Latitude 2017

In August, my best friend Harmony and I went to Latitude in Suffolk. It was Harmony’s first ever festival, and it wouldn’t have been my first choice of summer festival. However, it was one of the best experiences and most relaxing weekends.

We drove to Suffolk from Essex in my little unreliable smart car, which took us an agonizing 4 hours due to going down what seemed every country lane in England and Harmony making me pull over every 25 minutes so she could wee.


The first night was just a big boozy night, which I needed after the long drive. We immediately cracked open a few cans after arriving- starting truly as we meant to go on. We went off and explored the stages, which were the absolute bollocks. So, you have the main stages which is obviously where the main acts played and they were just in your normal massive field. But the smaller, more personal stages were up in the forest, which you would almost follow a trail to. They were all clouded by trees, and it was like having a rave in the middle of forest.


The weekend continued with amazing music, the 1975 and Mumford and Sons headlining, whom I was already a fan of. Being a complete music fanatic, Harmony showed me a few performers she enjoyed and knew I would too. I wouldn’t pick this festival for myself based on the music element, but the atmosphere and the people there were just top notch.

Everyone is so friendly and chilled out. Everyone just talks to everyone, and I can’t remember the last time I just talked to a stranger for just the conversation. Maybe it’s because you all have something in common, like you are all in the same boat, watching the same things, all drinking yourself stupid. You feel like a completely different person.


I got to spend a full 4 days just me and Harmony, which was most probably the best part. I work full time- including weekends and she is in Bath at uni, she has her band and work commitments, so it’s difficult to see each other. Before Latitude, I can’t remember the last time when we were able to just fuck about for a weekend- probably not since college. It's weird when you go from spending no time with your best mate and then you spend quite a bit of time together. Yeah, you bicker, but you just sit up by your tent chatting drunken shit at 3am and realize that no matter how much time has passed, nothing’s changed.

On our last night at the festival we had a very humbling experience, one I will never forget. We went to see Fatboy Slim where we was right at the front and Harmony left the crowd. I stayed until the end and once it was finished went to find her, when I finally did she was sat a bench with a woman.

I went up to them and Harmony introduced me to the lady. Harmony explained to me how

this woman had come to this festival with her family. She continued to tell me how the reason they were at the festival was because it was her sons make a wish to go there and meet Ben Howard, he had bone cancer and was undergoing treatment. A little bit later we got to meet the boy and his friend, who were cheeky, full of life and up to party. We ended up spending our entire last night with these boys and it was honestly one of the best nights of my life. To see someone who is in a real shitty situation, making the most of it, and just enjoying life to the absolute maximum, it was truly endearing. A night I will never forget, that has taught me to remain thankful and to count your blessings.

So, we returned home, broken, bruised and in desperate need of our beds after practically sleeping on the floor for 4 nights.

I don’t think I would ever do Latitude again, unless they had an amazing line up where I knew more than 2 acts, but, what a sick weekend. I got to spend time with my best friend, listen to good music, meet some great people and get out my face.