Bestival Suffers From English Summer

06th September 2008 | by Gavin Riley

We may be in the last throes of the English summer, but a festival on these shores wouldn't be a festival without some freaky weather.

Bestival, set on the idyllic Isle of Wight is the latest weekender suffering from the torrential downpours befalling much of the country. Last night's BBC Introducing stage had to be pulled, after the rain made much of the standing area a quagmire.

Amongst the acts not making it onstage were Lykke Li and Black Kids.

Curator Rob Da Bank, put his optimistic (almost Michael Eavis-like) hat on, and told NME that things weren't so bad:

"Obviously people are going to moan about the rain but but I've been to enough muddy Glastonbury's to know that things always come good in the end. I've had loads of people come up to me and say this is actually the best Bestival they've ever been to. Onwards and upwards!"

Indeed Friday night was a blast, with My Bloody Valentine headlining and the Breeders, CSS and Jamie Liddell just a few of the many highlights from the day.

Grace Jones adorned the main stage this afternoon showing Amy Winehouse how it should be done, and despite a few showers, Bestival certainly seems to be going strong as it heads into its final day tomorrow.

Photo: Blank Slate