BESTIVAL 2009

Set in a beautiful country park in the heart of the Isle of Wight, Bestival is a weekend of eclectic music, eccentric people and plenty of fancy dress. Winner of Best Medium Festival three times in a row at the UK Festival Awards the festival has cemented itself as one of the best boutique events in the country.

Radio 1 DJ Rob Da Bank handpicks the line-up, so fans can watch anything from international superstars to the complete unknown - but all the acts are guaranteed to captivate. Exp... read more

Set in a beautiful country park in the heart of the Isle of Wight, Bestival is a weekend of eclectic music, eccentric people and plenty of fancy dress. Winner of Best Medium Festival three times in a row at the UK Festival Awards the festival has cemented itself as one of the best boutique events in the country.

Radio 1 DJ Rob Da Bank handpicks the line-up, so fans can watch anything from international superstars to the complete unknown - but all the acts are guaranteed to captivate. Expect dance, indie and hip hop to be lined up against jazz, pop and skiffle, but most of all expect the unexpected as you're bound to find your favourite new band in there somewhere.

Over 400 live acts, DJs and comedians perform over the weekend spread between over eight tents and stage as well as hidden in the woods. The Bollywood Bar houses dance heavyweights, the Big Top has the best of live music and The Bandstand will showcase some smaller acts on traditional Victorian stage.

An annual fancy dress theme will be announced nearer the time with fish, pirates and robots found perusing the WI Tea Tent, Farmer's Market, burlesque tent and toboggan run in 2008.

Quirkiness, tomfoolery and nonsense are the main appeal of the festival with the atmosphere as enjoyable as any act you'll see over the weekend. So get into that dressing up box and prepare to be pleasantly surprised...less