Benicassim Festival 2011 Preview
Since its birth in 1994, F.I.B; ‘The Festival Internacional de Benicàssim’ has gone from strength to strength. The festivals main backdrop lying within in huge artists, spreading across, rock, pop & electronic. With names such as; The Pixies, Morrisey, Oasis, Prodigy & Underworld gracing the stages spread across the Valencian province. Then is it really any wonder that Benicàssim has fast become one of the biggest & most anticipated Festivals Europe has to offer? In 2010 it achieved a record of just over 127.000 people attending.
The increased popularity of the Heineken sponsored festival cannot only be acclaimed to the fact that they continually attract the biggest names in music year after year. Sure, it is largely due to this, but it also helps that the festival is so culturally diverse. Short-films, art exhibitions, live dancing are all on the menu of what to expect.
Interested, you should be! Oh, also should probably mention that the Festival is also situated on a BEACH! Sun, Sea, Sand… and the Hottest Music around means Benicàssim is a MUST for anyone! So get that pencil, get that diary and have the summer of your life!
Why Benicàssim?
After our first real tastes of visiting festivals last year; Glasto and Isle of Wight myself and my homies have well and truly caught the bug! I can’t think of many things better than spending your days without a care in the world, discovering new music in the day, distracting you from your killing hangover, jumping on some dodgems just before wet-wiping up and going back out see some quality live talent!!! However, festivals are expensive, and some people find them hard to justify ahead of an actual Summer Holiday. The solution… Beni!
Two birds one stone as the saying goes… Being a bit of a pastey git, last year’s Glastonbury was at times far too hot for my delicate skin, I am so white it’s unreal and unfair! I’m sure I’ll encounter the same experincex10 in Valencia, but with the comfort of having a beautiful sea and a coastal breeze to cool me down! Similarly my loser friends who tan easily (Who I’m not jealous of at all) will have sun loungers galore wherby they can relax and cram in on some serious tannage.
Also Beni is renowned for its non-stop entertainment and nightlife… and us ‘cool kids’ are all over the fact that music continues on throughout the early hours of the morning! We Party Rock!
2011… What to expect
Benicàssim 2011 takes place on the weekend of 14th July 17th July 2011… Although, those luck enough to posses a camping ticket have the opportunity to stay for 9days! During this time over 100 different acts will grace the festivals 4 main stages!
This includes British rap group The Streets headlining the Thursday.
American rockers The Strokes; back of the success of their long awaited new album ‘Angles’ return to F.I.B to Headline the Friday night.
The main attraction on Saturday is on paper Sheffield four piece the Arctic Monkeys, or though arguably it is their support ‘Mumford and Sons’ who on the back of their Grammy success have combined indie sounds with their banjos to put folk music back on the map.
Then to see the festival out with a bang is the awesome Canadian group ‘Arcade Fire’… with hit after hit, album after album for any attending Beni they are a must see.
Other acts not to miss and gracing the festival with their presence include; Plan B, Pendulum, Primal Scream, Chase & Status, Elbow, Killers front-man Brandon Flowers, Portishead and Tinie Tempah.
My pick of the smaller bands though have got to be Bombay Bicycle Club & Friendly Fires… Having seen them both many times before I can tell you now they will put on a show. No diggety!
For more information and tickets be sure to visit: http://benicassimfestival.co.uk
