17 Dots at Latitude: Saturday

July 14th 11.30am breakfast with My Two Toms, Lake Stage

My camping partner Emma arrived in the middle of the night. Helped put her tent up, which was something of a miracle given that it was inky dark and I was drunk. Gave her some wine, cheese and crackers and spent the rest of the night running into people we knew. Everyone at this festival appears to be between the ages of 26 and 35 and really rather middle class. This does mean the food is pretty good, and the commitment to being eco-friendly is amazing, but I can’t shake the feeling that the organisers have looked at my demographic, taken aim and fired a perfect shot. I hate knowing I’m a target market, but they’ve done a really good job. (I admit this through gritted teeth.)

Emma and I are now sitting in front of the Lake Stage, waiting for the music to start and eating our (organic, naturally) breakfast and discussing the whereabouts of the mysterious Sunrise Stage. Duo My Two Toms start playing. It’s nice, sitting in the sunshine and listening to their Americana-esque guitar and banjo playing. The pair of them seem thrilled to be there too, which is sweet. If this sounds like I’m damning them with faint praise, well, I am. There was nothing to make the two of us stop talking – I think I even sang Kate Bush’s ‘Hounds Of Love’ at one point. [Later note: I checked out their MySpace – more engaging, I think they’re an indoor band.]

Around 3.00pm Herman Dune and Bat For Lashes, Obelisk Arena
Lie back in the sun to take in Herman Dune. Massive amounts of instrument swapping, off-kilter love songs and dryly delivered comic tales between songs. I don’t know this band too well, but make a note to check out their latest album Giant at some point. I’m drawn to them, what I can pick out lyrically sounds well-observed and they make me laugh.

Bat For Lashes have kicked off a fashion trend. I thought it would be useful and cool-looking to keep my hair in a vaguely presentable state with a 1920s-ish headband. As did half the other women at the festival. C’est la vie, can’t always be a fashion guru, and BfL’s Natasha Kahn did get there first. She and her band are all kitted out in dressing-up box chic with magpie eyes for sparkles. The harpsichord effects of ‘Horse and I’ pull ears in her direction. Natasha sounds stirring and otherworldly (if a little in debt to Kate Bush); she and her band flit around the stage like a coven of glamour-struck witches (my mate Charlie develops a spontaneous love-thing for the violinist.) By contrast her speaking voice is rather nervous. Despite this a minor technical hitch, she’s enchanting, closing with ‘Prescilla.’ Some of us try to sing with her, but it’s impossible to keep up.

5.30 Joan as… Uncut Arena
We’re having fun appending random job titles to Joan as Policewoman’s name. “Joan as supply teacher!” “Joan as junior agent” “Joan as European merchandiser!” Joan herself looks like a rock wife from the 1980s, a look at odds with the warmth of her sound.

6.00pm Remi Nicole
Remi Nicole is a delight. And we’ve finally found the bloody Sunrise Stage, buried in the woods. Remi is a London singer somewhat in the mould of Lily Allen and Kate Nash, but without any of the brashness that implies. There are elements of the Holloways and the Libertines there too. I’d normally hate anyone fitting that description, but not Remi. Her wonky indie pop is charming. She’s smiley with clever lyrics and a massive guitar that threatens to dwarf her. I would see her again and again. She’s my favourite discovery of the festival.

8.00pm CSS Obelisk Arena
Of all the acts playing, I was looking forward to seeing CSS the most. I wanted to dance like a woman possessed, hear my favourite songs from the album and see what all the fuss was about their live show. I’m disappointed, but I can’t blame the band. They’re up there knocking it out, Lovefoxx screaming into the mic like she’s trying to snap her vocal cords, but no dice, it’s too quiet. No idea what’s going on; I can’t believe they’d use limiters on an act who are such a draw. If this music was my boyfriend I’d have dumped him for being wet before now. Such a shame.

10.00pm onwards
Notes obliterated due to spilled red wine. Memory obliterated due to consumed red wine. Do remember trying to dance without standing up. Lots of ‘sing it like Nico’ jokes. Decide best cover version ever would be Nico doing ‘Send In The Clowns’ or ‘Sent In The Clons’ as it becomes. Check with Emma and Charlie: memories almost empty for them too.