Field Day 2014: Staff Picks

02 June 2014, 10:36 | Written by The Line of Best Fit

(News)

(Danny Brown) (Tourist) (Thurston Moore) (Daniel Avery) (Jagwar Ma) (James Holden) (Ryan Hemsworth) (SBTRKT) (SOPHIE) (Fat White Family) (Childhood)

Taking place across the weekend of 7-8 June at Victoria Park in London, Field Day is always a highlight on the festival calendar. From precarious beginnings it emerged with triumphant line-ups which lured us back year after year, and this year is no different. The likes of Metronomy, The Pixies, Sky Ferreira and Future Islands immediately spring to mind as acts you would be foolish to miss but what about further down the bill. Best Fit’s Editorial Staff have a say in who you should be watching at this year’s Festival - apart from all the acts on our own stage, you know, obviously!

Danny Brown

The Detroit rapper’s recent album Old (named as such on account of his late coming to the fore in the hip-hop world) proved Brown to be more than just the clown prince he’s sometimes portrayed as being. His latest release, Hot Soup - compiled from early mixtape releases - is more introspective and probing, but no less ferocious, and you can expect every bit of unbridled energy when he performs at Victoria Park. Luke Morgan Britton

James Holden

The past twelve months have seen an impressive flurry of British electronic albums with both major style and substance. Jon Hopkins picked up a Mercury nomination, Daniel Avery garnered much critical acclaim, but it’s perhaps Holden’s The Inheritors that is most deserving. The electronic musician’s first full-length since 2006, it’s the kind of sprawling epic that becomes an earworm even on first listen. A must-see this weekend. Luke Morgan Britton

SOPHIE

The elusive producer inhabits a world that’s currently anonymous - allowing high concept beats to take centre stage. Whilst feeling drenched in nostalgia, his creations are mangled into something entirely new and bewildering. Impressing with debut “Bipp” from last year, the addictive pulse that runs through SOPHIE’s music is sure to be one of the most unmissable sets of the weekend. Rich Thane

20/10/17: SOPHIE now uses she/her pronouns.

RYAN Hemsworth

One of the most in demand remixers and producers of the moment, Ryan Hemsworth is sure to be one of the main crowd pullers at Field Day this year. Appearing on the Red Bull Music Academy stage, expect cuts from his 2013 album Guilt Trips set against his many eclectic remixes. Potential festival highlight in waiting, let’s just hope he drops his flawless edit of Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin Bout You” into the mix. Rich Thane

Childhood

I first came across this psych-pop indie outfit completely by chance at the tiny BBC Introducing stage at last year’s Reading Festival, and was more than pleasantly surprised, as was the crowd who extended so far out they swarmed around traders’ stalls, including one owned by vocally-supportive ice-cream vender. The London four-piece have a stand-out track in their first major single, “Blue Velvet” and their blissful lo-fi pop is perfect for a (hopefully!) sunny afternoon in East London. Jason Williamson

Thurston Moore

Stoke Newington’s unlikeliest new resident now only needs jump on the bus with his Jazzmaster to wow Victoria Park with his sonic wizardry. Although very much sitting at the veteran end of this year’s Saturday line-up, Moore sits atop one of the greatest oeuvres in modern music - more than justifying his billing amongst a set comprising of largely more youthful contemporaries. Expect cuts from the excellent Demolished Thoughts (and hopefully a smattering of new material) - even if a whip through the back end of Bad Moon Rising might be the most amusing way to knock those other whippersnappers back into line. Sam Briggs

Fat White Family

They might growl on record, but they really roar live - their grotty psychedelia leaping off the page in an explosion of spit, fuzz & probably nudity. There’s something immensely hypnotic about a band who genuinely couldn’t give two shits for the welfare of their audience (and themselves for that matter) - inciting the pulsing, violent sentiments of bands like the Birthday Party in their raucous, revelling racket. Sam Briggs

SBTRKT

The Young Turks signed project of Aaron Jerome was hands down my highlight from Field Day 2011. Now apparently readying the follow up to his self-titled debut, his shifting electronics and intoxicating synth swells are sure to be up there in amongst the best things the weekend has to offer. Lauren Down

Tourist

Having released his debut EP Patterns back in December of last year, Tourist has been quietly amassing a large fan base who, like myself, fell totally head over heels for his expansive electronic concoctions. This weekend his dreamy, hazy beats will offer the perfect calm from the storm - whether than be the chaos of the crowds or any unfortunate downpours. Lauren Down

Jagwar Ma

Australian trio Jagwar Ma put out one of the most exciting records last summer with the Madchester-indebted psych-dance roar of Howlin. While I was watching Half Moon Run play an excellent set in a forest at Latitude Festival last year, Jagwar Ma were inducing epiphanies half a mile away, reportedly stealing the whole weekend with their immersive live set. Not to be missed, then. Charlotte Kol.

Daniel Avery

Another musician partial to the addictive throws of 90’s acid house is London-based DJ/producer Daniel Avery who blends house, techno and guitar with enviable skill. His debut album, Drone Logic, has been a serial spinner for mundane commutes and late-night revelry. Now, let’s see it in action. Charlotte Krol

Field Day takes place this weekend 7-8 June at Victoria Park in London. Tickets are available now.