Somehow, Field Day organisers always manage to rustle up an unbeatable festival line-up, and this fifth anniversary year was no exception.
Performers from the UK played alongside musicians from all over the world, with an impressive roster of acts squashed into 11 fun-packed hours.
Performers from the UK played alongside musicians from all over the world, with an impressive roster of acts squashed into 11 fun-packed hours.
Local promoters Eat Your Own Ears, Bugged Out!, Bloggers Delight, Village Mentality and online magazine The Quietus pulled in a mix of exciting newcomers and established acts, including London’s brightest star James Blake, the 60-year-old free jazz collective Sun Ra Arkestra, West Coast all-girl guitar band Warpaint and Syria’s finest, Omar Souleyman.
The day kicked off with German krautrock stalwarts Faust, albeit with a different line-up to the original 70s crew. Bassist James Johnston from Gallon Drunk joined them on stage, and it wasn’t long before Jean-Hervé Péron had fired up his electric drill and beat up an oil drum, while the rest of the band dug their heels into a whacked-out industrial jam.
Half-German Bristol-based chanteuse Anika took to the Bloggers Delight stage after, channelling the spirit of Nico as she cantered through the stand-out covers from her eponymous debut album. Featuring Geoff Barrow’s Beak> as her backing band, she took to the helm with eerie detachment, as the band rounded her spiky edges with spongy dub basslines and warm synthy chords.
The day kicked off with German krautrock stalwarts Faust, albeit with a different line-up to the original 70s crew. Bassist James Johnston from Gallon Drunk joined them on stage, and it wasn’t long before Jean-Hervé Péron had fired up his electric drill and beat up an oil drum, while the rest of the band dug their heels into a whacked-out industrial jam.
Half-German Bristol-based chanteuse Anika took to the Bloggers Delight stage after, channelling the spirit of Nico as she cantered through the stand-out covers from her eponymous debut album. Featuring Geoff Barrow’s Beak> as her backing band, she took to the helm with eerie detachment, as the band rounded her spiky edges with spongy dub basslines and warm synthy chords.
Syrian party-starter Souleyman followed, reeling in a sizeable afternoon crowd. After a short burst of traditional Arabic street pop, he dropped in a meaty four-four beat and took to the mic with a stirring chant, much to the delight of the revellers. His eclectic mix of traditional Arabic melodies and grinding rhythms infected the whole crowd instantly and soon everyone was going bananas.
Brooklyn’s Ducktails also put on a valiant show; a dapper one-man enterprise, twanging his guitar in his dark shades and rolled-up chinos behind a desk piled high with effects boxes. Meanwhile New Zealand ex-pat Connan Mockasin played with a full band, drawing from last year’s psychedelic gem of an album Please Turn Me into the Snat to build a lush and beguiling set.
Brooklyn’s Ducktails also put on a valiant show; a dapper one-man enterprise, twanging his guitar in his dark shades and rolled-up chinos behind a desk piled high with effects boxes. Meanwhile New Zealand ex-pat Connan Mockasin played with a full band, drawing from last year’s psychedelic gem of an album Please Turn Me into the Snat to build a lush and beguiling set.
Next was sturdy London duo Mount Kimbie, who straddle a fuzzy line between esoteric dubstep, 90s garage and 4AD-style indie, and didn’t waste a moment of their set, starting off with an epic version of their multi-dimensional current single Carbonated. No strangers to Field Day, they’ve obviously built a loyal crowd over the past year or so - the tent was absolutely rammed.
Cue short rain shower, followed by a double helping of rainbow. Lovely.
Brighton band Electrelane returned after a three-year hiatus, drawing in one of the biggest crowds of the day. Their set was peppered with the motorik instrumentals from their very first album, and, with no new material on the horizon, they played a set packed with old favourites.
Cue short rain shower, followed by a double helping of rainbow. Lovely.
Brighton band Electrelane returned after a three-year hiatus, drawing in one of the biggest crowds of the day. Their set was peppered with the motorik instrumentals from their very first album, and, with no new material on the horizon, they played a set packed with old favourites.
As the afternoon wore on and the four stages continued to play host to innovative bands old and new, The Sea and Cake, Konono #1 (whose rhythms were like an egg rolling down a hill), Wild Beasts, The Horrors, SBTRKT and Super Furries’ Gruff Rhys all had their moment in the sun.
And, as the festival drew to a close, Factory Floor and Detroit legend Carl Craig closed the festival in style.
All pictures courtesy of Mike Winship.
Field Day Festival, Victoria Park, London, 6 August 2011.
And, as the festival drew to a close, Factory Floor and Detroit legend Carl Craig closed the festival in style.
All pictures courtesy of Mike Winship.
Field Day Festival, Victoria Park, London, 6 August 2011.
