Despite Victoria Park resembling something similar to a swamp due to the adverse weather conditions, this did not stop Field Day’s latest installment from being a hit amongst those who chose to brave the unfavourable weather.
The bands, however, appeared unaffected and the plethora of talent on show certainly provided an enjoyable distraction to those in attendance. Saturday entertained a much younger crowd compared to that of Sunday, largely due to the vibrant music on offer, which showcased the likes of Jackmaster, and Kink amongst some other meteoric names.
There was certainly something for everyone, even if that did involve risking running across the length of Victoria Park’s mud bath in order to not miss your favourite act.
Field Day’s 10th incarnation was certainly one its most adventurous endeavours yet and you’d be hard pushed to find another festival where so many genres are encompassed in one space. From grime hot head Novelist, to the experimentalist PJ Harvey, it was all there.
Saturday saw performances from the likes of DIIV and Real Lies, with slots from Loyle Carner and Novelist arguably being some of the best bits of the weekend. Carner is currently experiencing a surge in popularity and is the figurehead behind a resurgence in UK hip-hop. With a performance showcasing his lyrical mastery and a growing stage presence, the rest of 2016 will undoubtedly be very fruitful for the London based maestro. Equally as impressive was the firey Novelist, who drew one of the most energetic crowds of the weekend with his eclectic brand of new era grime.
While bigger acts on the main stage were busy stealing the limelight, Fickle Friends certainly drew in a respectable crowd with their glittery electro pop. The intimate Jägerhaus also played host to some of the most exciting up and coming bands in the music industry right now. NZCA Lines, Get Inuit and Oscar all drew in sizeable crowds, with the latter’s fan base being in full voice, especially throughout breakthrough hit ‘Sometimes’, which caused some particularly overzealous fans to completely lose their shit.
Formation are a band that are starting to amass a lot of attention, and with their energy driven live performances and LCD Soundsystem infused songs it’s no surprise that their stock seems to be currently rocketing. The same can be said for Declan McKenna, who is seemingly becoming more self assured with every performance, and his Field Day set ultimately ends up with him jumping onto poles and serenading the barriers that separate him from the crowd. There’s an evident maturation in his voice, with live performances sounding a lot more chiseled than some of the softer single recordings. Another one to keep an eye on over the next year.
Sunday saw some of the worst timing clashes, a given at almost every festival. Fat White Family however were undoubtedly the choice of many, with a packed out Shacklewell Arms tent providing the platform for some of music’s most unpredictable figures. It didn’t take long for frontman Lias Saoudi to venture into the crowd before swiftly removing almost all items of clothing. Their sheer ferocity separates them from almost any other band and places them in their own bubble of individualism. It is not planned or part of a routine, but raw emotion portrayed in the form of music.
Headliners James Blake and PJ Harvey were nothing short of spectacular, with their mesmeric performances providing fitting ends to both days. Blake, who has recently released 3rd album ‘The Colour In Everything’, produced a beautifully tender set, which encompassed material from across his entire discography. Not your usual headliner given his more relaxed form of music, however he certainly rose to the occasion. Harvey also seemed at home on the biggest of stages and her performance oozed class, with her performing a large amount of material from her most recent album The Hope Six Demolition Project. She manages to convey a sense of intense emotion, not only through her music but also her enigmatic stage presence. Doused in a sleek feathered outfit, she provides a fitting end to the weekend’s events – so long Field Day for another year.
Check out our pictures from Day 1 and day 2!