Preview: Field Day 2009

johnmcga
By johnmcga Last edited 178 months ago
Preview: Field Day 2009

Field Day 2008
Photo of Field Day 2008 by Martin Deutsch

You could sum up last year's Field Day in a few words: Long queues. Damp. Stellar line up.

And that’s the thing. It’s always been easy to knock the hit and miss organisation of this Victoria Park festival, but Field Day has a track record of delivering where it really matters: the music.

This year is shaping up nicely. Turn up on 1 August and you’ll find five stages packed with a ear-pleasing blend of established talent and fresh acts from the alternative-indie-electro world.

For a safe bet, you could just camp out at the main stage. With Santigold (we hope she brings her ultra-cool dancers) and The Horrors appearing you can be sure of a few interesting moments.

But as this isn’t a corporate monster of a festival, it’ll reward you in unexpected ways when you explore the other stages. We’re temped by the likes of Micachu and the Shapes, Canadian collective Woodpigeon and Apes and Androids. Sleepy from drinking in the sun? The laid back sounds of James Yorkston should be just the ticket.

There’ll be a big crowd for Little Boots, possibly 2009’s most tipped musician - and headliners Mogwai will be doing their guitar-laden post-rock thing too.

Music aside, there’ll be lots of other stuff to keep you busy. Onion peeling and pea shelling competitions are just a couple of the more offbeat activities promised.

In fact, it does sound like there’s some bizarre It’s a Knockout spin-off lurking within Field Day’s self-proclaimed “village mentality”. This kind of enforced quirkiness can sometimes backfire, but we’re willing to overlook a certain amount of kraziness as there'll be a coconut shy and crockery smashing stall too.

Logistics-wise, we think the organisers deserve another chance. While 2008 wasn’t ideal, it was a considerable improvement on 2007's disaster, so there's every sign that things are moving in the right direction.

Field Day happens on 1 August in Victoria Park and tickets are available online for about £30 plus the inevitable booking fees. Or if you’re looking for an excuse to stop by Rough Trade East, you can pick tickets up in person there.

Last Updated 27 May 2009