Latitude Festival returns for an incredible 5th edition on 15-18th July 2010, taking place once again in the sumptuous surroundings of Henham Park Estate set within Suffolk’s stunning Sunrise Coast.

Celebrating its fifth year in 2010, Latitude has already become a firm favourite of the festival circuit. Starting out as a small and curious gathering of people in 2006, Latitude’s bold and pioneering approach of incorporating the full range of arts over one weekend has helped to secure its reputation as one of the most respected and highly anticipated events of the season.

Over the past four years, Latitude has inspired and charmed; shocked and educated; bewildered and beguiled. It has entertained its crowds with an eclectic blend of established and emerging acts, all of the highest calibre. With the arts very much at its core, Latitude’s dizzying display of talent is spread throughout the site in perfectly designed and dedicated arenas that entice you in.

Cherry-picking the very best from the worlds of music, theatre, comedy, literature, film, poetry, dance, fashion and cabaret - it is a festival like no other; an intimate place that encourages you to be all that you’ve ever wanted to be; and indulge in the spirit of exploration and discovery.

A Brief History... 
In its first year Latitude boasted a mind-blowing headline set from Antony & The Johnsons, Howard Marks provided the shocks and laughs with tales from his hit book ‘Mr. Nice’ in the Literary Arena and the legendaryperformed two very special performances on not only the main music stage, the Obelisk Arena, but also in the Poetry Arena.

Having already secured its pioneering reputation in its inaugural year, tickets to Latitude’s 2nd edition sold out fast and with the likes of Arcade Fire, Jarvis Cocker and The Good, The Bad & The Queen providing a top quality soundtrack and comics including Bill Bailey, Alan Carr, Dylan Moran and Mark Steel providing the laughs its easy to see why.

A blisteringly hot 2008 saw the festival bloom into a larger and even more popular event featuring music from Sigur Rós, Elbow, Grinderman and Joanna Newsom, and renowned English composer and pianist Michael Nyman mesmerised the Film & Music Arena with a spellbinding solo piano piece, a presentation of his own short films and an intimate Q&A with the audience. Also boasting such literary giants as Hanif Kureishi, Iain Banks and Irvine Welsh as well as the nation’s very own Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy; and the Theatre Arena expanded into a mini festival of its own with the National Theatre, RSC, Paines Plough and Royal Court bringing everything from emerging playwrights to classical Shakespeare, musicals to zombies!

And last year’s fun-filled weekend was perhaps the best yet; musically it featured a fabulously glamorous headline set by disco icon Grace Jones who bedazzled the crowd with a variety of costume changes for every song and put on an incredible hula-hooping display during ‘Slave To The Rhythm’, against a moody backdrop of thunder and lightning. The Obelisk’s other headliners Pet Shop Boys delivered hit after hit to a hypnotic visual display of graphics and lights whilst Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds brought the festival to a fitting close with a perfectly menacing performance.

Elsewhere over the weekend Media & Culture Minister Ben Bradshaw sparred with Jon “The Reverend” McClure over the state of British media at Instigate Debate in the Literary Arena; Sadler’s Wells presented Hofesh Shechter who brought his all-female cast of world renowned dancers to the floating stage on the lake; Latitude welcomed the Royal Opera House and the first full orchestra to appear at an outdoor music festival; Britten Sinfonia; And teams of budding dancers learnt salsa, ballroom and tap with dedicated workshops. Another first was the fashion show by House Of BlueEyes whose models defied physics by strutting on water down a catwalk on the lake. And the woods rang out with the sounds of both the human beatbox chorus of Shlomo & The Vocal Orchestra.

Other highlights over the weekend included an amazing show of vocal and musical beauty courtesy of special guest Thom Yorke who played the now established Sunday morning headline set; Spiritualized provided a wall of light and sound whilst Little Boots further cemented her hold on the British pop scene with an electropop-tastic set on the Sunrise Arena.

Whilst Latitude’s extensive line-up is an incredible assortment of riches that can keep you entertained all weekend, there is also another side to Latitude… a leisurely stroll through the festival’s magical woods and beyond can lead to all manner of untold treasures and unexpected pleasures.

By day you can stumble upon impromptu acoustic performances, fascinating political debates and interactive art installations that will transfix you for hours. But after sundown, in true Bacchanalian style, discover Latitude’s dark and decadent side as the enchanted woods transform into a secret world of temptation and intrigue. A haven for nocturnal animals in search of some mischievous fun under a canopy of fairy lights and imposing oak trees.

Day and night, Latitude Festival is the place to let the experience lead you; to explore the extraordinary and relish in unknown delights – the perfect place for the open-minded, culturally inquisitive and free-spirited.

So as the winter months take their toll, start daydreaming of happier, warmer climes and book yourself a slice of unadulterated cultural fun and adventure this summer at the fifth Latitude Festival on the Sunrise Coast.