Graham Tarrant

Victorious Festival returned to Southsea with its most impressive line-up yet.

Incredibly, Victorious began each day with a band capable of taking top-bill at any festival.

On Friday, Primal Scream kicked off proceedings in their own unique style, having headlined Glastonbury earlier this summer. Taking to the stage in a red suit made from the classic Screamadelica sunburst album cover, Bobby Gillespie launched into Swastika Eyes – although the band began with with a few rarities, they soon launched into their singalong anthems, before being joined by the local Southsea Alternative Choir for a heavenly rendition of Come Together.

The only trouble with beginning a festival with a band so good as Primal Scream and a frontman as enigmatic as Bobby Gillespie is how to follow them…Self Esteem brought the choreography to the main stage, while Anna Calvi came with classic style and impressive guitar solos, but it wasn’t until 90’s legends James took to the stage that anyone came close to their stage presence. Diving into the crowd multiple times and even trying some crowd surfing, frontman Tim Booth is still at the top of his game, finishing inevitably with Sit Down.

Bombay Bicycle Club were fairly bland with their indie-pop, but Stereophonics reignited proceedings, for yet another triumphant headline slot at Victorious. Playing a mix of new songs from their brilliantly named album Oochya, along with classics such as Traffic and Thousand Trees, they left to a firework finale with the sublime Dakota.

Reiterating the point that headliners aren’t only there for the evenings, Sugababes began proceedings on Saturday lunchtime – no wonder the roads around Portsmouth and Southsea were gridlocked so early. Playing hit-after-hit, the original three girl line up reformed earlier this year with style, glitz and glamorous catsuits.

The Sugababes were definitely the highlight of the day, although Bastille were a close second, despite vocalist Dan Smith frequently reclining on a chez-lounge (yes) throughout his energetic set. During Shut Off The Lights, it was truly impressive to see all the iPhones (and Androids) flashlights fill the sky with stars, before the band finished with the pounding drums of anthemic Pompeii. 

Sunday was arguably the best day of the weekend, with not only The Libertines taking to the stage at 1pm on the Common Stage, but Example opening proceedings on the separate Castle Stage. What a choice to make after breakfast at one of the hundreds of food stalls. Pete Doherty played the festival previously as a solo artist in 2017, but was far more coherent and in fine form with Carl Barat and the rest of The Libertines. Carl graciously gave a heartfelt shout out to local mental health charity Tonic also. 

Sam Ryder followed with his amazing flowing locks, concluding with Eurovision runner-up song Space Man, joined by the local Portsmouth Batala band.

Suede later strutted onstage with their brattish attitude and swagger of their former selfs still seamlessly intact. Elsewhere, Becky Hill drew in a huge crowd at the Castle Stage after disco queen Sophie Ellis-Bextor brought the glitch, glamour and sequins.

Finishing off the weekend was a true battle of headliners.  Sam Fender brought his strong Geordie accent and crowd pleasing rock to the main stage, while The Voice’s Anne-Marie took over the Castle Stage, with multiple songs about her numerous ex-boyfriends and catchy singalongs – she is clearly born to be a performer with no back up dancers or dance steps needed.

What an epic end to another summer. Happy and glorious, Victorious!

Words: Graham Tarrant

Camp Bestival is the best family festival of the year.

As well as being the ultimate festival for children of all ages, this year, Camp Bestival went one step further.

It smashed the Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Disco Dance in Dorset!

In celebration of this year’s Desert Island Disco theme, on Saturday 30 July, 598 disco dancers headed to the festival’s giant glittering ball, where kitchen-disco legend Sophie Ellis-Bextor danced with the crowds into the record books, smashing the previous record by over 274 people.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor said in an interview “From my own Kitchen Disco to a fully-fledged all-sequin disco extravaganza in the glorious grounds of Lulworth Castle, I am so thrilled to have played a sparkling part in helping Camp Bestival achieve the official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the Largest Disco Dance. Congratulations to all you fabulous disco Kings and Queens!”

Camp Bestival curator Rob da Bank added: “It was amazing to see families and people of all ages come together and show off their best disco moves under the dazzling glitter ball. As well as having a huge amount of fun, we’re incredibly proud that the attempt has raised funds for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. Huge congratulations to all dancers involved!”

From extreme bike battles, the world’s biggest bouncy castle, flying trapeze artists, a science tent, yoga retreats, through to educational workshops and an incredible musical line-up including Rag’n’Bone Man and Rudimental,  Camp Bestival really does have something for everyone.

On Friday, festival favourites The Cuban Brothers shocked crowds with their own unique style of breakdancing mixed with semi-nudity, before joining the crowd in an attempt to create the world’s largest conga line. Unfortunately the Guiness World Record adjudicators weren’t on site to verify this hilarious attempt. 

Later Jo Whiley played her crowd pleasing 90’s anthems, mixing all the best tracks from the arguably the greatest decade for music. Think Blur vs Oasis, Fatboy Slim, Primal Scream, The Verve, The Chemical Brothers, Faithless, The Prodigy and a whole lot more.

Finishing the Friday night was Rag’n’Bone Man, who saved his huge hits Gi©ant and Human for the end, making sure the crowd didn’t go anywhere until he played them.

Saturday at Camp Bestival always begins with acts for the younger fans and this year was no exception with Mr Tumble, Brainiac Live, and Dick & Dom for the older kids who have never grown up or get tired of shouting ‘boggies’.

The disco theme continued throughout the day with the Earth Wind and Fire Experience and headliners Kool and the Gang – neither band understandably had the energy of their former years, but very few people in attendance would have even been born when both groups enjoyed their biggest successes in the 70’s.

Sunday at Camp Bestival is always a more relaxed family affair, but Mr Motivator ensured that everyone got on their feet and re-energised. 

Shed Seven took to the stage in the late afternoon, and it appears the singer must have a fountain of youth in his garden and he doesn’t seem to have aged a day since their big hits in 1996. Saying this, at one point he thanked Big Feastival so possibly he didn’t realise where he was.

Clearly touched with emotion at the young crowd, while his own children were thousands of miles away in Australis, Example proclaimed this was the best family festival in the world. While he used a few extra expletives, he’s not wrong.

Rudimental played hit after hit before the annual fireworks are always such an amazing site over Lulworth Castle. The castle itself was lit up with images of the festival’s icon Lovebot, while One Love rang out.

Next year is the festival’s 15^th anniversary and it’s clear why so many return each year.

I can’t wait for the next Camp Bestival, and fortunately the wait isn’t too long this year. As well as the annual festival which takes place in Dorset, the festival is expanding!

Those in Shropshire can now look forward to their own Camp Bestival later in August. With an incredible musical line-up including Fatboy Slim, Rag’n’Bone Man and Becky Hill, Camp Bestival Shropshire really does have something for everyone.

For tickets or further info please visit: shropshire.campbestival.net/

NASS is the hottest UK festival of the year…so far!

With an eclectic mix of BMX, street-skaters, grime, rap, hip hop and pop, NASS created the most exciting street culture event in the festival calendar, without question.

Friday highlighted the sheer variety of music on offer. Kurupt FM, fresh from their headline appearance at the Arcadia stage of Glastonbury drew a huge crowd within the Hanger at Shepton Mallet. Originally a comedy act from BBC mock series ‘People Just Do Nothing’, MC Grindah truly is one of the best MC’s on the scene. If the band had been formed in the heyday of garage at the start of the 2000’s, they would surely have been one of the biggest genuine acts.

Over on the main stage Willow Kayne stepped in for a surprise appearance with her FIFA-22 soundtrack hit ‘Two Seater’…later Mabel brought glamour with her pumped up-pop. Her bright and beaming tunes may not have been what the average NASS attendee wanted to hear, but it’s clear after her slot, she’ll be headlining in the future.

Speaking of headliners, this was first time Headie One has topped the bill at a UK festival. Although he played a mix of his own tracks, much of his set was made up of covers of his contemporaries, such as Dave and Notorious B.I.G. It’s a shame he didn’t play more of his own tracks to showcase his writing talents.

On Saturday, the BMX and street skate qualifiers began – simply, wow! The moves pulled off in the men’s and women’s competitions were truly breathtaking and the skills defied gravity. As well as International pro skateboarders, competing athletes included Olympic talent such as gold medallist Charlotte Worthington and Team GB’s Declan Brooks. With a combined prize purse of £60,000 it was impressive and sporting to see each talented participant cheer on their competitors while waiting on the ramps.

Saturday’s line up was arguably stronger than the opening day, with artists getting increasingly impressive as the sun shone down.

Bad Boy Chiller Crew were a second-rate Kurupt FM, with novelty tunes, a bassline, bucket hats and for some reason, sweltering balaclavas. Later, Gentleman’s Dub Club proved they are one of the ultimate festival bands with sharp suits and sharper notes.

Later the glamour truly took to the stage with Raye. She stated in an interview that ‘people know the songs, but they don’t know me’ – surely that’s all going to change. She’s currently not signed to a label and is an independent artist, but after this performance, it won’t be long until she’s signed and has a number one album. Her outfit malfunction was a little cheeky however.

Queen of pop Becky Hill followed, proclaiming that the crowd shouldn’t think they’re too cool for her brand of pop. It’s clear she’s a lover of Drum’n’Bass with chart-topping hits such as ‘Run‘. She’s must have now played every festival in the UK, but is always a crowd pleaser and won over many waiting for Saturday headliner, Loyle Carner.

Arguably the nicest bloke in rap, Loyle made multiple dedications to his mother. Not the coolest thing for the skater audience, but it was well intentioned. 

After a hard day in the park, Saturday concluded with the thrilling ring of fire, which skaters fearlessly rode their boards through. Well… while some rode through it, others wiped out and others were less fortunate in catching the ring head-on. All in the aid of some much-needed beer tokens.

As usual at a festival, Sunday was a far more sedate affair. The temperatures soared, so many took shelter from the sun. Ms Banks and Ella Eyre played hot sets before Wilkinson delivered his fiery new album Cognition in full. Like the rest of the festival, the set relished in a mix and myriad of styles and genres across the musical spectrum.

Concluding the festival on a high was AJ Tracey with an impressive headline set. Closing out this year’s event in impressive style, with his legendary ‘Ladbroke Grove’ and ‘Thiago Silva’. 

Early bird tickets for next year’s NASS go on sale on Wednesday 13 July.

Don’t miss out on this hot festival.

© Graham Tarrant