Line-up announced for Camp Bestival 15th Birthday event
The event at Lulworth Castle returns this July
A huge 15th Birthday party is being planned at this year's Camp Bestival Dorset, taking place at Lulworth Castle this July (27th to 30th).
The family friendly festival is bringing back is HMS Camp Bestival stage, with a line-up including Fat Tony, Woody Cook, Jaguar Skills and Gok Wan going back-to-back with curator Rob da Bank.
We're told the 'enormous cruise ship stage' will include dancers, pyrotechnics and plenty of party vibes on the Saturday of the four day event.
Among those announced is Woody Cook - son of legendary DJ Fatboy Slim and broadcaster Zoe Ball - and fashionista Gok Wan, who said:
“Family, vibrant, exhilarating and discovery are just some of the superlatives that you can say about Camp Bestival, one of the finest curated events this country has to offer, it was without a doubt up there as 1 of the top 3 events I did in the summer of 2022.
"It's no mean feat in a hugely competitive market to get to a 15th birthday and still be as relevant and loved as they are. Big love to Rob da Bank and his incredible team, here's to 15 more.”
Camp Bestival curators Rob & Josie da Bank said:
“Paaaaarrrrtttyyy! Can you believe it?! We’ve been 15 years down in Dorset! and, as you know, we love any excuse for a party, but this is a good one. Not a bad age to reach in festival years and to be this old (or maybe this young?!) so we’re going all out with a major new stage and some ace talent additions.
"First up we’re bringing our ship into the fields of Lulworth - yup that’s right Josie and her creative gang are dusting off HMS Camp Bestival (our beloved boat from The Port stage at Bestival), giving her a brand new look and sailing her up The Solent to moor up at Camp Bestival Dorset 2023. This is honestly one of the funnest, coolest looking stages out there in festival land and we’re gonna have some serious naughty nautical antics aboard! Gok Wan blew us all away with his high energy DJ set last year and he’s kindly agreed to let me go back-to-back with him onboard!
"We also have Fat Tony - a legend in his own lifetime - and someone who knows how to rip up a party, plus we have the amazing and practically Camp Bestival resident Jaguar Skills and 24 Hour Garage Girls, plus a special shout to Woody Cook, joining us for his inaugural DJ set. Anchors aweigh and look shipshape me hearties! See you there.”
These latest additions build on the already announced headliners Grace Jones, Craig David Presents TS5 and The Kooks, plus iconic acts Melanie C, Sophie Ellis-Bextor as well as Sam Ryder and Ella Henderson.
On top of this, Dick & Dom, Cosmic Kids Yoga, Junior Jungle and Mr Tumble will entertain families of all ages at the unmissable four-day celebration.
This year, the space will be transformed into a magical menagerie for the whole family to let their inner animals shine with an all new ‘Animal Snap’ theme.
Camp Bestival will also partner with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for 2023’s edition of the festival.
Louise Oakley, Director of Events and Community Fundraising at WWF said:
“Across the world, and in the UK, nature is on its knees. More than 40% of UK species are in decline, and our recent Living Planet Report found that population sizes of global wildlife have plummeted by 69% on average since 1970.
“But it isn’t too late to turn things around. WWF is delighted to be working with Camp Bestival this year to share our work with festival-goers and get vital support to bring our world back to life. We can’t wait to join in the fun!”