The Festival organisers have retained as many names from their 2020 line-up as was possible – and added some exciting new ones.
Included in the announcement are Sunderland indie stalwarts The Futureheads, renowned beatboxer and comedianBeardyman, lo-fi psych-punk duoThe Lovely Eggs, the Manchester post-punk collective Brix & The Extricated (featuring the ex-Fall members Brix Smith Start and Steve Hanley), and Lanterns on the Lake who released their Mercury-nominated latest album on Bella Union last year. Joining them are The Wirral’s She Drew The Gun, Scottish singer-songwriter and Idlewild frontman Roddy Woomble, and London-duo Peggy Sue, along with Beans on Toast, Too Many T’s, Big Joanie, Hands Off Gretel, Langkramer,Katie Spencer, Jodie Nicholson and Mt Misery.
Long Division has grown since its inaugural year in 2011 to become a much anticipated event on the Wakefield calendar, attracting thousands of music lovers from much further afield. But the Festival isn’t the only significant contribution to the City: important initiatives will run in tandem with the Festival and ongoing. These include providing a free to hire City PA system for Wakefield arts events, supporting a wider scheme of live music by securing funding to create the Wakefield Live Music Consortium, working towards a dedicated rehearsal space in the City and introducing a new education programme – #Young Team – to work with up to 100 young people to help them earn qualifications whilst they form new bands and organise events.
Dean Freeman, Founder / Director, Long Division:
“It’s such a strange mix of emotions to ‘be back’ with another lineup announcement. It honestly felt like the early days again, where it was exciting just to design a poster and see those names laid out, ready to share with the world. We want to give people the best possible Long Division we can. Not the biggest ever, but one that celebrates not just our ten years, and not just the return of live music but also the power of community. People being together – even if it’s with 1 metre gaps and masks and sanitising their hands every 30 minutes. Even if half the audience is watching via a stream. It’s going to be great!
This year audiences need to put their faith in their promoters, in their festivals, and they need to buy tickets. For Long Division refunds will always be available should the worst happen. And I know that finances may be stretched. But at Long Division that £30 for a ticket goes so far and enables so many artists to perform. Grassroots festivals like this (there are many more) are an essential part of kickstarting this insane machine called live music. We’d love you to join us in Wakefield this year!”
Press Quotes
“Long Division festival continues to epitomise Wakefield’s revitalised scene.” – Gigwise
“Music festival Long Division is energising teenagers into careers in the creative industries” –The Guardian
“Wakefield has established itself as an under-the-radar cultural hub and home to one of the best independent arts festivals in Europe. – Under The Radar.
Photographs provided by HanglandsPR.
