Camp Bestival 2017

Huddled in our tent, strategically placed by a wind-blocking fence in the non-family camping area just behind the Big Top, we took cover from the barrage of rain and tribute acts. Yet we were able to enjoy the sounds of both as we snuggled in our sleeping bags. The clap of the thunderstorm and the howl of Elvana (Elvis-fronted Nirvana cover band) made for a very interesting soundscape, even if it wasn’t the one we were expecting on a Saturday afternoon in Dorset.

Camp Bestival, for the first time in forever, was a wash-out of weather. Spirits, however, were not dampened, as families continued to strut through the grounds of Lulworth Castle in their fancy dress. This year’s theme, “Rock Stars and Pop Stars,”was expressed by grannies dressed as Michael Jackson and toddler siblings as Axl & Slash.

Musically, the festival did a good job of diversifying the line-up. Yes, there were the aforementioned tribute acts paying homage to The Beatles, Nirvana, and The Smiths (twice! As The Smiths LTD and Mexrissey, who sing Moz’s lyrics in Spanish. I highly prefer the latter.) On Friday night, as Mark Ronson took to the Castle Stage with his DJ desk and a few flashy lights, The Blockheads headlined the Big Top with a jammy set of wacky 70s rock n roll. As different as those two acts are, both sets were driven by a love of funk. Ronson’s was expressed through snippets of top 40 hits that stem from the movement of 70s African American soul music, while The Blockheads expressed it in 9-minute jams by guitarists who learned how to play when the movement first happened. I like Mark Ronson. He’s a good musician who’s penned some unforgettable tunes. I wish he’d had the courage to bring that to the stage Friday night, instead of delivering a set that you’d hear while shopping at H&M.

Saturday night was a ska fest, featuring both the old and new of the genre. On the Castle Stage, Madness played their vibrant 80s hits to a raucous crowd. Suggs made light of their late appearance and Camp Bestival brand; neither the band’s sound nor his sense of humour has aged. At 56, he’s every bit the charming, boyish frontman he’s always been. On the Big Top, newcomers The Skints delivered a fantastic set of British reggae music. Though clearly inspired by what’s come before, The Skints bring an entirely new flavor to the genre, with a singing drummer and a multi-talented frontwoman, Marcia Richards, who takes on keyboards, vocals, saxophone, melodica, and flute. If you think you don’t like flutes in rock music, you haven’t heard Marcia’s flute solo. The group tours in the UK this fall.

Though the weather was properly pants, the logistics of Camp Bestival are well set up to be enjoyable no matter the conditions. You can make fun of the fact there is a laundrette and a Waitrose pop-up supermarket selling set meals at pre-booked tables, but these little conveniences were well enjoyed by the families in attendance. And yes, though there are soft-play areas and comedians whose jokes were tailored to 12-year-olds, there was plenty for the adults to enjoy, from the best G&T I’ve ever tasted at the Alchemy Bar, to yoga, massage, and a fantastic variety of food stalls.

Of course, one of the best things about Camp Bestival is its Dorset location, near many summer attractions along the heritage coast, so you can make a whole holiday out of it on either side of the festival. It’s a well-thought-out affair that we’ll keep going back to.