Bestival announces new stage The Spaceport, adds Fatboy Slim, Carl Cox, and Diplo

After a brief tease, organiser revealed that the popular Port stage (centring on dance and DJ talents) would not be gone entirely - merely redesigned.

very concerned we've heard nothing @Bestival HQ from HMS Bestival in over 2 weeks.. we're fearing the worst #RIPThePort #TheFuture

— Rob da Bank (@RobdaBank) February 22, 2016

Speaking about the new flagship fun zone, Mr. Da Bank says:

“Be under no illusions my futuristic friends… This stage is going to blow your mind and take you interstellar like no other stage before… This is The Future of the dance. HMS Bestival, our trusty old ship, has sunk or otherwise been sucked down a Bermuda Triangle shaped whirlpool, and thus we are reinventing Robin Hill’s sacred rave space once more with a spaceship the likes Planet Earth has never witnessed. A veritable space oddity standing seven storeys high The Spaceport will beam out music day and night, lit by lasers with giant astronauts floating across the sky. Prepare for take-off, take your protein pills and put your helmet on. See you at The Spaceport in T-minus 196 days and counting…”

The stage will feature a "vast rocket standing more than 20 metres high", lasers, a "state-of-the-art" sound system, and lighting design from Lite Alt Design's Paul Normandale (Chemical Brothers, Tate Modern Turbine Hall).

Diplo's Major Lazer project are also headlining the Friday night of the Bestival. The Cure, and a bunch of others, have also been confirmed.

Bestival 2016 takes place 8-11 September at Robin Hill Country Park on the Isle Of Wight. Tickets are on sale now.

The Port is dead. Long live The Spaceport! #Bestival16 #TheSpaceport pic.twitter.com/bChzCNdmwH

— Rob da Bank (@RobdaBank) February 24, 2016