First, the folks behind Bonnaroo expanded to Ontario with WayHome this year, and now Bestival is following suit. The English festival has just announced its first-ever international event, which will be taking place on Toronto Island on June 12 and 13.
Festival has been running in the UK since 2004. This Canadian instalment is being presented along with Embrace and SFX Entertainment, with the fun taking place at Hanlan's Point Beach on Lake Ontario.
Bestival's founder and curator Rob da Bank said in a statement:
We have waited 12 years to decide to launch another Bestival outside of the UK and our beloved Bestival, on the Isle of Wight, which has grown into one of the most important festivals in the global calendar. It took a really special city, and an even more exciting site, with Toronto and Toronto Island, to make us take the leap. So, the waiting is over and we are so excited to be launching in North America in June, with a classic Bestival line-up waiting to thrill, intrigue and party! I'd like to thank all our partners, friends, new and old, and supporters in Toronto, for making this happen. We cannot wait!
The lineup hasn't yet been announced, but it will likely be star-studded, given that past Bestival performers have included Beastie Boys, My Bloody Valentine, Aphex Twin, Björk, Brian Wilson, New Order and Kraftwerk. Some fans might remember that the Cure have even released a live album from Bestival.
A press release promises that this event will allow "our North American cousins can drink deep from our admittedly eccentric English cup that overflows with amazing music, insane sideshows and magical happenings." That cup metaphor sounds a little gross, but we're excited nonetheless!
Stay tuned for more details to be fleshed out via the newly launched website for the Toronto edition.
Meanwhile, the annual UK instalment of Bestival will run from September 10 to 13. Performers include the Chemical Brothers, Underworld, Duran Duran, Tame Impala, Flying Lotus, Jurassic 5, Future Islands and more.
Festival has been running in the UK since 2004. This Canadian instalment is being presented along with Embrace and SFX Entertainment, with the fun taking place at Hanlan's Point Beach on Lake Ontario.
Bestival's founder and curator Rob da Bank said in a statement:
We have waited 12 years to decide to launch another Bestival outside of the UK and our beloved Bestival, on the Isle of Wight, which has grown into one of the most important festivals in the global calendar. It took a really special city, and an even more exciting site, with Toronto and Toronto Island, to make us take the leap. So, the waiting is over and we are so excited to be launching in North America in June, with a classic Bestival line-up waiting to thrill, intrigue and party! I'd like to thank all our partners, friends, new and old, and supporters in Toronto, for making this happen. We cannot wait!
The lineup hasn't yet been announced, but it will likely be star-studded, given that past Bestival performers have included Beastie Boys, My Bloody Valentine, Aphex Twin, Björk, Brian Wilson, New Order and Kraftwerk. Some fans might remember that the Cure have even released a live album from Bestival.
A press release promises that this event will allow "our North American cousins can drink deep from our admittedly eccentric English cup that overflows with amazing music, insane sideshows and magical happenings." That cup metaphor sounds a little gross, but we're excited nonetheless!
Stay tuned for more details to be fleshed out via the newly launched website for the Toronto edition.
Meanwhile, the annual UK instalment of Bestival will run from September 10 to 13. Performers include the Chemical Brothers, Underworld, Duran Duran, Tame Impala, Flying Lotus, Jurassic 5, Future Islands and more.
