Bestival Round Up

AMONG this year’s 55,000 revellers were top swimmers, cyclists – and unsung heroes.

A hardy band of a dozen Bestivalites braved Solent sea temperatures of around 17C to swim the 1.3 miles from Hurst Castle to Colwell Bay – in return for a free ticket to the sold-out event.

They were all presented with medals on the main stage following the annual charity Swim 2 Bestival. James Williams was first ashore, completing the swim in just 25 minutes.

Starting in London last Tuesday, the Bike to Bestival crew of 44 cyclists pedalled their way to the Isle of Wight taking in a section of the 2012 Olympic Road Race route.

Novices and experienced riders joined in the ride in true Bestival spirit, raising more than £10,000 for Cancer Research UK along the way.

They then performed as the Bike to Bestival Peloton, prompting a mass sing and dance-a-long to Jungle Book’s Bear Necessities.

And 50 Bestivalgoers from all over the UK signed up for RockCorps’ Barter For Bestival scheme, giving up time ahead of the festival to create a sustainable, wheelchair-accessible allotment space for the Isobel Community Centre nearby. They were rewarded with a 2012 ticket for their efforts.

Festival Fine Dining...

Festival fine dining IT WASN’T all about overpriced burgers at this festival.

Wagamama were offering music with your noodles in the form of hip hop and scratch turntablist DJ Yoda, pictured, and there was even a fine dining option for the more refined festivalgoer.

Bringing explorative cuisine to a field, highly regarded chef Kerstin Rodgers was hosting boozy brunches, long relaxed lunches and dinners for those who wanted to escape the madness of the festival and experience opulent dining under canvas.

The Underground Restaurant took inspiration from the glamour of the high seas in days gone by. South Seas soup was served in coconuts to start by waiters in nautical uniform, then Seafaring fresh spaghetti was paired with hand-picked wines in vintage glassware.

Making an Entrance...

ONE daredevil took gate-crashing to a whole new level over the weekend.

With Bestival selling out once again, some were still determined to get in on the action.

One parascender descended on the main arena during a break in the music on Friday. He must have been a huge Florence fan!

Show Streamed Live on Web...

BESTIVAL this year became the first UK festival to be streamed live across the Internet via YouTube.

BestivalTV screened a host of live sets from the Main Stage and Big Top, including headline performances from Florence and the Machine and New Order, a UK festival exclusive appearance from The xx and live sets from Friendly Fires, Two Door Cinema Club, Emeli Sande, pictured, Bat for Lashes and Orbital.

Music fans were able to watch performances in real time from anywhere in the world.

Individual songs from some of the best acts will be available on demand for the next 90 days on the Bestival YouTube channel.

Florence Cements Bestival Reputation...

RETURNING heroes Florence and the Machine played a headline spot that’s sure to further cement their place in Bestival folklore.

Just a month after the release of their debut single Kiss With a Fist in 2008, the band made their festival debut, wowing the crowd at Lulworth Castle’s Camp Bestival, Bestival’s baby sister festival. That September, they were rebooked for the Dada Club at Bestival, performing the stunning live first airing of You’ve Got The Love.

They made an epic main stage appearance a year later and returned on Friday night with a special set of all their anthems including Dog Days Are Over and Shake It Out.

Bestival curator Rob da Bank said: “The first time I met Flo, she was whirling around like a spinning top to a Paul Simon track at a party I was DJing at.

“I hadn’t even heard her open her mouth, but she had this alluring vibe already.

“Once I heard her scratchy demo, I was sold and when she did her first radio session for me at Radio 1, I couldn’t believe this flame-haired, eccentric young lady had such a stunning voice.

“Her shows for us at Bestival and Camp Bestival over the last few years have always been highlights for many and I’m glad we can finally seal the deal with a headline show.”

Bestival 10 beckons...

AFTER such a superb party in the sun, thoughts are already turning to Bestival 2013.

And some lucky festivalgoers have already bagged tickets.

The Twittersphere was buzzing all weekend with Bestival banter, and curator Rob da Bank was keeping a close eye on those 140-character musings.

He awarded a pair of tickets to next year’s party on the Island to the best onsite tweet each day of the festival – and promises to make the tenth anniversary party bigger and better than ever.

Good Enough to Eat...

SOUTHAMPTON’S Soco Music Project was closed this weekend – as the team had decamped to the Isle of Wight.

The hub, a creative space for young musicians in the Bargate Centre, was vacated while staff made their way to Bestival to provide a vegetable orchestra, featuring potato panpipes, courgette castanets, radish whistles and carrot flutes.