More on: Arcade Fire

Clickmusic arrives at Henham Park to find some very lovely colourful sheep as our neighbours on the campsite. A quick wander around on the Thursday night to get our bearings, and we are enchanted by the setting. The Sunrise Stage requires a hike into the woods, then across the lake - upon which a precarious-looking tiny stage is set up for brave artists - to the main grounds. Being a relatively small festival and being blessed with good weather means everything looks fresh and green, enclosed by the trees and the lake. Although, this means being under constant attack from mosquitos.

Friday, we decide to start off in the Comedy Tent, which is heaving at midday as people await Bill Bailey in the afternoon. We were impressed by the self-deprecating Arnab Chandra, and the neurotic Jon Richardson, but nearly lost the will to live with the embarrassment that was Rob Deering. It felt like we'd gone back in time to New Faces, where such unsophisticated comedy manages to raise a laugh. A tired routine attacking easy targets such as Michael Jackson and James Blunt - oh, is it rhyming slang? I hadn't noticed! - called for a beer run. Latitude runs an excellent scheme where you have to pay a deposit for your plastic pint glass, so you do not end up wearing cups as shoes as you wade your way through the crowd. The festival made a fantastic effort to be environmentally sound, with loads of separate bins for recycling, and all food in paper containers. Alas, festival-goers still find it impossible to walk a few yards to the bin, and what started off as lush fields, still ended up looking like every other festival.

We head to the main Obelisk Stage to catch Liverpool's Hot Club de Paris, who are full of energy and catchy tunes. They kick off with 'Sometimes it's Better Not to Stick Bits of Each Other in Each Other For Each Other', bravely chucking their most well-known song out there first. They had no need to worry, as their short set was consistently fun throughout, and they won over a fair amount of the crowd. We stay put for Two Gallants, whose country-tinged folk was played with great fervour, meaning the duo leave a lasting impression.

A rammed Music and Film Arena tent means only one thing - Kate Nash is onstage. Coming off less annoying than her hit single 'Foundations' implies, Nash is sweet and genuine, and she and her band play an accomplished set that shows that hit will probably not be her last.

Over at the Lake Stage, we are less than impressed by The Teenagers. Maybe it's a translation thing, but we wanted to cover the innocent children's ears. Subtle they are not. We set off into the woods for Bonde Do Role, but everything is running late, and we didn't really fancy Les Rita Mitsouko, so divide our time between Air Traffic and Wilco. We save all our energy for Patrick Wolf, headlining the Uncut Arena, and he does not disappoint. Wolf seems to be having a whale of a time in the packed, sweaty tent, bringing his melodramatics to an excitable crowd. He confirms his reputation as a colourful showman, whipping the crowd into a frenzy, and even donating his spangly braces. The night ends on the high of 'Magic Position', and everyone spills out to continue the night with the choice of cheesy classics in the Guilty Pleasures set, or the late raving coming from the woods.

Saturday, we have a gentle start with Stephanie Dosen in the Sunrise Arena, who was enchanting and fitted right in with all the fairy-like goings on in the woods. An hour or two is spent in the Literary Arena, laying on cushions, and relaxing as various authors read to us, before an hour of World Theatre devoted to American author Ron Carlson. There was a certain surreal pleasure in having Green Goblin Jr James Franco reading to us on a lovely, relaxing Saturday afternoon. However, Mean Girls actress Amanda Seyfried charmed us all with her slightly gauche and awkward reading of 'Keith', where it became apparent that it was perfect for the story, and she left to enthuastic cheers.

The Hold Steady go down a storm at the Obelisk Arena early evening, with a masterful set that sees probably the first real excitement of the main stage, after a Friday night of The Magic Numbers and Damien Rice. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah kill the mood somewhat, and it's hard to see what all the fuss is about. Luckily the justifiably loved CSS increase the momentum, with a frantic Lovefoxxx looking and acting like a demented aerobics teacher. The Good, The Bad And The Queen are an unusual choice of headliner, as although they have the star quality, the mood created isn't what is required at the end of a festival. Not that it is the end of the night, as Rob Da Bank is tearing it up in the woods all night...

Sunday the anticipation of the triple whammy of The Rapture, Jarvis Cocker and Arcade Fire is causing Clickmusic to spend the day pacing ourselves by taking in the general ambience. Which includes staring in bemusement at the speed-dating tent.

Cherry Ghost are the first band of the day for us, packing out the Uncut Arena mid-afternoon. A lot of hype surrounds this act, and they're very nice, but it's all been heard before. Cold War Kids take to the main stage, and gain many cheers for closer 'Hang Me Up To Dry', but the gloominess is not what is wanted on the final night.

The Rapture are up next, and make everything better. Joining fellow funksters NYPC and CSS, they continue to bring the much needed dance vibe to the otherwise mellow festival. With no showiness, the four cool-as-ice New Yorkers only require their instruments to produce an an epic wall of disco sound. The pioneers of the indie-dance genre, The Rapture play near-faultless renditions of 'House Of Jealous Lovers' and 'W.A.Y.U.H.' and pave the way for fun of a different kind, with the god-like Jarvis Cocker.

Jarvis has total control over the crowd with his legendary rambling and witticisms, and we hope the kids are somewhere else during 'Running The World'. He plays near enough his entire solo album, at one point exclaiming "I'm going to straddle these two monitors like the colossus of rock that I am." Who are we to argue?

It must be fabulous being Arcade Fire. How easy it must be stroll on as headliners, knowing that you've been born with the gift of just being, well, utterly spellbinding. A perfect band to close Latitude - rousing, epic, and emotional. Touchingly, Win Butler dedicates 'Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels)' to Jarvis Cocker, saying "We'd never have written this song without hearing 'Common People'. It's a pleasure sharing a stage with Jarvis." Final songs are from the band's debut album, and 'Neighbourhood #3 (Power Out)', 'Rebellion (Lies)' and 'Wake Up' close with a shower of fireworks.

Clickmusic

Arcade Fire Official Site
Merge Records
Rough Trade Records