Bestival 2012 Preview

Often referred to as Glastonbury's 'baby brother', this year sees Bestival's opportunity to prove itself to be one of the best festivals these fair isles have to offer. Unsurprisingly, Rob da Bank and co have lined up something special, pulling out one of the greatest line ups seen in the festival's nine year history.

So here is Artrocker's ten most wanted list, for those we'll be lining up to clap our ready and willing eyes on. Plus, if all else fails and by some cruel twist of fate all 10 manage to clash in some horrific line-up clusterfuck, we can still be safe in the knowledge that at Bestival, there's still plenty else to see and do.

Stevie Wonder
This year's marquee booking, Stevie Wonder will be bringing the celebrations to Bestival. If his Glasto set of 2010 is anything to go by, Wonder can pack any size set you throw at him with hit after hit. Plus, the man has been in showbusiness longer than most festival-goers have been on the planet so really does know how to put on a show and is tough to beat when it comes to festival closers. Just magic.

Sigur Ros
One of Bestival's 'UK Festival Exclusives', Sigur Ros return from hiatus with a new album and world tour. While 'Valtari' may lack the urgency or live-affirming nature of Takk or (), Sigur Ros are sure to throw everything into their set and show just why they are the best live act on the comeback trail. Plus, if they play the seemingly-made-for-the-moment 'Festival', the site will surely erupt into a new Avalon and Da Bank become an instant shoe-in for the New Year's Honours List.


Warpaint
With album number two currently being recorded in their LA studio, Warpaint are taking time out to play a handful of European dates in what will surely be an exercise in road-testing new material. If debut album 'The Fool' is anything to go by, however, it will be enchanting and mesmerising stuff made by a band that doesn't rely on flashy stage production or light shows but just great songs played incredibly.


Sister Sledge
They may be easy to skip over on the line up, being a little older and significantly less hipster friendly than some new, obscure indie band, but Sister Sledge have the hits to give anyone on the bill a run for their money. 'We are Family', 'He's the Greatest Dancer', 'Lost in Music', the list goes on. If you're not there dancing, you're dead to me, Tin Man.


TOY
One of our favourite new bands at the moment. Go and see their heartache induced kraut for an afternoon in the sun; stoned, wobbly and in the wood to go into some hipnotic trance for thirty minutes. On the cusp of releasing their debut album, this is sure to be an exciting show.
Nicholas Burman


Scroobius Pip
Proudly flying the flag for independent artists, Scroob is bringing his first(ish) solo album 'Distraction Pieces' to Bestival, along with a host of friends and compatriots at the Satin Lizard Lounge. If there was ever a man to make an audience feel inclusive, whether it's made of 10 people or 10,000, Scroobius Pip would be the one.


Jessie Ware
Playing Bestival off the back of captivating single 'Wildest Moments', soul-chanteuse Ware looks set to entice a huge following wherever da Bank chooses to slot her, with her uplifting vocal managing to aptly fit morning, afternoon or night. Debut 'Devotion', however, is a much more lively affair than the chart-bothering single, offering a garage influence surely gleaned from her days as UK dance vocalist du jour. Whilst it may lack the enrapturing nature of 'Wildest Moments', Ware's slot should still make for ideal festival slow-dance material.


Beans on Toast
Delightfully un-mainstream, Beans on Toast is an acoustic singer songwriter who - for the uninitiated - makes idiosyncratic, politically aware and never-sober anthems of youth. Funny without being novelty, Beans on Toast has been cited by everyone from Frank Turner to Sam Duckworth and Chris T-T as something of a genius. Plus, 'MDMAmazing' being played at a festival could well be the moment of the weekend for all those in attendance.


Clock Opera
Sounding remarkably like an acoustic-electro side project by Elbow's Guy Garvey, Clock Opera make ideal festival music, made all the better by the sun-drenched weather forecast lined up for the weekend. Yes, the rest of the summer may have been wetter than an otter's pocket, but Clock Opera are sure to bring a little irresistible summer wooziness to the island bash.


Crowns
Cornwall's Crowns are experts in salty, singalong sea shanties. Belting out tunes about drinking and falling in love, they make the perfect soundtrack for guzzling cider and howling choruses at the top of your lungs. Stevie Wonder may have all the PA power, but Crows and their rag-tag rabble will probably be heard across the entire site.