Bestival: The Isle of Wight festival gathers its fantastical self once more …

With a ship theme for 2014 (let’s hope the festival doesn’t sink a la Titanic, and like it almost did during the apocalyptic downpour!), Bestival sets sail again on the strangely time-lapsed island of the Isle of Wight.

Set up in 2004 by Radio One DJ and Sunday Best record company owner, Rob da Bank, Bestival has grown to become one of the most infamous festivals on an increasingly saturated circuit. From around 10,000 punters in 2004, it has now reached 55,000 but still retains a strong streak of anarcho-individualism, encapsulated by the carnivalesque atmosphere, wildly eclectic fashion possibilities and an almost-anything-goes vibe.

Headliners for this year are the American indie maverick Beck on the Thursday, the hip hop dance eclecticism of OutKast on the Friday, British indie icons Foals on the Saturday, and crowd pleasing disco-funk legends Chic on the Sunday, who feature the one and only Nile Rodgers. Other acts confirmed include Disclosure, Major Lazer, Busta Rhymes, Paloma Faith, Basement Jaxx, London Grammar, Sam Smith, Wild Beasts, Bonobo and Clean Bandit.

Bestival is particularly known for the huge amount of DJs they host, and this year you can expect to see the likes of Annie Mac, Blonde Ambition, Chase & Status, Craig Charles, Diplo, Yoda, Eats Everything, Ed Solo, Brighton’s Prince Fatty, and Rob da Bank himself.

But, it’s not all about music! There’s a tremendous line up of comedy, talks, performance and anything else you can think of scattered throughout the four days, in myriad tents and on stages. For instance, former Slits guitarist Viv Albertine will be talking about her exceptional new book Clothes Music Boys; the big hits of Brighton Fringe, Shitfaced Shakespeare, provide a new spin on The Bard; performance poet and rapper Scroobius Pip hosts The Satin Lizard Lounge, which will feature some of the very best spoken word artists; comedians include Rob Auton, Nina Conti, and Late Night Gimp Fight; and there’s late night cinema via Desert Island Flicks, plus the stupidly brilliant Bestival Beard and Moustache Competition.

For more information about tickets and other attractions, visit www.bestival.net
Robin Hill, Isle of Wight, 4–7 Sept.

Jeff Hemmings