People are rejoicing in the streets after Boris Johnson’s February 22nd announcement that if the roadmap for COVID recovery is successful summer music events can go ahead, including Bestival.
Last summer saw the cancellation of music festivals and live music events, but with the roadmap to recovery and the COVID vaccination programme in place, things are looking positive. News of the return of Bestival has set everyone’s heart aflutter and with a strong headline line up of music icons, Kelis, Fatboy Slim and Groove Armada, and artists including Sophie-Ellis Baxter, Friendly Fires and Tim Burgess as well as the comic styles of 1993 novel ‘Trainspotting’ author Irvine Walsh, tickets are sure to sell out. Bestival is set to return with a bang, with new attractions including a new comedy tent called ‘The Giggle Box’, a Full Moon cinema and a Cirque Bijou High Wire performance.
The festival which takes place at Dorset’s Lulworth Castle from July 29th to August 1st has been on the summer calendar since 2004 when it was held on the Isle of Wright and moved to Dorset in 2017. Run by husband-and-wife duo, BBC 6 DJ and producer Rob da Bank and Josie. Da Bank famously started the festival from his music label Sunday Best Recordings established in 1997, which in turn was originally a club night begun in 1995. Da Bank was also given the huge shoes to fill when broadcasting legend John Peel died, stepping in to host his show for a short period. It is with Da Bank’s passion and love that Bestival has become such a success and a high point of British summers. Da Bank recently spoke to BBC about his excitement for the return of the festival, “There is literally nothing [my wife] Josie and I like more in life than standing in a field surrounded by family and friends, dressed in daft outfits dancing to amazing bands and DJs and Mr Tumble.’’
Bestival is not the only live event that has been given the green light for the summer. Ready & Leeds tickets sold out just two days after the announcement which could make or break summer music events from the Prime Minister. Other festivals set to take place include Green Man and 2000 Trees, the award-winning festival held at Cotswold Hills from 8th July till 10th July. With the news from Melvin Benn, boss of Festival Republic, confirming the importance of the vaccination programme to this summer’s live music events, UK festivals are getting ready to go on with the show.
Festival anticipation and excitement is in the air after the promising news from Number 10, the country is crossing their fingers that the roadmap set out to recover from Covid and lift restrictive social rules is a success. And with many other artists including Hip Hop pioneers The Sugarhill Gang and the Furious Five as well as DJ Jo Whiley spinning some classic and new tracks, Bestival is sure to make up for the lost summer of 2020. Although the health and safety of ourselves and others are important and vital during these times, the announcement brought hope to many that this summer will be full of good friends, good music and good times again.
Click here to buy tickets.
