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When Rob Da Bank and the Sunday Best organisation announced they were organising a second Bestival festival in an already crowded and competitive festival market in 2008, some wondered if they were overstretching themselves. In a relatively short space of time, however, Camp Bestival has established its own family friendly identity in more intimate surroundings than the increasingly busy and overcrowded Bestival site on the Isle of Wight. Although the recession may be affecting leisure spending patterns in other areas of the economy, the reputation established during the inaugural Camp Bestival last year in Dorset has ensured that this year's event has already sold all of its weekend camping tickets.
With her debut album riding high in the charts, Florence And The Machine should attract a lot of interest on Friday, having recently supported Blur in Hyde Park and appeared at Glastonbury in recent weeks. From the same Island Records stable and also with a debut album to promote comes fellow newcomer VV Brown, who'll also be performing on Friday. She's not made the same impact on the charts yet, but she does have a reputation for lively outgoing performances.
Those who saw Kid Creole And The Coconuts perform at Bestival a couple of years ago were treated to an impressive greatest hits set. Their Friday Camp Bestival performance should be worth a visit to be reminded of some of their unique songs and Kid Creole's baggy trousers. Also on Friday, Hayseed Dixie return with their set of bluegrass cover versions of AC/DC songs and original compositions. Although some might argue that they are a one-off novelty act, Hayseed Dixie have been releasing records regularly over the past 10 years and always put on an entertaining show.
Mercury Rev are also booked to play on Friday. Their Snowflake Midnight LP from 2008 saw them undertake a new experimental electronic direction, which divided a few critics. However, the live shows timed to coincide with the release of the new record last year were utterly compelling. As well as newer material, the band still play songs from the acclaimed Deserter's Songs record. This performance could well be Friday's Camp Bestival highlight.
Bon Iver have been familiar performers at a number of festivals since the release of the For Emma, Forever Ago record in 2008. But the musical development in the band into something more muscular suggests their Saturday night spot is sure to be a highlight.
That ever-changing musical chameleon PJ Harvey is a festival exclusive for the Sunday Best Camp Bestival organisers. Whereas many of the Camp Bestival performers have played at other festivals during the summer, the Camp Bestival show is a one-off solo performance for Harvey. Tickets for her tour with long term musical collaborator John Parish sold out very quickly earlier this year, so for many this will be the first chance to see her perform in quite a while.
Damon Albarn's Honest Jons record label helped to resurrect the career of Candi Staton when they released a compilation of some her early 1970s recordings a few years ago. Candi has also released a couple of new studio recordings for the Honest Jon's label, which have proved that her voice is still as strong as it was when she started her recording career in the late 1960s. Camp Bestival is certainly in for a real treat when Candi appears on Sunday, intriguingly with former Merton Parka and Style Council keyboard player Mick Talbot.
The Essex hip-hop of dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip has been championed enthusiastically by Rob Da Bank (they record for his Sunday Best label). The inventive combination of spoken word lyrics and electronic beats has wowed Bestival crowds in the past and will no doubt do so again when the duo appear at Camp Bestival on Sunday. Let's hope they find time to perform the biting social satire of their Thou Shalt Always Kill.
Horace Andy's collaborations with Massive Attack are familiar to many, but Camp Bestival presents an opportunity to sample a full set of songs from the reggae legend with a unique voice. Classic Studio One reggae has gone down well with Bestival audiences in the past; let's hope the sun shines when Horace Andy and Dub Asante takes to the stage on Sunday.
Inbetween putting on fancy dress costumes and visiting the WI stall for tea and cakes, there are plenty of opportunities to check out an excellent selection of live music on offer. It's largely a reflection of the wide ranging tastes presented by Rob Da Bank on his Radio 1 show. While it's not always necessary to see lots of live performances to have a good time at a festival, that's certainly an option at this year's Camp Bestival.
Camp Bestival takes place on 24, 25 and 26 July 2009 at Lulworth Castle, Dorset. Weekend camping tickets are now sold out; for day passes and non-camping weekend tickets Camp Bestival.
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