The Bestival Island Band & DJ Competition came back in 2008, hungrier than ever to pluck some future superstars from the wealth of talent that the Isle of Wight holds.

The initial shortlist has now been compiled by Bestival head honcho Rob da Bank and he selected his 10 favourite Island bands and 6 favourite Island DJs from the pile.

The voting is now closed and the 5 bands and 3 DJs with the most votes will be performing in the live Bestival Island Band & DJ Competition Final at Ryde Theatre on Wednesday 18th June.

The overall winning Isle of Wight band will get the chance of a lifetime prize of being the first band to play on the main-stage at the award-winning Bestival (on Friday 5th September), whilst the overall winning DJ will be awarded a coveted slot in one of the event’s many hot and sweaty dance tents - yowsah!

This is truly a great leg-up in the music industry and an opportunity for Island based bands and DJs not to miss!

Rob has actually asked last years Bestival Island Band Competition winners Hugo Frusslinky (pictured above) to return and grace the stage for the second year in a row this September.  Whilst we also remember that he has now signed previous competition winners Bastila to his very own Sunday Best Recordings record label (and they will also be appearing at Bestival for the second time this year).

Bestival - Island Band & DJ Competition Final
Date: Wednesday 18th June
Venue: Ryde Theatre, Lind Street, Ryde, IOW, PO33 2NL.
Doors: 7:00pm
Finish: midnight
Admission: Free
Age: All ages (U18 accompanied by parent/guardian)

10th June: Update from the IWCP. BESTIVAL FINALISTS CHOSEN BY CP POLL

Almost 2,000 people hit the County Press website to take part in the exclusive poll run with the award-winning Bestival to determine who would represent the Island behind the decks and on stage this September.

In an exclusive interview with the County Press about the competition Rob da Bank said:

As ever everyone at Bestival HQ has been bowled over by the sonic wonders emanating from across The Solent. The shortlist of acts is a veritable melting pot of styles from glam rock to drum and bass  totally mirroring Bestivals ethos. I cant wait for the final.

The Shanklin Freak Show topped the poll for bands, while drum and bass DJs Mitsubishop and Duvstar scooped the most votes in the DJ competition.

They will be up against bands Magic Octagon, Guy Page Trio, The Steam Machine and The Kurves and DJs Steel and Jordan Peak at this years competition final.

The final is open to the public and will be held at Ryde Theatre on Wednesday, June 18, when a panel of judges will choose one band and one DJ to perform at this years Bestival, joining the likes of Amy Winehouse and Underworld.

Isle of Wight Community News @Island Pulse.