aaamusic | On 12, May 2011

On the occasion of the Latitude Festival, Villagers, Carl Donnelly, Idiots Of Ants, Ella Hickson and Anna Calvi, all performing this year,  answered some questions about the festival, read what they said:

Villagers – Music Arena

1 – Who is your ‘must see’ performance at Latitude this year?

Rubberbandits! They are genius, although I’m worried that their cultural references will get lost on the boat over. Villagers drummer James is sitting beside me right now as I type… he recommends C.W Stoneking, who I’m ashamed to say I haven’t heard yet. Danny (Villagers bassist) recommends checking out Caribou and Lykke Li (As do I). As I type, we’re all sitting on the aforementioned boat, on the way to a session in Abbey Road. Abbey Road!!!

2 – Not including items used in your performance, what is your ‘must-have’ festival item?

My new sunglasses. They make me feel good. This shames me.

3 – Do you have anything special planned for your performance at Latitude?

Yes. It will be quite shocking actually.

4 – If you could have anyone (dead or alive) to introduce you onstage who would it be (and why)?

I’d like to be introduced by Kurt Vonnegut because I think that he was a cool motherfucker.

5 – If you have been to Latitude before what was your favourite memory, performance or special spot on site?

The first time we played Latitude a massive rainstorm broke through the tent during our last song. That was pretty cool.

6 – Latitude is…

…a good time (from my experience). See you there x

Carl Donnelly – Comedy Arena

1 – Who is your ‘must see’ performance at Latitude this year?

My ‘must see’ for this year is Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan. I have been a fan for a couple of years but have never got around to seeing them so I’m not missing them this time!

2 – Not including items used in your performance, what is your ‘must-have’ festival item?

A pop-up tent is an essential festival item for me. I am so lazy that in the past I have left two normal tents at festivals having woken up and not been bothered enough to take them down!

3 – Do you have anything special planned for your performance at Latitude?

Last time I was at Latitude, I was hosting the comedy arena with the worst hangover ever and was in the toilet vomiting when Janine Garofolo stormed offstage! This time I plan to be more professional!

4 – If you could have anyone (dead or alive) to introduce you onstage who would it be (and why)?

I would like the late great comedian Mitch Hedberg to announce me onstage as he was my favourite comedian of all time.

5 Latitude is…..

the only festival I have ever seen two men sitting on a bench having a weeing competition while eating gourmet burgers!

Idiots Of Ants – Elliott Tiney – Cabaret Arena

1 – Who is your ‘must see’ performance at Latitude this year?

Our favourite thing to watch is sketch and character comedy. The cabaret tent at Latitude is the perfect place to see all of the top acts perform their brand new shows right before taking them to Edinburgh!

We are planning to take a blanket and spend the day in the cabaret tent!

2 – Not including items used in your performance, what is your ‘must-have’ festival item?

The ‘spork’ it is a combination spoon and fork… Followed closely by the ‘fisheeler’, the combination fish knife and potato peeler.

3 – Do you have anything special planned for your performance at Latitude?

We hope so. We haven’t quite finished writing our Latitude show as yet… We are racking our brains hoping to think of something brilliant.

4 – If you could have anyone (dead or alive) to introduce you onstage who would it be (and why)?

Definitely someone alive. We find that corpse’s can really bring the mood down at a comedy show.

5 – If you have been to Latitude before what was your favourite memory, performance or special spot on site?

Ross Nobles giant conga was fun. Seeing Emo Phillips in the comedy tent.

Last year we stole a pink sheep, he now lives in our garden. We don’t recommend this. Sheep poop on flowerbeds.

6 – Latitude is…

Lovely clean fun. And too much booze and tents and music and comedy and campfires and more booze and then a falafel wrap and then a bit more booze.

Ella Hickson – Theatre Arena

1 – Who is your ‘must see’ performance at Latitude this year?

Gwendolen Chatfield and her folk set – she’s amazing, she plays guitar and accordion and her music is totally haunting – it’s wonderful.

2 – Not including items used in your performance, what is your ‘must-have’ festival item?

Wet Wipes. My mum swears by them, mud, make-up – covers all bases.

3 – Do you have anything special planned for your performance at Latitude?

It’s a site-specific piece written for a nightclub so there may be a little audience interaction – it will be fun making the audience feel like they want to get up and dance!

4 – If you could have anyone (dead or alive) to introduce you onstage who would it be (and why)?

Robin Williams as he was dressed in The Birdcage – I feel like he’d do a really good job.

5 – Latitude is…

…cloud-watching, star spotting and cider drinking.

Anna Calvi – Music Arena

1 – Who is your ‘must see’ performance at Latitude this year?

Villagers

2 – Not including items used in your performance, what is your ‘must-have’ festival item?

A big coat

3 – Do you have anything special planned for your performance at Latitude?

I will do the best show I can.

4 – If you could have anyone (dead or alive) to introduce you onstage who would it be (and why)?

John Peel would be nice, because he was a very special guy.

5 – Latitude is…

nice!