Bestival makes clear it will return next year

Bestival 2016

Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th September 2016
Robin Hill Country Park, Nr Arreton, Downend, Isle of Wight, PO30 2NU, England MAP
£190 adult weekend (+booking fee)

Daily capacity: 79,999

Bestival festival organisers have taken to social media to end speculation that last weekend's 13th Bestival, would be the last one.

Attendees at this year's event reported that the layout had changed this year, the arena was downsized and the main stage smaller than previous years. In total the number of stages had been reduced, and there were fewer bars, and there were much reduced crowds, with ticket sales down to around 40,000 for the 79,000 capacity event.

The changes fuelled rumours that the event had permanently scaled back, something organisers are keen to refute. The lower than expected ticket sales meant Bestival organisers had to pull back of the usual Bestival frills. They cite the increasing competition from other established events, and the wobbly economy for tickets not selling as well as in previous years, forcing them to scale back on what they could offer.

Organisers are determined to bounce back and quash talk of Bestival taking a "year out" by releasing the following statement on Facebook (here):

"Wowzers, ok so that was Bestival 2016... Quite a ride!

You guys were amazing and such a great crowd and really made a spectacle under the sunshine, spot of mud and occasional sprinkling of magic dust.

As ever we’re digesting all your feedback and noting all down…We always listen to all the good and bad and it's ranged from the best weekend of your lives to some mixed responses for lots of reasons!

Bestival was obviously a slightly different beast this year. Festival land has changed a lot, more competition, a wobbly economy etc, and for whatever reason many festivals have not sold as well. We did 40,000 which resulted in a more compact boutique vibe and back to our roots but by my own high standards sound and tent spec was not always what we would have wanted it to be - we can assure anyone coming back in 2017 that this will be rectified.

As far as the festival market goes we can’t dictate what will happen but we can promise that Bestival will be back to its very high standards next year and we will continue to listen to you and use that feedback to improve every year.

Thanks for coming and hope to see you next year.

Robby and all at Bestival HQ."

eFestivals was at last weekend's festival of the future and will bring you reviews and photographs shortly.

There are no acts confirmed yet for the 14th Bestival, which will be held at Robin Hill Country Park on the Isle of Wight, and is confirmed to run from Thursday 7th until Sunday 10th September 2017. Tickets are not yet on sale.

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