Bestival announce new arenas, acts, and the sponsored Solent swim

With under two weeks to go, Bestival at Robin Hill Country Park on the Isle of Wight from Friday 5 September until Sunday 7 September 2008 have announced, the return of the Bestival swimmers, plus new arenas, and new band additions.

Hularama, a group of Bestival thrill seekers who last year decided to swim the three and a half miles across one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world to the Isle Of Wight, enjoyed it so much that they're going to do it again this year. The twelve intrepid swimmers cross the Solent to raise money for charity and this year they will be donating to three charities; Gosport's branch of the Chernobyl Children's Life Line, Island Youth Water Activities Centre (IOW) Ltd, and Imibala. See the website www.swim2bestival.co.uk and donate generously to these causes.

The new live acts are I Am Kloot, Kid Sister, Nathan 'Flutebox' Lee, Magistrates, and Soko.

New arenas for this year include the Red Bull 54 Speakeasy where 1970s New York meets hip hop, breaks, dubstep and party action; Skid Row, a brand new area running along one side of the 24 Hour Field which contains all the usual delights including Club Dada, the Insect Circus / Alfresco Ballroom and the Polka Tent, as well as The Dukes Box, Bramble FM, Victorian Disco and Area 51.

Other new arenas, alongside the returning Rizla Arena include The Xbox Social, offering laid back tunes, a mix of live music and comedy, and classic pub games all topped off with karaoke on Lips plus DJ sets and special guests; The Black Dahlia Cocktail Lounge which replaces last year's Pink Flamingo Cocktail Bar; the Havana Club Mojito Bar in the 24 Hour Field: and Kickers will be offering you the chance to show off your Fancy Footwork in a music video being created for Chromeo.

The line-up for Bestival includes My Bloody Valentine who are the Friday night headliner (an English festival exclusive), with Amy Winehouse headlining Saturday, and Underworld headlining Sunday. Also playing are Aphex Twin (English Festival Exclusive), The Breeders, CSS, George Clinton And Funkadelic/Parliament, Gary Numan, The Human League (exclusive two performance concert), Pendulum (live), 808 State (live), Foals, Lee Scratch Perry, Baaba Mal, The Wedding Present, Dan le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip, and many more. For the full details (as available) click here.

As well as the music, Bestival has the world's biggest fancy dress party, the Bollywood cocktail bar, Jestival comedy tent, a farmers market, secret stages, kids area, Morris dancing, magical moments and more, which makes this affair one of the most colourful events on the festival calendar.

Tickets have sold out.

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