1. Far from being the 'boutique' festival it gets billed as, it's now at a capacity of around 30,000 and has pretty much outgrown this rather airy-fairy tagging. Too big to be the antidote to mainstream festivals it has a reputation for it could well be a victim of it's own success.
2. Queues abound at Bestival. Whether it's for the ferry or bus, a 40 minute wait for a morning bowel movement or nigh-on two hours spent next to some foul portaloos for the cash point (they were in the process of being cleaned, and I'm pretty sure I had a better time there than I would have had if I'd stuck around and watched moomin-faced songstress Lily ruddy Allen), standing like a lemon in line is par for the course. Robin Hill Country Park is a stunning setting, but in many ways doesn't lend itself to a festival. The obscenely cramped entrance/exit (through a gift shop!) meant folk trying to leave spent two and half hours and upwards in cattle-cramped conditions just to get out.
3. Much is spoken of the infamous Isle of Wight sniffer dogs, but we didn't see any. There
appeared to be an abundance of whatever it was said hounds were tasked with finding knocking around, so if the hounds existed maybe they were bunged up with a summer flu.
4. Not entirely sure where the 'family friendly' tag came from, but if you are a parent who brought your kid to Bestival - particularly one of the ones with a baby less than a year old with ear defenders on - you need to seriously question your judgement. Call Napoleon Solo Media old fashioned, but we can't really envisage what babies are getting out of being dragged around a field full of people on drugs to loud music.
5. Soulwax are still the best crossover band operating today. Their Monday night main stage set was so good it mattered not a jolt that they haven't released any new material in three years, half the songs aren't their own (they still 'do' Justice better than Justice themselves, by the way) and that Richard Dewale has started to resemble a cross between Rory Bremner's Paddy Ashdown and Boris Becker. Astoundingly good.
6. We can't add anything to what's already been written about Kraftwerk, so won't. But what we will say is: "OMG, THEY ACTUALLY HAD ROBOTS!"
7. What exactly IS the correct riposte is when somebody asks you, straight-faced, "excuse me mate, do you mind not bumping in to my jetpack" when in the queue for a crapper?
8. Riva Starr's tracks and remixes have lit up 2008 and 09. He's a dab hand at the controls too, as demonstrated by his Sunday evening jackathon. Here's hoping the forthcoming 'When Life Hands You Lemons...' album on the consistently excellent Made To Play delivers.
9. Despite the aforementioned gripes and flaws, it's a brilliant festival in a beautiful location which was graced with fantastic weather and a (largely) very nice crowd. The artist bookings are inspired, and anywhere which has a dedicated Polka tent richly deserves props.
10. Whoever you are: if you cannot appreciate the wonder of Abba tribute band Bjorn Again in the company of brilliant friends on a glorious late summer afternoon, then you are clearly losing touch with the human condition and really need to sort it out.
(Pictured: NSM gets down to Bjorn Again at Bestival 09)
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