News

Jonsi Added To Bestival Line Up

• 24th Mar 2010

With the countdown to Bestival’s September shindig well and truly underway we are very pleased to be able to announce some extra special additions to a stunning line-up that already includes The Prodigy, Dizzee Rascal, Flaming Lips, Roxy Music, Hot Chip, LCD Soundsystem and Fever Ray.

Rob da Bank says: “'As a massive supporter of Sigur Ros and just as big a fan of Jonsi's solo album 'Go' this is going to be a very special concert. Jonsi's voice is so incredible – get in the queue for the Big Top Saturday night now!”

We are massively excited to announce that Jónsi, frontman of Icelandic post-rock giants Sigur Rós, will be joining in with the Year of the Fantastic at our Robin Hill bash, playing material from his hugely anticipated solo album, ‘Go’ – which will be released in April. One of the most inventive and evocative artists around, his Bestival appearance will be one of only two UK festival shows this year showcasing the signature vocal style that has won him a fervent army of devotees. With Sigur Rós currently on hiatus, Jónsi’s stunningly captivating acoustic and string driven soundscapes, mainly sung in English this time, explore the ecstatic and dramatic depths of his expansive musical palette and will no doubt help transport the Bestival crew to their very own fantasy worlds.

As we’re opening on Thursday night for the second year running, we have some extra special action happening in the Big Top with mighty Wall Of Sound chief and BBC 6 Music electronic music guru Mark Jones’s incredible Back To The Phuture. Headlined by Steel City synth Svengalis Heaven 17, whose yuppie lampooning, cutting edge electronics meets soul made them one of the 80s most influential acts, Back To The Phuture connects classic dancefloor smashing synth-pop to today’s all-conquering electro sounds to create the perfect party to open our Year Of The Fantastic. With many more acts to be announced for their Big Top soiree, Back To The Phuture are set to make Thursday night essential Bestival fun.

Strapping on his disco boots Rob da Bank continues: “My first job was as teaboy for Mark Jones when he first set up Wall Of Sound in a damp corridor. I'm well pleased that we’re working together again albeit on a slightly larger scale as Jonesy and his brilliant Back To The Phuture boys and girls take over the Big Top on Thursday night. All about new music and some corking vintage music that still sounds new, I can’t think of a better headliner than Heaven 17 to kick off a monster weekend.”

Mark Jones Says: “We're delighted to be working together with Rob on a dedicated “Back To The Phuture” night at Bestival . Together we will be Joining The Dots on electronic music and are all set on making this an unmissable experience.”