mINtSOUTH.com

Always celebrated for its outlandish programming and open-minded ethos, 2010's edition of the Bestival story is about to unfold before your very eyes. Following up last year's sun-drenched intergalactic triumph will be no mean feat but once again Rob da Bank and the Bestival crew have pulled out all the stops to ensure that Robin Hill's 88 acres of leafy beauty will be transformed into an unbelievably wondrous musical paradise for our seventh heavenly outing that is set to close the festival season from September 9th to 12th. After last year's site move about they've listened to lots of feedback and have decided to give the main stage a new home, plus they have a few other tricks and treats up our sleeves... all of which will be revealed!

Set to astonish and astound, the very first acts to be unveiled from the truly amazing line up for this year's event will include Dizzee Rascal. With his tongue firmly in cheek, Dizzee is taking no prisoners, with his position as the UK's biggest pop star unrivalled and his live show firing on all cylinders, the Bestival crowd can't fail to go bonkers for Bow's finest son. The Flaming Lips' reputation for putting on a mind-blowing spectacle is 100% deserved, having completely bowled over the Lulworth Castle revellers at Camp Bestival in 2008, the psychedelic wizards are set to cross the Solent bringing their own incredible brand of consciousness-expanding rock to the Isle of Wight, and we can't wait.

Almost the Bestival house band, they are thrilled that Hot Chip will be making a mammoth fifth Bestival appearance. With their fourth album One Life Stand currently amassing accolades, these crowd favourites never fail to impress us and are sure to be as unmissable as ever. Also making the ferry ride to the Isle of Wight will be arch disco infiltrators LCD Soundsystem. Due to release their much anticipated third album this year, the band are geared up to deliver a sublime set of classic hits and brand new rug cutting beats and buggin bass like only they can.

Bestival favourites and all round masters of mayhem el hermano Cubano, the mighty Cuban Brothers will bring their own special brand of compering to the newly sited main stage blending a host of characters and high time hilarity with some straight ahead finger-clicking funk introducing a host of other live acts helping to make it a lucky seven for Bestival that include; spoken word soul legend Gil Scott Heron whose proto-rap changed the face of music as we know it, blistering drum 'n' bassers Chase & Status who are currently leading the charge to the mainstream, the sublime Echo and the Bunnymen who after 30 years are still as effortlessly cool as ever, the temporary pleasures of Simian Mobile Disco whose live show is regularly described as orgasmic, anthemic indie from Manchester's Delphic, antipodean demi-god Rolf Harris whose cover versions of classics like Stairway To Heaven are simply beyond reproach, multi-million selling crooner Marc Almond who will delve deep into a treasure trove of classics, groundbreaking UK hip hop from dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip and BBC Sound of 2010 and BRITS Critic Choice winner Ellie Goulding.

There will also be breath-taking live turns from Fat Freddy's Drop, Flying Lotus, Four Tet, Kitty Daisy & Lewis, Stornoway, Tinie Tempah, Vitalic, Chilly Gonzales, Beardyman, Tunng, Hurts, Gaslamp Killer, The Vegetable Orchestra, Ulrich Schnauss, The Twinkle Brothers, High Llamas, The Antlers, Archie Bronson Outfit, Beth Jeans Houghton and Mixhell. Plus even more jams from the likes of erstwhile Sex Pistol and Rich Kid Glen Matlock, Samuel and the Dragon, The Japanese Popstars, The Lost Brothers, Hear We Go Magic, Goldhawks, Countryside Alliance Crew, Laura J Martin, A Genuine Freakshow, Bookhouse Boys, King Charles, Three Trapped Tigers, Worship, French Horn Rebellion, Sisters of Transistors, Spindle and Wit, Starless & Bible Black, The Boy Who Trapped The Sun, The Telegraphs, Tim and Sam Band and Unicorn Kid, with many, many more staggeringly good names still to be unveiled!

As the live action falls into place perfectly, there's plenty to look forward to when it comes to bass bin pressure. Rob da Bank will, of course, be manning the platters for one of his legendarily multifarious musical adventures and Radio 1's very own doyen of the dance, Annie Mac, will be on hand with her renowned Annie Mac Presents promising to push the speakers to their limits. Plus there will be version excursions from David Rodigan, lush techno from Ewan Pearson, deepness from Dixon, old skool moves from Greg Wilson, wonderful electronica from Nathan Fake, cutting edge vibes from Huw Stephens, deadly dubstep from Mary-Anne Hobbs, hip-hop odysseys from Jaguar Skills and heavy riddims from Joy Orbison. Plus there's gonna be plenty of heads-down boogying action with Horsemeat Disco, DJ Derek, Greg's Greats, SBTRKT, Ramadanman, Seth Troxler, Untold, The Broken Hearts and Back To The Phuture.

One of the undisputed highlights of last year's shindig was The Afterburner stage so they're pleased as punch to announce that it's back, bigger and better for 2010. Doubling in size and now with a full live stage, The Afterburner's incandescent brilliance is sure to be suitably scintillating. Other incredible attractions will include The Castle In The Sky Bonfire Extravaganza and the brand new Wishing Tree Field that will feature the most amazing sculpture garden. The Village will also be transformed in to Tomorrow's World envisaging an inspired, sustainable and green and fun future including a solar powered Bandstand and free solar mobile phone charging and a few regular treats including the Pub, WI Tent and Farmers Market.

There are also some deals to be had for getting across the Solent on your way to Bestival:
Wightlink are offering a limited number of earlybird ticket packages that will include ferry travel at an additional £74.00 for a car and four people, there will be a number of foot passenger package deals on offer too. They will also be offering limited deals if you've already got your Besti tickets, charging from £72.00 for a car with four people for a three night stay and from £77.00 for a car of four over four nights, more info at www.wightlink.co.uk/bestival

Red Funnel will also be offering 15% off car ferry travel for a limited number of tickets purchased through Red Funnel, check out www.redfunnel.co.uk/bestival

With masses of Bestival magic sprinkled generously across the entire site there'll be plenty of madcap laughs to be had plus there'll be loads of old favourites to rediscover, luxurious alternative camping, an amazing array of delicious foods to feast on and, of course, lots of tea and cake on offer.

And remember, this is just the beginning; they've got so much bewilderingly brilliant stuff still to announce that we might have to have a little lie down...
Keep checking www.bestival.net for the latest info.
Also, they've started a new blog cleverly entitled the Besti-blog which will be updated daily with the latest news, views, mix-tapes and features from the lands of Bestival, Camp Bestival, Sunday Best and Rob da Bank. Check it at www.besti-blog.blogspot.com
And you can find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bestivalfestival and you can follow Rob da Bank on Twitter at www.twitter.com/robdabank
BESTIVAL 2010 TICKET INFO

Bestival Tickets available now from
Ticketline: www.ticketline.co.uk/bestival-tickets / 0844 888 4410

Bestival Ticket + Early Bird Ferry Travel Deals available now from
Red Funnel: www.redfunnel.co.uk/bestival / 0844 844 9988
Wightlink: www.wightlink.co.uk/bestival / 0871 376 1000
Adult Weekend Tickets: £150
Student Weekend Ticket: £140 (valid NUS or ISIC ID (only) required at the box office)
Age 13 to 15 Child Weekend Tickets: £75
Age 12 & Under Child Weekend Tickets: FREE (but you MUST obtain a ticket)
Campervan Tickets: £60 (per vehicle)