» Bestival review
Jody White spills the beans on this year’s Bestival in Robin Hill Country Park, Isle of Wight, Friday 5th – Saturday 6th - Sunday 7th September
Did Rob Da Bank unwittingly curse this year’s event with his undersea theme? It’s really wild conjecture, but a wet-suit would have been entirely appropriate attire for what has become a popular annual pilgrimage to the Isle of Wight.

As the decidedly drab summer was chased off into the distance by horrendous downpours, the usually lush Robin Hill site was rapidly transformed into shin-deep filth, and the glutinous squelch of the main thoroughfares quickly began to test the party spirit. Leaking tents and sodden clothes meant the atmosphere was not quite the carefree hedonistic experience many were expecting, although in true British spirit most got stuck in and attempted to make the best of a sticky situation.

The trademark Bestival frivolity wasn’t entirely dampened though. Given momentum by the rather fantastic musical line up, a heady cocktail of inebriants seemed to ease the crowds into the fun-zone without too much difficulty.



Teeside three-piece Dartz took a temporary sabbatical from music while trying to finish their studies at university, but the lure of making and playing is too strong. Hence, new mini-album The Sad History of the Village of Albnerique, a collection of angular, almost discordant neopop numbers reminiscent of the post-punk era but also incessantly modern. Not so many A-grade winners as on their debut but this is a consistently driven and dynamic work.

