by Juniper Daumier | Photos by Michael Jamion
Relive Bestival 2016 with these incredible photos from all three days
Featuring: Skepta, Major Lazer, Wolf Alice, Craig David, The Cure, Hinds + many more
This year’s futuristic Bestival, was the best… for all.
50,000 fans flooded the Isle of Wight, for 400 bands on 25 stages.
The headliners did not disappoint, from Major Lazer, The Cure, Wiz Khalifa to Sean Paul.
Friday gave us such great acts such as Damian "Jr Gong" Marley, Years and Years, Katy B, Kitty Daisy & Lewis, Skepta, Aurora and Animal Collective.
Skepta one of grime’s most successful artists, always brings the grime-love to the stage. With a blistering set he conquered the main stage, performing many tracks off his album Konnichiwa as well as some of the fast-becoming old-favourites from his previous album Uprising.
American electronic band Major Lazer kicked off the headliners. Using dancehall and reggae vibes as a base, they deployed a prodigious sound that filled the stage and satisfied campers. Especially exciting was the introduction of an inflatable ball that roved through the crowd encasing a live dancer.
Saturday was The Cure and Crystal Fighters’ territory...
The core trio of Crystal Fighters’ guitarist Graham Dickson, bassist Gilbert Vierich and ukulele-player and singer Sebastian Pringle governed the Big Top stage to the delight of many rain-soaked revellers.
Experiencing main stage marvels The Cure was a long time coming for most fans young and old, and delivered one of the best moments Bestival could provide. Performing the much loved classics 'Lovecats', 'Boys Don't Cry', 'Lullaby', 'Friday I'm in Love' and 'In Between Days', it was a magical performance by enigma Robert Smith that set the dark night on fire. Despite Bestival’s definite future-bound theme, The Cure beyond any doubt proved the overarching relevance of the past.
Also well worth seeing was Wolf Alice which followed a much loved performance by Craig David's TS5 with the dynamic voice of Ellie Roswell. Wiz Khalifa and Sean Paul came equipped for the Sunday's service.
Wiz Khalifa started his set with a blunt performance of ‘Most of Us’, followed by ' Black and Yellow', and 'Young and Wild & Free' providing the filling. Finally he closed it all down with the Charlie Puth featured 'See You Again'.
Kano orchestrated great sound and vision with a brass section that added great depth to many tracks off his new album 'Made In The Manor', which was especially effective on 'New Banger'.
With a whole list of acts on show over many weather changing days, the acts that really stood out were Glass Animals, The Japanese House, Odesza, Sunflower Bean, Krept and Konan, Ride and Leftfield.
All in all Bestival provided a great four days of something for everyone.