10 things to see and do at Bestival

United Kingdom | by Ross Purdie | 08 September 2005

VF's Top 10 things to see/hear/find/bath in etc...

Vitalic
(Saturday afternoon. Wierd West Big Top)
If you like your dance music all 'proper' like it used to be, as acidic and in-your-head as a pint of hydrochloric in the face, then catching Vitalic playing live is a must. Blending electro, techno, and house with elements of classical, rock, and country, the French producer brings to Blighty a sound that recalls the work of fellow countrymen Daft Punk, just far more ferocious. Guaranteed to spark an old skool knees up with plenty of squiglly messiness.
If you like that check ... Mylo (Friday night. Main Stage)

Sense 3D Experience
A unique audiovisual trip to immerse the senses, Bestival's most ambitious innovation consists of several 8ft tall shells all equipped with speakers but totally wireless. The bespoke surround sound experience will be curated by Nick Luscombe (XFM, Flo-motion) who'll be bringing a mighty cast of some of electronica's most inventive players to provide one of the mellowest places to relax. Just like being by the seaside but minus the sand in your pants.
If you like that check ... 'The Miniscule Of Sound', the smallest nightclub ever!

The Magic Numbers
(Friday night headliners. Main Stage)
The festival act of the summer and the one band guaranteed to clear the skies of any nasty looking rain clouds, grab the hand of the person next to you and sing and skip as you listen to the angelic voices, immaculate bass playing, and all-round, big smiling, hippy hugging sound of The Magic Numbers. Just whatever you do don't mention the words 'fat melting pot'.
If you like that check ... The Pipettes (Friday evening. JD Set Lounge)

24 Hour Sauna
Look out for the nomadic sauna and chill-out garden space in the main campsite providing an oasis of calm and tranquillity away from surrounding chaos and bustle. It'll be open 24 hours to provide the perfect place to unwind after a hard day's partying.
If you like that check ... England v Australia 5th Test on big screens (although may be a bit more stressful!)

Super Furry Animals
(Sunday night headliners. Main Stage)
Wales' wierdest export since Max Boyce, the Super Furrys have developed a spectacular stage show resembling a scene from Return Of The Jedi, all helmets, cloaks and light-sabers. Plus, unlike many of the one-album acts at Bestival, they've got a back catalogue the size of Howard Marx' weekend weed stash, one full of golden retrievers, guerillas and robots. You know the ones. Destined to finish the festival laser-stylee.
If you like that check ... Hot Chip (Saturday afternoon. Wierd West)

The Earlies
(Friday afternoon. Main Stage)
Ah yes, one of those afore-mentioned 'one album bands', but one that truly needs nothing more to ease Bestival into action. Their debut 'These Were The Earlies' is easily the best 'nu-country-psy-folkadelia' (tm) album of all time and played live their soul-soothing sound is taken up a notch again as dreamy horns, fuzzed up guitars and tinkling electronics cascade into eachother to form lush chillers sounding as if The Beach Boys never lost their marbles. THE reason to get to Bestival, erm, early.
If you like that check ...  Magnet (Friday night. JD Set Lounge)

Fancy Dress Party
Aiming to break the world record for the biggest ever fancy dress party, Bestival is destined to become a sea of assorted oddity on Saturday evening when thousands are expected to revert to being about 8 years old again. The theme is loosely based on 'Cowboys & Indians' but expect to see some very random creations. Those who are not in fancy dress will look very stupid indeed so make an effort, do get involved, and help break that record (not that anyone seems to know what the record is exactly..)
If you like that check ... The Cuban Brothers (all over the place!)

White Rose Movement
(Friday night, Wierd West)
The next Paul Epworth produced FranzBlocMaximo incarnation are a bunch of former hippy kids from Norwich who spent the '90s popping pills in field discos before deciding to form a band during their decade long comedown that harks back to cleaner '80s sentiments. White Rose Movement are one of several effects-loving live acts playing on the 'Adventures In The Beetroot Field' hosted Friday, with British Sea Power and The Longcut amongst them.
If you like that check ... Clor (Friday night, Wierd West)

X-Press 2
(Friday night, Bollywood Bar. Saturday night, Wierd West)
X-Press 2's Ashley Beedle, Rocky and Diesel scoop the prize for hardest working DJs at Bestival, playing not one but two sets over the weekend. They'll perform a 3-hour Balearic revival hosting Friday's Bollywood Bar and the following night they'll be battling each other across six decks in the Wierd West, playing tunes from their forthcoming album due in January.
If you like that check ... Dub Pistols (Main Stage, Friday evening)

Hidden Disco
No one knows where it is exactly, so see it as your job to find it and a good excuse to explore the Bestival site from corner to coast. A clue lies in the fact that you can only get in if you're 'in fancy dress'... Lots of off-the-wall DJs will be playing including Bez, Andy Smith, Loose Cannons, and the Finger Lickin' crew, as well as a bunch of wannabe DJ Bestival-goers as part of the 'Stick It On' session on Sunday. 
If you like that check ... The Laundrettas for a cup of tea and a chat (can't miss 'em)

For more on Bestival and what's going on (believe us there's a hell of a lot!) visit the official site  here.

The last few weekend tickets are still available here.