Festival watch – Field Day 2016

PJ Harvey, DJ Koze and John Grant were among an array of performers who shrugged off the gloomy weather to shine in east London’s Victoria Park

The vibe

The Saturday was largely defined by the monsoon-style weather. People cowered under tents. The Shacklewell Arms stage got so flooded that, the next day, it had to be moved. Sodden and covered in mud, festival-goers looked crestfallen. But it did add something of a Blitz spirit to the proceedings, with people sharing umbrellas and commiserations. The drier and more guitar-heavy Sunday had a palpable 90s feel, with the Brian Jonestown Massacre, dungarees and Bez-style tambourine-playing all making appearances.

The crowd

Weaving between exotic-food vans and craft ale tents, the east London hordes sported a combination of black leather, glitter, ironic T-shirts and peroxide hair with rainbow streaks. EU referendum “I’m in” stickers were the weekend’s must-have fashion accessory. Random celebrity spot: Jack Gleeson, better known as Joffrey Baratheon in Game of Thrones.

Best act

For a lineup as eclectic as this, choosing just one would feel churlish. A natural highlight was a saxophone-wielding PJ Harvey, dressed in green feathers and accompanied by a nine-man marching band. For serious early-afternoon beats, DJ Koze at the Resident Advisor tent was the place to be (although a stage-time swap meant we accidentally missed Skepta). Fat White Family delivered a typically electrifying set complete with on-stage masturbation. On Sunday, John Grant’s melodic, uplifting tunes and bone-dry lyrics were especially poignant after the previous night’s events in Orlando.

And the worst

Sorry, Mount Kimbie DJ set. You happened during a particularly bleak rainy interlude and the people who sought shelter under your tent looked cold, wet and miserable. The slightly downbeat, if sophisticated, tunes didn’t help.

Best discovery

Not a discovery as such, but Nao’s warm, funky R&B combined smooth vocals with seemingly effortless experimentation. Slimzee’s high-energy DJ set at the bandstand was fun, too.

Best dressed

A man decked in a tight, bright green jumpsuit (think the Queen’s neon green dress at her 90th) topped with a green bumblebee head, staging a mock mini-protest and brandishing a placard that read: “Earth Must Exit Milky Way”.

Overheard

One young festival-goer was heard saying: “You’re going to see Thurston Moore? But he’s, like, 55.” She would have been horrified to learn he is, in fact, 57.

Best tweet by someone famous

Sleaford Mods, who headlined the Crack stage on Saturday, tweeted: “Thank you to @fielddaylondon for inviting us. Was a good gig. Clean Loos too. Real.” Field Day gnomically replied: “Thank you for playing – here’s some people eating carrots.” Separately, Clean Bandit’s Neil Milan tweeted (between multiple emojis):

broke into field day in my pyjamas & saw James Blake ❤️☺️❤️☺️ this is how it's supposed to b ✊🏽🌍🌰 also I saw ariana in the same day hehe

— Neil Milan (@neil_milan) June 11, 2016

Contributor

Kathryn Bromwich

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
Field Day festival review – a collective roar in the face of the storm
A lineup including Skepta, Deerhunter, James Blake and PJ Harvey prove more than able to banish wet weather blues with warm and powerful performances

Dorian Lynskey

13, Jun, 2016 @12:24 PM

Article image
PJ Harvey announced as first headliner of Field Day 2016
The initial wave of acts have been confirmed, with Harvey making her first UK live, full band show since 2011

Guardian music

26, Nov, 2015 @9:28 AM

Article image
Festival Watch – V 2016
Little Mix threaten to steal the show at Hylands Park, but no one can beat the star power of Rihanna

Damien Morris

28, Aug, 2016 @7:00 AM

Article image
Festival watch: Latitude – review
Christine and the Queens, Grimes and New Order were the high points of the festival season’s most middle-class affair

Kathryn Bromwich

24, Jul, 2016 @7:00 AM

Article image
Festival watch: BoomTown – review
Damian Marley’s affecting tribute to his father stole the show in a troubled weekend

Isa Jaward

21, Aug, 2016 @7:00 AM

Article image
Field Day review – shifting sounds tighten up London's festival scene
Under orders not to upset new neighbours, Field Day got strict with its headliners – pulling the plug on an overtime Erykah Badu – while serving a jazzy lineup of fresh stars

Chal Ravens

03, Jun, 2018 @11:28 AM

Article image
Festival watch: Caught By the River Thames – review
A small-scale gem, this multi-arts park festival boasts great twin headline slots from Super Furry Animals and Low

Kitty Empire

14, Aug, 2016 @7:00 AM

Article image
Cotton Panic! review – a story of solidarity that deserves better
Jane Horrocks stars in a collage of song, history and drama whose most powerful presences are its stage projections

Clare Brennan

16, Jul, 2017 @6:45 AM

Article image
One to watch: Pongo
The Lisbon-based musician’s bold take on Angolan kuduro and quickfire rap are infused with a true survivor’s energy

Laura Snapes

08, Feb, 2020 @2:00 PM

Article image
One to watch: Porij
In just a year, this carefree dance foursome have traded the Royal Northern College of Music for the 6 Music playlist

Kate Hutchinson

28, Nov, 2020 @2:00 PM