Bestival takes place this weekend (7-10 September) at Dorset’s Lulworth Estate with some of the biggest and up and coming artist on show. Formally at the Isle of Wight, Rob Da Bank’s festival is set to be one of the best yet with the likes of The XX, Dizzee Rascal and more set to go on stage throughout the weekend. We will guide you through some of the acts to watch out for:
Blossoms – Thursday (The Box)
One of the success stories of the last 12 months, Stockport five piece Blossoms have quickly become one of the hottest bands on the planet following the release of their debut record which reached the top of the charts both here in the UK and across Europe.
Blossoms’ sound is a perfect balance between Josh Dewhurt’s crystalline guitar, Myles Kellock’s futuristic synths, Charlie Salt (bass) and Joe Donovan’s (drums) robust rhythm section and Tom Ogden’s star-bound vocals, a rich Northern croon vibrating in its own slipstream between Richard Ashcroft and Alex Turner.
The Magic Gang – Friday (Invaders of the Future)
The Brighton-based four-piece o
nly released one single in 2015 – No Fun with its flipside Alright – but support tours with Wolf Alice and Swim Deep secured their reputation as one of the country’s most enjoyable up and coming live bands.
Contrary to the song title, their well-crafted pop songs are charming enough on their own, but the effect is enhanced by how much fun the band obviously have on stage.They ended last year on a high with their own headline tour and continued that momentum into 2016, releasing their debut EP last month and announcing a London gig as part of NME’s awards shows
Honeyblood – Saturday (Invaders of the Future)
It’s not often a band or artist appear for the first time with a clutch of songs that seem to be perfectly written, fully formed and just a little bit magical but that’s what Glaswegian duo Honneyblood have managed to achieve with their first release Bud.
Already drawing comparison with the likes of Haim and Frankie Rose their brand of no-nonsense bittersweet pop has found them on the cusp of something truly special.
Circa Waves – Sunday (Castle Stage)
Circa Waves have quickly become one of the biggest indie bands in the country, their propulsive sound catching the imagination of an army of fans in no time at all culminating in the band playing two huge gigs at Alexandra Palace at the start of the year to celebrate the release of their stunning second album Different Creatures.
Loyle Carner – Sunday (Castle Stage)
The 20 year old from South London has been causing quite a stir since the release of his debut A Little Late EP in September 2014.
Since then support has come from all areas, championed on Radio 1Xtra by DJ Semtex and Phil Taggart, Huw Stephens at Radio 1 and Lauren Laverne at BBC 6 Music have all preached the gospel according to Loyle Carner.
