Longitude Sunday Report: Mumford & Sons, Leon Bridges and Jack Garratt Make a Big Splash

Dublin Bus may have lifted as many people into Dublin city as they did out on Sunday. But even with the Dublin v. Kildare championship match as a counter-attraction, Longitude’s last day more than held its own, teeming with enthusiastic festival-goers in search of a good time.
Friday’s rocky start was but a distant memory, and the first few acts to kick off the day did so for what were modest but hugely appreciative crowds.
On the Whelan’s Stage, Brooklyn-based R&B singer Kevin Garrett poured everything into his second-ever performance in Ireland. The co-writer of the opening track on Beyonce’s Lemonade captured the attention and won the support of several-hundred new fans. Result! Garrett solidified his name further when he introduced special guest Marcus Mumford for his final two songs. He had opened for the folk rockers in the US. “Turns out that stalking has its benefits,” Mumford joked.
On the main stage, Milky Chance brought their bouncy mix of folk and electronica to their first Irish festival. They attracted mass dancing, with hits like ‘Cocoons’, and welcomed London-based singer Izzy Bizu onstage for a few songs.
Next, a massive gold pineapple appeared on the stage. In the audience someone pumped a half-chewed one of their own in the air like a championship cup. It was that kind of afternoon. With that as preparation, Glass Animals came onstage to a robotic beat, and from there onwards earned the distinction of Most Energetic Act of the day. They were in flying form.
Over on the Heineken stage, Dublin outfit Villagers – with a still bearded Conor O’Brien leading superbly from the front – were in tune with the late afternoon reflectiveness, easing the crowd into a mellow, at times almost Waterboys-sounding set. They helped break through the wall and revived the crowd, notably with ‘Becoming A Jackal’, ‘Nothing Arrived’ and some fine woodwind and brass backing on ‘Memoir’.
The very excellent Leon Bridges was an interesting choice for the festival, bringing his Texas charm and grooving ‘50s-style soul to the main stage and impressing anyone who paid attention. That said, Longitude’s demographic was probably more suited to the bruising, demonstrative indie synth-pop of BBC Sound of 2016 winner Jack Garratt, scheduled at a time that crossed over with Leon. Garratt bowled a packed tent over, with his energy and musicality. Back on the main stage, Bridges crooned for all he was worth. “Y’all ain’t got no juice,” Bridges told the crowd, who seemed curiously reserved. A soul musician of his calibre deserved better.
There was a rapturous welcome for the final act of Longitude and Mumford & Sons gave the weekend the send-off it deserved, breaking first into ‘Snake Eyes’ and ‘Little Lion Man’. Marcus Mumford, a genuine master of his craft, never played the same instrument from one song to the next. His voice, meanwhile, rose effortlessly across the field. He is a fine singer.
The band welcomed Baaba Maal for three songs from their Johannesburg EP . At one point, ten musicians occupied the onstage, perfectly in tune with one another and the occasion, filling Marlay Park with a stunning medley of voices and languages.
The band thrilled fans when they brought many of the acts from throughout the day back on-stage, along with none other than Hozier, for a rendition of The Beatles’‘With A Little Help From My Friends’ – their final encore. The crowds were left buzzed for the journey home, too enthralled to worry about facing a sunburned, hungover Monday.