Long Division’s biggest ever musical line-up

And organisers say the packed line-up is not the only thing that’s big about this year’s festival.

Dean Freeman, a main mover behind the event, said: “It is Long Division’s biggest year in a lot of ways.

“The Cribs are headlining the festival with their first homecoming public gig in seven years, which is the biggest opening we have ever had.

“We also have Unity Hall as a venue this year which is the biggest capacity location we have had.

“On Saturday, there are 80 bands playing, the greatest number in Long Division history and there are more venues than ever before”

As, Indie rockers The Cribs prepare for their first hometown public gig since 2007, bassist Gary Jarman took time out from the band’s recording schedule to speak to the Express.

“I can’t believe it’s been that long since we gigged in Wakefield – it’s strange, with two of us now living in the USA, a Wakefield show is no longer an easy thing to book or co-ordinate.

“Whereas once upon a time, we would just take our guitars on the bus, try and avoid getting hassled, and just play a show, now it’s a little different. That makes it more exciting though I guess.

“When we first started, obviously Wakefield was pretty much the place that we played most often.

“We did a bunch of shows with Little Japanese Toy upstairs at the old McDermotts, and then when that place closed down we moved to Escobar as that was so close by and convenient. Though, at that time, Escobar was the most unlikely gig venue in the world.

“We started to build up a fan base, and of course our fan base was exclusively local at that point.

“Nowadays when we play Wakefield, it tends to be a special event for our fans, and so the audience is made up of not just locals, but loads of people that travel specifically for the show.

“When we played the Opera House people had come from places as far afield as the USA, Japan, and Australia – so it’s weird. Almost like the two extremes now.”

The Cribs’ Long Division performance will be one of the first at the newly refurbished Unity Hall.

Gary said: “The first and only time we ever went to Unity Hall was around Christmas 1994, for a show featuring our guitar teacher’s band, Skint. Retarded Fish were also on the bill.

“We went upstairs, and were excited to see our first gig - until we got kicked out for being underage.

“That is why we are psyched to be playing an all-ages ‘underage’ matinee show at Unity Hall too, to make sure that no-one else has that feeling of rejection!”

Describing the band’s music as “music to hear over the tannoy at a strange swimming baths that you’ve never been to before”, Gary said deciding what songs to include in a set causes the most arguments in the group.

“You generally know what works, but it can be hard finding a balance when you’ve got nearly 100 songs.

“It’s hard to please everyone. Most people just want to hear the singles, especially at the big festivals, but the hardcore want to hear obscurities.

“It’s the eternal balancing act of giving people what they want, but also feeling satisfied artistically. It causes more arguments than anything else.”

Gary’s advice to local bands trying to break through in the music industry? “Ignore trends. If you’re never totally in fashion, you’ll never be totally out of fashion.”

The Netherton-born brothers, Gary, Ryan and Ross formed in 2002 and are currently working on songs for their new album, which they will record in New York City in October.

Long Division’s full line-up is listed below. For further details of timings, visit www.longdivisionfestival.co.uk

Friday, September 12

Unity Works Major Hall:

The Cribs matinee show, supported by The Spills

The Cribs headliner, supported by Mi Mye

Saturday, September 13

Unity Works Major Hall:

Candy Says

Post War Glamour Girls

Gruff Rhys

Frankie and The Heartstrings

Roddy Woomble

I Like Trains

Toy

The Wedding Present

Unity Works Minor Hall:

Allusondrugs

Flowers

Radstewar

Cut Ribbons

Patterns

Yard Wars

Aztec Doll

Tuff Love

Beans On Toast

Islet

Warehouse 23:

Gunnarson

Mazes

Bleech

The Membranes

Milloy

Sumemr Camp

Kid Canaveral

Slow Club

Players:

Clandestines

Dead Party Scence

Protectors

The Sunbeams

Brawlers

Casual Sex

The Witch Hunt

Cowtown

Holy Mountain

Clown

Graziers:

Secret Society

Alpha Shallows

Dreadwall

Cactus Knife

Knuckle

The Reacharounds

NARCS

The Grand

Treason Kings

The Orangery:

Loz Campbell

Wearenotdolphins

Chanel (C.Nicole)

Yawning Dog

Buffalo Skinners

James Coley

Too Many T’s

The Ainsley Band

Westgate Chapel:

Jamiesaysmile

Juffage

Ruby Macintosh

Tom Lawton

Randolph’s Leap

Versechorusverse

Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts

Havana:

Cry Baby Cry

Adore // Repel

Forever Cult

The Wind Up Birds

The Thickens

The Castellas

Theo Verney

Wot Gorilla?

Jack’s Attic

The Mulberry:

The High Club

Whales in Cubicles

Samuel S Parkes

Morain

Salvage My Dream

Sam Airey

High Hazels

Joel RL Phelps

Sunday, September 14

Unity Works Major Hall:

Live album recording with Piskie Sits

Unity Works Minor Hall:

John Jowett Unity Restoration Exhibition

Players:

The Dos

Inlaze

McCarthy Vigil

Esper Scout

Buen Chico

Bi Lingual

The Exhibition

The Hysterical Injury

Inns of Court:

Humans and Ornaments

Rama Zu

Runaround Kids

Colour Me Wednesday

The Black Lamps

Clandestines

Bad Grammar

Beesley

Westgate Studios:

A song in a day

EyeWood:

Creative writing workshop

Wood Street workshops:

Animation workshop

Songwriting and recording workshop

Mosaic making workshop

Wood Street:

The Nomad Drummers

The Orangery and gardens:

Hangover sessions

John Robb

Candy Says

Mechanics Theatre:

What next? panel

Listening panel

Wood Street variety

Henry Boons:

Plays and Pints

The Art House:

Mastering the art of gaming

Drury Lane Library:

Library Tours