As the proud winner of the 'Best Medium-To-Large Festival' gong at the UK Festival Awards for the third year running, the Island’s very own Bestival returns to Robin Hill Countryside Adventure Park for a sixth year this September.
The event, which is officially recognised as being the last UK festival of the season, takes place during the weekend of Friday 11th, Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th 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 "3 day 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.
Last year 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.
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.
2009 is Bestival's Year Of The Spectacular and one of the highlights of this looks set to be Blastival. Located on the site of previous years' main stage will be a fiery spectacle that will evolve and unfold over three nights blending astounding pyrotechnical pleasures with stunning street theatre.
Friday Headliners: Massive Attack Saturday Headliners: Kraftwerk Sunday Headliners: Elbow
German electropop veterans Kraftwerk will headline Bestival on Saturday September 12 with British electronic act Massive Attack will headlining the Saturday night. Massive Attack are due to release their long-awaited new album at around the time of their appearance at Bestival. Bat for Lashes will be headlining the Big Top stage on the same day; the alternative act's new album, "Two Suns," (Parlophone) is out April 6.
Brooklyn electro-rock act MGMT will also play Bestival, along with Seattle-based folk-rock band Fleet Foxes. Seasick Steve will be returning to Bestival, while new-rave act Klaxons will be playing material from the follow-up to their debut, "Myths of the Near Future" (Polydor), which won the Nationwide Mercury Music Prize in 2007.
Michael Nyman, best known for film scores such as "The Piano," is also on the Bestival bill. Other acts at the 14 stages include the Beat, Squarepusher, Future Sound Of London, Florence & The Machine, Little Boots, Lily Allen, Mika, Friendly Fires, Passion Pit, Hockey.
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 have decided to get cosmic and go with an Outer Space theme for anyone who wishes to participate. A selection of dressing up stalls will be available on site.
Bestival 2009 is a sell out! With an incredible line-up that includes Massive Attack, Kraftwerk and techno Elbow 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 whole two months before show time!
Thursday 10th 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 14th 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. In 2008 these cost £10 until 6pm on Saturday and £5 thereafter. 2009 prices are still to be confirmed.
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.