Festival N°6 2017
Festival guide
Every September since 2012, Portmeirion has played host to Festival No. 6 and some of the most fascinating line-ups to be found anywhere in the UK. Topping the bill this year are Mogwai, Bloc Party and The Flaming Lips, and there’s plenty more riches to be found across the weekend. Here’s who we’ll be watching between 7th and 10th September.
Top picks
The Cribs
Many have questioned the relevance of guitar-led indie-rock in 2017, but The Cribs remain proof of the genre’s potency. Their latest album, 24-7 Rockstar Sh*t, was recorded with legendary producer Steve Albini and finds the Wakefield group in typically scuzzy yet melodic form. Witness the Jarman brothers showcasing the highlights from it, plus wheeling out classics like ‘Men’s Needs’, ‘Mirror Kissers’ and ‘Hey Scenesters!’, on Saturday. Even after all these years, they’re still one of Britain’s best live bands.
Hercules and Love Affair
A decade since their debut for DFA Records, Hercules and Love Affair are arguably still going from strength to strength. Their fourth and latest LP, Omnion, is band-leader Andy Butler’s first since quitting drugs and finding sanctuary in religion, and finds the New York collective creating spiritually-uplifting vocal house, complete with cameos from Sharon Van Etten and The Horrors’ Faris Badwan. If dancing’s high on your to do list this weekend, Hercules and Love Affair’s set is 100% the one to attend. See you down the front for 'Blind', yeah?
The Rhythm Method
The Rhythm Method aren’t an easy duo to define. Vocalist Joey speak-sings in an insouciant, Estuary English drawl, sounding like a cross between Mike Skinner, Glenn Tilbrook and Alan Donohoe of The Rakes. Meanwhile, their creative range so far has extended from the Bontempi reggae of ‘Cruel’ to the arch, Pet Shop Boys-aping ‘Party Politics’, via the shamelessly sentimental synth-pop of ‘Home Sweet Home’. In truth, we're still not entirely sure what we make of them yet, but we're definitely intrigued.
Big names
Don't miss
Related editorial
- Boy King is supposed to be an 18+, rather than a PG production, but the overarching theme is just to f***ing party and revel in the darkness.
- See our pick of the artists playing Portmeirion between the 1st and 4th September.
- Being in a band is tough: you’re away from your home, friends and family. There is so little stability.