What’s the secret to one of the best festivals in the capital? Roisin O’Connor investigates why Field Day is such a magnet for musicians.
As festival season swings into action, with line-ups announced and tickets beginning to go on sale, more discerning music fans will dedicate their time to seeking out the events often missed by those obsessed with big-name bands. For those unsure which one to choose, look no further than Field Day. Founded in 2007, this event in London Fields is the quintessential music festival for new talent on the verge of tipping over into the mainstream.
The Sunday Times has just rated London Fields as one of the 30 most glamorous places to live in the UK, describing it as the “new Notting Hill”. The paper compiled a list suggesting that its “old-school gastro pubs and foodie mecca Broadway Market”, along with its proximity to the City and Silicon Roundabout, has made it popular with both entrepreneurs and music types: the latter including Will Young and Mick Jagger’s son.
Field Day has built up a reputation for great line-ups through a diverse range of known and unknown artists. This year is no exception: confirmed acts include the legendary Pixies (this is their only London show of 2014), Warpaint, Jagwar Ma, Metronomy and Jon Hopkins. More obscure but up-and-coming acts are Arthur Beatrice, Fat White Family, and The Bohicas, all Londoners born and bred. In 2008, Field Day’s capacity was increased to 20,000 and more than 50 artists were billed, with Foals playing their first UK headline festival performance.
Field Day has been referred to by The Guardian as “Hackney’s annual hive of hipsters” and “a chance to gauge the health of the alternative nation”, while Planet Notion praised the festival for finding its niche of “choosing the right bands at the right place to maximum effect”.
Mixing the old with the new
This year’s line-up continues to mix older, more established bands with fresh, current and increasingly well-known acts, sprinkled with a few who look set to make 2014 their own.
Included in this glorious mash-up are Arthur Beatrice, who are balancing precariously on the fine line between alternative and mainstream – with their new single “Midland” made for the UK Top 40. Hackney appears to be one of their favourite spots for 2014, as the band are also performing live at the recently opened Oslo in April of this year.
Headline act Pixies, who recently announced the release of their first LP in over two decades, will close the event. They say they’re big fans of Field Day.
“We love the fact that organisers create a great festival atmosphere and have a real knack for putting together a truly innovative talent line-up, especially if you’re looking to see emerging artists before they become huge.”
Bassist Kim Deal is yet to be permanently replaced, with a spokesperson suggesting that it has been a positive new experience for Pixies to work with a range of musicians.
“The band has been working with a variety of touring bassists. It is the first time that Black Francis, Joey [Santiago]and David [Lovering] have worked with a bass player other than Kim Deal, and I think they’re enjoying the experience. Whether they decide to permanently replace her at some point, no one knows, but it hasn’t happened yet.”
Up-and-comers
South London’s Fat White Family will also be making an appearance. These raucous musicians are already controversial for their political statements and general bad behaviour.
NME somewhat dubiously cited them as the “best new band in London”, while someone wrote under a YouTube clip of them destroying their instruments at a gig that they are also a “bunch of wankers.”
Earlier this month, Fat White Family frontman Lias Saoudi labelled Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner a “moron” and a “fucking buffoon” in a backstage interview with NME at the magazine’s awards ceremony, where his band had just picked up the Philip Hall Radar prize.
He also discussed Turner’s speech at the Brit awards, saying: “I hate that little ****, he’s a fucking joke. It was the least rock‘n’roll thing I’ve ever seen in my fucking life.
“It made me sweat, like when you see something that really makes you cringe. Massive cock. Print that.”
“We organise chaos,” says Field Day founder Tom Baker. “They’ve definitely got a lot of energy, but they back it up with a really good album.”
Gabriel Winterfield, lead vocalist and guitarist for Jagwar Ma, says that he feels excited about Field Day partly due to the festival’s proximity to his own home.
“I’m excited because usually we have to travel for hours, sometimes days, to get to shows.
“Field Day is right around the corner from my house – I could skate there.
“London’s artistic reputation comes from its rich history, its confidence and a strong sense of identity. This influences artists working in London, who in turn make great art and perpetuate the cycle.”
Revival
After implying that London’s reputation as a music capital has waned somewhat, musician and writer Harry Harris had a piece published in The Daily Telegraph that spoke of a revival for aspiring artists, partly accredited to the talents of certain promoters.
Communion Music, Green Note, and Pull up the Roots were all praised for their events, while Folkroom, Softly Softly, The Icarus Club and Beatnik Events were cited as great examples of those who pick small yet considered bills, pay their acts, and use social media to their advantage.
“A community is growing,” Harris wrote. “Pop-up venues, all-day events and crowdfunding being used increasingly by musicians is helping music fans feel connected to an industry in flux, and these gigs reflect that.
“From a performer’s point of view, everyone’s upping their game too.
“I’ve noticed a trend in the shows I’m playing, the new ones in particular – odd rooms, captive audiences, passionate promoters and a real community spirit. London is finding its voice again.”
Field Day takes place 7-8 June in Victoria Park.
Tickets are on sale here.
