“Wowzers! Hey Toronto! You guys were incredible this weekend…eternal sunshine, beautiful people, sublime music from Tame Impala, The Cure and an unforgettable Jamie xx sunny singalong all conspired to make this a fantastic second edition… our new site seemed to be a hit with Torontonians rediscovering this great park and we thank you from the bottom of our dusty, tired hearts for welcoming us back again. see you in 2017”
– Rob da Bank, Bestival Founder
The second edition of Toronto’s Bestival took place at Woodbine Park, in the east end of Toronto. The sun shined down on Bestival Toronto throughout the weekend this year, unlike last year where rain made for a sloppy second day. Attendance was relatively the same, but seemed busier due to the smaller overall size compared to last year on the Toronto Islands. This year saw an array of musical talent including The Cure, Tame Impala, Jamie xx, Maya Jane Coles, Porter Robinson, and Dubfire to name a few.
It was relatively easy to get from one stage to the next, while stopping at the Big Top, Bollywood and other assorted booths and art installations, including Drag Queen Croquet! Besides the curated entertainment, there were plenty of opportunities to kick back and just take in festival goers, many who festively dressed for the occasion, while some prefer the scantily clad look. The Bestival parade also marched through the grounds with colourful faces, art cars and high energy to spread the love and fun.
One drawback to festivals in general is the no food and beverage policy, which ends up making for a very expenssive day, at an average $10 food item and/or drink. The upside is that there are many local food trucks offering half-decent grub from Toronto establishments, which gives attendees and opportunity to try something different, and vendors an opportunity to reach a new audience.
More than just a music festival; a creative community that welcomes the most colourful of souls, Bestival stays true to its mantra of “Increase The Peace” as The Summer of Love officially began at Bestival Toronto. Seriously, with the amount of tie-dye and funky clothing, this could very well be the homage to the original San Francisco Summer of Love hippie haven back in 1967. Yes, that means next year will be the 50th anniversary. Let’s see what kind of party Bestival will throw in 2017. See you there!
More Saturday photos, and Sunday photos
