As the proud winner of the 'Best Medium-To-Large Festival' gong at the UK Festival Awards for three years running, the Island’s very own Bestival returns to Robin Hill Countryside Adventure Park for a seventh year this September.
The event, which is officially recognised as being the last UK festival of the season, takes place from Thursday 9th - Sunday 12th September.
For those who are as yet unfamiliar with the Bestival, its admirable reputation as the second largest music festival to be held on the Island (following the Isle of Wight Festival in June) defines the event as a "boutique music festival" set in the heart of the Island at Robin Hill near Downend and Newport. The event is is the innovative creation of Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank, wife and Creative Director Josie, plus co-founders John and Ziggy from PR company Get Involved. The event itself derived from ten years of pioneering fun musical events and record releases from Rob da Bank's Sunday Best empire.
Often referred to as one of the friendliest festivals you could ever hope to attend, happiness and enjoyment is without any doubt, the name of the game at the Bestival. It is probably fair to say that the down-to-earth, highly original yet wondrously eccentric experience generated carries equal significance to the wealth and variety of musical marvels on offer during the course of the three-day phenomenon.
The first Bestival, in September 2004, was headlined by Basement Jaxx, Fatboy Slim, Zero 7, The Bees, Mylo and Lee 'Scratch' Perry and was a ground-breaking success. Bestival 2005 meanwhile saw Royksopp, The Magic Numbers, Super Furry Animals, 2manydjs, The Go! Team and Soulwax take to the stage (amongst many others!). It also set the Guinness World Record for the Biggest Fancy Dress Party (10,000 people dressed as Cowboys & Indians).
In 2006 over 350 different acts played to a packed audience. Gogol Bordello, the Pet Shop Boys and the hugely popular Scissor Sisters headlined the event with chart-topper Lily Allen and Caribbean/Latin American band Kid Creole and the Coconuts also delighting the crowd throughout the weekend, which once again broke the world record for the most people to be wearing fancy-dress in one place in the whole world… ever!
In 2007 Bestival fans were blown away by the larger than life Chemical Brothers, Hip Hop legends the Beastie Boys and Scottish rock group Primal Scream. English Pop/ska band Madness appeared as 'Surprise Guests' - an exciting new highlight to the weekend which is set to feature once again in 2009.
In 2008 more than 30,000 music fans flocked to Robin Hill Country Park to be part of arguably the wettest event to be staged on the Isle of Wight in living memory! But even mass flooding leading to a deluge of mud failed to dampen the spirits of upbeat Bestival-goers, who partied on to the likes of My Bloody Valentine, Amy Winehouse, Underworld and surprise guests Grace Jones and The Specials regardless.
Last year was crowned the “Year of the Spectacular” with one of the highlights being fiery spectacle - otherwise known as the Blastival - which evolved and unfolded over three nights blending astounding pyrotechnical pleasures with stunning street theatre and cumulating in a superb firework display on the Sunday evening. Mainstage headline acts included Massive Attack, Kraftwerk and Elbow.
Some superb new additions to the Bestival in more recent years have included the 'Restival' - an area set aside purely for relaxation purposes and fending off any festival fatigue, the 'Jestival' which features a whole host of top name comedians such as Phil Jupitas and Ed Byrne plus many rising stars as well as Club Dada, the House of Bamboo, Pink Flamingo, Time for Tease and the BBC Introducing tent amongst others.
2010 is Bestival's Year Of The Fantasic.
Friday Headliners: Dizzee Rascal Saturday Headliners: The Flaming Lips Sunday Headliners: The Prodigy
Other acts include Roxy Music, Howard Jones, Hot Chip, The Wailers, Wild Beasts and La Roux.
Plus the world’s biggest fancy dress party, Bollywood cocktail bar, Laughter Clubs, Farmers market, Kids area, Morris dancing, magical moments and much more…
Bestival has always been renowned for its fancy dress themes. 2008’s fancy dress theme was a strangely prophetic one but in the rain-soaked surrounds of Robin Hill the “30,000 Freaks Under The Sea” theme looked utterly stunning. All of the Sponge Bobs, Jellyfish, Submarines, Octopuses and Mermaids gave Bestival a special magical aura that kept everyone smiling.
For 2009 the organisers decided to get cosmic and go with an Outer Space theme and this year the theme for anyone who wishes to participate is Fantasy. A selection of dressing up stalls will be available on site.
Bestival 2010 is a sell out! With an incredible line-up that includes Dizzee Rascal, The Flaming Lips and The Prodigy in the headline slots, plus a cast of 100s more live acts and DJs, 30,000 tickets have sold out earlier than ever before; a full four months before show time!
Thursday 9th Sept: The car park will be open from 9am. The box office opens at around 11.30am and the campsites will open at midday.
Fri/Sat/Sun: Car park & box office open at 9am.
Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun: No entry into the site after midnight on any night.
Monday 13th September: Campsites close at 2pm and car parks at 4pm.
The car park is next to the Bestival site just beyond the Hare & Hounds Pub. Please follow directions. Car Parking Tickets are payable when you arrive; these cost £10 until 6pm on Saturday and £5 thereafter. Tickets are valid for the whole weekend (even if you come and go). The main camping car parks have been moved this year so please look out for the "Camping Car Park" sign as soon as you approach the festival.
For more detailed information about the Bestival including how to get there, when to get there, when to leave, how to book yourself a Tipi, a Yurt, a Boutique Camping option or a ready pitched tent, plus for useful information about the campsites, campervan areas and disabled facilities, please visit the official Bestival website.