Festival Preview: Citadel, London 17/07/16

15 July 2016, 09:30 | Written by Adam Elmahdi

(News)

(Tinariwen) (Susanne Sundfør) (Sigur Rós) (Calexico) (GoGo Penguin)

From the people behind the wildly successful Wilderness, Bonnaroo and Outside Lands festivals, Citadel returns to Victoria Park for a second year to grace East London with an exceptional roster of musical and cultural delights.

The one-day event taking place on 17 July may not yet have the name recognition as some of its rivals, but the magnificently eclectic line-up has more than enough chutzpah to make it stand out from the crowd. Here’s five acts we reckon you can’t afford to miss:

SIGUR ROS

Long established as one of the most breathtaking live bands in the world, Icelandic post-rock veterans Sigur Ros are often unfairly perceived as mere soundtrack generators for BBC nature documentaries, all twinkly glockenspiels and high-pitched wailing. And whilst that’s a fair summary of some of their output, the likes of “Brennisteinn” and the peerlessly apocalyptic “Untitled 8” are a whole different ballgame (word to the wise: you might want to bring earplugs). Their current tour has cranked up the visual spectacle to new and awe-inspiring levels, and the fact they’re playing only as a three-piece without the strings and horns of old has done little to diminish their earth-sundering intensity.

CALEXICO

One of the most reliably excellent touring bands around, Calexico’s sun-kissed blend of dusty Americana and lively mariachi influences never fails to go down a storm, whether in the vast expanse of Texas, or in a rain-sodden field in Hackney. Their Barbican shown in April saw them at the top of their game, and they’re sure to deliver a similarly memorable experience this Sunday.

SUSANNE SUNDFØR

An all-too-rare UK appearance from one of the most striking and talented singer-songwriters of recent years, the perplexingly underrated Norwegian promises to deliver a masterclass in synth-pop perfection to Victoria Park.

GO-GO PENGUIN

A contender for the most intriguing British act we’ve discovered in 2016, the Manchester trio fuse electronic and math-rock influences to minimalist, cello-and-piano led jazz to compelling effect. One for those with more adventurous musical tastes.

TINARIWEN

The Grammy-winning Tuareg group have been a fixture of the Malian music scene for nigh-on four decades, and for good reason. Combining the traditions of North African protest music with Western blues, Tinariwen’s mesmerising grooves never fail to enchant.