But the weather failed to dampen our stoically British spirits and everybody partied even harder to make up for it.
This year’s fancy dress theme was fantasy, which spanned from trolls, hobbits and zombies to bondage and the ubiquitous ‘Kigus’ (Japanese all-in-one animal outfits). The fashion show takes place on the Saturday, but it seems obligatory to dress like a charity shop mental case throughout. This is a good indicator to the unconventional, unique vibes of the festival, which I have experienced at no other. It really does feel like some kind of post-hippy movement for like-minded music lovers.
The set-up of the festival followed suit. New additions such as the Wishing Tree Field (centring round a spooky tree/bar) made the fantasy feel really come to life. As a particularly environmentally conscious festival it opened up its hillside as a “Tomorrow’s World” field, which focussed entirely on eco-friendly projects. The bandstand was (as last year) solar powered and there’s an eco-house (which uses innovative renewable energy).
The Sailor Jerry’s area is always worth a visit, with a karaoke bar (complete with free transfer tattoos), a collection of new DJ acts and a hedonistic atmosphere to boot. There’s also a cabaret tent if you’re feeling saucy (!) with live burlesque shows from a range of weird and wonderful people.
But let’s get down to the music. A cracking line-up (I’d say the best of any UK festival this summer) saw a very broad spectrum of genres. Smaller stages like Polka Tent hosted some hilarious acts like ‘The Countryside Alliance Crew ‘– a rural take on grime and drum and base and in the Chai Walla Tent ‘Sub-motion Orchestra’ .
An unexpected surprise (I was actually waiting for Portico Quartet) but a very satisfying one. There’s nothing better than a bit of dubby trip-hop on a Sunday morning. The music opened with a heavily vibrato-ed electric piano and loose hi-hat work, with singer Ruby Wood’s voice emerging gently and soulfully through the instrumentals. Full band, including a piercingly present trumpet, made the final crescendo fully deliver. Definitely ones to watch.
I didn’t make it to see Fever Ray, which was a shame, but my friend Pete Large did and had this to say – “I made sure I was right at the front for this one. Copious amounts of dry ice and tens of living room table lamps made the eery stage. The mist cleared as the music built and there was a silhouette of a well disguised Karin who emerged as a big, well, Totem Pole. The other musicians also wore frightening masks and lurched aggressively at you as if in a mosh pit. I loved the 80's feel of Triangle Walks, the opening song, with the claps and poppy synth. Those synthesized drums with her dreamy pitch-shifting voice reminded me of a Cocteau Twins number.
The dark male sounding vocals are even more haunting live as on the record. This combined with the stage set and universal appreciation of the audience made a deeply moving, theatrical performance that I will never forget.
I only caught the end of Mount Kimbie but it was breath taking to say the least. The duo performed a live act and the somewhat distant sounding long synth chords, intricate percussion which sounds like dripping water and heavily modulated vocals made for a euphoric experience. They delivered an emotional and ambient journey away from the muddy field outside. I don't know where this magical place is but I know I want to visit Mount Kimbie again, and I strongly recommend that you do too.
The main stage had a far better lay-out this year, similar to the Pyramid stage at Glasto, it was placed on the bottom of a slope instead of at the top of a hill. The Prodigy absolutely killed it on the main stage, although I was quite far back, and Keith Flint was as terrifying as ever with a dramatic light show to match. I was glad to hear they played some stuff from ‘Fat of the Land’ and ‘The Jilted Generation’. Also on the main stage, but of a different musical flavour, was Rolf Harris. I could only stay for a few minutes before having to move on...however I’m sure, judging by the huge crowd, that other people enjoyed it!
Overall, despite intermittent rain fall, Bestival 2010 was absolutely cracking and it promises to be even better next year!
Alex Genova, 2010
