Former Warsash schoolboy turned DJ and Bestival organiser Rob da Bank has given his verdict on this year’s four-day music spectacular on the Isle of Wight.
“You never quite know what’s going to happen, whether the weather is going to be good or bad, what the crowd is going to be like,” said Rob, speaking ahead of the final evening’s entertainment. “I’m really chuffed.
“I just really like people-watching and seeing them having an amazing time. The Port has been a huge success story for us. I’m looking forward to seeing Elton John. I can’t wait to see him!”
He added about how much he enjoyed his time living in Warsash: “I loved living in Warsash, but I haven’t been back for years because my parents have moved away. “I’m not sure how much Warsash contributed to Bestival. I more got into music at university. I still love it there. Big up Warsash.”
Festival-goers dressed in all sort of costumes to mark the nautical theme at the four days of Bestival. Most weren’t put off by the continued downpours – if anything it added to the nautical theme – and they continued to enjoy the music and arts in Robin Hill Country Park.
We have been following closely the antics of the festival-goers, browsing the stalls, dancing in the rain and singing as loud as they could to keep up with the artists.
Countless people rammed together to watch Snoop Dogg and Rudimental which hith equally proved popular among the crowds for their different music styles.
And Elton John did not disappoint to thousands of fans squashed together to see the 66-year-old singer wearing a glittery blue suit with playing piano. Playing Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man and This Is Your Song he had audiences singing along with him, as well as cheering and screaming. Then a huge firework display finished the night off.
Earlier in the day, we caught up with Bestival veterans The Cuban Brothers – who have played at the festival every year since it began 10 years ago – backstage of the main stage after their set.
Mike Cuban, whose real name is Miguel Mantovani, said: “We’ve been peforming here for the past decade. This is one of the big ones and the nice ones for us.
“For anyone to do something they love, whatever their passion is, then it’s absolutely 100 per cent crazy. We’re very lucky and very blessed to do what we do. We’re just glad to be here at Bestival 2013.”
Funnyman Jarred Christmas, who recently performed in Sarisbury Green told The Gazette his mad antics and improvisation with the audience in the Comedy Tent when he came on as compere on Saturday (September 7).
“I’m really enjoying it. I do a lot of festivals and Bestival is definitely one of the best ones,” he said.
Comedian Marcus Brigstocke talked to The Gazette after hosting a chat in the Comedy Tent yesterday (Sunday September 8).
He said: “I’m loving it. It’s a really great atmosphere, friendly people, lovely music – it’s great.
“The show I’ve just done is the Policy Unit, and I take the newspapers and try to find stories in there with the three guests that I had, Felicity Ward, Tim FitzHigham and Ian Stoneham. We just try to make them laugh and they make me laugh.
“It’s great because you don’t know what’s going to happen because it’s all fresh. It’s a great festival and marks the end of the festival season, so this is a great hurrah for everyone.”
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Photos by James White Photography