VIVA l i v e m u s i c Arcadia fire show
N adia ismail REPORTS
T
his year the Robin Hill country park opened it’s floodgates (thankfully, not quite literally!) to some 50,000 Bestivalites, a whopping 20,000 more fantastic festivalgoers than the previous year. So of course in order to accommodate their new friends, Mr and Mrs da Bank had to mix it up a little, calling for a fresh new layout.
The Band: Fat Freddy’s Drop
New for 2010: The wishing tree field was the first fantasy world to enter before hitting the main arena, home to a whole host of new tents it was a an exciting addition for 2010. Chai wallahs proved a resounding success keeping the party going until 6am every day. But it’s most interesting feature had to be the wishing tree itself, a beautiful and magical creation from the outside, cleverly disguising an intimate club on the inside. It was something of a secret haven far from the festival madness, we enjoyed escaping into one of its little nooks and simply letting time pass us by.
Joe Dukie: vocalist Fat Freddy’s Drop
The Music: As always Bestival boasts one of the most impressive line-ups of pure music talent of the summer, to name but a few…hailing from Manchester was Delphic, the Incredible XX, Hot Chip, Dizzee Rascal, Mumford and sons, the Flaming lips, Roxy music, the super mellow Fat Freddy’s Drop and the maniacs The Prodigy. Highlights: The return of the pure genius that is time for tease! Tea, cake, beautiful ladies, fabulous outfits and some seriously sexy dance moves, what’s not to love? Fire. Bestival was piping, Arcadia presents cranked up the heat this year to bring us a jaw-dropping performance; there were flamethrowers, giant insect men and some great dj sets. Fake Blood drew in an astonishing crowd for its surprise set amidst the flames. Of course how could we forget the fancy dress, Alice and her companions lead Santa and Super Mario to the wizard’s den to hang out with the fairies at The Flaming Lips set on the main stage, what a spectacle! ■
The XX
VIVA 89