Camp Bestival Announce Even More Frolicsome Fun …

• 20th Feb 2009

Things are really hotting up at Camp Bestival HQ with Rob da Bank and the Camp Bestival team getting giddy gathering together even more glittering goodies for your pleasure this year. Taking place on the first weekend of school summer holidays (July 24-26th) in the picturesque grounds of Lulworth Castle in Dorset, Camp Bestival – winner of Best New Festival at the UK Festival Awards – is shaping up to be another rip-roaring celebration of good clean fun for all the family.

They are super excited to be able to confirm that the Critic’s Choice BRIT Award winning Florence & The Machine – you might have seen her giving a shout out to Rob da Bank when she received the award last night! – will be joining us with her deliciously off-kilter art-pop with soulful vibes. Veterans of the Bestival world, Florence & The Machine never fail to put on an amazing show and are sure to deliver a spellbinding set for the Camp Bestival crowd.

Also joining the party will be vibraphone wizard and soul funk legend Roy Ayers, Mercury Award nominated folk-popster Laura Marling, the greatest South-Walian rap group of all time Goldie Lookin’ Chain, the whimsical VV Brown, the campfire punk rock of Frank Turner, the soaring beauty of Blue Roses and the folk-noir of Peggy Sue.

Keeping the tents rocking into the night there will be DJ sets from Dalston’s legendary Disco Bloodbath, Dubstep selecta N Type, The Balearic Brothers who’ll be spinning their special brand of eclectic musical meanderings, Monsters At Work DJ's presenting The Psychedelic Sounds of Monsterism Island, We Are Your Friends residents and master of the shellac 78s Greg’s Greats.

But as you already know Camp Bestival isn’t all about the rock ‘n’ roll, there’s a veritable mountain of fun for the kids too with 100 Free Things for Kids to do, which this year will include CBeebies superstar Mr Tumble AKA Justin Fletcher. A bona fide cult hero his Something Special show on CBeebies uses the Makaton signing system combined with his unique brand of slapstick to entertain all ages, making Mr. Tumble a welcome addition to all the family fun. For the slightly older and more well-read crowd the Book Worm stage will be hosting a feast of rhapsodists and rhymers including performance poet Musa Okwonga, Poejazzi's Joshua Idehen, Ventriloquist aka poet/producer Chris Redmond, Aisle 16's John Osbourne, Homework's Chris Hicks, Slam poet John Berkavitch and word artist Inua Ellams, whilst the literary line-up is bolstered by the addition of Joe Dunthorne and Josie Curran and her 'Organised Fun' Animal Games.

We’ve also got even more comic turns and stand ups joining us including Ed Byrne, Maxwell's Fullmooners, Craig Campbell, Jim Jeffries, Ian Stone, Carl Donnelly, Jason John Whitehead, Matt Reed, Tiernan Douieb, Pros From Dover, Tim Fitzhigham, Glenn Wool, Jamie Kilstein, Matt Reed (MC), Al Barrie and Early Edition with Marcus Brigstocke, Phill Jupitus, Andre Vincent and Carrie Quinlan. Finally, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the legendary ‘This Is Spinal Tap’. The one and only original rockumentary will be re-released on HD DVD later this year with a host of previously unseen footage and to celebrate its launch and the film’s all-round general magnificence we will be showing ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ in all its glory at Camp Bestival, so get your laughing gear on!

Rob da Bank commented: “Here we are again spoiling ourselves and you lovely folk with more music and mayhem from the Camp Bestival…umm camp!

“Roy Ayers is simply one of the funkiest men on earth and has made some of my favourite ever records. Florence and The Machine smashed Lulworth Castle apart last year and aside from trying to get off with Chuck Berry onstage she was one of the highlights so we've got her back! Blue Roses and Golden Silvers are colourful and kaleidoscopic new artists I’m loving and I can’t wait to shout along to Goldie Lookin’ Chain…

“But I suppose the person I’m most excited about seeing at Camp Besti is Mr Tumble (non parents may have to google him, parents will have watched him most days of their parenthood!) and the 25th anniversary of Spinal Tap is well worth celebrating. Join us in the Big Top for a special viewing with guest speakers and tea and cakes!”

With lots and lots more still to be announced keep checking link for more guaranteed fun for all the family.