On the water
Well, Latitude was tremendous fun, somewhat against the odds since the weather ranged from ‘briefly encouraging’ to ‘total horseshit’ for the period we were there. Around 2pm yesterday afternoon, after four or so hours of unstinting rain, it began to look like a very peculiar decision to take the boy to the second Latitude of his short life. But as a big fan of puddles he was probably happier than most adults there. The rain gave way to a gorgeous festival evening and the traditional Latitude atmosphere buoyed everyone up into Sunday. I must say – as I’ve said before – if you’ve always sort of felt you should go to a festival, but are put off by the fear that you might have a totally horrendous time, Latitude is the one to go for. It remains user-friendly without feeling too much like a day out with your parents (although a lot people DO seem to come with their parents), and the range of entertainment is broader than almost any other festival. The musical line-up was maybe a bit flimiser this year than in previous years, but even then there was loads to keep anyone happy.
I’d like to quickly mention the not-too-well-known band The Walkmen, who I love but have never seen live, and whose performance was so blisteringly good that I did a tiny bit of crying at one song. Even more than the Arcade Fire night a couple of weeks ago, it was a real inspiration to me. Although there were quite a few people there, there wasn’t much fuss over the Walkmen before it started: it was mid-afternoon and there was no real sense that it was the biggest show in town. Very much what you’d say about most of mine in other words (except the afternoon bit). And yet with their effort, craftsmanship and passion this band made their fans, including me, feel almost giddy with joy and got a huge reception and hopefully won many new followes. It was yet another reminder that it’s all about how much each person takes from the experience, not how many people there are.
Anyway.
My own bit went pretty well, thanks to some of my usual silly scuttling around. What started as a standard chase developed into a walkabout in a tent with about 1000 kindly audience members, ranging from eager teens (and in fact a 9-year-old) to benign Guardian-reading types in nice skirts. I had a sign language interpreter who was brilliant and frequently more funny than me. I really enjoyed it. We didn’t in the end do a renegade book event (despite my bold words) – partly because it was raining too hard for a reading to work, but more because the festival somewhat diluted my spirit of anarchy by letting me do a signing in the actual literary tent. Bloody rule-makers, with their ‘doing what you wanted all along so you’ve got nothing to rebel against’.
Huge thanks to anyone who supported me in the comedy tent or came to have a book signed in deeply unfavourable conditions, or inflated my ego by asking me for a photo or shaking my hand or getting me to sign their hat.
Lastly a shout-out to the person camping next to me and Long-Suffering Giles. He was a bald man with a big beard, looking slightly like a younger Michael Eavis. The lady with him struck up a conversation with us this morning. His name turned out to be… Mark Watson. Two Mark Watsons side by side in a site of many thousand tents. What are the chances? I’m not a mathematician, as you know, but at least one in three. AT LEAST.
Posted by Madeleine on July 23, 2011
Ah the Walkmen are incredible! Anyone in Brisbane/Sydney/Melbourne, they’re going to be at the Harvest Festivals in November if you also want to be blown away and possibly have a little cry.
Sounds like your event was heaps of fun!!! Latitude is definately on my list of festivals to go to one day. (When I’m not studying/poor/shit scared of going to other countries)
Posted by Sarah on July 21, 2011
Latitude was my first festival and I adored it, loved the atmosphere. I was standing outside in the pouring rain for your slot and still enjoyed it, especially your face when Millie (?) tapped you to turn around. Sorry I didn’t pop by the signing afterwards but I was worried about how my tent was doing (turns out badly). Roll on next year.
Posted by Jen Sculler on July 20, 2011
hi there, just googled you because I want to buy your book on the strength of your performance at Latitude. Couldn’t come for the book signing, anarchic or not because we were staying for the next comedian. Just wanted to say loved your set, loved the faintly paranoid interaction with the signer and the interaction in the audience. Loved the difficulty you had getting the carrot story out and that you kept determinedly coming back to it. You were definitely one of the highlights of the comedy tent and my weekend at Latitude so, thanks for that.
Posted by LB on July 19, 2011
Hello. I am on blog catch up as I had no data connection at Latitude from Thursday afternoon. I’ve just read Saturday’s blog and was a bit disappointed that I missed the book reading anarchy. But now I’ve just read Sunday’s and realised that I didn’t miss it. Is it enough that I would have been there if I’d known about it and if it had happened…? Thanks for being one of my festival highlights again this year tho (you won in 2010 with the drunk book reading). You and Caroline were very entertaining. In fact, I was sat in the rainy bit and you were still my fave approx 45 mins of the weekend. If you’re interested, I also very much enjoyed Jenny & Johnny, BSP, Tim Key, Adam Buxton, Villagers and the chai tea from the Smooth Criminals cafe. Oh and Suede for a bit of 90′s nostalgia. If I can figure it out I will try and link a photo of my view of the stage when you were on as it amuses me (thank goodness for big screens – that tent was very full). Also thanks for being in a photo with us… we accosted you when you came back to the comedy tent before scooting off to sign some books and I think you were running a bit late… so thanks for stopping and smiling!
Posted by Tibbs on July 19, 2011
The Other Mark Watson thing is pretty neat; I love coincidences like that! The closest experience I’ve ever had is joining a choir that already had a Heather Simmons in it. I was very surprised when they told me I’d already signed in!
I love that you had a sign language interpreter for your show. I know Adam Hills does that for a lot of his shows, and I’d really like to see one. I only know a few bits and pieces in sign language, but it’s still really interesting to see. It’s also lovely to be inclusive like that. I hope you do more in the future!
Posted by Caroline Smith on July 18, 2011
Cheers for the shout out(well sort of) Mark..I’ve interpreted a few comedians and actually had to be very professional as I kept wanting to laugh at you myself!!
So a BIG thanks from me for letting me share the experience and hopefully you won’t be put off with working in the future with Sign language terps!!
Without wanting to be sycophantic, thoroughly enjoyed myself and loved being on stage with you
Ps..I had soo many people come up and ask me what the sign for ‘minge of steel’ was!
Posted by Kathryn on July 18, 2011
I know another Another Mark Watson; he’s a friend of a friend and even looks somewhat similar to the Original Mark Watson. Strange.
Festivals sound like fun; I’m thinking of doing one next summer with some friends. Even though I hate camping, and the outdoors in general…
Posted by Lydia on July 18, 2011
I will hopefully be able to go to one of these things next year.
The Other Mark Watson thing is funny. Coincidences like that are kind of awesome.
Posted by Rachael on July 18, 2011
Another Mark Watson? That is crazy! Do we know if his parents named him that though? Maybe he changed it and followed you there because he is trying to be you.
Posted by Megan on July 18, 2011
As much a rainy festival is seriously irritating (I have stood in ankle-deep mud to see a band before), a sudden storm took down a stage at Bluesfest today. Very scary stuff. http://ottawastart.blogspot.com/2011/07/main-stage-collapses-at-bluesfest-photo.html
Posted by Kate W on July 18, 2011
“It’s all about how much each person takes from the experience, not how many people there are.” Amen to that. Saw two great previews this afternoon; a total audience of nine, but still brilliant.
Posted by Jen on July 17, 2011
Wow,since reading this blog I’ve been inspired so much to ‘just do things’ and despite my inevitable worry (I do worry to the nth degree about everything) I’ve ventured to the Edinburgh Comedy Fest and love it,the Hay Fest,also great…next on the to do list has to be Latitude – sounds brilliant!Thanku!Jx
Posted by Misha on July 17, 2011
Awww. Go Kit. Puddle jumping is under rated. I assume the tone of the blog means that you didn’t have the thunder, lightning and hail that came ontop of the rain in the globe. Incidentally, major kudos to Arthur Darvill for being the only person not to break character when that happened.
Also kudos to Emily, whose show I saw tonight. It was ace.
Posted by Cathy (traineeflorist) on July 17, 2011
Can we just call him LSG? Less of a mouthful
Posted by Shell on July 17, 2011
Yay! My comment posted – I held my breath and everything…
Posted by Shell on July 17, 2011
Glad to hear Latitude still has the atmosphere I remember from a couple of years ago. I like puddles too… but only in moderation.
Good too that you got to sign in the proper place – anarchic reading and signing in torrential rain might have led to papier mache sculptures doing the rounds rather than signed copies of Eleven.
I feel I should now wave to Mini-Watson Kit, Long-Suffering Giles and both the Mark Watsons… *waves*
Posted by Rachel/Pandora on July 17, 2011
Aw. I love the idea that everyone else was really enjoying the music or some comedy and Kit was just stomping about in puddles. Bless.