NEWS
EVENTS
Bestival
Indie | Wednesday 13th August 2014 | Zakk
As festival season in the UK comes to an end, it seems only fitting that Bestival brings up the rear to what has been an incredible summer of live music, after all, they do what they say on the tin. So before we put the macintosh and the wellington boots away for a year, let’s take a look at some of the biggest and up’n’coming acts of this years most colourful creative arts festival!
The Isle of Wight has played host to some of the worlds greatest acts and artists since before your parents knew what a pair of Aviators were, so you’d think by now they know how to throw a party and who to book for it too. And you’d be right. Situated in the midst of Robin Hill Country Park, this years Bestival boasts some of the worlds most innovative, inspirational and incredible acts ever seen.
Blowing the doors wide open on Thursday night we have infamous cult legend ‘Beck’ to kick off, with twelve studio albums to his name Beck is riding high on his recent record “Morning Phase”, which has not only been described as a “folk-rock classic” but also a return to the artists roots. Beck has spent the summer playing as many high profile festivals as he can on the coat tails of his latest press, leading to the very believable assumption that this folk-rock veteran will be ready to set Bestival alight come September 4th.
Next up we have Outkast. Announcing their hiatus way back when in 2007, the idea of ever seeing this mythical Hip Hop duo again was becoming more and more of a pipe dream for their younger audience. It was only in January this year that the two piece announced they would be briefly reforming in the name of their 20 year anniversary, that less fortunate fanatics could breathe again. Andre 3000 and Big Boi will be gracing Bestival on the Friday night as main headliners. So Fresh, So Clean.
If you have ever been to see Foals perform live before you’ll understand why it is that they have been given the closing night to headline. With riffs like club fists covered in nails and a seemingly ravenous appetite for destruction it wouldn’t be all too surprising if Bestival found itself flattened in their wake. Foals were conceived in 2005, gaining credibility and momentum faster than possibly any other band this decade, we have seen them climb the ranks of the music machine. Their sound has evolved, their look has evolved, and here we are in 2014, three records down headlining the last day of the UK’s last major music festival. After almost two years of major success with their latest record “Holy Fire”, it would be wise to expect great things from Foals at this years festival.
On top of all that excitement there are throngs of exhilarating acts to catch, both established and brand spanking new. High Priest of the Hip Hop monarchy, Busta Rhymes will be making his first ever UK festival appearance, in contrast to Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip, who will be coming back after numerous amazing shows at the festival. Laura Mvula, Sam Smith and La Roux are just three of the incredible award winning artists sat snug in the festivals line up, backed up by synth pop underdogs CHVRCHES and London Grammar. So far, this is zeitgeist.
But enough about the acts you know, you already have the Wild Beasts Vinyl cemented to your bedroom wall adorned with golden frames, there’s also a lot of unheard and unsigned artists ready to cut their teeth on these stages.
First up we have The Gorgeous Chans, they hit the Introducing Stage on the saturday with their Nottingham bred, 8 piece indie tunes. The Gorgeous Chans are a band still in their infancy, so get ‘em while they’re hot. The ever genre transcendent Bondax are another act you’re definitely going to want to catch, the electronic duo are looking to be one of the most exciting acts of the weekend, having set up their own record label in 2012 they have released tracks by such artists as Karma Kid, who will be joining them on the line up. If its new, bohemian, edgy new-kids-on-the-block you want then Wolf Alice, Childhood, The Wytches or Catfish and the Bottlemen are sure winners to fill your boots. All four bands have seen their share of exposure, but are still waiting for the break that will cement their name as some of musics “hard hitters”. With hunger in their eyes and a fire in their bellies, these are the acts that have something to prove.
But according to Bestival themselves, “It’s not all about the music”. From comedy to spoken word, Bestival will host the likes of Mark Grist, Andrew Maxwell and Nina Conti, as well as such delights as “The Bestival Beard and Moustache Competition” and “Desert Island Flicks”, a late night cinema showcasing Cult Classics, Rock ‘n’ Roll Adventures and shorts from The London Short Film Festival.
What’s NOT to like? See you in the arena, mine’s a Tuborg.
Check out some footage from the last time Guestlist went to Bestival!
