Bestival is moving

[themuel]

From the Facebook page - 

“Hot off the press – yes Bestival is moving! We can confirm we have submitted a licence application for a new site at the Lulworth Estate in Dorset and we’re super excited about our shiny new Bestival adventure. We have an incredible line-up, headliners confirmed and ridiculous new stages and installations coming your way in 2017. 

We remain fully committed to supporting the Isle of Wight through music, charities and projects and will be giving Islanders an exclusive ticket offer for the new site. Plus we’re working towards a new event for the Island. Watch this space…” Rob da Bank

 

[jackarmy]

3 minutes ago, themuel said:

From the Facebook page - 

“Hot off the press – yes Bestival is moving! We can confirm we have submitted a licence application for a new site at the Lulworth Estate in Dorset and we’re super excited about our shiny new Bestival adventure. We have an incredible line-up, headliners confirmed and ridiculous new stages and installations coming your way in 2017. 

We remain fully committed to supporting the Isle of Wight through music, charities and projects and will be giving Islanders an exclusive ticket offer for the new site. Plus we’re working towards a new event for the Island. Watch this space…” Rob da Bank

 

I think something had to give. Should I take it that they're gonna be using the same site as Camp Bestival + a bit more?

Quite a few disgruntled IOW locals, looks like they could be about to lose both their festivals. 

Rob reckons he's got all 3 headliners confirmed - hoping he's pulled something special out of the bag!

[FloorFiller]

the location of Bestival was always a big factor in whether i could or couldn't be arsed going, and tbh after last time it was the final straw in me deciding not to return unless they booked some ridiculously good lineup, so this pleases me. not to say i'm gonna head back straight away - it'll be 2018 at the earliest - but at least the option is back. i hope they manage to secure a good lineup this year so it all wasn't in vain

obviously gonna be a fair few people from the island pissed off, but i'd say this is definitely the right move to attempt to save the festival

[eFestivals]

I think that's a smart move.

Getting to the IoW was both a hassle and an expense, that will have lessened its attractiveness.

I still think it'll need to entice new people in - i reckon it's lost forever a good chunk of its previous crowd - but at least it'll be easy to entice those people without the travel hassles.

 

[stocky3000]

2 minutes ago, FloorFiller said:

the location of Bestival was always a big factor in whether i could or couldn't be arsed going, and tbh after last time it was the final straw in me deciding not to return unless they booked some ridiculously good lineup, so this pleases me. not to say i'm gonna head back straight away - it'll be 2018 at the earliest - but at least the option is back. i hope they manage to secure a good lineup this year so it all wasn't in vain

obviously gonna be a fair few people from the island pissed off, but i'd say this is definitely the right move to attempt to save the festival

Have to agree, haven't been myself and have always wanted to go (less after this years calamity!) but it has always been the location that has put me off as my friends have said it is a really costly slog. If they manage to pull a half decent lineup (LCD, XX i am looking at you ... ) then I could be pretty tempted

[zahidf]

I would definitely be more likely to go now its not so far away

[FloorFiller]

really hope they manage to pull a good set of headliners/lineup out of the bag for next year as the move alone won't save it (although saying that, it'll probably go a long way towards it, 'cause all that travelling really did suck). a shame they didn't decide on this a couple of years back before it's reputation went down the shitter a bit, but ah well, can't blame them for not having the foresight of a particularly bad year

[2853rob]

Being an islander im gutted as we had already bought tickets and are attending camp bestival as well, if we had known this at the time we could have made a choice on which one to attend. Now after 8 great bestival and 1 mediocre one its time to call it a day. Hopefully Camp Bestival pulls its socks up a bit for this year

[Paul ™]

Having been to Bestival from 2008-2012, I liked the travel there and the excitement of going over on the ferry to the island, staying at Waverley Campsite the night before and the short journey to the site.

I stopped going as it was getting too big, more commercialised and was starting to get more than its fair share of idiots too.

Robin Hill was a great venue for it, from the maze, toboggan run, hidden woods, the huge hill... was not surprised that it went into decline though amazed it went on till last year.

What about people who have booked tickets/travel/hotels? Will RDB be refunding those costs? 

Lulworth is a nice site, hopefully it will take off there, personally I think it will be the nail in the coffin.

[eFestivals]

26 minutes ago, Paul ™ said:

Lulworth is a nice site, hopefully it will take off there, personally I think it will be the nail in the coffin.

I think it might give it a few more years life than it would have had otherwise.

BUT .... I can't see it being anything like the same size, I'm pretty sure there's just not the space for it ... so i reckon the "back to our normal thing" thing is a dead duck.

[Memory Man]

1 hour ago, eFestivals said:

I reckon it's lost forever a good chunk of its previous crowd

 

that absolutely hits the nail on the head, and I am one of them. Although I would consider a return given the right line up. I once went to camp bestival in 2009 and I remember lulworth being an excellent venue.

[Dukeicon]

26 minutes ago, eFestivals said:

I think it might give it a few more years life than it would have had otherwise.

BUT .... I can't see it being anything like the same size, I'm pretty sure there's just not the space for it ... so i reckon the "back to our normal thing" thing is a dead duck.

35,000 the licence is for (49,999 including staff, artists etc).

https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/media/218739/BE17---Event-Management--Operations-Plan-Bestival-2017-v1/pdf/BE17_-_Event_Management___Operations_Plan_Bestival_2017_v1.pdf

Edited December 15, 2016 by Dukeicon

[eFestivals]

3 minutes ago, Dukeicon said:

35,000 the licence is for (49,999 including staff, artists etc).

https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/media/218739/BE17---Event-Management--Operations-Plan-Bestival-2017-v1/pdf/BE17_-_Event_Management___Operations_Plan_Bestival_2017_v1.pdf

Thanks for that.

So "back as big as ever" is now not happening.

[Memory Man]

1 hour ago, Paul ™ said:

I stopped going as it was getting too big, more commercialised and was starting to get more than its fair share of idiots too.

Exactly the same time period and reasons as me. Good to know i'm not the only one who thought that.

They just seemed to start going for more lowest common denominator acts which I hope they realise they will need to change in order to attract a decent crowd back again. I've always maintained RDB is the face of the operation but behind it, it feels like a massive corporation. What they say and what they do tend to be 2 completely different things.

They need to innovate with the times and bring together a truly quality drink selection for example.

Edited December 15, 2016 by Memory Man

[BlackHole2006]

Don't see why people are complaining. I went to Bestival in 2011 and had a great time, however the journey to IOW has always been a pain. This move is making me consider going again.

I've always been under the impression that Bestival books acts to cater for everyone. I've looked at the line ups each year and there have been some great non 'commercial' alternatives to the headliners. You cannot expect a festival to solely book acts that you enjoy. Bestival has always had an eclectic line up that has something for everyone. 

Edited December 15, 2016 by BlackHole2006

[johnl]

Good news for me. I refused to contemplate it before due to the grief of sorting out travel but it now provides a real alternative to FN6 which had a bad year in 2016.

Not sure lineup will work for me but definitely now on my to be considered list.

[Tommy101]

I think Bestival have been hemorrhaging repeat/regular punters, and most people who would ever go to a Bestival on IOW have been there to experience it, they can't get as many first timers as the more accessible/higher profile/smaller festivals from those willing enough to give it a go.

The move makes sense as it could attract regulars who have given up as well as more 'new' punters. I'd certainly give it a go IF the line up/headliners are to my taste whereas I wouldn't bother going back to the same site and having to pay the ferry tax to get there.

After last years poor attendance they don't have a lot to lose by the sounds of it. 

[Tr234]

What will the noise restrictions be like at this new location? Liked how bestival had a few outdoor stages that went on till 3-4 am

[Dukeicon]

58 minutes ago, Tr234 said:

What will the noise restrictions be like at this new location? Liked how bestival had a few outdoor stages that went on till 3-4 am

Have a read here what they are applying for. E - live Music. F - Recorded Music.

https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/media/218730/Lulworth-Castle--Grounds-premises-variation/pdf/redacted-Loudsound_Licence_Variation_Application_v1-signed_Redacted.pdf

[Dukeicon]

4 hours ago, eFestivals said:

Thanks for that.

So "back as big as ever" is now not happening.

Site Plan as well. Look as if the main stage has been moved backwards & VIP camping has been made smaller to create more room than at Camp Bestival.

https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/media/218734/Appx-B---Site-Plan-Bestival-2017/pdf/Appx_B_-_Site_Plan_Bestival_2017.pdf

[Michaels denim shorts]

Pretty stoked about this. It's just up the road from me, we can hear & see the glow of camp bestival from my mates garden so will definitely be grabbing some tickets if I can't get any easy work. I set up/close down for the WI at camp so hopefully they're doing this too 

[hoils]

1 hour ago, Dukeicon said:

Site Plan as well. Look as if the main stage has been moved backwards & VIP camping has been made smaller to create more room than at Camp Bestival.

https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/media/218734/Appx-B---Site-Plan-Bestival-2017/pdf/Appx_B_-_Site_Plan_Bestival_2017.pdf

I've found the Hidden Disco.

[Tom12]

3 hours ago, Dukeicon said:

Have a read here what they are applying for. E - live Music. F - Recorded Music.

https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/media/218730/Lulworth-Castle--Grounds-premises-variation/pdf/redacted-Loudsound_Licence_Variation_Application_v1-signed_Redacted.pdf

So does that mean the music could potentially go on until 5am? 

[Smeble]

Was thinking of giving bestival a go but didn't fancy 2 trips to IOW in one year,this is great news, already going to 4 festivals next year so may have to wait until 2018, next year will definitely be our last at IOW festival so this seems a perfect replacement, shame it wasn't announced before we bought our IOW tickets.

[glastobuds]

Been convinced by my youngest to go to camp bestival this year. Anyone done CB and latitude and how do they compare?  Also with Bestival now an attraction for locals any thoughts if that will impact on numbers or line up?