As Isle of Wight residents we have always heard great things about Bestival, but for one reason or another have never made it. Our expectations were high, and it didn’t disappoint. 

On Thursday, after a day of work and school my teenage daughter and I headed off to get our wrist bands and explore The Bestival site. As we walked down from the car park, the sun shining, we caught a glimpse across some of the camping fields and began to realise the scale of it. There was so much to see as we wandered through food stalls and music tents, huge magical structures with music emanating from so many different angles.  

The main stage was in a fairly central location and slopes rose around it affording a good view, even from the fringe of the crowds. Located close by was the Big Top, cosier than the main stage but still room for a big audience. Through the Bollywood field you could reach The Port, where a huge ship became the stage for some of the world’s best DJs. You could also find performances from up and coming artists on The Replay with Rob da Bank stage Alongside all of these larger platforms you could find smaller more intimate venues with so many different vibes and experiences it would be impossible to mention every single one. Our favourites however included The Swamp Shack, the wishing tree (or as my son named it the ‘tiny disco’), the amphitheatre with its surreal and chilled out feel and the Ambient Lake Stage.  

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Photo: Victor Frankowski

Programme in hand we made our way to the Bandstand where we caught Fellowships set, a local band that was great to watch. Back at the Big top we were just in time to see Kitty Daisy and Lewis, with a vintage vibe and so much energy they had the crowd moving as they swapped instruments, shared lead vocals and made us love them!

Friday arrived and brought with it the masses as the site filled up and the atmosphere heightened. We were lucky enough to set sail with some Bestival veterans who were fantastic at showing us the ropes. Excitement was building and, 8 year old son in tow, we discovered so much more! Sinead O’Connor filled the Big Top with emotion as she performed songs new and old, a great performance and one of the highlights of the weekend for me. We moved on to the Main Stage in time to watch Bombay Bicycle club, one of my teenagers ‘must see’ acts, and munching on chunky chips and dip we sang along to songs we knew and enjoyed  hearing new tunes. A great set.

Tummies still rumbling we headed off in search of more food, which, with so much to choose from and so many mouth watering smells was no easy task! We eventually decided upon some sweet corn from a local farm that was absolutely delicious, before making our way back to the main stage for Flaming Lips who gave a stonking performance and felt the love in the air as the crowd joined them in singing happy birthday to Bestival. As Flaming lips ended the rain began, but spirits weren’t dampened as ponchos were donned and umbrellas went up.   

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Photo: Ian Taylor

We headed into the Ambient Forest for an adventure, passing a piano for ‘random busking’ and zebras, rhinos and elephants! As we wound our way into the woodland we had no idea of the treats in store. There were hammocks in the trees, toad stools and rugs dotted about and smoking chimneys in the bushes. We crossed glowing bridges over flaming water lilies, through tunnels that spilled water and found cheerful festival goers trying to stay dry under the trees! Curiouser and curiouser!  

As we emerged from the Ambient Forest we caught our first breath taking glimpse of HMS Bestival herself, a huge ship marooned at ‘The Port’ and flowing with people in a party mood. We made our way through the Bollywood area, stopping to admire a giant wicker mermaid with lavender wound throughout her tail, and back to the Main Stage where the rain stopped and Fatboy Slim began. He kicked off with ‘Right Here Right Now’ which he played again later in the set accompanied by the release of giant balloons that rolled over the crowd. It didn’t take long to warm up, who could resist the beat of ‘Eat Sleep Rave Repeat’? He included lots of the big club anthems and a flash of the Rolling Stones ‘Satisfaction’. Closing with ‘Praise you’ the crowd were certainly satisfied!  

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Photo: Dan Dennison

The tea and Cake tent seemed to be calling as we made our way from the main stage, what a civilised end to an outrageously wonderful day! We were in for one more treat though as we passed the Swamp Shack and discovered a ‘tiny disco’ in the wishing tree and realised that we had only yet scratched the surface of this magical land called Bestival.

Saturday morning dawned and we donned our sailor outfits ready for a day of fancy dress fun. It was wonderful to see the lengths some people had gone to with their costumes, and handily, if you found yourself with no seafaring attire the Fancy Dress Box or the Oxfam tent had lots of nautical choices. We saw so many weird and wonderful outfits; sea creatures, mermaids, fish fingers and sailors galore. A giant clam was offering ‘free hugs’ in his huge shell, a ship full of Vikings bobbed past us, and we envied the umbrella jelly fish during a few rain showers! The cherry on top of the fancy dress extravaganza was an exuberant carnival full of huge costumes and energetic music that wound through the camping fields and into the main areas of the Bestival, picking up followers in its wake.   

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Photo: Victor Frankowski

By now we felt familiar with our surroundings and enjoyed re-visiting some of our favourite areas. We played on the Helter Skelter and discovered the Kids Area which captivated my son who loved trying out unicycles, tandem bicycles, giant hula hoops and plate spinning, all the while watching the great entertainment from singers to circus acts. You could have your face painted; sit amongst tepees, there was even a double space hopper that was surprisingly difficult to control!

My daughter and I were looking forward to Bastille on the Main Stage, but were blown away by their performance which exceeded our expectations and was brilliant to watch. Dan Smith was charismatic and charming, he was clearly enjoying himself and this feeling spread through the crown as he had us dipping down and jumping up to some of their well known songs as well as ‘Rhythm Of The Night’ which really got the audience going.

Up the hill at the big I heart Bestival sign, the children signed their names having remembered a marker pen. In a moment of Bestival induced rebellion my son scribed ‘poo’ in a number of places, much to his glee and giggles from the onlookers! It was clearly a place to make new friends and we chatted with people from so many different walks of life, all so warm and happy to be there.

Next up on the Main Stage was Mark Ronson Vs Zane Lowe, and although we didn’t make our way back down to watch them, from our vantage point we had a great view over the audience who were certainly having a wonderful time.They were followed by The Roots and then Rudimental, who gave energetic performances to happy revellers.

As dusk fell we went in search of the Amphitheatre, situated deep in the Ambient Forrest where we found a surreal and chilled out vibe. We relaxed and enjoyed some delicious popcorn available in crazy flavours from goats’ cheese and cracked pepper to gin and tonic.  We couldn’t resist bringing home some of the Belgian Chocolate flavour. Yum.

Back at the Big Top DJ Fresh had the hoards ecstatic as he created magic in an electric atmosphere. The crowds’ energy was contagious and we danced with abandon, a really delightful experience and my teenagers highlight of the weekend. As Snoop Dogg ended the evening on the Main Stage the masses looked on, dancing and singing along, loving every minute. 

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Photo: Victor Frankowski

On Sunday morning the rains came, affording an opportunity to enjoy some of the entertainment on offer under cover! The comedy tent had some great shows; we caught Marcus Brigstocke who had the audience chuckling.

As the sunshine returned Lissie was beginning her performance in the Big Top, and was brilliant to watch. She began with some familiar songs, followed by some new ones from her forthcoming album. We had to tear ourselves away to catch the last half of Tom Odell’s performance on the Main Stage, but as he broke into ‘Another Love’ we were glad we had. As luck would have it on our return to the Big Top, we caught Lissie as she joined festival goers, but found time for a friendly chat and a photo. A lovely lady.

Having heard rumours that the entrance into the Hidden Disco was through a secret door we set off to find it, but alas it wasn’t to be! We hope those who discovered it had a marvellous time! Instead we made our way to The Port, via a last foray into the Ambient Forrest, and soaked up the festivity as Jesse Rose entertained a carefree gathering, with fantastic light displays and dancers atop the ship.  

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Photo: Victor Frankowski

Finally it was time for Elton John, the crowd was immense and the anticipation was building. With such a happy and satisfied air the crowd welcomed him, swaying and singing along as he belted out hits including the poignant ‘Candle In The Wind’ and the upbeat ‘I’m Still Standing’.  Voices lifted as he finished with ‘Your Song’, leaving the crowd cheering and chanting his name. Finishing the proceedings with a colourful bang, a spectacular firework display marked the end of the entertainment on the Main Stage. 

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Photo: Dan Dennison

As our maiden voyage on HMS Bestival reached port after an enchanting four days, we realised that Bestival is as much about the magical experiences on offer in every nook and crannie as the music, and we felt thoroughly content. With a truly captivating ambience Bestival would appeal to young and old, a five star experience. We are already looking forward to Bestival 2014!