First big wave of acts announced for Camp Bestival 2018

Posted on

November 24, 2017

Festi-holiday frolics ahoy!

The Camp Bestival crew have hit the slipway to launch their good ship onto the high seas of the summer holiday, brimming with incredible spectacles, joyous music, amazing food, luxury camping and tons of fun for all the family. by announcing the very first wave of shipmates, acts and entertainers cruising into Lulworth Castle from the 26^th to the 29^th July 2018.

Bringing all three of our headliners above board for this first announcement, we are delighted to reveal that Simple Minds will be heading leeward-ho on Sunday night topping the bill before their epic fireworks finale.

Effortlessly sailing the rickrolling waves, baritone crooner Rick Astley will be joining Camp Bestival to headline Friday night.

Rick Astley for BMG by Pip

And Saturday’s chief seafarers are huge Camp Bestival favourites, Clean Bandit.

Keeping the big guns firing there will also be a big top headline appearance from techno trailblazers Orbital on Sunday night and Basement Jaxx will hit the decks in big ol’ blue on Saturday night. But that’s not all, we’ll be chock-a-block with copper-bottomed good times including Sara Cox presents Just Can’t Get Enough 80s warming up for Rick Astley, Brit pop heroes Shed Seven, BGT winner Tokio Myers, tender troubadour Declan McKenna, YouTuber dodie, Jamaican giants The Skatalites, and turntable wizard Jaguar Skills.

Celebrating 20 years of rocking the sweet soul and b-boy control, all with added risqué action, The Cuban Brothers will present La Familia with a full live band show, there will be DJ sets from Fearne Cotton and Huey Morgan’s NYC Block Party, expect all manner of mum moshing and dad dancing with live sets from Stereo MCs, The Undertones, the mighty Pop Will Eat Itself, psych chanteuse Jane Weaver and Jesus Jones and don’t miss hardcore, jungle, techno and breaks action with Billy Daniel Bunter & Raindance. We’ll also have the return of one of 2017’s biggest hits, Elvana: Elvis Fronted Nirvana, fiddle-fuelled folk from Chris Wood, and junior rave time with Big Fish Little Fish.

As ever, family shows and entertainment are front and centre on the promenade deck with top billing turns from long time CB legend Mr Tumble and Castle Stage faves Dick and Dom who commented on their return: “We’re back for our seventh year. HUZAAAR!!! Setting sail now in our tiny pink tub. See you in the summer, you nautical sea monkeys!”

They will also have dino-mite fun with Dinosaur World Live, Ballet with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Pirates of Penzance – The Musical, Royal Albert Hall’s Seafaring Symphony & Workshops, the return of ‘Come Dancing’ In Spiegeltent with Karen Hardy Studios, Underwater Carnival Night Parade, Sailing Talks with High Seas Adventurers, Pirate Bedtime Stories, The World of Supersaurs and Now That’s What I Call Sea Shanties.

There will be teen talks and opinions from Gemma Cairney and Katie Thistleton. And don’t miss fun for all the family including HMS Camp Bestival hosted by the Blue Coats, Pirate Sandpit, the Dingly Dell featuring Den Building & Tree Climbing, Crafty Cabin with Katie Jones’ Knit & Lizzie King’s Tie-Dye, the Insect Circus & Museum, The Greatest Tent on Earth!, a bigger and better Art Town, Bigtopmania Kids Theatre & Circus, Spinney Hollow Woodland Crafts and the Sports Park & Skate Ramps.

There will be lots of delicious food and drink on offer too including The Feast Collective hosted by DJ BBQ, River Cottage presents Family Feasting & Culinary Workshop, Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen’s Kente Kala-Bash Supper Club, and Rob & Josie’s Gin Festival, with lots more to be announced.

A handsome complement so far, we think you’ll agree but we’re not quite all aboard just yet. There are many more hands due on deck so keep a keen eye in your crow’s nest for more maritime beauties coming alongside soon!

With Camp Bestival Setting Sail for 2018, they thought it only right to partner with the greatest sailors we know: the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust! For the first time this year, they’re adding a £1 charity donation on to all Camp Bestival tickets, which will go directly to the Trust (Reg. Charity no. 4597114). This money will be used to fund their amazing work that helps young people rebuild their confidence after being diagnosed with cancer.

We are super excited by this news, are you?