Bestival - Less than 4 weeks to go - new arenas announced

The summer is finally here and the past fortnight of Olympic action has got us seriously in the mood for some jubilant pageantry and festival frolics, so we’re over the moon that the Bestival build up has well and truly begun, with less than four weeks until we head to Robin Hill Country Park on the Isle of Wight for another top drawer shindig! With news of a revamp for one of our most popular destinations, Bollywood, plus our amazing new music stage, Replay With Rob da Bank, Team Bestival are busy putting the final touches to what is destined to be our best show yet. 

One of the reasons we’re so excited that Bestival is just around the corner is that 2012 will see the new world of Bollywood at Bestival – and it’s going to knock your socks off!

The Bollywood Tent has been a Bestival institution since our very first event in 2004, the brainchild of Bestival Creative Director Josie da Bank and her best mate Natasha Hill. It’s remained many people’s favourite arena over the years – this is the venue that DJs request to play in year on year, even after they have outgrown the capacity of the tent itself (hello Fatboy Slim).

This year it’s getting a giant facelift, in the form of a massive temple entranceway and a new Indian-themed Cocktail Bus in front of it, plus loads of new Indian day beds and parasols outside and fresh decor inside. It looks AMAZING!! So make sure you check it out.

We’re very pleased indeed to announce that Replay are returning to Bestival for 2012, this time with their brand new Replay with Rob da Bank stage. Stacked full of the most exciting new acts around, the man like Da Bank has pushed his music discovering powers to the very limit to bring you the first chance to see some ace bands that are destined for big things.

The full line-up includes, Summer Camp, Alt-J, Clement Marfo and The Frontline, Willis Earl Beal, Iceage, Wet Nuns, Dingus Khan, Jake Bugg, This is the Kit, The Staves, Mary Epworth, Daytona Lights, Rudimental, Kwes, Big Kids, The Other Tribe, James McCartney, The Coronas, Nina Nesbitt, Jinja Safari, Lucky Elephant, Stealing Sheep, Balearic Folk Orchestra, Two Jackals, Clock Opera, AlunaGeorge, Diagrams, Tom Williams, and the Boat, Crowns, Kate Nash, King Charles, Skepta, Gush, Palma Violets, Sunless 97, Georgous George, Gecko and Beans on Toast. Lots of these are the acts you need to see before anyone else. So make sure you check them out.

Replay will also be launching their brilliant new Beatclash facebook app and platform at Bestival, giving you the chance to prove just how good your ears are for the best new bands, as well as giving you the chance to spread the word about your discoveries and compete against your friends. And for some exclusive content from the Replay stage visit http://www.beatclash.com/bestival.

And just to get you in the mood, Replay’s Road Trip To Bestival will kick-off in London, at Replay Store Carnaby Street on 16th August, followed by Replay Covent Garden Store on 23rd August with live performances from the hotly tipped Gorgeous George, Gecko and Two Jackals. Spaces are limited, so it’s first come, first served, performances begin at 6pm, so make your way down and whet your appetite!

Rob da Bank says: “The Replay stage at Bestival 2011 was a lot of fun with some ace acts playing impromptu sets and this year I’ve stepped up my programming of the all new Replay with Rob da Bank stage and I’m pretty chuffed with who I’ve managed to book loads of new acts from AlunaGeorge to Sunless 97, Alt-J, The Other Tribe and BIGKids and welcoming back past heroes of Bestival like Kate Nash. Gonna be big! Plus catch exclusive sets streamed live via beatclash.com”

There’s not long to go, so to help you get in the swing of the myriad musical treats that will be gracing Bestival this year you need to check out My Bestival so you can curate your very own line-up to keep you partying all weekend long.  Check out our favourite clown-faced bass- hooligan Drums of Death’s personal line-up here and then get involved here!

The last remaining tickets are selling like hot cakes as our ninth Bestival draws ever closer and the countdown starts in earnest, so it’s the perfect time to have a look at all the different travel options that are available for you lucky Bestival-goers. From all the Ferry and Hovercraft information to lots of eco-friendly journey options like our exclusive coach travel partner Big Green Coach Travel and Car Sharing with Liftshare and GoCarShare, you’ll find everything you’re looking for in the travel section of the Bestival site.

During our build up to Bestival there’s going to be lots of online liveliness, so for all the latest news, ticket competitions and lots more make sure you check www.bestival.net, and our Facebook page and Twitter for loads more info and cool stuff!