Field Day returns bigger this year, extending to a second day for the first time.
Taking place in London’s Victoria Park on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th of June, Field day is truly a festival dedicated to cutting-edge music and prides itself on an extensive and solid line-up.
This is an event that forgoes much of the extra rubbish found in many modern festivals and stays true to the title ‘music festival’, because who really needs to walk around 100 square kilometres of neon pink tutu stands? It also has the advantage of having that niche appeal now commonly associated with one-day urban festivals spanning multiple venues, but all in one handy field!
Saturday remains the heart of Field Day, with the higher ticket price and larger current line-up, and will see electronic quartet Metronomy as headliners providing the catchy and dance-able hits they have become so well known for. Metronomy may not be the monster name most people are used to seeing as a headliner for a festival, but Field Day’s power lies in its cumulative strength.
Danny Brown’s unique (read: crazy) live energy provides an appropriate injection of Detroit rap into the mix, complementing the more sombre electronic trip-hop stylings of London’s Ghostpoet.
We had a taste Dev Hynes at Field Day 2013 when he played guitar in a sharp suit for Solange but this year he will be returning as Blood Orange and I cannot wait to see how his latest affair, Cupid Deluxe, lends itself to a live setting.
However, SOHN is perhaps the artist I am most excited for. He has produced some absolutely amazing tracks and released remixes that rival their originals, but his solo material easily holds its own; his recent debut album, Tremors, is a work of art in all aspects.
Other notable Saturday acts include Jamie XX, Mercury prize nominated Jon Hopkins, the amazing live performance of SBTRKT, Midas touch producer Ryan Hemsworth, Radio 1’s champion of new music Huw Stephens, indie pop rockers The Temper Trap, and Swedish singer Neneh Cherry.
Saturday may be the money-shot for most people, but Sunday’s line-up is not to be sniffed at and is slightly more ‘guitar-music’ centric. Pixies will headline with their legendary alternative rock, although their current line-up has a notable absence of Kim Deal, an integral part of Pixies for many fans. Everyone’s favourite sulky cosmic rockers, The Horrors, will be performing. Also on the bill are the infectious Shy Nature, the riff-beat duo Drenge, Australian psychedelic-rock outfit Pond, and NME favourites Temples.
So if you want an unadulterated day of the best in music at a reasonable price, pencil Field Day into your summer calendar.
Saturday tickets are available at the price of £49.50, Sunday tickets at £38.50, and weekend tickets at £78. I also recommend picking up Rough Trade’s special compilation CD in preparation.
