Rob Da Bank’s ever-impressive end-of-summer festival, Bestival, returns to the Isle of Wight’s Robin Hill Country Park on September 5 to 7, for another rip-roaring feast of music. It’s the festival’s fifth year, so we’re told to expect “birthday party shenanigans including fancy dress discos and cake eating en masse”. Rob’s excelled himself again with another blinding line-up. And Friday night’s headliners are a little bit special.
The mighty My Bloody Valentine, pictured in their heyday, return from retirement to headline the main stage with their only English festival appearance this year. With their famed wall-of-sound grooves creating a uniquely powerful live experience, the band’s return after more than 15 years is highly anticipated and their headline set is sure to mark yet another magical moment in Bestival folklore.
Elsewhere you’ll find Aphex Twin (with another English festival exclusive), CSS, George Clinton And Funkadelic/Parliament, Pendulum (live), Jamie Lidell, 808 State (live), The Count & Sinden, Sebastien Tellier, Transglobal Underground, Red Snapper, DJ Yoda, Layo & Bushwacka, Annie Mac, Slam, Rob da Bank, Mark Moore, DJ Hype, Yuksek, Touché and Freestylers. And there are loads more acts still to be announced. Watch this space for details. And on top of all that, there’s all the usual nonsense such as the Bollywood cocktail bar, the Jestival comedy tent, a farmers’ market and secret stages.
Bestival runs from September 5 to 7 at Robin Hill Country Park on the Isle of Wight. Tickets are £130 for the weekend, including camping. Visit www.bestival.net
