After months of brewing anticipation, Wakefield’s biggest music festival was back. Long Division has run throughout the city’s venues since 2011 and seen success every year as bands from all over the world join together for a day full of sensational sounds.

As a press attendee*, it was amazing to see how many people, including families, had turned out. Everyone shared a taste and desire for music.

Live music began at around 12:15pm; the same time I arrived at the main stage venue, Warehouse 23. Rebecca Lou kicked proceedings off with a bang. The Danish musician did not procrastinate, orchestrating an early positive mood for all in the crowd. She sure appreciated all the support she had received, too, and she got my day off to a flying start.

Low Hummer

Boasting an endearingly harsh and gritty sound so many adore, Low Hummer had Venue 23 packed out to its peak for their set. I felt as if I had been transported into the music itself. As the band has the capabilities to produce such a clear and obvious sound, it just goes begging. Long Division was the day before they were due to support Manic Street Preachers at the Peterborough Embankment as well, so the band has a great line-up of success soaring towards them.

The Clockworks

Now this was a band I was especially eager to see. Their highlight song, ‘Enough is Never Enough’, put them on the map and certainly sounded astounding. They’re an ambitious group, but so they should be, and with a performance like I saw at Long Division, no questions can be asked about their rosy future.

They were a pleasure to see live and photograph. As the crowd relished the set also, it was their rightful place on the main stage!

Ava in the Dark

Ava was a torch for all in the Counting House. Supplying everyone with her pure talent. Even when doing the sound-checks pre-gig, she had such a truthful and distinctive tone about her voice and her performance.

MEMES

Previous to the festival, this was going to be my lunch hour but I decided to stick to it. And my decision was one of the best I have ever made.

Slicing up the room, MEMES were very much like their acquaintance bands in DEADLETTER and Courting; the new wave of downright tasteful indie, and I’m all for it. You never knew what their next step would be — into the crowd or lying on the floor. The energy was surreal.

LIFE

Here we have a band that never ceases to disappoint. LIFE certainly were a headline act heading into this event.

Floods of the Long Division crowd piled in for this set at 5pm. It felt like it was prime time for any band, so LIFE reminded us all in the room of the beauty on which music flourishes. It was hard to wipe a smile off your face as they performed with devotion. You could almost see hints of every outfit so far in the day in this group. Thus supporting my opinion about the line-up being spot on throughout.

GENN

A kick pedal down but no heart lost, GENN brought it. They’re a dedicated group that blessed the stage with their groovy material. After they immediately told the audience to loosen up and get closer and closer to the stage, I knew they meant business.

Delivering their unique sound in an outstanding package, GENN were rocking to all.

The Howl & The Hum

Oodles of soul and a blast to watch? York’s The Howl & The Hum set one hell of a mark on Venue 23. A truly enjoyable experience for both me and everyone else there, that’s for sure.

They felt like a swinging and bouncing cherry on the cake of Long Division. The incredible lighting design made this set a top-notch one in my book…

*Thank you to the staff at Long Division Festival for putting on such a superb and organised day. In particular, thanks to Hanglands for the press opportunity. 

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Guest gig review contributed by Daniel Caddick