Chances are if you’re still around you will not be heading to the Isle of Wight and the youngest of the UK’s big time festivals. Rob & Josie Da Bank’s baby of a festival is set to become the only UK festival to broadcast, properly, through a dedicated YouTube channel. So if you’re gutted you won’t be taking part in the Wildlife fancy dress this weekend, dress up in your tiger onesie, cake yourself in mud, throw a small amount of urine over your head and follow this useful guide for who to catch and when.
Bestival only has the capacity to broadcast a selected amount of the Main Stage & Big Top acts through their YouTube channel so here’s the pick of what’s available.
- First Aid Kit
Swedish youngsters have been promoted to Main Stage after the success of The Lions Roar at the start of the year. Johanna & Klara Söderberg, sisters who take influence from the likes of Fleet Foxes, have ridden a wave of deserved success following their second album and are set to gain a whole new following from their Bestival set.
Catch it: Main Stage – Friday 17:35
- The xx
Coexist is streaming, preparing for full release on Monday and the verdict? It’s good. Mercury prize winners The xx did that typical thing of disappearing after a hectic year of touring and are now making a storming comeback with an awesome new album following closely behind. Festival exclusive for Bestival making them a must see even though an extensive tour is sure to be announced in the coming weeks.
Catch it: Main Stage – Friday 21:10
- Earth, Wind & Fire Experience
Since 1969, EW&F have spanned almost every musical genre imaginable guaranteeing them legendary status. Gracing the Main Stage will be the current line up, a mere 12 of the Experience which has cycled through forty members over their forty three years. Not quite as many hits as Kool & his gang but get over to the channel and catch the funkiest set of the weekend.
Catch it: Main Stage – Saturday 20:05
- New Order
Saturday night sees New Order take to the main stage in exactly the way they are meant to be experienced, pure darkness. Although missing founding member and Bassist Peter Hook, New Order are set to get the whole crowd dancing through the hits such as True Faith, Ceremony, Crystal and Blue Monday.
Catch it: Main Stage – Saturday 22:15
- Little Dragon
Chances are you’ve heard of Little Dragon since they collaborated with SBTRKT on Wildfire yet have a listen back through their three albums and you’ll understand the hype. The second Swedish act on the list is fronted by Yukimi Nagano. Yukimi is notoriously angry whilst recording; hence the bands name so prepare for a few temper tantrums if something goes wrong.
Catch it: Main Stage – Sunday 15:45
- Friendly Fires
Like most dance acts, Friendly Fires are meant to be experienced under cover of darkness. The late night set prepared for them subbing to Orbital is perfect positioning, especially inside the Big Top and will see them liven the crowd up ready for the Hartnoll brothers. Ed & co know how to put on a show with his manic dancing has now become inseparable from their performances so get a good seat.
Catch it: Big Top – Sunday 23:25
- Miike Snow
Oh look, more Swedes, the Da Banks have a real thing for Nordic sounds this year. Some describe Miike Snow, a band I must stress, as psychedelic pop but really it is more realistic to mark the fascinating three piece as dancey popy and rocky. Miike Snow seem on first glance to be a bunch of Amish men performing around a stage encompassing altar but you gradually notice that they put on the greatest show sat down since Westlife. Even if you’re not a fan, tune in for the facial hair.
Catch it: Big Top – Sunday 21:30
- Sigur Rós
This is different, we’ve moved a little west and now we have Icelandic four piece Sigur Rós. Second festival exclusive Sigur Rós will be highlight of the weekend for many as the minimalist yet beautiful sounds travel across Robin Hill Country Park. Settle down after dinner on Sunday night and prepare to be blown away by Jónsi, Georg, Kjartan and Orri as they blast out their unique euphoria and set the standard high for Stevie to follow.
Catch it: Main Stage – Sunday 18:30
Honourable mentions who sadly you will not be able to catch on YouTube:
SBTRKT, Grimes, Dan le Sac, Iceage, Lucy Rose, Toy, Alt-J, Kindness, Stevie Wonder and Clock Opera.