Bestival 2014

[Dave The Hedgehog]

I do want to go; I just need an incentive.

Desirable:

Friday - Skrillex, Chase & Status, Rudimental (not my choice - but off the top of my head the only 'Dance' acts who could possibly headline - Disclosure maybe a bit too small at the moment)

Saturday - Pixies

Sunday - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds or Nine Inch Nails

Sad reality:

Friday - Rudimental

Saturday - The XX

Sunday - Dolly Parton

Wants - More rock acts, decent names that justify the cost of the ticket/travel costs, wider exposure to more challenging music, return of the Psychedelic Worm, The Black Angels and The Jesus and Mary Chain. Incentives on the part of Wightlink and Red Funnel to make the price of the ferry crossing in a car more affordable. More family/age friendly environment.

Don't want's - Radio 1 Playlist Committee Rock like Alt J, Bombay Bicycle Club, Vampire Weekend et al. Wider variety of music after hours and not just Dance music. Less marketable appeal to the Creamfields and Global Gathering crowd. Hipsters.

[mrtourette]

Instead of trying to change Bestival, why not just go to a different festival?

[JC-Mo'Fucka]

Global gathering and creamfields crowds couldn't be further from hipsters hahahaha. Just a general 'chav' crowd / This generations oasis crowd.

Edit: and bestival crowd is fucking miles from that crowd!

Edited September 12, 2013 by JC-Mo'Fucka

[Dave The Hedgehog]

Global gathering and creamfields crowds couldn't be further from hipsters hahahaha. Just a general 'chav' crowd / This generations oasis crowd.

Edit: and bestival crowd is fucking miles from that crowd!

Looking at the amount of DJ's that get added to the line-up each year in ratio to live bands, I'd say it was going that way. I certainly saw it last time I went in 2012.

Instead of trying to change Bestival, why not just go to a different festival?

I think it's because I actually like Bestival and have a desire to go again - certain elements of it appeal to me moreso than other festivals, and I'm ultimately satisfied with what Bestival has so see no desire to change my preference. It would just be ideal for me to feel some compatibility with the line-up and not feel as if I were being charged more for less, and that's what I resent.

[smogo]

If you were actually there this year, there no way you'd feel as though you'd been charged more for less, unless the live band to DJ ratio is really that big a deal to you, which obviously it is. (And I'm not even sure that there were fewer live bands this year actually.) Fact is, most people - punters and critics alike - seem to be in agreement that this year's was the best one yet.

[Matt - Ed Banger Records]

Yeah to compare the crowds with Creamfields and Global Gathering just becuase it has a high quality DJ line up is stupid at best - 2 completely different things all together.

I think that this year had a good mix between live acts and DJ's as they always do. I think that there were perhaps less high quality bands taking the higher spots but anyone who can be arsed to spend a bit of time researching some bands would see that there was still plenty to go and see if dance music wasn't what you were after. I think that this year was my favourite of the 4 I've been to.

I have agreed with a lot of what Daves said in the past about the attitude of the crowds etc but I think that ultimately you just want a festival tailored to your own tastes (which we all would ideally) but to then consistently moan about a line up because they haven't got the Jesus and Mary Chain or some other act that you are desperate to see is just counter-productive really. The current blend that they have works fine as far as I can see, enough for all people to go there and have a good time, like I have said earlier you just need to go and find it (thats the royal you, not aimed at Mr Hedgehog).

What I would agree with though is that the ferry prices are an absolute joke, but I guess thats what happens with supply and demand and there is a lack of after hours entertainment for anyone not wanting to listen to dance music, luckliy I do so it's not much of a hinderence to me but I can understand why people may feel that this is an area of the festival that needs improving.

[smogo]

I should clarify that it was the best Bestival yet *for the sorts of people that it's aimed at*. It's clearly not aimed at you, so stop trying to make out that it should be. The first day of Hop Farm this year was aired at people like you, and look what happened there: no one bought any tickets.

Also, your constant displays of intolerance towards different groups of people that you don't like suggests that you really shouldn't ever go to a positive, friendly festival like Besti. Try Download, where you can rant about "chavs" all you like.

One of the things I love about Bestival is having the best times with people I wouldn't normally ever meet. Open your mind a bit, or just fuck off somewhere else.

[eFestivals]

Nice rant smogo.

I should clarify that it was the best Bestival yet *for the sorts of people that it's aimed at*.

Just about this part.... Who is Bestival aimed at?

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

Dave the Hedgehog... it's easy to see why people tire of your never ending negative comments, your smarky remarks, intolerant attitude, ignorant views and your attempts to over analyse everything (which makes you sound like a pretentious c**t.) If Bestival isn't right for you, then go else where it's as simple as that really. They continue to grow & be successful year after year & this year was no different. It's actually the best value for money festival I've ever been to (& I've been to a lot). It's high time you realised that nobody on this board, nor the official Bestival boards gives a shit about your opinion, move on & be done with it man.

Anyway, lets make this a thread about Bestival 2014. Of course it's too difficult to predict, but I wouldn't mind something like this:

Main Stage :

Chase & Status Pixies Cher

Friendly Fires Lilly Allen Major Lazer

Janelle Monae White Lies Chaka Khan

The Family Stone Bobby Womack AlunaGeorge

Big Top:

The Jesus & the Mary Chain Frank Ocean Crystal Castles

Fuck Buttons Four Tet Chromeo

Art Department Caribou Everything Everything

With Chemical Brothers (DJ set), Sub Focus, Annie Mac, Steve Angello etc on the Port & Hurts headlining the Big Top on the Thursday.

Edited September 12, 2013 by Frankly Mr Shankly

[smogo]

All sorts of fun-loving people.

[mrtourette]

I do think that if Pixies are around they would be a pretty good shout, a good booking in a New Order sort of way. They'd probably be grateful to be given a headline slot at a mid-level mainstream yet still eclectic(ish) festival while the organisers get an achingly cool former major festival headliner that are still revered and that fits the image the festival seems to want to portray.

[mrtourette]

Dave the Hedgehog... it's easy to see why people tire of your never ending negative comments, your smarky remarks, intolerant attitude, ignorant views and your attempts to over analyse everything (which makes you sound like a pretentious c**t.) If Bestival isn't right for you, then go else where it's as simple as that really. They continue to grow & be successful year after year & this year was no different. It's actually the best value for money festival I've ever been to (& I've been to a lot). It's high time you realised that nobody on this board, nor the official Bestival boards gives a shit about your opinion, move on & be done with it man.

Anyway, lets make this a thread about Bestival 2014. Of course it's too difficult to predict, but I wouldn't mind something like this:

Main Stage :

Chase & Status Pixies Cher

Friendly Fires Lilly Allen Major Lazer

Janelle Monae White Lies Chaka Khan

The Family Stone Bobby Womack AlunaGeorge

Big Top:

The Jesus & the Mary Chain Frank Ocean Crystal Castles

Fuck Buttons Four Tet Chromeo

Art Department Caribou Everything Everything

With Chemical Brothers (DJ set), Sub Focus, Annie Mac, Steve Angello etc on the Port & Hurts headlining the Big Top on the Thursday.

All that good work of the original paragraph ruined by 'Cher'.

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

Cher has a new album to promote, she's going back on tour & I have no doubt she'll be on RDB's radar.

He's mentioned wanting to book acts like Kylie & Dolly before, so I have no doubt he would consider Cher too.

[zahidf]

I don't understand complaining about a festival line up myself. There are so many options and variety nowadays, you can just go somewhere else if Bestival doesn't appeal. Hell, it would probably cost as much to go primavera instead of Bestival!

I always assume Bestival attracts a 'party' crowd, who want to dance.

[eFestivals]

All sorts of fun-loving people.

lol ... I don't think that really answers the question, do you? That applies to all leisure-time activities.

I find Bestival a bit confusing with what it's aiming at, because much of the audience have no idea who some of the major acts are and almost seem not to know quite why they're there.

Ultimately that's not meant as a negative because doing what it does - which I could best describe as Rob not pandering to Bestival's audience - clearly works very well.

So anyway, I was interested in what you might say for who it was aimed at, cos I still haven't worked it out.

[zahidf]

lol ... I don't think that really answers the question, do you? That applies to all leisure-time activities.

I find Bestival a bit confusing with what it's aiming at, because much of the audience have no idea who some of the major acts are and almost seem not to know quite why they're there.

Ultimately that's not meant as a negative because doing what it does - which I could best describe as Rob not pandering to Bestival's audience - clearly works very well.

So anyway, I was interested in what you might say for who it was aimed at, cos I still haven't worked it out.

That's because of all the drugs they've taken...

This years line up seemed a lot more mainstream than previous years.

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

lol ... I don't think that really answers the question, do you? That applies to all leisure-time activities.

I find Bestival a bit confusing with what it's aiming at, because much of the audience have no idea who some of the major acts are and almost seem not to know quite why they're there.

Ultimately that's not meant as a negative because doing what it does - which I could best describe as Rob not pandering to Bestival's audience - clearly works very well.

So anyway, I was interested in what you might say for who it was aimed at, cos I still haven't worked it out.

Isn't that a bit like asking who Glastonbury is aimed at as well though...

[eFestivals]

Isn't that a bit like asking who Glastonbury is aimed at as well though...

yeah, I guess.

Even so I reckon there's a difference. There doesn't seem to be the same disconnect between the festival and who goes at Glastonbury, compared to Bestival (and one or two others I can think of).

As I said, that isn't meant as a negative.

[smogo]

lol ... I don't think that really answers the question, do you? That applies to all leisure-time activities.

I find Bestival a bit confusing with what it's aiming at, because much of the audience have no idea who some of the major acts are and almost seem not to know quite why they're there.

Ultimately that's not meant as a negative because doing what it does - which I could best describe as Rob not pandering to Bestival's audience - clearly works very well.

So anyway, I was interested in what you might say for who it was aimed at, cos I still haven't worked it out.

I think what I really meant was "anyone who's not a Negative Nancy".

Obviously a preference for dance music, or indie/folk/singer-songwriter stuff is helpful as they're the main areas covered. But what would be the point in Bestival booking more rock/metal/noise acts if it would just make it more likely that people like Dave the Hedgehog would walk around moaning about all the "chavs" and "hipsters" that he seems to think are all around?

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

yeah, I guess.

Even so I reckon there's a difference. There doesn't seem to be the same disconnect between the festival and who goes at Glastonbury, compared to Bestival (and one or two others I can think of).

As I said, that isn't meant as a negative.

Oh I think there is. It's just that Glastonbury has the budget (& the crowd size) to be able to split it more by booking more main stream acts up against what some people would consider to be "obscure" bookings. Glastonbury has been able to adapt to meet that audience more as it has more to play with, Bestival is still in it's youth really.

I'd love to have known how many kids were in the crowd at Glasto watching the Stones who actually knew anything other than satisfaction or were dissapointed when they didn't play moves like Jagger though...

[eFestivals]

I think what I really meant was "anyone who's not a Negative Nancy".

Obviously a preference for dance music, or indie/folk/singer-songwriter stuff is helpful as they're the main areas covered. But what would be the point in Bestival booking more rock/metal/noise acts if it would just make it more likely that people like Dave the Hedgehog would walk around moaning about all the "chavs" and "hipsters" that he seems to think are all around?

ahh, OK.

My interest was something completely aside from what you said at Dave. That's something I'm broadly in agreement with you about anyway.

[Ed209]

As I said on the 2013 thread, I was blown away by how much more open the crowd was at bestival this year than at glastonbury this year. The difference was marked, everyone in my group (who also went to both) commented on it as well. It was lovely, how I remembered glastonbury when I first started going.

I wonder how much of the negativity is actually "they're not my age group, so I'm not willing to engage with them", or "they're all here for the rave so they must be chavs/pill heads/anti-social". If people stopped for a moment and chatted to the people around them then they would have found what we did - everyone was really friendly and a lot of fun. Only met great people all weekend, most of them several years my younger.

2014 is a given, looking forward to it already.

[eFestivals]

I'd love to have known how many kids were in the crowd at Glasto watching the Stones who actually knew anything other than satisfaction or were dissapointed when they didn't play moves like Jagger though...

[Dave The Hedgehog]

what would be the point in Bestival booking more rock/metal/noise acts if it would just make it more likely that people like Dave the Hedgehog would walk around moaning about all the "chavs" and "hipsters" that he seems to think are all around?

Why would we be walking around moaning about all the chavs and hipsters if we were all in different tents listening to the different bands we all like? I wouldn't come into contact with them, and if I did, I wouldn't have a problem with them unless they created a problem for me, which is what happened in 2012 when people who clearly had no interest seeing a certain band stuck around because a band they really wanted to see was on after, and in the process, destroyed the buzz of that gig for those who wanted to see them by telling them to fuck off throughout their sets. That happened at virtually every set I went to see - the worst case being Spiritualized.

Bestival, to it's credit, has plenty of variety (though not much for me in 2013), so luckily I can avoid DJ's and bands I don't like, but I'll be courteous to those around me should I be in a place with people I wouldn't otherwise socialise with, and I always am at festivals because I know it's not just me there. I know; bizarre.

Basically, what I share with you is the idea that at every festival I go to, I'll do my bit to have a good time and make it worthwhile for other people so that other people don't come back with a bad experience. The problem I have is that the sort of music Bestival has started to favour combined with this music and Bestival's popularity, makes it a magnet for people who have an attitude of not giving a shit. If you eliminated that problem by having less of that music, it wouldn't attract half as many Yolo w*nkers as it seems to.

[smogo]

Why would we be walking around moaning about all the chavs and hipsters if we were all in different tents listening to the different bands we all like? I wouldn't come into contact with them

How horrifying it would be to come into contact with the lower orders.

What should the theme be next year then? Cultural Apartheid Bestival? Would you be happy then?