It’s a brand-new era, so prepare for the truly immersive experience of Bestival 2017. Announcing four incredible headliners and a huge bill of amazing music, we are entering a new chapter of light and sound, exploring the wonders of Colour on our mission to increase the peace this 7th – 10th September at the Lulworth Estate, Dorset.
Rob da Bank says: “Well what an adventure this promises to be… we have a beautiful new home with a massive castle in the middle of it, acres of beautiful woodland and forest, a sea view and the dramatic Jurassic coastline. Going back to our roots with Josie da Bank’s hand-drawn artwork, reviving all our favourite stages from 14 years of Bestival history and going out with all our headliners for the first time ever together, we’re pretty excited at Bestival HQ. From pop to grime, hip-hop to techno, folk to classical and every style in between we are reclaiming our place as the funnest, most adventurous, musically savvy and downright magical festival on the map. Please come along for the ride. and remember Increase the Peace”
We are honoured to say that The xx will be the first ever Castle Stage headliners at Bestival! Never anything less than breath-taking, we can’t think of a more fitting band to get the main stage action underway in our new home.
Commenting on their headline performance, The xx said: “Bestival was one of the first festivals we played, back in 2010, and it had always been a dream for us…we even begged to play the previous year. In 2012 we returned to play the main stage and we’re so happy to say we’ll be headlining this year, at the new site in Dorset. The Isle of Wight will hold a special place in our hearts but we’re excited to bring our new show to their new home”.
Guaranteed to be momentous, we are extremely excited indeed to announce that hip-hop heroes A Tribe Called Quest will headline Saturday at Bestival 2017, performing what will be their last UK Show.
Bringing our debut mainland Bestival to a suitably triumphant close, we are completely over the moon to announce synth-pop geniuses Pet Shop Boys as our Sunday night headliners. Quite simply legends, we think they’re the perfect band to bring some mind-blowing colour to our first Lulworth Estate finale!
Commenting on their headline show, Pet Shop Boys said: “Amazingly it is over ten years since we last played Bestival but we remember it being one of the most enjoyable festivals ever. Looking forward to bringing our new show there this year – and seeing how the audience has decided to dress up!”
And completing 2017’s fantastic foursome of first-time headliners we are delighted to announce Wimbledon’s finest, Jamie T will be the man kicking it all off with an exclusive performance topping the Thursday night bill on our second stage, The Box.
We’ll also have mind-blowing live music from super suave Gallic funksters Justice, plus, Dizzee Rascal, DJ Shadow, Little Dragon, Danny Brown, Rag’n’Bone Man, Laura Mvula, Soul II Soul, MNEK, Circa Waves, Ray BLK, Lucy Rose, and Charlotte Church’s Late Night Pop Dungeon among many, many others.
And there will be DJ sets from Annie Mac, Andy C presents 25 Years of RAM, Kurupt FM, David Rodigan presents RAM JAM, DJ Yoda, Maceo Plex, Jackmaster, Kölsch, Dusky, Toddla T presents Carnival, Artwork presents Art’s House, Sink the Pink and loads more to boot. Check the line-up so far listing at the end of this press release for even more names playing across the weekend.
Redrawing our favourite party in the spirit of its original pioneering vision, Bestival’s creative essence will explode before your very eyes with a cavalcade of brilliant new stages, incredible destinations and stone cold classics, including our brand new main stage The Castle Stage, the eclectic wonders of The Box, the hands in the air nirvana of Temple, Bestival’s heart and soul, Bollywood, and the righteous vibrations of Reggae Roots.
Back by very popular demand HMS Bestival is the last word in off the hook partying, plus you can dance like there’s no tomorrow in new venues The Frozen Mole and Stacey’s, delve into the vintage madness of Caravanserai, and Club DaDa, and kick back in the enchanting Ambient Forest, and at our steam punk vision, Oberon’s Observatory.
Bestival 2017 is a whole new world to explore and to keep you on your toes we’ll also have the dazzling delights of The World's Biggest Confetti Canon, Castle Fireworks Finale, the Love-Bot, The World's Biggest Bouncy Castle, Bestival Inflatable Church, Confetti Wedding Disco, The Feast Collective, Slow Motion, Revolution Rides, Carnival Day Parade and Night Parades, the Sugar Skulls Cocktail Bus, Sunday Best Cardboard Record Shop, Lost in the Woods, Ancient Woodlands, Free Haircuts, Campsite Recycling Hubs, Kids’ Field and for all you vexillophiles out there, Flags by Angus Watt.