Festival News: The ever-popular Boardmasters has announced its return to the Cornish coastline next summer.
The ever-popular Boardmasters has announced its return to the Cornish coastline next summer. Taking place between 7th and 11th August 2024, the five-day surf and music festival celebration is set to be the biggest and best yet, with two of the UK’s hottest acts headlining the event.
Grime heavyweight Stormzy will headline the festival next year. His debut album, Gang Signs & Prayer (2017), was the first grime album to reach number one on the UK Albums chart. He has since released two top ten albums and won two BRIT Awards, a Mercury Prize, and a MOBO Award. His music is an inspiring call for social justice and has seen him become a pivotal role model for his direct approach to his political beliefs and BAME representation.
Drum & bass duo Chase & Status will also be headlining the festival, bringing with them some of their biggest hits such as ‘Blind Faith’ and ‘End Credits’ from their genre-defying 2011 album No More Idols. Their success has been propelled by their explosive live shows, performing at the biggest festivals from Glastonbury to Coachella.
In recent years, they have released two studio albums, RTRN II JUNGLE in 2019 and What Came Before in 2022, both of which showcased their ability to blend jungle and electro into their most thrilling dance anthems yet. Their latest project, 2 RUFF Vol 1, is a gritty tribute to their original sound and a welcome homage to their roots.
Boardmasters began back in 1981, and is renowned for its unique line-up of artists which has included the likes of Calvin Harris, Coldplay, Bastille, Lorde and Florence and the Machine in previous years. It is also famed for bringing the most progressive and exciting names in international pro surfing with multiple competitions taking place over the 5-day event including the Boardmasters Junior Open, Boardmasters Longboard Open and the main Boardmasters Open for men and women.
Katy B, Nia Archives and BRIT Award winning artist Becky Hill have also been confirmed as part of the line-up, with a number of DJ's also set to perform. Leading the charge is hitmaker Eliza Rose, the record producer that brought us the biggest hit of the summer ‘Baddest Of Them All’ and drum & bass legend Andy C. Other names announced include Bicep, Marlon Hoffstadt, Darren Styles, Friction, Gok Wan, Jazzy, Alex Mills, Ammara, Charlie Tee b2b Lens, Girls Next Door, Jess Iszatt, Lens and Sota.
This year, Boardmasters will feature a range of activities for all ages hosted across Watergate Bay, Fistral Beach, Towan Bay and Newquay Town Centre. These will include surfing and bodyboarding lessons, kayak/snorkel tours and speedboat rides. For those looking for a more mellow weekend, the Zennor Haven will feature experts leading sound baths, wellness discussions and panel talks, massages and workshops. Elsewhere another central hub of activity is Muscle Beach, an outdoor gym with DJs, competitions and prizes daily.
To book your Watergate Bay getaway, tickets for Boardmasters 2024 will go on sale at 10am, Friday 1 December 2023, with pre-sale tickets from Thursday 30 November on www.boardmasters.com.
Words by Oliver Evans
