Leeds Festival is not the only festival to make a major
scene in the Summer festival period. Entering its second year (third if we
count the year it was cancelled due to floods which luckily didn’t spell the
end as many of the artists set to perform held free gigs at Leeds’ Nation of
Shopkeepers that weekend), Beacons Festival has made a big splash in the Summer
festival circuit, despite some hiccups last year. But now it is back, with
significant improvements and a line up to drool over. Mixing big name bands of
the now with bands that are sure to make it big in the future, alongside some
good old Yorkshire charm, it’s definitely worth paying attention to. Here are
where you’ll probably find us over the weekend.
Friday:
Lulu James – Loud and Quiet, 18:50
North East newbie, Lulu James, has been well and truly
blowing up in 2013. ‘Closer’ has been all over the radio airwaves, as has ‘Step
By Step’. Bringing her soul/disco vocals that scream Donna Summer and Grace
Jones attitude to club bangers that wouldn’t sound out of place on Newcastle’s
Diamond Strip, this girl is most definitely worth a watch post-tea time.
Bonobo – Loud and Quiet, 22:45
You’ve lasted a whole day. You’ve probably eaten a lot.
Drunk a lot. Not properly sat down for more than ten minutes while you wait for
your mate to come back from the loo. What do you need? Bonobo. Yorkshire born
and bred Ninja Tune legend will be on hand with his downbeat, chilled out tunes
to give you a much needed break.
John Talabot – Resident Advisor, 00:00
After being thoroughly chilled out by Bonobo or ripped to
shreds by Fucked Up, a choice I am admittedly still torn by despite
recommending Bonobo, it’s clear that, come midnight there’s only one place you
need to be to end the night. That place is in the hands of Spanish DJ and
producer, John Talabot, set to bring
his blend of Balearic house to the Yorkshire countryside, hopefully
transforming the by then well trampled field into the beaches of Ibiza.
Saturday:
Wolf Alice – Loud and Quiet, 14:30
OK so Friday night was pretty heavy, especially staying up
so late for John Talabot. You roll out of your tent, grab your breakfast of a
pie or some BBQ food (because why not? You’re at a festival. Breakfast can mean
anything here!) and sidle on over to Loud and Quiet. Wolf Alice will definitely
blow away any cobwebs you have from the night before. Already making a name for
themselves on the festival circuit, their ability to mix the loud and the quiet
(making the stage they’re adorning all the more relevant) will wake you up but
then give you a bit of time to gather your thoughts before barraging you once more.
Just wake up already!
East India Youth – You Need To Hear This, 15:00
Music website The Quietus recently got in the record game.
After trying to get labels to sign William Doyle AKA East India Youth after
Doyle gave Quietus editor John Doran a copy of his CD at a Factory Floor gig,
they thought “Let’s just do it ourselves!” set up The Quietus Phonographic
Corporation and released Doyle’s debut EP Hostel.
Exciting chilled out pop, it might be a bit of a punt if your timetable is full
then but, hey, if The Quietus loves him, he must be at least half decent (NOTE:
He’s very good!)
Wire – You Need To Hear This, 23:00
Wire have been going long before you were probably born.
They’ve influenced everybody under the sun from REM to Sonic Youth to Elastica
(who “borrowed” heavily from a number of Wire tracks) to Bloc Party to The
Futureheads to…well….everyone. Now’s your chance to see what everyone has been
banging on about for the past 30/40 years.
Sunday:
Sky Larkin – Loud and Quiet, 13:00
Another local band who, until a few months ago, seemed to
drop off the map entirely. Already with two fantastic albums under their belt,
they took a brief hiatus while lead guitarist and singer Katie Harkin went
touring with Wild Beasts as their new keyboardist. A quick shimmy of the
line-up, adding These Monsters’ Sam Pryor, and an announcement of a new album,
they’re back with a fury and well worth rolling out of bed for.
Savages – You Need To Hear This, 21:00
You’ve probably heard enough about this lot this year.
They’ve already proven themselves as an amazing band to smash up the tour
circuit, blowing minds on every stage they walk upon. And with debut album Silence Yourself well and truly making
waves, head to You Need To Hear This because you need to see this as well as
hear this.
Django Django – Loud and Quiet, 21:40
Right, you’ve made it. The weekend is nearly over. Pissed as
a fart and probably a little bit heavier (unless you took part in morning yoga
to get rid of those burgers from the day before; if so, kudos, you’re a better
person than me), you might as well go out with a good old boogie. Django Django
will surely provide that with explosively danceable tunes filled with joy. Grab
your new mates and just dance the night away.
Special Mention:
Hate the usual festival food? You’re in luck because Beacons
have got a line-up of vendors which might just surpass the music on show, or at
least it will when you’re stupidly hungry. From Leeds’ Red BBQ providing pulled
pork and flame grilled meats to Skipton’s own Pie & Mash and some of the
best fish and chips you might ever have at Fish& (operating out of a beach
hut, I’ve only managed to catch them once but their chilli batter fish is
unbelievable), this isn’t your standard noodles and burgers. To wash it all
down, the fantastic Layne’s Espresso, based in Leeds, will be on hand to perk
you up with some of the best coffee in Yorkshire. Or, if you’re leaning more
towards the alcohol (if so, maybe find a bin to prop you up), Whitelock’s Real
Alehouse is holding an ale festival with ales from all over the world. Let’s be
real here. You’re probably just going to find me rolling around outside the
food and drinks tents all weekend.
