Bestival 2017 Review

Posted on: 2017-09-11

Our rating:

Dizzee put on a sensational show that kept all the senses on high alert; his lyrics were strong and clear, his pace was unforgiving and his crowd interaction was unrelenting. He really is a fantastic showman and his Bestival performance got the audie


Hundreds of Bristolians travelled to the Lulworth Estate in Dorset last weekend (7th - 10th September) when the award winning four-day boutique musical extravaganza that is Bestival had its first year at this new site.

Love Bot

It has previously been based in the Isle of Wight and despite the somewhat questionable wet weather and muddy grounds that folllowed, the festival was alive with happy faces and sensational performances.

 

With 16 different areas to enjoy a massive range of eclectic music, this event is organised by DJ and record producer Rob Da Bank and is an offshoot of his Sunday Best record label and club nights. 

 

The main stage this year was called The Castle Stage and it was opposite the beautiful, picturesque Lulworth Castle which looked gorgeous when lit up at night. It was the perfect scenic addition to a fantastic host of headliners that took to that main area throughout the event.

Lulworth Castle

English Indie band The XX performed at this open air stage on the Friday night and Roberta McClarron, aged 22 from Bristol, pinpointed their set as being a very special moment: "The XX were fantastic and everyone went crazy when they were on stage. I love this festival, it's really amazing. There is a good vibe, good music and Jamie T (who performed on Thursday night at The Box stage) was superb. This is the first year I have been to Bestival but I have been to its little sister - Camp Bestival. I would come back for sure."

 

This was the sort of festival that was deceptively large as just when you thought you had discovered it all, you would find another nook and some hidden gems. Certain areas which didn't look like much at first sight, ended up being quite the brilliant area to chill, have a drink and dance to some tunes. Jagerhaus was one of those places, as from the front it just looked like a wooden shack but inside it proved to be a bar area that then led out into a back garden where everyone was raving to some golden age of hip hop classics. If you had paid for a VIP festival pass, you could also go upstairs and enjoy your own dedicated chill zone.

 

Saturday day time featured some fantastic talent on the main stage, including the talented all round performer that is Laura Mvula and American rapper Danny Brown, but by far the best entertainment of the whole festival had to be Dizzee Rascal (followed closely by Tribe Called Quest and Rag 'n' Bone Man.)

Dizzee Rascal

Dizzee put on a sensational show that kept all the senses on high alert; his lyrics were strong and clear, his pace was unforgiving and his crowd interaction was unrelenting. He really is a fantastic showman and his Bestival performance got the audience in a state of frenzy. He was firing on all cylinders throughout and didn't chill until the moment he walked off the stage to the sound of thousands of people whooping and cheering. He has come a long, long way since his early days and really impressed everyone with his energy and enthusiasm.

 

Abi Parker, who is 23 and from Bristol, said: "Dizzee was a real highlight for me - he was fantastic! I have never been to this festival before and it's wonderful. It is really relaxed and I have enjoyed seeing everyone in their fancy dress - people have gone to a lot of effort."

 

Ceri Evans, 25, also from Bristol added: "I have been to Bestival before but it's so much easier to get to now that it is not at the Isle of Wight. It's amazing here and I love seeing all the vibrant colours everywhere. I made my outfit myself and it was part of the fun leading up to the event."

Abi and Ceri

This was the sort of festival that had so much going on at once, it was simply impossible to see everything you wanted to. However, it did seem like the majority of the festival goers made their way to the main stage when the main acts like Rag 'n' Bone Man and Tribe Called Quest performed their sets there.

 

Rag 'n' Bone Man, the musician also known as Rory Graham, made us all warm to him with his constant humble attitude throughout his hour long set and also made the crowd laugh when he made a well deserved dig at Trump. His voice was inspirational and it's fair to say that his music on the radio doesn't do his talent justice. I am truly a converted fan of his now that I have seen him in action.

Rag 'n' Bone Man

A special mention needs to be reserved for Tribe Called Quest though as their set at Bestival was announced as the last ever time this seminal hip hop group would perform together. It was clear during their performance that they have found it hard to carry on since fellow member Phife Dawg died in March 2016 as they made constant references to his missed presence and had various pictures of him featuring as a backdrop.

 

Vikesh, who is 39 and from North Bristol, said: "It's always been a dream of mine to see Tribe Called Quest live as I have always been a massive fan. It's extra special that this is their last ever show and although they took a few songs to really get into their set, it was amazing to watch them perform so many classics. There has been some fantastic headliners at this festival and I'm definitely coming back next year."

 

Having looked at the impressive range of performers who have appeared at Bestival since it first started in 2004, I would be inclined to agree that myself and many other Bristolians will also be definitely going back to this festival next year.

 

For more information on next year visit www.bestival.net.



Article by:

Kelly Jobanputra

Kelly worked as a journalist for the BBC for 12 years before she changed careers and went into the field of marketing. Having worked at BBC 6 Music for several years, she is passionate about many different genres of sound. Her other interests include theatre, comedy, books, food and days out with the family (she has a young daughter who she describes as a "whirlwind of fun.") Kelly is married to Vik who is a true Bristolian to the core! She is also studying nutritional therapy.