REVIEW: BESTIVAL 2012
Bestival sits somewhere quite unique in the festival market; the brainchild of DJ and Record Producer Rob Da Bank, Bestival has grown over the years to accommodate in excess of 50,000 festival goers. This ‘evolution’ has not been to everyone’s taste – turning it into Reading and Leeds festivals’ more mature, hipster cousin perhaps.
It’s more raucous, a little bit brighter, more arty and there’s more to do than at most festivals (in this context a comparison to Glastonbury is warranted). The emphasis here is very much on fun; in among the twisting fashionistas and colourful goings on is a festival with a very distinct a sense of humour. Though the demographic is largely young (late teens/early 20s), it is a family friendly festival sharing many traits with some of the smaller festivals, such as End Of The Road and Green Man, but on a much grander scale. Arts and crafts, kids’ activities, science and music all go hand-in-hand with singing transsexuals and dancers.
Another facet of Bestival, distinct from the day activities, is the somewhat hedonistic nightlife – where DJs spin decks on tiny stages throughout the site. This is where its feel more like a mini Glastonbury, with hidden gems to be enjoyed at every turn, including its own slimmed down Arcadia. You can also discover the secret delights of the ambient forest, with its mysterious bars and wooden animal sculptures and hammocks or see some performance art in the amphitheatre, the karaoke van being a particular highlight. Each year Bestival chooses a fancy dress theme for its visitors. The theme this year was wildlife. A theme that, without doubt, set creative mouths salivating. Cue animal onsie overload.
But of course, Bestival is about more than all of this. It’s about the music, with a line-up that is, as usual, pretty stellar and also incredibly diverse and eclectic. Icelandic noise gods Sigur Ros played their only UK show of the year and The xx played a UK festival exclusive. Motown royalty Stevie Wonder, electro pioneers New Order and the world-beating power pop of The Machine and their Florence all headline this year’s event. However, there is a definite old skool disco funk feel to the festival this year with Sister Sledge, Adam Ant and Earth Wind and Fire also playing.
What really shines here is the quality of the bands further down the list – some already established but most some stars of the future. Perhaps the ultimate highlight was being lost in the exuberance and booming volume of the Big Top’s late headliners, which from Thursday to Friday, consisted of Hot Chip, SBTRKT, Justice and finally Friendly Fires – whose kaleidoscopic light show and furious dance moves made a fitting end to festivities. However, the real highlight for many was seeing Grimes dance the night away on the tiny Replay tent at 1am.
There were issues as usual – ridiculous ferry times and a lack of toilets were problematic, as were some of the perplexing decisions regarding which stages artists played; for example, Alt-J as one of the most hyped up and coming bands currently on the scene should not have been in the Replay tent – as it was ridiculously over-subscribed. It was equally disappointing to see Sigur Ros post on their website about the hellish time they had due to their promised ‘dark’ slot being upended and them having to endure sound and technical issues throughout their performance. However, it still sounded pretty darn awe-inspiring to those that had the pleasure to witness it. In typically wonderful freakish irony, the blue sky that had stayed for most of the weekend became overcast and aptly dramatic as Sigur Ros took to the stage – even if the darkness wasn’t there. Stevie, of course, drew in pretty much everyone with a mix of his own classics and some wonderful Motown covers, before fireworks lit up the island sky. A perfect end to a great weekend.
Words and photo: Yatin Amin
