Bestival has some ridiculously good acts booked this year; I always put my near-£200 to the most deserving festival, and this year Bestival certainly deserves it. What sets Bestival aside from many other festivals is the eclectic diversity and unique festival experience situated in the beautiful Robin Hill Country Park on the Isle of Wight. With such an amazing carnival atmosphere ,it’s great to go with friends and you’re bound to make some new ones while you’re there. Curated and founded by Rob da Bank (the Ulitmate Music Brain) and his wife Josie da Bank (the Creative Director), it’s no wonder that Bestival (now in it’s ninth year) has become THE festival to go to in recent years.
Frank Ocean
Some really big names, of which Hot Chip, De La Soul and Frank Ocean are some of the most exciting to me, have been confirmed in such density that I can barely contain myself. This fame-infused lineup that transends genre (Rock-heavy Reading and Download, take notes) leaves me confident that there’s something for everyone here. With the likes of Florence and the Machine, Friendly Fires, Ben Howard and Two Door Cinema Club on the bill it’s like a greatest hits combining the best from all the festivals across the summer.
Alt-J
However, it is not these big names that I’m most looking forward to. It is not even Motown legend Mr. Steven Wonder (although he will be fantastic). It is the smaller, up-and-coming artists that really excite me. The likes of Alt-J, First Aid Kit, Azealia Banks and SBTRKT are starting to make a name for themselves on the scene so these are definitely ones to look out for. From the female vocal talents of Charli XCX and Jessie Ware to the electro-pop duo AlunaGeorge and chillstep producers Disclosure, there’s a huge amount of new sounds to hear, and I hope there are others as excited about that process of discovery as I am.
Scroobius Pip
As much as live music performance entertains me, it would be an
injustice not to mention the equally-strong array of DJs and non-musical acts at Bestival. In particular, Camo & Krooked, the under-appreciated Jamie XX and a combined set between Four Tet and Caribou will definitely be worth a visit, as will the poetry-centric Satin Lizard Lounge. As a closet literature nerd, the latter is perhaps much more appealing than I’m willing to let on. The fabulous Scroobius Pip will be presenting the best of the UK’s spoken word artists. As well as this he will be performing independently from his usual musical partner dan le sac. His new solo album Distraction Pieces is a refreshing mix of punk, hip-hop and spoken work. Pip and le sac will both be showcasing their current solo projects, definitely not something you’ll want to miss.
What’s more, this year’s dressing up theme is WILDLIFE! Cue thousands of people in animal one-sies bopping along to the vast array of entertainment available. The thing I’m most looking forward to is the VARIETY, from genre to genre, old to new, popular to unknown, and music to other forms of entertainment. Hurry up Bestival, we’re all waiting.
Curate your own personal Bestival line up with the site’s awesome new feature ‘My Bestival’.
Contributions from Megan Downing, Phoebe Cross and Anthony Pritchard.
