As a nervous first-time festival-goer, the thought of attending a music festival felt daunting. However, Camp Bestival 2019, held at the picturesque Lulworth Castle in Dorset from Thursday, July 25th to Sunday, July 28th, turned out to be the perfect initiation into the vibrant world of festival culture.
Arrival Amidst Sun-Soaked Dorset Hills
Arriving on Friday amidst the sun-soaked Dorset hills, I was greeted with clear skies and temperatures that flirted with the 30-degree mark. The journey there set the scene for a weekend of adventure. What struck me immediately was how smoothly everything unfolded.
Unlike larger festivals with endless queues for wristband exchanges, the process at Camp Bestival was remarkably swift. The car park was well managed and hassle-free, and the wristband collection was a breeze. As a newcomer, this ease of access was reassuring.
Leisurely Stroll to Yellow Campsite
Navigating from the Yellow Car Park to the Yellow Campsite was a leisurely 10-minute stroll. The campsite, predominantly occupied by families, offered ample space for setting up tents, gazebos, and even full camp kitchens. The only drawback was the sloping terrain, which, although manageable in the pleasant weather, could turn chaotic in less favorable conditions.
Exploring the Festival Grounds with Jamie
Once settled in on Friday, I embarked on a tour of the festival grounds with a photographer named Jamie. He introduced me to the quirky and distinctive aspects of the festival before returning to work. This gave me the opportunity to fully immerse myself in the festival’s offerings.
With a cold drink in hand, I wandered from one area to another, taking in the unique features that Camp Bestival had to offer. The festival trolleys, picnic blankets, and camping chairs dotted across the audience at The Castle Stage perfectly encapsulated the family-oriented vibe. It was clear that the festival was not just about music; it was about creating a holiday atmosphere for families, complete with children frolicking around, making it a memorable experience.
Evening Magic at The Castle Stage
As evening descended, The Castle Stage came alive with captivating performances by Jess Glynne, The Human League, and The Wailers. The crowd, a mix of young and old, relaxed on picnic blankets and camping chairs, celebrating music and togetherness. This sight epitomized the essence of Camp Bestival, where generations come together to transform a music festival into a family vacation.
Favorite Festival Spot: The Caravanserai
The Caravanserai, a makeshift arena bordered by shanti-style stages and quirky attractions, turned out to be my favorite festival spot. It was teeming with activities and surprises, providing a dynamic and immersive experience.
Meeting Neighboring Families and Sunday’s Relaxation
Saturday brought the opportunity to meet neighboring families and share stories of the festival experience. It was heartwarming to see a young boy winning an air guitar competition and being brought into the pit with Rob Da Bank to take photos of the acts. The sense of community was heartwarming.
The rest of the day featured a mix of music acts, from Beans on Toast adapting his set for a family-friendly audience to the Vengaboys inviting children on stage to dance to their iconic hit, “Boom Boom Boom.” Lewis Capaldi, defying warnings about his language, added humor to his performance, while (Ken Fox’s) WALL OF DEATH proved to be a must-see family stunt act.
Sunday unfolded at a relaxed pace, with explorations leading to the Green Peace and craft fields. Nick Cope’s family concert offered entertaining props and silly songs for young ones, and ASH and Bombay Bicycle Club brought their unique sounds to the stage, delighting festival-goers. Annie Mac’s DJ set was a captivating conclusion to the weekend, with attendees of all ages dancing the night away.
Smooth Monday Morning Exit
My Camp Bestival experience was wrapped up as I departed on Monday morning. The smooth exit was a testament to the festival’s impeccable organization.
Camp Bestival 2019, in all its weird and wonderful glory, provided a memorable initiation into the festival world for this nervous first-timer. It showcased the power of music to bring generations together and transform a festival into a family holiday, leaving me with cherished memories and a newfound love for live music experiences.
Temperature and Line-Up Highlights
Feeling fresher than Thursday. Maximum temperature 23 °C. Sunny spells and isolated showers on Saturday. Cloudier some bright spells and scattered showers on Sunday. Turning cloudier and windier during Monday with some rain.
Line-Up and Activities
Who’s on the line-up? And what are the stage times?
For a family festival, Camp Bestival has a pretty varied line-up. The headliners are made up of the usual suspects, with disco legends Nile Rodgers and Chic, Scottish pop sensation Lewis Capaldi and chart-topping singer Jess Glynne. Annie Mac, The Human League, Bombay Bicycle Club and Sister Sledge will also perform.
From there, though, things get decidedly wonkier. Grindcore pioneers Napalm Death sit alongside Dutch Eurodance favourites Vengaboys, 90s pop heartthrobs East 17 and rap comedy act Big Shaq. Oh, and there will be a performance from Elvana — the band which combines the music of Elvis and Nirvana, of course.
There are plenty of other great acts further down the line-up — including DJ sets from the likes of Grandmaster Flash, Sara Cox and David Rodigan. Check it out in full here.
What else is there to do at Camp Bestival?
Aside from all the music, there’s a hefty theatre contingent at this year’s festival. Much of it is aimed at children, with CBeebies Story Time, Mischief and Mystery in Moominvalley and Shaun the Sheep’s Vegetable Orchestra among them. There are also a fair few meet-and-greet type activities, with Wallace and Gromit and the Gruffalo in attendance.
Elsewhere, there are circuses, cabaret, science shows, theatre workshops, dressing-up tents, swing boats, face-painting and lots more.