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With the British Summer not drawing any surprises so far and giving us rain rain and yes, more rain, you can be excused for thinking that the comfort of being indoors is better than heading out into the wilderness. However, if you do actually think like this then you are surely missing out as the British outdoors has a lot to offer this summer and in particularly, outdoor festivals. Though there has been much noted that the great British Festival is on the drop this year with a number of events cancelling due to lack of funds, there is no other time better then now to attend a festival or two this summer. MOBO is here to assist you in your urban music festival decisions and we start with a festival that states that 'It's more than just a music festival' is the seventh addition of Latitude Festival.

Though Latitude Festival 2012 boasts having a number of world class acts perform across four music arenas at this years event, including the likes of Bon Iver, Elbow, Paul Weller, Janelle Monaé, Michael Kiwanuka, Amadou & Mariam, Lana Del Rey, Fatoumata Diawara and Rufus Wainwright among many, many others, Latitude also offers a number of alternatives for your entertainment needs. They offer an additional 11 arts arenas that offer some of the biggest names in comedy, poetry, spoken word and theatre appearing across the four nights that you surely won't leave you unimpressed. Comedians in attendance include; Reginald D Hunter, Doc Brown, Mark Watson, Russell Kane, Lee Nelson, Tom Deacon, Abandoman, Greg Davies and Tim Minchin to leave you crying with laughter. 

The Poetry Arena will host the biggest names in spoken word, with Benjamin Zephaniah, Tony Harrison, John Cooper Clarke and Scroobius Pip amongst some of those already confirmed.

Latitude is also a family friendly festival with several areas dedicated to entertaining children and teenagers alike. Surrounded by woodland and colourful sheep, the Children’s Arena is its own little festival, while The Inbetweeners Area is a space for teens who want their own space at Latitude. There are even activities for babies, plus fun in the family campsite for early risers who can't wait to play.

If you have a list of festivals which you would like to attend, Latitude Festival 2012 should be high on your list of priorities. If it wasn't, then we hope you've changed your mind. With the festival getting underway next Thursday, the 12th of July and finishing on Sunday, the 15th, we suggest you get your tickets now. Saturday tickets have already sold out!

To get the full details from Latitude Festival 2012, visit their website www.latitiudefestival.co.uk

Photography by: Rob Whitworth