The festival season is almost coming to an end, but not before Bestival takes over Robin Hill for a 12th year. Ed
Those with a more curious nature, seeking out adventure in the far flung corners of Robin Hill can bring rich rewards.
With lashings of electro swing, gypsy punk, Latin vibes and so much more, only the foolish would pass up the opportunity to lose themselves in Pig’s Big Ballroom, Caravanserai and Club Dada, where the unusual is a certainty and Bestival’s underbelly comes to life.
Underbelly of the beast
Bestival’s original party starter, Rob da Bank says:
“The Underbelly of the beast that is Bestival is my favourite place to be. Away from the madding crowds these are some of the best venues of any festival, with truly alternative and underground sounds and Caravanserai might just be the coolest looking stage at any festival.
“Come on down.”
Pig’s Big Ballroom
Programmed by Greg’s Greats and the uniquely analogue Shellac Collective, Pig’s Big Ballroom is dedicated to the memory of the late great John Peel and rocks a surprisingly danceable selection of Rhythm and Blues, 30s Dance Band, Swing, Skiffle, Jazz, African, Latin, Calypso, Rock-a-billy and Rock and Roll 78s.
There will be live music from Gary Williams and the Sinatra Jukebox, The Happy Skifflers, The Long Insiders, Mary Jean Lewis & the Starlight Boys, The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing, Railroad Bill, Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra, Shamus O’Blivion & the Megadeath Morrismen, Split Whiskers Blues Band, The Swamptruck Goodtime Band, Tom Korni and The Vagaband.
Plus there will be gramophone madness from Auntie Maureen, Brother Graham’s Hayride, The Coconutters, Flutter and Wow, Greg’s Greats, DJ GG, It’s A Wind Up, DJ Jules, Lil’ Miss Lonesome, Ms Chameleon’s Mechanical Melodies, Not Saffron, Dr Sid, Tony Tunes and Uncle Norm’s Blues Box
Caravanserai: A tribe of travelling musicians
Caravanserai, the brainchild of the mighty Monsieur Bateman and family is held together by a tribe of travelling musicians, performers and freaks.
This year the much admired Continental Drifts will bring über-fat brass, Gypsy madness and words & weirds to the table. Expect live performances from Animal Noise, Bomba Titinka, The Carny Villains, Dila V. & The Odd Beats, Keltrix, King Lagoon’s Flying Swordfish Dance Band, Madame Barducci and The Goudzy Guitar, Manière des Bohémiens, Mariachi El Pinche Gringo, Mortisville, New York Brass Band, The Ohmz, Rambunctious Social Club, A Ray of Charles, Tantz, Temple Funk Collective, Thrill Collins, Voodoo Love Orchestra, Wight Floyd present a Pink Floyd Special and The Woohoo Revue.
DJ action will come courtesy of Adewale, Arnivore, Big Swing Soundsystem, Chris Tofu, CatJam, Daniel Peppit, El Gadzé, Jonny Antrobus and Penny Metal, plus there will be off the wall escapades from Cirque Bijou, Flame Proof Moth and KaraUke.
Step inside Club Dada
Club Dada began in the heady days of Glastonbury’s Lost Vagueness with blisteringly different, jumping festival music. Now in its gorgeous Spiegeltent home in the heart of Bestival and organized with respect to maximum festival vibes by Chris Tofu and the team at Continental Drifts, get ready for a heady, halcyon, horn-filled summer jump up.
There will be madcap music from A Ray Of Charles, The After Hours Quintet, Bomba Titinka, Dila V. & The Odd Beats, Dutty Moonshine Big Band, Grant Lazlo, Isaac Waddington, King Lagoon’s Flying Swordfish Band, Manière des Bohémiens, Mariachi El Pinche Gringo, New York Brass Band, Scarecrow, Tantz, TED ZED, Temple Funk Collective, The Carny Villains, Thrill Collins, Voodoo Love Orchestra and The Woohoo Revue.
At Home With
We’ll also have in depth At Home With sessions from JFB and friends, The Church (Sunday Service) And Mr B and the Acid Ragtime Soundsystem and deck manoeuvres from Arkhease, Arnivore, Carnival Collective, The Chicken Brothers, Chris Tofu, DJ Dapper Dan, DJ Eggs Legs, El Gadzé, Mark Jones, DJ Mortisville, Movimientos DJs, Rambunctious Social Club DJs, Rumpsteppers, and Tropical Disco with Cal Jader, Senore Griff & Hodguez.
And don’t miss the Cocktail hour radical mash-up of Reagge Remix, a daily homage to Reggae and its roots, featuring Ar Khease & DJ Chris Tofu, Kaptins Not Dead and a Wight Reggae Special featuring The Ohmz & Friends.
Plus there will be Daily Discos and for the first time ever, the Dance-Off crew will bring their unique blend of tunes, audience participation and theatre to Bestival. A massive hit across the UK, this is a glorious jump around across lots of different dance styles but always with a humorous and participatory vibe.
Come and jump in the ring!
Image: © Bestival 2013 Frank Tope by Victor Frankowski
