BESTIVAL INTERVIEW: Josie da Bank
life style BANK-ING ON THE QUIET LIFE
Bestival producer Josie yearns to swap colourful shenanigans for her comfy sofa
REFORMED hedonist Josie da Bank would rather curl up on her couch at home instead of partying at Bestival.
As producer and art director she takes credit for the vibrant decor which has become synonymous with the fest.
But Josie admits her weekend often descends into rows with DJ hubby Rob - because the music is TOO LOUD.
The mum-of-three confesses that each year she dreams of sneaking off as the gates open and revellers swarm in.
She groans: “The bit I love most about Bestival is building it. When the music is turned on I think: ‘Oh my God, it’s so noisy.’
“I’m like: ‘Robbie, you’ve ruined my show’ and we have a bit of a set-to about the music versus the creative side.
“To be honest I’m not really a massive music fan. But by Sunday it’s all lovely and things are good between us again.
“I see Bestival as this gorgeous house I’ve designed, created and decorated. Then Robbie throws a party, invites all his friends round and trashes it.
“I’d probably be better just going home when everything starts.
“I’m actually a quiet, shy, chilled out sort of person. I like order, and so many people in that space is a shock to my system. I find it all a bit mental.”
Josie met French literature student Rob while studying textiles and fine art at Goldsmiths College in London.
After leaving, the couple set up the Sunday Best nights upstairs at Clapham’s Tea Rooms Des Artistes.
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attracted a crowd who ate while listening to Rob’s record collection.
At 26, Josie fulfilled her ambition of owning a bar, opening Cocomo with friend Natasha Hill in the then up- and-coming Shoreditch area.
Thanks to an eclectic roster of artistes and the identity created by Josie’s unmistakable artwork, interest grew in the Sunday Best brand.
The team headed to sun- drenched Ibiza where they spent four years running intimate beach parties.
While on the party island a seed was planted and Bestival blossomed shortly after.
A winter trip to India before the debut bash inspired Josie to create a Bollywood-themed section of the site.
This area has now developed a cult following among Bestival goers.
Josie recalls: “I love travelling and India had a huge influence on me. I brought a lot of stuff back and it really helped create the Bestival feel.”
Over the years, her decor has become as much a central part of the gathering as the music.
Highlights include the Wild West Saloon, giant dia de los Muerte skeletons and the hugely popular Come Dancing tent.
Josie reveals: “This whole world I create sort of lands on the Island for several days every year.
“It’s a really creative, imaginative, peaceful village which simply springs up from nothing.
“It is populated by eccentric people who are at their best and out to enjoy themselves and the surroundings.
“Bestival is vastly different to other festivals. It is so colourful and alternative.
“We have huge art installations, fabulous fireworks, amazing pyro and laser shows, cabaret.”
Josie goes on: “I design tents, bunting, flags. My drawings are sent to India where it is made and sent back in time for the show.
“I’m a real hoarder. I have a huge container farm near Robin Hill with probably 20 artic’s worth of equipment I’ve collected over the past eight years.
“It’s all bespoke and I’m always adding to it. I’ve probably almost bankrupted us several times over.
“I redesign the layout every year and change or move things to make the experience
better and more interesting.
“I love the fact it all comes down just hours after the show. I then start with a blank canvas for the following year.
“The amount of work involved is phenomenal. I don’t think any other festival puts as much into that side of things.”
Josie is confident even die- hard Bestivalites will be blown away by this year’s makeover.
She adds: “I’ve got some enormous lights being shipped over from France. No-one will ever have seen anything like these before in this country.
“There also lots of new light installations going up all over the site. It’s going to look like Blackpool.
“We’ve also planned lots of big surprises on the closing night. But you’ll have to wait - I’m not giving anything just yet.”
JOSIE DA BANK July / August 2011 67
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