Last year's first visit to Long Division proved hugely enjoyable, not simply due to the surprisingly alluring roster of performers but also thanks to the opportunity of witnessing quality live music inside Wakefield’s magnificent cathedral, a majestic setting for some of Long Division 2018’s leading lights including The Membranes and Billy Bragg.
The 2019 incarnation does not include the Cathedral on its venue roster but don’t let that put you off, the organisers securing a mouth-watering line-up more than making up for it; in excess of 60 music and comedy performers to suit all tastes.
The 2019 incarnation does not include the Cathedral on its venue roster but don’t let that put you off, the organisers securing a mouth-watering line-up more than making up for it; in excess of 60 music and comedy performers to suit all tastes.
Tickets from all the usual outlets and if you snap them up before the day itself you may save a few quid. Full details are on the Long Division website and for the undecided, here are some of my festival picks for 2019.
Peter Hook and the Light – I caught Hooky and his current backing band at Bingley Music Live a few years ago and I couldn’t believe how good they were. A breathless sun-drenched throng, treated to an unforgettable 45 minutes; four Joy Division classics interspersed with the same number of New Order staples. No pissing about with new material, just eight brilliant songs performed by a super tight great sounding band. Perfect.
Asian Dub Foundation – The one true instance where I’ve been totally blown away by a live band performance when witnessing a riotous ADF force of nature turn Birmingham’s Irish Centre a new one back in their heyday. Celebrating 21 years since the release of seminal and let’s not forget, Mercury nominated ‘Rafi’s Revenge’, Chandrasonic and his cohorts will be reminding us why their unique fusion of bhangra, punk, reggae and jungle remains so vital today.
Penguin Café – Taking up the cudgels where his late father Simon left off, Arthur Jeffes has consummately succeeded in continuing his dad’s life’s work, whilst simultaneously reminding everyone who cares what a stunning legacy of idiosyncratic classical snippets Penguin Café Orchestra bequeathed us. One of the country’s best kept secrets.
Keston Cobblers Club – Kentish folk quintet winning hearts and minds during their almost decade long existence, proving a rumbustious live draw to put it mildly. Cobblers’ pastoral yet urbane folk-pop nuggets demonstrate a keen ear for a good tune with enough warmth to leave even the curmudgeonliest curmudgeon grinning from ear to ear.
Cowtown – This is not a test, this is rock and roll! Leeds hardcore trio Cowtown are stalwarts of the city’s music scene, their durability testament to their resilience and not insubstantial talent for creating short sharp catchy tunes, guaranteed to force even a cadaver’s pulse to start racing.
Living Body – Another Leeds outfit playing Long Division is local supergroup Living Body, a collection of personnel from Juffage, Sky Larkin, Esper Scout, Vessels and Mayshe-Mayshe, creating quirky experimental post-rock which, given the number of collaborators, still manages to sound greater than the sum of their parts.
Knuckle – Throwaway gonzo garage rock from Huddersfield may not be everyone’s cup of tea but these three lads produce a big fat unhinged noise that will get your head bobbing like an apple on bonfire night.
International Teachers of Pop – You know the country’s going down the crapper again when startlingly good electronic pop starts once more emanating from Sheffield. Another supergroup of sorts, two members of Sheffield’s Moonlandingz teaming up with Leonore Wheatley from Nottingham cult psych-rockers Soundcarriers, concocting a gripping eponymous debut album fashioned using a bunch of vintage analogue synths.
Words - Mike Price
Long Divison official & tickets