Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2013 | Page 112

ENTERTAINMENT
Bestival and giving the Isle
of Wight such a great annual
event. They have shown they
are not just there to make
money out of the Island, but
are prepared to give so much
back.”
Norman has been back to
the Bestival three times as
a spectator since his first
appearance. This year he
will be back working as the
Friday night headline act and
admits: “It is a great honour
to be chosen to help celebrate
the 10th birthday and be king
of the party for one night. It
is a very similar honour to
be chosen to perform at the
closing ceremony at last year’s
London Olympics, although
I expect a bit more anarchy at
the Bestival.”
He continued: “Having
seen the Bestival grow as it
has I feel a bit like a proud
uncle at Christmas seeing
the kids and saying ‘my
haven’t you grown?’ I have
done a lot of festivals and
Bestival is undoubtedly one
of my favourites. It’s as if
the audience become the
performers and everyone feels
part of it.”
Norman revealed that as

Bestival was voted the
Best (medium-sized)
Festival at the 2006
UK Festival Awards.
It was voted the best
major UK festival in
the UK festival awards
2010 and again in
2012, while picking
up Fans Favourite
Festival in 2011.

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this is a ‘special Bestival’ he
has been working on a few
surprises for the revellers.
He would not give too much
away apart from to say:
“Preparing for this one is
taking a lot more time than I
would normally spend. I am
working substantially harder
than I do for most other
festivals.”
The legendary Elton John
is the Sunday night headline
act at Bestival this year and
that provides a reunion for
Norman who said: “He
opened my show in Ibiza
for me last year, and he is a
lovely guy. It s a coup having
Elton there this year after
Stevie Wonder a year ago.
Elton is something of a living
institution, and he appeals to
people of all ages.”
Norman will appear at
Bestival after a whistle-stop
schedule that has seen
him perform in Las Vegas,
Glastonbury and a host of
European venues. Now he
will soon be returning to
the Island for what promises
to be a true music and fun
extravaganza.

Here are a few reminders of how
Bestival has grown over the years
and who has performed at it:
2004 The Bees, Basement Jaxx, Zero 7, Fatboy Slim.
Estimated attendance: 7,000.
2005 Röyksopp, The Magic Numbers, Super Furry Animals.
Att: 15,000
2006 Gogol Bordello, Pet Shop Boys, Scissor Sisters,
Kid Creole & The Coconuts, Klaxons, Lily Allen. Att: 17,000.
2007 Beastie Boys, The Chemical Brothers, Primal Scream,
Madness. Att: 29,000.
2008 My Bloody Valentine, Amy Winehouse, Underworld.
Att: 30,000.
2009 Massive Attack, Kraftwerk, Elbow. Att: 43,000.
2010 The Prodigy, The Flaming Lips, Dizzee Rascal.
Att: 50,000.
2011 Pendulum, The Cure, Björk, Primal Scream. Att: 45,000.
2012 Stevie Wonder, Florence + the Machine, New Order.
Est att: 55,000.
2013 Bestival Birthday Bash: Elton John, Fatboy Slim,
Snoop Dogg. Anticipated att: 55,000.

A brand new arena will be introduced for
this year’s Bestival – Temple Island. It will
take its place among more than 20 stages
in 10 fields of Bestival wonderment.
Temp