Records to be broken at Bestival

Chic and Nile Rodgers will be making sure everyone has a good time when they perform their catalogue of hits which includes Good Times, Let’s Dance and Le Freak, C’est Chic at Robin Hill Park.

In an exclusive interview, organiser Rob da Bank tells the Daily Echo about who he is most looking forward to with this year’s line-up and what he hopes people will get from it.

Records are set to be broken during the four-day festival with a line-up which features Busta Rhymes, Outkast, Paloma Faith, Disclosure and many more.

NO super funky disco is complete without a magnificent mirror ball.

So if it’s a party for 55,000 people staging some of the world’s biggest bands it’s got to be a sphere of epic proportions.

That will be exactly the case next week when Bestival returns with a bang and a boogie to the Isle of Wight.

The flagship festival which is one of the biggest events of its kind in the country features exclusive sets from some of the globe’s best rock, dance, hip hop, pop and reggae stars.

The theme for what will be its 11th year is desert island disco, with its biggest highlight a Guinness World Record attempt to suspend the planet’s biggest ever mirror ball.

The sparkling orb – measuring ten metres in diameter – will be hoisted high above the main stage on a giant crane before headliners, Chic and Nile Rodgers, rise to a glittering climax on the final evening of the four-day extravaganza.

Crowds are expected to don their funkiest outfits for the desert island disco fancy dress theme and parade.

The audacious attempt is among the plethora of delights sparking festival memories to last a lifetime.

With hundreds of acts, attractions and quirky sideshows spread across ten fields at Robin Hill Country Park there will be something for everyone.

Festival head honcho, Rob Da Bank, said: “We are trying to create a magical world of escapism.

“At a lot of festivals you get to have an amazing time and see some brilliant bands.

“But Bestival is about going to a new place where you meet lots of new friends and really remember it by having life-changing experiences and forgetting about worries in life.”

Stand-out headliners are Outkast on Friday night, playing one of only two UK gigs on a tour celebrating their 20th anniversary.

They will be joined by lo-fi rock king Beck and indie rockers Foals on Thursday and Saturday respectively.

Other huge acts include rapper Busta Rhymes, dance legends Basement Jaxx, singer-songwriter Paloma Faith, synth siblings Disclosure and electronic pop trio London Grammar.

“It’s a strong bill,” said Rob, who looks forward to Outkast the most.

“It’s a bit more electronic and hip hop compared to rock this year.

“But it changes every year and I’ve never set out to have a particular style of music.

“There’s big acts, rock, dance, underground music and something for everyone.”

He is also looking forward to discovering breakthrough bands such as dance pop group, Clean Bandit, and up-and-coming ones like gritty Glaswegian rock ’n’ roll trio The Amazing Snakeheads.

Away from the main stage and big top are other musical venues including The Port, which is back by popular demand from last year.

The landlocked harbour features a huge 60ft long, 20ft high cruise ship forming a spectacular base for top DJs playing throughout the weekend.

Annie Mac, Chase and Status and Sven Väth are backed by stunning aerial displays and mind-bending pyrotechnics.

New for this year is the Reggae Roots stage, kitted out like an old school Jamaican dance hall with Caribbean style artwork.

Reggae and dub stars from across the generations will play there from veterans, Jah Shaka and The Mad Professor to young blood, Toddla T.

Aside from the music is a comedy line-up with stand-up stars such as Nina Conti and Abandoman plus a colourful carnival parade with spectacular costumes.

Meanwhile The Feast Collective features a food court with flavours from around the world.

Delving deeper are a series of ‘hidden delights’ sideshows including the Pigs Big Ballroom, a beard and moustache competition, a giant giraffe puppet and the Oberon Observatory for stargazing folk.

Rob added: “The festival market is always a challenge whether you’ve been going ten years or two.

“But we are just delighted to be selling out again and everyone is coming to the Isle of Wight.”

THURSDAY NIGHT

Beck

Reverend and the Makers

FRIDAY

Outkast

Disclosure

Sam Smith

Laura Mvula

SATURDAY

Foals

London Grammar

Candi Staton

Cuban Brothers

Sophie Ellis Bextor

SUNDAY

Chic (featuring Nile Rodgers)

Paloma Faith

Major Lazer

Busta Rhymes

Clean Bandit

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Basement Jaxx

La Roux