Yestival its Bestival!

Its back and as always its going to be a belter. Had a year off it last year as Rob didn’t want me playing the unique blend of Country and Western I had perfected! I’ve been really lucky to be involved and on the line ups since day one. Its not often you get to play something as special as Bestival has turned out to be.

This was the first year ( 2004 ) and I was in the Bollywood Bar. Up after me was the lovely Zoe Ball. Frankly not the best spinner in the world but full of energy and served up a nice little kiss. A charming young philly and I’ve since met her Dad. He, like here, is quite barking but lovely to boot. Norm didn’t spot the peck on the cheek as he was lurking on the edges of the tent. The vibe in Bollywood is stonking and at midnight its the place to be. A good start to my Besty career!

In 2005 I graced the main stage on the Friday and on the Sunday. Well almost. Friday went very smoothly with not a hitch and as I started at 2pm and played in between bands until 7pm, bevvie wise I was in good shape. That could not be said for the Sunday. Unfortunately the Saturday evenings frolics had got  the better of my mate Richy and I and come set time, it wasnt to be. It is the first time I’ve ever missed a gig and I’m not proud. I was unconcious in a field with a ripped pair of shorts to my name. My so called compadre Richy found this highly amusing and continued his tittering between sips from a brand new set of beers. Bastardo.

You get a great view from the main stage. Assuming you get up there in the first place! Thats where I ended up in the 2006 Bestival and this year I was sporting a very suave charity ‘tache’.

Although I was doing my breakfast show for Sovereign Radio in Eastbourne, I was still on air with Isle of Wight Radio on a Saturday morning. Tom Stroud and Andy Shier were doing ‘as live’ interviews for the station and I recall chin wagging away, blissfully unaware that I was shedded. Proud? Of course, its a festival. What did make me chuckle is that when you heard the other stuff going out on the station, the music being played in the background was actually my set. Bosh.

2007 saw me under canvas once again but this time in the Bigtop. What a room. Absolutely massive and the choons sound great in largerama. This is where you can catch some superb acts and late in the evening makes a good alternative to the main stage. Last year ( 2008 ) I didn’t play but nonetheless attended. There are loads of excellent DJs on the Island and they all deserve a spin. Spent most of my time in the insanely amusing ‘Polka’ tent, jigging to the pots and pans stylings of one, Penny Metal. Shes back this year and its a must see experience.

Dan Gaches and I on the Saturday evening getting ready to don our surfboards. It was horrendous weather wise but that didn’t matter a bit. The bands and jocks were superb and as a real treat, the Stereo MCs were in the Red Bull tent. Get connected? By going to the Bestival you can’t fail to.

This year I’m playing in the ‘Hidden Disco’ on the Friday afternoon. 1600 – 1730hrs. Come up and say hi and get down to the full fat funk!