Latitude 2014

First Aid Kit dazzle in the sunshine at Latitude 2014

Johanna and Klara Söderberg become the golden girls for their third time at the fest.

Words: Sophie Diver
19th July 2014

There’s something magical in the simplicity of First Aid Kit. Telling it like it is with tribal drums and powerful harmonies for ‘Stay Gold’, they’ve abandoned their folk fashion in favour of shimmering dresses.

“We just can’t stop ourselves from coming back!” says Johanna Söderberg, Latitude is the perfect setting for their picturesque brand of folk pop. For ‘King of the World’ she springs around stage, a vision of golden waves and gold heels swirling the stage.

Since 2012, the last time the sisters were here, there’s a new found confidence within the pair. Where folk singing siblings once stood, a glamorous polished duo return. Their set plays out like a love letter to their idols with glittering tributes to the likes of Simon and Garfunkel and Bob Dylan.

‘Waitress Song’ is a beautiful mix of Klara’s quiet folk melancholy and a momentous deluge of sound that plunges into the crowd as they sing together. The first majestic notes of ‘Silver Lining’ bring us grass-grazers to our feet. As the sun begins its slow descent, the mystical ‘Wolfmother’ sets a picturesque scene.

Elsewhere, the duo could rouse a hoedown in this very english setting, with the country rhythms of 'Heaven Knows', before the quivers of the pedal steel on 'Emmylou' ends in a warm-hearted sing-a-long.

Johanna's childish giddiness spreads infectiously through the crowd with shouts of "We're really excited about the new album, this is the first with an explicit content sticker. We're badass now!"

Throughout each of their times appearing at Latitude, the Swedish sisters have offered their mix of honeyed harmonies and unique Americana with all the right flourishes, but this time, there's an extra preen and polish to their performance. Maybe with an extra few naughty words thrown in for good measure; to that we say, "tak, First Aid Kit!"

DIY is the official media partner at Latitude 2014. We’ll be bringing you extensive coverage from in and around the fest, and you can find copies of the July 2014 issue in the Latitude supermarket!

Tags: First Aid Kit, Latitude, Festivals, Reviews, Live Reviews