Entertainment

Latitude has returned and with it, our spirit for fun.

As the rain begins to fall during The Chemical Brothers’ set, the crowd suddenly goes wild – we’re sweaty, we’re dancing with wild abandon and it feels like 2019 again.

It’s been a tough 18 months, with the pandemic crippling the festival industry as social distancing at gigs is near-impossible (and would ruin most of the fun anyway).

This is perhaps why Latitude, which ends today (25 July), feels extra special this year.

We arrive around 1am on Friday and the party’s still going strong as people return from forest raves – but we pace ourselves, setting up our tent with the help of a group of people who end up becoming our good friends by Sunday.

This is nothing short of magical because interacting in close proximity with strangers would have been unimaginable just a few months ago.

Latitude is the first major festival to take place post-lockdown and the event doesn’t disappoint.

For four days, in the middle of Henham Park, face masks are non-existent and social distancing is a thing of the past as 40,000 people mingle in close quarters.

Everyone is aware of just how precious these moments are and there’s an electric intensity in the air, a shared love for live music and festival life – which is especially evident as Rudimental takes the stage and people form ‘love hearts’ in the air with their hands.

Meanwhile Supergrass’ ‘Alright’ has us swaying and singing in the sunshine and Rick Astley gives an impromptu show out of the blue, the day before his set.

While there is a lot to love about this year’s line-up, Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons brought an energy and light show – and two large robots – that only a duo this iconic can.

Pure euphoria hit the crowd as ‘Galvanise’ came on.

“World, the time has come to… push the button,” we scream together, collectively pushing that button so hard our fingers start to ache.

Later, a moment in the woods, where one of our newfound friends plays Bohemian Rhapsody on an old piano as a crowd gathers to do a singalong, has us teary, too.

Music aside, Latitude – known as the family-friendly festival – really does have something for everyone; from a secret stage on the hill amongst the trees to swimming in the pond, a helter skelter for the kids and Mind, Body & Zen where you can try disco yoga.

The Trailer Park area was also back for its second year, with vehicles covered in graffiti, a ‘snow’ (foam) rave for children and adults, and a huge ‘spider’ that is as tall as the trees and looks like something from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (except it’s actually a car).

And if you’re after some colourful, crazy fashion, there’s plenty to browse and bucket hats are having a moment.

Laughing is a priority at Latitude too, with the comedy tent heaving with talent.

Bill Bailey has us in fits on day three, though he performs on the Obelisk Arena, as he takes a dig at one of the UK’s leaders (he doesn’t name them, but it’s evident to the crowd who he is talking about), calling them a “hideous hybrid between Prince Joffrey and Shrek”.

And with that, we are reminded that Covid isn’t gone yet.

Latitude is acting as a ‘test’ for future events of the same size; every person has to show a negative lat flow test or vaccination records in order to gain entry to the grounds.

There’s also hand sanitiser available at the toilets and a vaccination van on-site for those who need their first or second jab.

Despite these hints to the pandemic still raging across the globe, the atmosphere remains joyful – and not a little emotional.

Latitude has brought the love and after so many months of misery and isolation, it’s exactly what we need.