Festival Preview: Bestival (September 2017)
Bestival is the symbolic last chance saloon of the festival season, closing the summer with a glitter- infused bang. This year it’s moved from the Isle of Wight to Lulworth Estate in Dorset, but it looks set to retain its off-the- wall eccentricity and reputation as the place to be from the 7-10 September. The new location means there’s no need for an expensive ferry crossing, making Bestival even better value than it used to be, with a knockout line-up that has to be seen to be believed.
To make it easier for any would-be Bestival attendees that aren’t sure who to see, we’ve compiled a list of five acts from across the weekend that are a must-see, from headliners all the way to up and coming stars. So if good music is something you’re interested in, you’d better keep reading...
A Tribe Called Quest
Hip-Hop legends A Tribe Called Quest will be performing their last ever UK show at Bestival this year, and it’s going to be one to remember. Best known for creating “Can I Kick It?” one of the biggest hip- hop singles of all time, A Tribe Called Quest have had a career renaissance recently with their stellar album We Got It From Here...Thank U 4 Your Service. Along with De La Soul, they epitomise the jazzy, laid back rap sound of the early 1990s. The final chance to see some true living legends.
Ray BLK
Ray BLK made history when she was announced as the winner of the BBC’s “Sound of 2017” whilst still unsigned, the first artist to ever do so. She’s got the sounds to back up the hype too, bringing a fresh style to Grime and UK rap, and helping to lead the charge for more female representation in the genre.
Danny Brown
A unique mix of gangster rap and hipster weird, Detroit native Danny Brown has a reputation as one of the most unique MCs around. He’s definitely not a case of style over substance though, with his most recent album, 2016’s Atrocity Exhibition, being released to widespread critical acclaim, and pulling in features from artists like Kendrick Lamar and Earl Sweatshirt. If you want to see something different, Danny Brown should be your first port of call.
Justice
French Electronic duo Justice have been critical darlings ever since their 2007 debut † (or Cross, if you don’t have a fancy keyboard). Mixing rock and indie influences into their music, the duo have been at the cutting edge for a decade now, making banger after banger after banger. Their set at Bestival will be one of the most high energy points of the weekend, and not one to be missed.
Nadia Rose
Nadia Rose is so good that, despite being Stormzy’s cousin, she’s stood on her own merits since she first came into the public eye. Runner up for BBC’s Sound of 2017, she only released her debut EP in January, but she’s already proving to be one to watch for the future. Dubious? Watch her Bestival set and we promise you’ll come away converted.
Bestival falls on the 7th-10th September 2017, you can get tickets here
Feature by Jakes Hawkes