Vaults wow on Latitude 2014 debut

The old cliche separates electronic pop projects into two distinct categories. There’s those that get absorbed in their own wall of synth and fail to translate, and those that completely pull it off. When it comes to London trio Vaults, somehow this debate doesn’t remotely matter. It barely enters the thought process. It’s almost easy to forget the intricacies of their early singles on record.

Their whole performance is a celebration in textured, affecting songwriting. This is their first ever festival show, and with every track that slithers into the forest surroundings, they’re met with even greater, more rapturous applause. If this were in an auditorium, it’d close with a standing ovation.

Opening with ‘Premonitions’ (the most ‘Teardrops’-sounding thing since Massive Attack’s inception), they seamlessly steer into ‘Cry No More’ and the outstanding ‘Lifespan’. This trio expand to bring in a string section, a glockenspiel, live piano - every note is tangible, there to be grabbed at.

Their vocalist sways in unison, fronting the project like nobody else could. Already comparisons to London Grammar and Portishead persist, but even within this half an hour they show their hand as a completely different entity.

Photos: Sarah Louise Bennett.