Saturday at Latitude Festival saw gorgeous hot weather again, and US star Teddy Swims topping the bill with a fantastic set, after a cracking opening day on Friday which featured Talking Head’s legend David Byrne as headliner.
Today some of the very best stuff for us was Teddy, Cian Ducrot, Billy Ocean, Tom Odell, Wet Leg, Westside Cowboy, Vanessa Carlton, and comedy legend Sir Lenny Henry for his UK festival exclusive and a triumphant comeback to stand-up after 17 years.
The festival is celebrating its 20th year since launching in 2006, with a starry and eclectic line-up of music; bands and artists from global names to future stars and some of the hottest names in comedy too, with a capacity of 45,000 each day.
The Suffolk music and arts festival has returned to the picturesque grounds of Henham Park near Southwold for a four day, 19th edition [2020 was cancelled during the Covid epidemic], opening on Thursday 23rd July for the campers, and kicking things off proper today [Friday 24th] with David Byrne headlining, as a UK festival exclusive.
Scottish star Lewis Capaldi is the headliner on Sunday as part of packed lineup, where music meets the arts in a cultural explosion; plus foodie feasts, relaxing retreats, family fun and counter-cultural club nights.
Teddy Swims’ setlist
The Door
Hammer to the Heart
Are You Even Real
Funeral
What More Can I Say
911
God Went Crazy
You’ve Got Another Thing Coming
Goodbye’s Been Good to You
Bad Dreams
Black & White
A Thousand Miles
(Vanessa Carlton cover)
Stink
Break Up in Reverse
Somethin’ ’Bout a Woman
(Thomas Rhett cover)
Mr. Know It All
Jump
(Van Halen cover)
All That Really Matters
(ILLENIUM cover)
Bed on Fire
Guilty
Lose Control
Isle of Wight’s red hot outfit Wet Leg brought some bad weather with them. But it was confined to the stage for much of their set! The assembled accredited photographers all scratched their heads in bemusement when for most of the duration of the first three songs that they are allowed to shoot from the “pit”, all they saw were shapes through a thick fog created by a machine or machines.
The person operating it/them must have been having a laugh at the snappers’ expense they assumed! So if our shots of this brilliant band are a bit smoky/foggy/hazy, blame he or she on the fog machine! But Wet Leg were one of the best acts of the first two days by far.
The festival’s comedy lineup is headlined by Jack Dee, Jen Brister, and Ross Noble. There was a very special UK music festival exclusive appearance from Sir Lenny Henry marking a return to stand-up after 17 years on Saturday afternoon.
Melvin Benn, Latitude Founder and Festival Director, said: “Twenty years of Latitude, and we’ve never been more excited about a lineup. This announcement celebrates everything that makes this festival special, the fearless discovery of new talent alongside the return of artists who’ve helped write our story. From Jalen Ngonda’s soul revelation to David Gray’s beloved anthems, The Undertones’ punk perfection to The Beta Band’s cult genius, this is a lineup that spans generations and genres.
“And our comedy programme continues to set the standard. Jack Dee, Jen Brister, and Ross Noble headline an extraordinary bill, and we have the honour of welcoming Sir Lenny Henry in a UK festival exclusive. Twenty years ago, we dared to do things differently, and today we’re prouder than ever of the creative space we’ve built together.”
It felt like the whole arena showed up for legendary Billy Ocean’s set. A sea of heads to see the Ocean. (Sorry!) He strode onto stage wearing a smart blue suit, long grey dreadlocks and a beaming smile. He really did seem to be enjoying himself on stage for the whole show, busting moves throughout his performance. At 76 his vocals are as strong as ever.
Irish traditional music collective BIIRD (stylised upper case) deliver atmospheric performances built on ethereal vocals, shimmering instrumentation, and expansive soundscapes. Founded by seven-time All-Ireland champion Lisa Canny, BIIRD is on a mission to contemporise the image of trad music across the globe. After appearing on the Late Late Show in February 2025, BIIRD went on to sell out every show on their debut Irish and UK tour. This all-female supergroup brings the energy of an Irish trad session to the Latitude stage on Saturday.
The Second Stage continues Latitude’s tradition of pairing revered innovators with fast-rising contemporary voices, offering a vibrant mix of indie, post-punk, electronic, and timeless talent. Rising stars Westside Cowboy come out to a recording of “You Sexy Thing” by Hot Chocolate, and during their strong set we learn they have an album due next month.
Cult British innovators The Beta Band delivered their genre-defying sound on day two on the second stage: A hypnotic blend of folk, psychedelia, post-rock, and electronic experimentation that has influenced generations of artists.
With his UK Number 1 album “Don’t Tell the Dog” (2025) and recently released single “California Rain”, James Marriott arrives at Latitude on Saturday following a meteoric rise. Written on tour about culture shocks and touring the United States as an Englishman, the recent track showcases Marriott’s blend of candid lyricism, indie rock, and energetic live performances that earned him the ‘Rock Sound Breakthrough Artist’ award.
North West indie pop quartet The Lilacs round out the Second Stage on Saturday with their anthemic sound and electrifying energy. Following the success of their 2025 EP “The 395 (To Forever)”, the Wigan-formed band brings melody-driven indie rock and infectious choruses that have earned them over five million Spotify streams and a rapidly growing fanbase.
Latitude’s Sunrise Arena remains the festival’s beating heart for discovery, experimentation and after-dark energy, a space where emerging voices, boundary-pushers and cult favourites thrive.
Rising London‐based multidisciplinary artist Hugo Hamlet appears at Latitude on Saturday amid a period of creative momentum, having toured the UK in 2025. Known for his eclectic blend of alt-pop, performance art and genre-fluid songwriting, Hamlet combines introspective lyrics, vivid visual identity and dynamic live shows into a distinct stage presence
Lo-fi indie artist Pollyfromthedirt’s raw, emotionally direct songwriting rooted in DIY practice, closed out a Sunrise Arena lineup on Saturday, that champions artists pushing boundaries and shaping the future
The 2026 comedy lineup honours two decades of groundbreaking programming. Twenty years ago, Latitude became the first festival to place comedy on equal footing with music, and today, the Comedy Arena remains the summer’s most prestigious comedy destination.
Comedy legends Jack Dee, Jen Brister, and Ross Noble headline an exceptional bill. In a UK festival exclusive, Sir Lenny Henry joins as a very special guest and rammed out the comedy stage and for a wide area outside the tent.
Jen Brister brought razor-sharp observational comedy and fearless honesty. One of the UK’s most distinctive comedy voices, Jen’s brilliantly frank material about parenting, politics, and modern life combines personal storytelling with fierce intelligence and impeccable timing.
Jen said, “I’m delighted to be headlining the Comedy Arena at this year’s Latitude Festival. I was the very first act on at the very first festival back in 2006 and I’m thrilled to be headlining its 20th anniversary.”
In a UK festival exclusive, Sir Lenny Henry brought his legendary presence to Latitude’s 20th anniversary on Saturday. A true icon of British entertainment with over five decades at the pinnacle of comedy, acting, and broadcasting, Sir Lenny’s appearance marks a rare festival performance from one of Britain’s most beloved entertainers.
Ahead of his coveted appearance, Lenny commented,”I’m delighted to be bringing ‘Still At Large’ to Latitude for their 20th anniversary, and it’s the only music festival I’ll be performing at this year, so this really is a special one. Latitude has built this wonderful reputation for comedy over the years, and that means a lot to me. This show is my celebration of five decades in this business, from standing up in working men’s clubs as a teenager to playing an elf in Middle-earth!
“I’ll be sharing stories about the characters I’ve played, the people I’ve met, and the moments that have stuck with me from The Lenny Henry Show and Chef! to Othello and everything in between. There’ll be plenty of laughs, a lot of heart, and hopefully some surprises along the way. It feels like the perfect place to celebrate not just Latitude’s incredible twenty years, but my last five decades. Can’t wait!”
Huge turnout for him. The roar and wild applause on his entrance to the stage may have been a little emotional for him after 17 years away from stand-up. He delivered many anecdotes about his life and career; commenting on some of his achievements such as being Knighted by the late Queen, and him being the face of Premier Inn, which he giggled about. Wearing a brown striped shirt and trousers, he looked like he may still be wearing his jimjams from his Premier Inn hotel room! The crowd seem to hang on his every word and braced to guffaw every punch line. Welcome back Sir Len.
A true Latitude legend, Marcus Brigstocke returned on Saturday with his distinctive blend of political satire and sharp observation. Marcus holds the extraordinary distinction of having performed at the festival more than any other comedian, appearing every single year. A Radio 4 favourite and familiar face from Have I Got News for You, Mock the Week, and QI, his intelligent performances have made him a festival favourite.
Multi-award-winning comedian Rosie Jones brought her cheeky, joyful, brazen stand-up to Latitude’s anniversary celebrations on Saturday. A household name in British comedy, Rosie has fronted her own Comedy Central series Out of Order, led the BAFTA-nominated travel series Trip Hazard, and created and starred in Channel 4’s 2025 comedy-drama Pushers. A familiar face on Taskmaster, Live at the Apollo, QI, 8 Out of 10 Cats, and The Last Leg, her fearless comedy has earned her the 2025 DIVA Queer Comedian of the Year Award among numerous accolades. Her latest show I Can’t Tell What She’s Saying has been drawing massive crowds across the UK.
Rising comedy star Fatiha El‑Ghorri brought her sharp observational comedy and fearless perspective to Latitude on Saturday, drawing on her Moroccan heritage, British Muslim identity, and lived experiences to challenge stereotypes with humour and insight. A breakout star of Taskmaster Series 19 and an award‑winning stand‑up, she has graced stages from the Royal Albert Hall to the London Palladium and appeared on Live at the Apollo, The Russell Howard Hour, The Jonathan Ross Show and more.
Known for his razor-sharp wit and viral videos, Josh Baulf has been hailed by Rob Beckett as “you must see live,” and was getting the laughs at Latitude on Saturday. Preston-born Phil Ellis’ chaotic, high-energy comedy was a blast on Saturday. Phil appeared in Series 20 of Taskmaster. He created and starred in three series of the BBC Radio 4 sitcom Phil Ellis is Trying.
Fresh from her triumph at the prestigious So You Think You’re Funny? competition, Madeleine Brettingham made her Latitude debut on Saturday. The competition has launched careers including Hannah Gadsby, Peter Kay, Aisling Bea, and Sarah Millican, marking Madeleine as one of the UK’s most exciting new talents.
There was a message on the big screens advising of a technical issue before the start of Vanessa Carlton’s tea-time set. She took her seat at the piano and cautiously called out a hello to the crowd, and when the crowd responded she replied, ‘oh good it’s working’. Apologising for being late (only 10 minutes) and says they lost power, and she promises it’s nothing to do with her. She spoke about latest album “Veils” and how she wrote much of it in her garden.
Vanessa made a second appearance a few hours later on the same main stage, as surprise guest to headliner Teddy Swims. To join him and his band on his cover of her big hit song, “A Thousand Miles,” which was song # 12 of his 21-song set. He told the crowd he had made a new friend a couple of months ago, before bringing Vanessa out. She also guested on the song with him at huge US festival Coachella in April this year.
Teddy had the biggest set design of the festival so far, with a combination of structures resembling a house. His backing singers were set up in an area with a comfy-looking sofa. His set employed strobes, smoke and pyrotechnics to give it an exciting vibe. Teddy asks the crowd “What’s Up?”, before introducing the crowd to “My best pals and best damn band”.
Making use of the same platform in the “pit” by the barrier that Tom Odell had used in his set earlier, Teddy took a couple of items from the crowd at the barrier while still singing, and signed them before handing them back. Who says men cannot multitask? It was a good move by the bookers for Latitude to get one of the hottest headliners out there right now in Teddy Swims. The fans loved him and he really does have an amazing voice. [He must be a tattoo artist’s cash register! Never seen so much ink on a body).
Saturday’s menu also featured comedian Black Peng, former Fun Lovin Criminals frontman Huey Morgan’s DJ set, singer and songwriter Jacob Alon, the excellent bands Keo, Man/Woman/Chainsaw, and Temples.
Day one was an apt way to kick off Latitude’s 20th anniversary celebrations. Day two topped it. Bring on day three pronto, when Lewis Capaldi closes the festival…
- There were shocking scenes on Saturday when a man and woman were having a noisy domestic and it got quite violent. Weapons were involved. He hit her, she hit him, a policeman arrived on the scene…. and then a dog came from nowhere and stole the sausages; amid yells of “that’s the way to do it”. Bonkers! Oh yeah, the kids had plenty to enjoy across the three days, including a good old fashioned Punch and Judy show. [Not a computer screen or mobile phone in sight either for a change].
**** Check out our coverage of Friday, [and Sunday coming soon] in the “Live Zone” ****
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