From the 5th ‘till the 9th of September, Exeposé Music had the pleasure of reviewing Bestival, the UK’s Best Major Festival held on the Isle of Wight. Here’s what went down…
The UK is renowned for its summer festivals and music. Put the two together and behold the sweet delectable honey on offer to the avid festival goer. Throw in a few world class headliners and promising young starlets and you have something of beauty to savour.
Thursday was a surreal experience, a gruesomely hot day and a campsite rollicking with revellers and the unlucky few (us) who were left to trudge through Robin Hill to the campsite, sweatier than Betty in a sauna. After expertly locating a place to camp (and taking an hour to put up the tent), we set about trying to see as much as was humanly possible.
The most commendable and enjoyable element of Bestival’s line up was the variety. An abundance of acts greeted festival goers like an old friend, with older classics, new pretenders, third album should-be’s and a diaspora of others in between. There was also an array of comics, poets, spoken word performers amongst a stellar line up of entertainers – testament to the fact that Bestival is about more than just outstanding music. Of particular note in that regard was Scroobius Pip’s Satin Lizard Lounge. The bearded bard showcased some fantastic talent, in particular Cecelia Knapp’s heartfelt musings about the trials of moving cities, and Rob Auton whose audience participation included shouts of ‘Gorillas in the mist’ and whispers of ‘Schindler’s list’. Also in attendance were the brilliant Guilt and Shame, a no holds barred comedy duo fresh off fantastic reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe festival who’s Bacchanalian gaiety was as infectious as it was crude.
Comics Milton Jones, Phil Jupitus and Marcus Brigstocke weighed in with great sets in the comedy tent whilst further afield (over the field) the quirky stages of the Knees Up tent and the Swamp Shack kept festival goers bouncing long into the night. Meanwhile The Correspondents and the explosive MIA got the weekend going in the main arena.
Friday saw the all-mighty Wu Tang Clan, led by Ghostface Killah, parade ‘real hip-hop’ around the Main Stage, albeit without some key members for reasons not known to Exeposé Music. The Flaming Lips illuminated Friday evening with an emotional set atop the glowing wires of an almost Alien-esque set, with classics like Race for the Prize reverberating around the darkened isle. Friday’s headliner Fatboy Slim led the start to an ultimate weekend with his birthday bash, whilst in the muggy and mystical Bollywood, Joy Orbison played an enigmatic set worlds away from the fireworks exploding down at the Main Stage. The juxtaposition of the two contrasting acts showcased the commitment to diversity that has become a hallmark of Bestival over the years.
Saturday began groggily, but this haze soon dissipated as crowds flocked to see Clean Bandit in the Big Top, with their synth-pop, turned electro-classical awesomeness causing their avid following to grow exponentially with hits like Telephone Banking and A E as well as an excellent cover version of SBTRKT’s Wildfire which had the audience in raptures. Such was the quality on show on Saturday that humanly possible was no longer an option for us, despite our best attempts to flit between stages at frightening speed, though The Roots were as ever totally slick and smooth. This madness culminated in a concerted effort to see various acts in a similar location; Disclosure, Snoop Dogg, The Knife, Hot Natured and Simian Mobile Disco were all on the menu and luckily we were able to sample all. A tip of the hat must also go to HMS Bestival’s nautical theme, the various crustaceans and scuba divers were a brilliant addition to the vibes and to those who dressed as Steve Zissou, Exeposé Music salutes you.
Sunday’s showcase included incredible performances from the inimitable Nile Rodgers with the ever amazing Chic whose set provided verve and funk that had everyone dancing along to classic tracks. Classic tracks seemed to be the order of the day as Sunday’s headliner and musical legend Elton John played a catalogue of hits spanning his career, with thousands of people singing Tiny Dancers was the perfect festival send-off. The Port had provided a huge party earlier in the day with a sound system all would envy, similarly Oneman and MC Chunky smashed the Red Bull Stage earlier in the evening much to the delight of all in attendance. James Blake, recently nominated for the Mercury Prize, performed a hauntingly beautiful set in Big Top that was simultaneously intimate, eerie, and unfathomable. Playing tracks from both albums delighted the crowd who packed in to make the arena impregnable to outsiders once the set had started. The concluding ‘A Case of You’ almost ended in tears of overwhelming emotion.
Once again Bestival aced it. The weekend was fun and friendly for everyone, laced with variety and quality that delivered everything you could possibly want from a festival. I don’t know about the Olympics but Bestival was certainly Exeposé Music’s ‘Isle of Wonder’. Now another sad year must pass before the Isle of Wight spreads wide its arms once more. We for one cannot wait to accept its warm embrace.
Watch footage from Bestival on Saturday here.
Callum Burroughs, Online Music Editor
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