Summer is coming to a close: with the nights drawing in, soon we won’t be able to sit in beer gardens or on the Common for an evening without getting a bit chilly. Uni starts again in September, or heaven forbid, an actual full-time grown-up job for those graduates. Cling onto those last few sunny days with a weekend of unadulterated, out of this world madness brought to you by Bestival.
The futuristic themed festival plays host to Hot Chip, the Cure, Major Lazer, Wiz Khalfia and Sean bloody Paul this year, encompassing the entire spectrum of the musical scale and promising something for everyone to enjoy. As well as an all new rocket-shaped Spaceport stage, giant astronauts shooting lasers will light the way for everyone stumbling about.
Other musical acts to get excited about include the three Goliaths of dance music, Diplo, Carl Cox and Fatboy Slim; all set to impress the crowds with insane sets featuring reworked classic tunes. Years and Years, Bastille and Oh Wonder lead the way on the pop front, with nu-wave synths and falsetto vocals to boot, while Frances, Billie Marten and Izzy Bizu take up their places as heads of the delicate voices brigade. Sunshiney band Crystal Fighters will have us all dancing around to their ukuleles while Beaty Heart astound with multi-layered electro-soul.
After amazing performances at Common People, local crowds will flock to Craig David for more of his garage and R’n’B remixes – please play Flowers again! Also riding high from her stonker of a show is Katy B: don’t miss her in action. Kitty, Daisy & Lewis have become regular placements at Besti-events thanks to their retro sound, as well as the Cuban Brothers with their mix of classic Latina songs and hilarious dancing which will have everyone on their feet.
Aside from the music, Bestival offers an array of activities to fill your time. From spoken word and comedy shows (see you down the front for Shitfaced Shakespeare!) to yoga, drag acts and hot tubs, there is a different stall or attraction everywhere you look. The eight different areas, as well as the campsites, offer an entire festival experience encompassing the peaks and troughs of your energy levels: soak up the sun on Grassy Hill with the Lovebot or get amongst it in the Bollywood Field.
Perhaps one of the most genius inventions to hit Bestival this year is their partnership with Campsite Click and Collect, where you can order your alcoholic beverages before the festival and pick them up (ice cold!) once you arrive – they even keep hold of some of your stash for whenever you next need topping up.
This year’s festival takes place from the 8th-11th September. Buy your tickets here now, with a £25 deposit option and student discounts available! Up for it but struggling to convince your mates? Give curator Rob da Bank’s decision line a call and get him to have a word on 0845 388 BEST (0845 388 2378) for just 5p plus your standard rate per minute. Failing that, have a watch of last year’s aftermovie below.
