Bestival 2009 - the line-up!
- Thread starter The_Reverend_M
- Start date
I've come to the conclusion I must Bestival.
Can't stretch to buying a ticket but very interested in working it. I can arrive couple of days early to set up, or stay couple of days after to clean up .
Can anyone help with contacts? Seriously considering just showing up.
e2a : Bloke, construction & bar experience if it makes a difference.
Can't stretch to buying a ticket but very interested in working it. I can arrive couple of days early to set up, or stay couple of days after to clean up .
Can anyone help with contacts? Seriously considering just showing up.
e2a : Bloke, construction & bar experience if it makes a difference.
Sunray
Its sunny somewhere.
Bars are all staffed by volunteers and I expect they are full as is Oxfam.
Might be worth just looking on the website for a number but as it open in 3 days, I can imagine that you working there isn't going to be top of their list. Still give it a go, they might really need litter or other such work.
Might be worth just looking on the website for a number but as it open in 3 days, I can imagine that you working there isn't going to be top of their list. Still give it a go, they might really need litter or other such work.
Sunray
Its sunny somewhere.
I've a 2.3m High Camper van which cost more and its from Red whats its face. Its cheap going there on the Wednesday but what's cost me is getting back. I didn't book till late and Monday evening was all that was left at nearly 90 quid.
Wightlink had sold out.
Looks like you'll very much be spared a mudbath down at Bestival this year! 
crustychick
doo-woop-de-doo
sold my tickets now
have fun you lot!
have fun you lot!
Sunray
Its sunny somewhere.
Looks like you'll very much be spared a mudbath down at Bestival this year!
Looking like Bestival is getting the best weekend weather of the season.
I might get a tan.
Alright for you camper van lazy arses.
I'll be keeping it real: i.e. getting boiled out of the tent on Saturday morning.
And having to go home Sunday cos' of work on Monday. Oh yes. I will NOT do a Glade again. Repeat: I will NOT do a Glade again.
ivebeenhigh
Well-Known Member
am packing now. am dancing round my room to the bestival playlist i made. i am giddy with excitement.
genee_rave
New Member
PLEASE let the forecast be correct!!
I've been so busy I've barely checked the lineup. Going to take a highlighter with me on the coach journey!
I've been so busy I've barely checked the lineup. Going to take a highlighter with me on the coach journey!
genee_rave
New Member
If anyone booked to go there by coach please check the website for new times, they've changed them all!
I just happened to check my gmail and there was an email to say they've brought my coach forward by an hour, I'd have been so pissed off if I missed it! http://www.nationalexpress.com/coach/Destinations/Events/bestivaldepartures.cfm
I just happened to check my gmail and there was an email to say they've brought my coach forward by an hour, I'd have been so pissed off if I missed it! http://www.nationalexpress.com/coach/Destinations/Events/bestivaldepartures.cfm
Back! All too short for me unfortunately.
Had it's surreal moments.
I arrive, sent pillar to post cos' of confusion as to whether I was crew or artist. More pillar to post inside, because noone could work out where I should camp. Oxfam bod finally saved me - said I should try artists. Security there were nice. Said, "well, you've not got the right wristband. So here's one."
Found a strangely inviting gap in the camping, so pitched up. The next morning, I discovered I'd camped in the campest of camping. I was surrounded by drag queens. I'd pitched stage centre of their camp. Still, one of them did donate a few beers that morning, so can't argue with that.
Caught up with Wiskey, after fending off a very drunk girl scrounging smokes. I gave her one, then she started on about how I was waiting for "my only friend". So I took the cigarette back. Her mate's expression said it all... I think she wanted her back to her tent before she offended too many other people.
Went and found Sunray, who conveniently was working a fire tower somewhere just outside Croydon. Kinell that was a hike. Bit pissed (again) by that point.
The rest of the day was bit of blur. Somehow ended up 'backstage' behind one of the bars, with one of my lenses cracked - thankfully just the UV filter. More wandering, admiring the costumes. I loathe fancy dress things, but some were truly stunning. What was with all the NBC outfits though? Must have seen at least five large groups of them. Couldn't figure out why that was 'Space'. Neither could the ones I asked.
Slept a bit on Saturday night, then got up again to do my shoot at Arcadia. Was meant to get a cherry picker, but someone had pinched it apparently. Still, had a good clamber round the rig to get some elevated shots.
Wandering home, found 'Alien Rave'. Bloke in an alien costume, with assorted bits of kit, mini tinny sound system... about 10 people dancing around the alien. He was doing assertive 'alien' instructions, he was their new leader, that kind of thing. Very funny. After seeing Ice Cream Van Rave at Glade, I'm now really into 'Stupid Novelty Rave' as a concept.
More to tell. Just sorting photees out.
eta: Just looked at this post... waaay too many smileys.
Had it's surreal moments.
I arrive, sent pillar to post cos' of confusion as to whether I was crew or artist. More pillar to post inside, because noone could work out where I should camp. Oxfam bod finally saved me - said I should try artists. Security there were nice. Said, "well, you've not got the right wristband. So here's one."
Found a strangely inviting gap in the camping, so pitched up. The next morning, I discovered I'd camped in the campest of camping. I was surrounded by drag queens. I'd pitched stage centre of their camp. Still, one of them did donate a few beers that morning, so can't argue with that.
Caught up with Wiskey, after fending off a very drunk girl scrounging smokes. I gave her one, then she started on about how I was waiting for "my only friend". So I took the cigarette back. Her mate's expression said it all... I think she wanted her back to her tent before she offended too many other people.
Went and found Sunray, who conveniently was working a fire tower somewhere just outside Croydon. Kinell that was a hike. Bit pissed (again) by that point.
The rest of the day was bit of blur. Somehow ended up 'backstage' behind one of the bars, with one of my lenses cracked - thankfully just the UV filter. More wandering, admiring the costumes. I loathe fancy dress things, but some were truly stunning. What was with all the NBC outfits though? Must have seen at least five large groups of them. Couldn't figure out why that was 'Space'. Neither could the ones I asked.
Slept a bit on Saturday night, then got up again to do my shoot at Arcadia. Was meant to get a cherry picker, but someone had pinched it apparently. Still, had a good clamber round the rig to get some elevated shots.
Wandering home, found 'Alien Rave'. Bloke in an alien costume, with assorted bits of kit, mini tinny sound system... about 10 people dancing around the alien. He was doing assertive 'alien' instructions, he was their new leader, that kind of thing. Very funny. After seeing Ice Cream Van Rave at Glade, I'm now really into 'Stupid Novelty Rave' as a concept.
More to tell. Just sorting photees out.
eta: Just looked at this post... waaay too many smileys.
bluestreak
HomosexualityIsStalin’sAtomBombtoDestroyAmerica
Well, I was kind of lied too. It was fun, I didn't see almost anything but little bits of all sorts of things. I have a long list of criticisms of it, especially thhe rampant V-style corporate sponsors, but none of those criticisms actually made it a bad festival, just slightly detracted from a lovely atmosphere and a well planned and laid out festival. It did, however, seem to lack any sort of "personality". It was like Sim-Festival at times. I'd definitely go again, but I will say that it is either a family festival, hipster festival, or munter festival, depending on how you play it. Being none of the above, I enjoyed simply being there and watching and listening and wandering more than actually participating!
It was much like that for me too.
(I wouldn't say that that the sponsors were rampant, but they were there, in a way that you'd not see at Glastonbury or, I imagine, smaller things like EID etc. And seeing a Pizza Express didn't help that 'world away from home' illusion other festivals create).
Costumes were impressive though - I guess that's it's personality. And seeing some bands do it aswell did kind of join up the dots, as it were.
Overall I preferred Glade (not that it's fair to compare the two). Zero corporate stuff going on that I saw, circular site shape which is best for least walking, no arena thing, quality sound - all Funktion One - and punters that lead the charge in party hard mentality.
My brother had a good time. Mind you, it's basically a local festival for him, living in Shanklin - the car ferry costs are indeed ridiculous.
Mind you, if I was going from London, I think I'd get mega train from London to Portsmouth for 2 quid return, and then pay the tenner for the ferry, then get the island line to wherever it is for a few quid.
Mind you, if I was going from London, I think I'd get mega train from London to Portsmouth for 2 quid return, and then pay the tenner for the ferry, then get the island line to wherever it is for a few quid.
Sunray
Its sunny somewhere.
Its a new festival, so its still finding it feet although I do think that from nothing he's created a happy Glasto lite which is quite impressive. Much more camping room so listened to the huge criticism from last year when its was just daft. Not enough water and impounding crew in our own field without water still suggests that they have some way to go.
Much better layout of the festival this year.
I didn't think that there was too much Corporate stuff, its not Glastonbury and I quite like Pizza express if they were doing the proper Pizza's which unfortuntely weren't of the restaurant quality.
Much better layout of the festival this year.
I didn't think that there was too much Corporate stuff, its not Glastonbury and I quite like Pizza express if they were doing the proper Pizza's which unfortuntely weren't of the restaurant quality.
I had a really good time: thought that the whole site was really well thought out, and had a lot of scope for wandering around aimlessly and discovering stuff, without it all being slightly too far away, os you never got knackered. Liked the nice little touches like the piano in the middle of the magic meadow that you could have a go on, etc. Found it really quite friendly as well - lots of people who would happily stop and talk to you, and it was aweseom to see a whole field of people dressed up and raving - at times in arcadia it felt like an apocolyptic, end of the universe rave.
There are a couple of gripes - not enough water, and the volume on the sound system being two things which definately need improving.
also, on a grimmer and more personal note, it was ruined by having to deal with fallout from people camped close to us on sunday evening: a girl who was camped near us was celebrating her 21st birthday, and had obviously been drinking all day. we saw her come back to her tent at about half 2 with a guy, but without all her friends. We heard talking and then a bit later on the sound of puking, so we went over to see if everything was alright. we opened the tent to see the girl still vomiting, with her top up and skirt pulled up, and the guy behind her, half nakedd, and still looking like he was having sex with her. this was compounded by him saying to us "i am not a sexual predator".
we pulled him out of the tent, and told him we'd look after her. he then walked off, but someone followed him to the toilets, were he barricaded himself in, for 15 minutes. in the meantime another person had grabbed a security guard, and eventually what felt like most of the police on site descended and arrested him.
they took his details, but the girl was way too drunk to give a statement - she couldn't even tell them her name when they asked, so eventually they let the guy go - he grabbed all his stuff from his tent (which was about 15 metres from her tent, but was obviously part of a different group) and legged it.
from speaking to her friends when they got back, they had been chatting to him and his friends all weekend, and they had got seperated at 11pm, when she was already quite drunk.
fucking horrible.
There are a couple of gripes - not enough water, and the volume on the sound system being two things which definately need improving.
also, on a grimmer and more personal note, it was ruined by having to deal with fallout from people camped close to us on sunday evening: a girl who was camped near us was celebrating her 21st birthday, and had obviously been drinking all day. we saw her come back to her tent at about half 2 with a guy, but without all her friends. We heard talking and then a bit later on the sound of puking, so we went over to see if everything was alright. we opened the tent to see the girl still vomiting, with her top up and skirt pulled up, and the guy behind her, half nakedd, and still looking like he was having sex with her. this was compounded by him saying to us "i am not a sexual predator".
we pulled him out of the tent, and told him we'd look after her. he then walked off, but someone followed him to the toilets, were he barricaded himself in, for 15 minutes. in the meantime another person had grabbed a security guard, and eventually what felt like most of the police on site descended and arrested him.
they took his details, but the girl was way too drunk to give a statement - she couldn't even tell them her name when they asked, so eventually they let the guy go - he grabbed all his stuff from his tent (which was about 15 metres from her tent, but was obviously part of a different group) and legged it.
from speaking to her friends when they got back, they had been chatting to him and his friends all weekend, and they had got seperated at 11pm, when she was already quite drunk.
fucking horrible.
Dooby
mince
I had an excellent time, loads of lovely people in our campsite! All went well, didn't think of it as being particualrly corporate, and fancy dress was spectacular to look at. People were very friendly and chatty. Bit too much so in some cases, couldn't shake a lot of peope, but most helping each other out.
I saw a few folk together dressed as things people in this forum said they were gonna be - and bouncing over, declared that they were Urban75 and I claimed my ten pounds, but no, I'd just made an arse of myself though they were very nice about it..
Was weird being at a festie and not bumping into anyone I know though, but usually go to smaller ones
I saw a few folk together dressed as things people in this forum said they were gonna be - and bouncing over, declared that they were Urban75 and I claimed my ten pounds, but no, I'd just made an arse of myself though they were very nice about it..
Was weird being at a festie and not bumping into anyone I know though, but usually go to smaller ones
Badger Decoy
The Musical Dictator
I really liked Bestival - the lineup was good, the site was beautiful and just about the right size (even though Oxfam camping was the other side of the festival from the entrance) and the peo0ple seemed friendly, even security seemed nice and chilled out. The fancy dress was impressive, Kraftwerk were fun as was the toboggan ride and the woods were cool if a bit spooky at night. Oh and we saw red squirrels as well which I never have before.
On the gripes side: though the water points were well marked there weren't enough, Massive Attack weren't great and the sound quality on the main stage for them was crap - the main stage was up hill from the crowd and the music just seemed to go over our heads for Massive Attack though this wasn't such a problem for the rest of the weekend. Also, there seemed to be too many tents playing music (including bars and a random bacon butty stall) which led to a lot of sound clashes.
Also, it took 7 HOURS to get back to London on Monday afternoon/ evening (onmly took about 3 to get there) - we were queueing for 4 hours to get a bus to the ferry terminal on the island in the baking heat up a massive hill with all our stuff - apparently they didn't expect so many people to use public transport to get home. And the bus to the ferry cost £4 each when the taxi there only cost £2.20 each. Still I would definitely go again.
On the gripes side: though the water points were well marked there weren't enough, Massive Attack weren't great and the sound quality on the main stage for them was crap - the main stage was up hill from the crowd and the music just seemed to go over our heads for Massive Attack though this wasn't such a problem for the rest of the weekend. Also, there seemed to be too many tents playing music (including bars and a random bacon butty stall) which led to a lot of sound clashes.
Also, it took 7 HOURS to get back to London on Monday afternoon/ evening (onmly took about 3 to get there) - we were queueing for 4 hours to get a bus to the ferry terminal on the island in the baking heat up a massive hill with all our stuff - apparently they didn't expect so many people to use public transport to get home. And the bus to the ferry cost £4 each when the taxi there only cost £2.20 each.
Still I would definitely go again.
Sunray
Its sunny somewhere.
They do need a better plumber for the water. There was none in the crew field when I got there.
FSOL can kiss my arse for making me wait an extra hour to discover they weren't even at the show but doing it over ISDN, OK I can deal with that but then went on to say 'its all fucked up' about 10000000 times, played 2 tracks and fucked off.
Cunts.
FSOL can kiss my arse for making me wait an extra hour to discover they weren't even at the show but doing it over ISDN, OK I can deal with that but then went on to say 'its all fucked up' about 10000000 times, played 2 tracks and fucked off.
Cunts.
You expect FSOL not to be cunts?
They got marked in my 'cunts book' way back, in the Rave New World documentary* 
No water in Purple (Artists) Camping) either, though we could walk round the end of the Heras into the adjacent market camping and get it from there.
* "Some people make music to have sex to. We make music to make people impotent". Oh fuck off.
wiskey
Albatross Admirer
I had a nice time. My shifts were reasonably good, and I had a lovely bunch of very helpful stewards. It was great having enough staff to have people available to fetch me the sunday paper!
My off work time was well spent I think, I thought the woods were great, we spent thurs night fucked in a childrens playground with me sitting on a deer and BD and psych sitting in a manger with adrenalinemonkey had a bit of a go in the maze and round the train and model village on the weds. SAW A RED SQUIRREL!!!!!! thought massive attack were crap so went to work early. Enjoyed the underworld dj set. Thought kraftwerk were ok but left before they really got going. The saturday night fire show was sublime, one of the best I've seen in a while and much better than sundays. I shouted till I was blue in the face, loved all the fancy dress, the fact that there were no stalls selling tat, no flags in front of the stage !! Great people, great audience participation, really nice site and such a fresh breeze. Only downsides were water, crappy maps and being tricked into watching bjorn again !!!!!
and the fact we moved at less than 1/2 a mile an HOUR to the ferry port yesterday evening. Didn't get in till 4:30am
My off work time was well spent I think, I thought the woods were great, we spent thurs night fucked in a childrens playground with me sitting on a deer and BD and psych sitting in a manger with adrenalinemonkey
had a bit of a go in the maze and round the train and model village on the weds. SAW A RED SQUIRREL!!!!!! thought massive attack were crap so went to work early. Enjoyed the underworld dj set. Thought kraftwerk were ok but left before they really got going. The saturday night fire show was sublime, one of the best I've seen in a while and much better than sundays. I shouted till I was blue in the face, loved all the fancy dress, the fact that there were no stalls selling tat, no flags in front of the stage !! Great people, great audience participation, really nice site and such a fresh breeze. Only downsides were water, crappy maps and being tricked into watching bjorn again !!!!! and the fact we moved at less than 1/2 a mile an HOUR to the ferry port yesterday evening. Didn't get in till 4:30am
wiskey
Albatross Admirer
More pillar to post inside, because noone could work out where I should camp. Oxfam bod finally saved me - said I should try artists. Security there were nice. Said, "well, you've not got the right wristband. So here's one."
thats the head honcho for oxfam, she wants to see your pics if its ok if I send her the link?
Yes do send the link. And pass on my thanks - her advice stopped me having a total breakdown of festival-goodwill.
