Thurston Moore brings sonic soundwaves to life at Latitude 2015

Extended instrumentals with an intrinsic dexterity might not seem like a usual festival crowd-puller, but Thurston Moore draws in the crowd with his distinctive guitar-led sound.

Filling a full set with only five songs might seem like quite the challenge, but to the former Sonic Youth frontman it comes naturally. Opening with ‘Forevermore’ he leads his band through extended instrumentals with a captivating flair.

Layered refrains flow with an extended ease, intricately performed before an audience held hypnotised by every riff. “We’re having a hell of a time!” the frontman proclaims. “Be sure to pick up our split flexi disk from the merch stand…” His sales pitch might leave slightly more than a little to be desired, but on the strength of his performance, everyone is sold.

Caught up in the music he plays, nothing else seems to matter. Any issues of pretence are discarded at the entrance, and all focus lies on the sound generated from the stage. Drawn out guitar refrains flood through the speakers, the band’s tightly honed performance focused on bringing the music to life in the picturesque surroundings.

From the tantalising opening drones of ‘Forevermore’ through to the ricocheting closing riffs and ensuing feedback of ‘Turn On’, the sound washed through the tent in waves, yet there’s barely a movement. This isn’t a performance to lose inhibitions to. This is a performance to lose yourself in - and there’s nowhere more picturesque to encounter it.