Bestival 2016 announces Invaders of the Future line-up

Out on a mission to capture your heart and keep your feet moving at the UK’s official Best Major Festival, the Invaders of the Future stage will be bouncing all weekend long to sets from west London’s All This Noise, high-octane punks Asylums, atmospheric four-piece Black Honey, Island b-boys Born Ina Barn, and soulful pop types Clean Cut Kid, with appearance from Coco, Creeper and Danny L Harle.

Bestival will also have singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Eska, beguiling trio Fatherson, pop outfit Fickle Friends, ultra-vivid chanteuse Girli, rock n rollers The Greasy Slicks, the darkly inventive HÆLOS, visceral Spanish indie quartet Hinds and the swirling sounds of The Japanese House.

Getting those in the know all hot under the collar there will be more Invaders of the Future action from the golden voiced JP Cooper, Illinois’s K.Flay, the folk musings of L.A. Salami, hotly-tipped Merseysider Louis Berry, emo four-piece Moose Blood, punk rockers Milk Teeth, hyperreal ultrapop label action from PC Music All Stars and Pinegrove.

You can check out the full line-up below.

 

Tame Impala and The Chemical Brothers announced for Bestival

Bestival has announced two seriously big acts this morning (12/2), Tame Impala and The Chemical Brothers. Also announced so far are Jungle, Underworld, Flying Lotus and mum and dad's favourites - Duran Duran.

You can check out the line-up just below!

Interview with... Bipolar Sunshine

Bellows of 'so love more and worry less' echo around The Big Top as Bipolar Sunshine's first ever Bestival show comes to an end. The line itself could have been custom made for Bestival itself; a festival where love and happiness rule over all, and Adio Marchant, aka Bipolar Sunshine, may well be one of its chief wielders.

He can go home happy with his final festival of the summer under his belt, which he went about in his usual fashion. Lolloping around the stage in a baggy silk shirt and a now accustomed tall mountain of hair, his striking look and soulful vocals are hard not to notice. I was lucky enough to catch up with the man himself where we spoke about his style, new tunes and his Bestival experience, whilst in the company of Sam Smith wailing within earshot...

How did you feel your first appearance at Bestival went?

Really well, I enjoyed it. It's my first time playing here and I’m new so it’s nice that people turned out, it’s amazing.

You’re here for the rest of the weekend, what have you got planned?

Just go with it, I’m gonna just see where it takes me, no real plans to watch anyone except for maybe Outkast, but that’s about it.

Have you had a chance to look around yet?

I haven’t had time yet, but I think now I’m gonna try and see some bands and I can hear Sam Smith so I’ll probably go and see some of his set which is sounding good. It’s a nice little festival, it’s chilled.

Having played Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds, how do you think Bestival compares?

I like the vibe here, everyone seems really into the music and having a good time. There’s no point going to a festival with a negative attitude so you may as well just try and enjoy yourself. I’m just here to try and help them enjoy it more, I suppose that’s the main thing.

I’ve noticed your interest in your fashion is very apparent, would you say?

Yeah man, to me I don’t really think about it. It’s stuff I feel comfortable in so I wear stuff that I just generally like, I don’t think about it too much or it just gets all a bit ‘mirrory’!

I’m sure you’ll see lots of people around Bestival dressed up, are you doing anything special yourself for it?

I’m just gonna walk around and see some stuff, everyone seems chilled and I’ve seen some mad styles going off.

Are the rest of your band hanging around as well?

Nah it’s just me man. I’ve got a few friends here so I’m just gonna ride with them. Going home now would just be pointless.

What have you got coming up next then?

In November we’re going to Paris and then we’ve got a tour next year so that’s gonna be amazing, I can’t wait for that. That’s just gonna have so many new songs I wanna play because at a festival you’re doing a circuit of songs and there’s not time in between to revise a whole new set of songs. So now I wanna bring in so many new songs and really step the levels up even higher.

If you could tip another artist to do well within the next year who would you suggest?

I’d say ‘Little Silver’. I know a lot of his stuff and I feel like he’s got a vibe which is suiting people, who can really get into it. There’s another guy called ‘August&Us’ that is making some great music in Manchester, so if I were to name it off the top of my head it’d be them two. 

By Joshua Shreeve (@JJShreeve)

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10 Things We Learned At Bestival 2014

Festival-goers flocked in their thousands this weekend to witness the whacky world of Isle of Wight's very own Bestival; curated by Rob and Josie Da Bank. Year by year the festival has grown whilst bringing a hugely diverse mix of people together to celebrate.

Basement Jaxx can still throw one hell of a party

Coming on stage at 00:30 on the Saturday night, Basement Jaxx raised the bar high with a full on party spirit. Opening with 'Good Luck', the hit parade blended beautifully with the new house-influenced album 'Junto'... they even brought big robots out as demonstrated from their 2009 gig at London O2 Arena.



Glass Animals are on to something big

Bringing their swagger-tinged alternative indie to the Invaders of the Future stage, the crowd were fuelled with anticipation on the Thursday evening... even after a thirty minute delay to their arrival. Keep a close eye on these Oxford lads.



Bestival wouldn't be the same without Sink The Pink

Dubbed as 'East London's most outrageous trannies and club kids', it's practically impossible to miss Sink The Pink pop up in so many sets. It's almost a Bestival tradition to have them. If you're trashed, head over to the Grand Palace of Entertainment to be inspired in your drunken stupor.



The 'Listerine' tent was 2014's underdog

Leaving Clean Bandit and stumbling across the Listerine tent was the best action I made on the Sunday afternoon. With Bondax dropping some classic tracks in a small shed, the compact crowd was greeted with an ongoing paint party like that of a holi festival. Who would've thought mouthwash could be so much fun!?



Rob Da Bank is an official Guiness World Record holder

The hit maker that is Nile Rodgers challenged Bestival to break the world record for the biggest disco ball in the world, which at the time stood at just under ten metres. Of course Rob Da Bank took up this offer and smashed the record with 10.33 metres and 2,500 mirrored tiles! Lifted during Chic's incredible Sunday headline set, a firework display accompanied the disco ball as it took it's first spins.



Prince is perfect for 2015

If there's one guy to up the stakes it's gotta be the god that is Prince. With a new album out soon and an alleged fallout with Glastonbury's organisers, could he take Purple Rain to the Isle of Wight? In the past Bestival has hosted megastars such as Elton John and Stevie Wonder so why not bring the Raspberry Beret over! I challenge you Rob Da Bank..


Prince - I Wanna Be Your Lover (Official Video) by Prince-Official

The Kooks surprise set let out everyone's inner 2006 indie kid

The crowds were let in for a treat on Saturday when the 'Inside In/Inside Out' creators took to the stage, opening with the first screeches of single 'Down'. The Big Top tent was packed to the brim with audience members rekindling their inner indie kid (I was in Year 6 when Naive came out). It was refreshing to see that the tracks off their new album 'Listen' stood up just as well against older numbers.



Chic are true professionals

Nile Rodgers and co. deserve the maximum level of kudos for their headline set on Sunday. After finding out the great news that Bestival was the official holder of the world's biggest disco ball, Nile informed the audience that his guitar technician of almost nineteen years lost his battle against cancer shortly before the set. Chic said it was one of the hardest shows they've ever played and members of the band at points within the show were visibly welling up but yet to have that level of professionalism and still produce one of the best sets of the festival really deserves a tip of the hat.



Bestival boasts just as diverse a crowd as Glastonbury

Whether you're a full on house-head, a chilled reggae type, an avant-garde polka lover or just an all round music addict, Bestival is the place to be. There's so much on offer I'd be amazed if someone was to get bored at the festival.



Busta Rhymes pulling out sparked ridiculous rumours

Before it was confirmed that DJ Yoda was to replace Busta Rhymes, who pulled out due to false advertisement of a show in London (yeh.. I don't see the logic either), rumours were flying that acts including Dido, Prince, The Magic Numbers, Scouting For Girls, Mark Ronson, Professor Green were to replace him. What a shame.



Make sure you get your tickets in the bag nice and early for next year!

Simply The Best; Four Days Of Fun, Frolicking and Foals at Bestival

The festival scene is currently thriving to say the least but amongst the teen-fest of Reading + Leeds and the difficult ticket purchasing of Glastonbury, Bestival sticks out like a sore thumb, or at least its 10-metre high disco ball does. Now at the still tender age of eleven years old, the festival has already matured like a fine piece of disco cheese.

Like Rob Da Bank's World Record breaking disco ball, the Isle Of Wight festival site was glistening from field to field this weekend. The 'desert island disco' theme brought out more glitter, inflatable bananas and 'wavey shirts' more than ever, the acts included. From Andre 3000's silver foil poundland-style wig to Chic's balloon feast, Bestival was once again not just a festival, but a spectacle.

Andre 3000 sprouts a silver barnet.

The crowd for The Port.

Despite festival-goers arriving in full flow on Thursday, the party really kicked off with Outkast making one of their 40 festival appearances this year. With a set that swayed in and out of enthusiasm, 'Hey Ya' spurred enough zeal to fill the rest of their remaining tour dates. Elsewhere on the Friday, the alternative vibes were running strong in The Big Top with Nick Mulvey's surprisingly upbeat set and Bipolar Sunshine's uplifting appearance brought about a euphoric sing-a-long.

Saturday is fancy dress day, vibrant flags included.

Bipolar Sunshine brings his soul to the party.

Saturday threw up a few surprises, not least Sophie Ellis-Bextor's hawaiian, leaving little to the imagination, costume. 'Murder On The Dancefloor' spawned a joyous, reminiscent ambience only mirrored later that afternoon by The Kooks surprise set in The Big Top, whose new album 'Listen' was released this week too. The night quite rightly belonged to Foals, who bombarded the crowd with ferocious party streamers who were left lusting for more plunges into their arms from frontman Yannis Philippakis. It's worth noting however, that the security aren't as reliable as the crowd when you do attempt a crowd surf and end up falling to your peril, as I found out.

Foals turn up the desert island disco heat on Saturday night.

With the final hours of Bestival looming, Sunday turned the island into a paradise of DJs. Major Lazer came up with one of the best live spectacles around, unleashing Diplo in a zorb ball over a sweaty, shirtless, all whistling dance enthusiasts. The love between them and their crowd is almost as strong as that in the blown up beams of the inflatable church (yes really). Whilst this must seem like the most intriguing place to be found in Bestival's boundaries, The Port is possibly even more so. A converted old ship, kept from last year's theme, hosted DJs such as Andy C, Wilkinson and Chase & Status whilst not just fireworks, but also acrobats flew above a sea bemused heads.

Festival-goers enjoy the stranger
sights of Bestival at the inflatable
church (above) and The Port (right).

It's worth wondering how 'Bestival' had been envisaged when the quite frankly poor play on words was come up with over a decade ago. Now though, it's a fitting tribute to just how we should experience festivals today. It's not about silent discos and drop-kicking someone to the face, it's about onstage crowd involvement, acrobatic transvestites and getting married to your boozed up mate in blow up church. 

By Joshua Shreeve (@JJShreeve)

Bestival Stage Splits Revealed

The time has nearly come for you to plan which acts are going to revolve around your Bestival weekend. The stage splits for this weekend's festival have been announced and you can feast your eyes on them below...

Beck is the main act but be sure to check out Glass Animals on 'Invaders Of The Future' Stage.

The Big Top is worth a visit for Nick Mulvey and Bipolar Sunshine but there could be a clash between Outkast and Caribou.

Plenty to see here. Foals, Basement Jaxx and SBTRKT being the big ones, whilst Happyness also play.

Wolf Alice, Catfish & The Bottlemen and Childhood all make appearances on the 'Invaders Of The Future' stage.

Going to Bestival and not sure what to expect? Why not check out our BIG PREVIEW of the festival.

By Joshua Shreeve (@JJShreeve)

Bestival; The Big Preview

The summer's drawing to a close but there's still one more big festival penned into everyone's calendars; Bestival. It's almost routine now, that the Isle Of Wight will be swarmed by glitter covered, head-dress donning, all singing and dancing folk to Britain's most vibrant festival of the year.

As a newcomer to Bestival myself, I'm expecting something special, and if you've been before I'm sure you'll agree. Every year there's a theme and this year it's 'Desert Island Disco' so get rummaging for the most striking and out there outfits - pretty much anything goes. Don't worry though, you don't have to look like a human glitter ball to get by the festival, just feast your eyes on some of the acts playing. I've picked out the main acts you can't miss.

The Big Names
These two headliners can't be missed. For the indie public they'll be delighted to see Foals at the top of the pile on Saturday night. After their mind-blowing headline shows at Latitude last year, they're pretty much unmissable. As for the other headliners, Outkast have made a return this summer to festivals world wide and it's unlikely you'll get another chance to see them after their Friday night slot. Be prepared for the biggest crowd participation of the weekend to 'Hey Ya'.

The Indie Kids
Too cool for the main headliners? Check out the array of indie talent over the weekend. My tips would be to make sure you see Wolf Alice. Their live game is getting better and better and they're bound to tear up the festival. Glass Animals are also ones to look out for if you're into the kind of tranquil funky nature of Alt-J's vibes. Singer songwriter Bipolar Sunshine is also worth a visit for a dance to his upbeat indie-pop tunes as is Nick Mulvey if you're wanting more of a chilled out sing a long. Years & Years too will be bringing the party vibe to The Isle Of Wight with their dance infused indie concoctions.

The Slick Movers
Guitar bands not your thing? The dance acts on hand are equally as exhilarating to go and see live. Basement Jaxx have got so many hits it's going to be hard to top them this weekend but Major Lazer may just be able to. They've got one of the best live shows out there filled with zorb balls, twerking members of the audience and a range of remixes. Elsewhere Caribou is worth a watch with his infectious music new and old. If you're looking for some more retro dance music, SL2 are making an appearance for what could be an interesting set. The ever popular SBTRKT is bound to gather one of the biggest crowds of the weekend and who knows, maybe his latest work with Ezra Koenig will see the Vampire Weekend frontman make an appearance. However if you're looking for something fresh on the dance music scene then Tourist is your man, who's collaborated with Lianne La Havas recently.

The Disc-Jockeys
Not strictly indie, so I'll keep this short and sweet. Mainly aimed for the non-stop ravers out there, there's something new that can be found in Bondax ; the duo who will throw their catchy beats at you as they headline the BBC Introducing stage. My Nu Leng are more focused on the bass side of the things with acute remixes to create instant house classics. As for affirmed house classics, DJ EZ is on hand to provide some of the best old-school mixes of house classics.

Of course it doesn't end there, and quite rightly, it's not all about the music. Feel free to check out the stand-up comedians, dance acts and some more intriguing events going on over the weekend.

Bestival takes place 4th-7th September this year on Robin Hill, Isle Of Wight. You can still buy tickets here.

By Joshua Shreeve (@JJShreeve)

Foals to headline Bestival this summer, grab your tickets now

Foals are set to headline the Saturday of Bestival and we couldn't be more excited for them! The band promise a night of madness, mayhem & good times.

Other bands set to appear are London Grammar, Wild Beasts, Chvrches and Caribou

Grab your tickets here.