I can’t believe it’s that time again. For the fourth year running I find myself manically running round getting ready for, for me, one of the most anticipated festivals of the year. In just four days time I shall be getting the now traditional 7 a.m. ferry, getting sleepily shitfaced on pear cider, and going for the last supper at the local Macca’s before entering the realm of ridiculousness that is Bestival.
I have lost myself, found myself and lost myself again here many times over, and can’t bloody wait to be doing it again. A bit of casual mind-loss at Arcadia, getting your rocks on at The Big Top, anything is possible in this utopia of funk.
This year’s line up is the best yet. We shall be delving into the wonders of Stevie, seeing The XX in all their new album glory, and get-get-get getting down at the Dirtybird Showcase.
Thursday’s institution that is Back To The Phuture are back for another year. Bringing the noise and getting the weekend started with a serious line-up of Hot Chip, The 2 Bears, Alabama shakes and the synth legend that is Gary Numan. This is not to be missed!
Remember to keep an eye on where you batten down your hatches. One year our thirty strong crew made an amazing camp, partied hard all weekend, and wondered why all our neighbours had the constant arse with us. 4 a.m. shouts of “SHUTUPPP!” were standard. It was only when we arrived the next year, and were looking at where to go we realised we had been in family camping… Whoops! Sorry kids!
My hatches will be battened down ‘fo sho’, as last year I got back to where my tent was on Monday morning, only to find it had blown away in the previous nights super storm! It was an Apocalypse Now moment waking up to iron grey skies, and twelve man tents floating on the breeze!
This years theme is Wildlife, and wild it shall be! I can’t wait to see all the fantastic Mr Foxes and Miss Piggies running around, high on (hmm hmm) life! Fancy dress here is compulsory! If you ain’t got a costume, YOU are the Wally! Picture this: coming down the hill towards you…. a mama dressed as the big bold moon, pops on a bicycle with his red hood up, and a beautiful bubba in the basket, on the front of the bike, with a foot long alien finger. ET Phone Home! It was this very same year that three of our boys got a shout out on the main stage from the main man himself, the one and only Rob Da Bank. Dressed as Rabbi’s, with pita breads all over them… Spacey!
Be sure to go off the beaten path, and explore all the weird and wonderful things that Bestival has to offer. From the gourmet delights of the Underground Restaurant, to Scroobius Pips Lizard Lounge, there’s something for everyone in this magical gathering of minds and souls. And be quick. With Festival season coming to a close for another year, make sure you get the best of Bestival!
Click here for more Bestival coverage and tickets FestivalMag.com/festivals/bestival/.
Watch the video message rejoicing in Bestival’s Wildlife theme below.
