#MTVFestivalSeason: 14 Reasons Boardmasters Was Completely Awesome
Sun, surf and great music...
This weekend we were down in the sunny south west checking out Boardmasters festival in Cornwall.
Not only is the festival getting bigger and bigger each year, it's line up is getting better and better.
This year we were treated to headline sets from Faithless, Rudimental and Bastille as well as the usual surfing, skating and BMX competitions.
Here are 14 reasons why we absolutely loved this year's Boardmasters.
1. It couldn't be in a more picturesque location
Newquay in Cornwall is known for its stunning beaches, and incredible coastline. I mean, how can you NOT enjoy yourself at a festival when you have such a picturesque view everywhere you look.
2. It's held on not one, but TWO beautiful beaches...
https://instagram.com/p/6FmT7oPUQz/?taken-by=boardmasters
Not only did we enjoy all the musical offerings at Watergate Bay, we also enjoyed the surfing competitions at Fistral Beach. What other festival can proudly say that it's held on two beaches?! Not many, that's for sure...
3. Surfing + Music = Perfect combination
In the south west of England there is one thing you have to try at least once, and that's surfing. With so much of the coast on offer, you'd be a fool not to grab a wetsuit and hit the waves.
Every year at Boardmasters there is a surfing competition that attracts the world's best surfers to the Cornish coast. This, plus some awesome live music, makes for the perfect combination.
4. You can totally pretend you're in The OC
https://instagram.com/p/6DrrczPUf1/?taken-by=boardmasters
So, I'm from the Westcountry, and I'm not going to hide that being at the beach with your friends makes you feel like you're in The OC. Although the weather in the UK isn't always that of California, we sure as hell made the most of being by the sea.
Heading to Boardmasters with a group of friends does exactly that, and luckily this year we were blessed with some sunshine...
5. The sun shined all day long (well, almost)
Did I speak too soon? Most of Boardmasters had glorious sunshine, especially on the Saturday where I saw a few too many pink shoulders. Sunday was a little cloudier but was a vast improvement on 2014 where the last day of the festival was cancelled due to hurricane Bertha causing havoc with the weather.
6. It's not just about the music...
The great thing about Boardmasters is that there is SO much to do! As well as boasting a stunning music line up, the festival also had surfing, skating and BMX competitions. If extreme sports wasn't really your thing, however, festival goers were able to get some retail therapy in the Surf Village.
7. Legendary electronica band Faithless performed, and yes, 'Insomnia' was completely mental!
Faithless lived up to their legendary reputation by closing the Friday of Boardmasters. Their set was completely insane as they took the crowd on a journey through their greatest hits. 'Insomnia' was the highlight with everyone in the crowd completely losing their sh*t and dancing like maniacs.
8. There were SO many new and exciting acts!
Should've been a father
Yeah, am I the only one
To see is there's something more?
Should've been a writer
Should've found a partner
Girl, I've got wings to fly
You kept me on my toe
I am the only one
I am the only one
She wants
I am the only one
I am the only one
She wants
Should've been a doctor
Should've been a father
Checkin' my attire man
I ain't the kind of fool
Could've been a lawyer
Would've been a liar
Should'a, would'a, could'a man
Get me to that shore
I am the only one
I am the only one
She wants
I am the only one
I am the only one
She wants
Should'a got run away with me
Didn't atone but in the sea
I ain't never gonna leave you girl
Where are you gonna run if you can't hide?
Girl, you're gonna be right by my side
You ain't never gonna change your mind
I am the only one
I am the only one
She wants
I am the only one
I am the only one
She wants
Na na na na na nay
Na na na na na nay
She wants
Na na na na na nay
Na na na na na nay
She wants
You're the only one
You're the only one
She wants
You're the only one
You're the only one
She wants
2015 is such a great year for new and emerging talent, and every year Boardmasters manages to bag a handful of acts that will go onto HUGE things.
This year we were treated to some awesome sounds from the likes of Raleigh Ritchie, Circa Waves, and (as pictured above) the fantastic Sunset Sons. RHODES, Rag 'n' Bone Man and Prides also performed on the Main Stage; watch this space as they'll soon be bagging those headline slots in years to come.
9. Rudimental absolutely killed it on Saturday night!
https://instagram.com/p/6Irf3JPUSm/?taken-by=boardmasters
Now, Saturday's headliners need no introduction as they completely stunned the crowd with their high energy set. Performing banger after banger, Rudimental sent the Cornish crowd into an absolute frenzy with the likes of 'Waiting All Night', 'Not Giving In' and their HUGE hit single 'Feel The Love'.
10. Seasick Steve proved that he's still got it (and we absolutely love his beard)
https://instagram.com/p/6IjdivvUQe/
If you ever need a lesson about age not stopping you doing things, just take a look at Seasick Steve. The 70-odd-year-old blues rock singer has well and truly still got it as he smahed it at Boardmasters on Saturday.
His live shows are always an absolute treat as he pulls out various home-made instruments and makes them shine. A highlight was him woo-ing a young lady from the crowd with his dulcet tones. We salute you Seasick Steve.
11. Hip-hop legends De La Soul showed us how it's done
https://instagram.com/p/6KhOsMvUQo/?taken-by=boardmasters
De La Soul are a staple in any decent festival line up and are still going strong after forming waaaay back in 1987. We're pretty sure most of the crowd, sadly, had no idea who they were, but they still went crazy for their old school hip hop.
Their legendary status was obvious with the likes of Lethal Bizzle watching from the side of the stage. They entertained the festival goers as the sun was setting, with their crowd interaction and infectious stage camaraderie.
12. Lethal Bizzle had people climbing up the side of the Unleashed tent
https://instagram.com/p/6KPyPfzVil/?taken-by=lethalbizzle
Speaking of Bizzle, the man himself drew the biggest crowd we saw all weekend at the Unleashed stage. Rolling onto the stage with one of those all-the-rage air boards he played hit after hit to the insanely energetic crowd.
We saw later on his infamous Snapchat account (denchchat) that this Boardmasters show was by far the best he's done all summer. Cheers Bizz, we'll take that!
13. Bastille provided the rhythm 'Of The Night' on Sunday
https://instagram.com/p/6MlbxOPUY_/?taken-by=boardmasters
After the unfortunate events of last year meaning that Bastille were unable to perform their headline slot (bloody hurricane Bertha!), the band were welcomed back to do the show they never got to do.
Whizzing through hits from their debut album Bad Blood the band kept the crowd entertained into the night. They even played some new tracks and of course the fantastic Corona/Snap! mash up 'Of the Night'.
14. THAT VIEW!
We're sorry, we couldn't resist another mention of THAT VIEW! Cornwall, we love you.
By Megan Downing, @megandowning
#MTVFestivalSeason: Boardmasters 2015
It's a soul's companion
People feel it everywhere
Lift your hands and voices
Free your mind and join us
You can feel it in the air
Oh, oh, it's a passion
Oh, oh, you can feel it in the air
Oh, oh, it's a passion
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
(This is the rhythm)
You can put some joy up on my face
Oh, sunshine in an empty place
Take me too, turn to
And, babe, I'll make you stay
(Oh, yeah)
Oh, I can ease you of your pain
Feel you give me love again
Round and round we go
Each time I hear you say
This is the rhythm of the night
The night
Oh, yeah
The rhythm of the night
This is the rhythm of my life
My life
Oh, yeah
The rhythm of my life
This is the rhythm of the night
The night
Oh, yeah
The rhythm of the night
This is the rhythm of my life
My life
Oh, yeah
The rhythm of my life
Won't you teach me how to love and learn?
There'll be nothing left for me to yearn
Think of me and burn
And let me hold your hand
(Oh, yeah)
I don't want to face the world in tears
Please think again, I'm on my knees
Sing that song to me
No reason to repent
This is the rhythm of the night
The night
Oh, yeah
The rhythm of the night
This is the rhythm of my life
My life
Oh, yeah
The rhythm of my life
This is the rhythm of the night
The night
Oh, yeah
The rhythm of the night
This is the rhythm of my life
My life
Oh, yeah
The rhythm of my life
This is the rhythm of the night
The night
Oh, yeah
The rhythm of the night
This is the rhythm of my life
My life
Oh, yeah
The rhythm of my life
This is the rhythm of the night
The night
Oh, yeah