentalism with a good base of classic folk and you get their moody tracks delivered with an ethereal quality. The perfect musical companion for those wanting a mellow moment under the (hopefully) blue skies of the day in May.
Everything Everything will liven up your East London afternoon with their dynamically complex alternative electro rock/pop anthems. And if you thought Daniel Beddingfield had a good falsetto, wait until you encounter the lyrical gems Jonathan Higgs' lungs can produce. Jeremy Pritchard, Michael Spearman and Alex Robertshaw join Higgs to complete their foursome, and as a band who count Nirvana, Radiohead, Destiny's Child and R. Kelly as influences, surely Everything Everything is a band for everyone everyone.
Bringing some nostalgic prowess to the day's events are Guards, the new project from Richie Follin, Loren Humphrey and Kaylie Church. You can be sure their infusion of grunge, psychedelia, new wave and '60s rock will take you on a journey through musical history, the final stop ending with their own unique brand for our modern time.
I saw CHVRCHES at SXSW earlier this year and was utterly taken in by their light yet punchy electronic offering. Lead singer Lauren Mayberry is like Dolores O'Riordian or Sinead O'Conner, in that her voice is full of character whereby it doesn't just utter the lyrics but caresses them with every breath. Add an undercurrent of synth and a jumpy beat, you'll never recover if you miss this act.
After you've pencilled in these wicked bands, fill in the gaps with the likes of Feather, TOY, Charlie Boyeur And The Voyeurs, Django Django and Egyptian Hip Hop. And for those wanted to throw some shapes like it's an M25 rave party, then make time for Waze & Odyssey, Oneman, and Julio Bashmore, or, for something a little more funky try out Psychemagik.