Could Bestival 2009 actually deliver, would the Bestival faithful return to Robin Hill and would this event attract and convert some Bestival virgins?

Bestival's been a bit of a grower since it hit the festival scene some 5 years ago, but this year the buzz was tinged with a little trepidation following 2008 which had brought with it truly horrendous weather turning the site into something resembling Armageddon fashioned out of mud. Festival goers and organisers alike had battled bravely on, but would that legacy affect this year's festival crowd? The already congested festival market has seen some powerful events delight festival goers this year - so could Rob da Bank et al pull it out of the bag?

Calling the festival 'The Year of the Spectacular' was always going to be a bit of a gamble; let's face it - it could have been spectacular at either end of the spectrum. It was certainly going to be hard to win over these reviewers, with many festivals under our belts this year we really were a bit festivalled out and truth to tell expectations weren't really very high, another weekend, another festival, what was Bestival going to offer that would be in any way different to what we'd already seen and experienced this year? It wasn't going to be easy for Rob da Bank to win over Safeconcerts this year, not even a little bit; we'd already seen the best - hadn't we?

This festival was all about the people and showed that just occasionally there is a spontaneous and special moment in time.

As it turned out we were in for quite a shock to our worn out little systems with this one, Bestival turned into quite the phenomenon and somehow managed to pull off an unexpected and very welcome coup. It wasn't just about the music, it wasn't just about the wealth of entertainment and it wasn't just about the blissful weather, this one was all about the people and proved that just occasionally there is a spontaneous and special moment in time.

The Bestival people actually get the whole festival vibe, the one where you can just be yourself or choose to be someone completely different for the weekend, it’s escapism at its very best, enabled and enhanced by Mr da Bank’s totally off the wall take on life, the universe and everything. Many can have an 'off the wall' mindset but not many can translate that into an extravagant life-enhancing shindig that is capable of converting even the most hardened cynic like Bestival can, it's a full on fantasy island where treats await at every twist and turn and there are a multitude of twists and turns to be found here.

Rob da Bank has a totally off the wall take on life, the universe and everything

Take a spoonful of kitsch, add an ounce or two of madness, twist in a phial of holiday camp spirit, drop in a can of the unexpected, a few dreams, a drop or two of diversity and a bit of fairy dust, mix it all together, shake well and leave to set for the summer, up pops Bestival all ready to stir your reality and spin it into a different universe. Bestival is a now a major event and one that we think you would like rather a lot.

Next: Bestival 2009 - take a quick tour