Bestival 2015: Inside this U.K. music festival’s first-ever trip to Toronto

by Paige Exell June 15, 2015

The U.K. gave Toronto a taste of its offbeat mixture of music and costume over the weekend with a multi-faceted, award winning music festival, Bestival (the name says it all).

Created in 2004 by English DJ Rob da Bank, Bestival made its way to Hanlan’s Point Beach on Toronto Island to inspire peace, love, dancing and of course, the creativity to express your individuality through eccentric outfits.

While the two-day event included headliners like Flume, Rudimental and Florence + The Machine, the dream-like enviro went beyond the music to bring attendees everything they needed and more, from The Perrier Greenhouse to knitting tents and group meditation that reflects Bestival’s Increase The Peace philosophy. Heck, you could even get married in the inflatable church if you were really feelin’ the love. #Namaste.

“There’s something about dressing up and letting your hair down that seems to make people drop their guard and just escape for a while. So it’s not about a plastic Elvis quiff and microphone from a cheap store, it’s more about wearing something you wouldn’t wear anywhere else, but kind of want to anyway! Equally if it’s not your thing come as you are… just come,” says Bestival curator Rob da Bank.

With the help of super-creative, party loving people, Bestival has changed the face of festival culture, sparking a huge U.K-wide renaissance in what is called “fancy dress,” and now, Bestival 2015 attendees in Toronto have followed suit for the festivals first-ever foray abroad.

Check out the most stylish attendees from Bestival 2015.