Camp Bestival in their second year has already sold out – with weeks still to go. Our pal Rob Da Bank is obviously ecstatic, so Rob, what do you think…?
“Wow Dan, we sold out! Big up respect to all the mums, dads, kiddywinkles, rebellious teens and hangers on that got a ticket and thanks for supporting the Camp Bestival massive. From PJ Harveys only UK solo show to Bon Iver, Mercury Rev, Chic and Tinchy Stryder the music is all over the shop in a good way and bung in SpongeBob, River Cottage, National Ballet and Mr Tumble and we’ve hit on a weird but surprisingly attractive formula. Amazing.”
So a really diverse festival, what have you got in store for this year?
“All sorts of multifarious madness planned across the weekend. As ever our musical line up takes in the very best of every style you could possibly imagine, mentioned before local girl PJ Harvey’s only UK solo show, Kid Creole and the Coconuts’ irresistible party vibes to Drums of Death’s clown-faced bass assault and Hayseed Dixie’s unique bluegrass rock n roll show – there really is something for everyone, but it doesn’t stop at the music. The Camp Bestival magic spreads far and wide right across the Kids Field and Magic Meadow, all set in the stunning surrounds of Lulworth Castle.”
Tell us about the children angle, a great idea and it has simply caught the attention of clubbers who have little sprogs but are now wanting to go back out into the fields…
“Kids under 13 get into Camp Bestival for free and we’ve got 100 free things for kids to do, including the Angelina Ballerina workshops with the English National Ballet, SpongeBob Squarepants who is bringing the world of Bikini Bottom to life at Lulworth Castle to celebrate his 10th Birthday in the Year of the Sponge. The irrepressible Justin Fletcher aka Mr Tumble who will be judging our Animal Magic Fancy Dress competition on Sunday as well as performing his legendary slapstick and makaton routines. There will be daily jousting and donkey rides as well the Penguin Books tent with Peter Rabbit and their other favourite book characters and for the teens there will be Let’s Go Crazy parties too. The fun isn’t solely for the kids though, there will be comedy from the likes Frankie Boyle, Marcus Brigstock, Lee Mack and Andrew Maxwell and a spoken word line up curated by Scroobius Pip. And we still haven’t mentioned the culinary delights on offer from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage Café, Oxfords Bakery, Nik Ralph’s Peaceful Poultry and lots more delicious local food plus old festival favourites like the fresh sushi stall in the Kids Garden and the addictive pies from Pieminister. And remember. If you have missed out on a wondrous weekend of camping at Camp Bestival you’ll have to be quick to make sure you’re at Bestival because tickets are flying for our Isle of Wight extravaganza too.”
Camp Bestival – July 24th, 25th, 26th in the grounds of Lulworth Castle, Dorset. Bestival – September 11th, 12th, 13th on the Isle of Wight.
