Boardmasters is a festival like no other, one that combines the freedom and adventure of surfing and music. Born in 1981, Boardmasters has developed a name for itself both within the sporting community and the music scene as the place to be at festival season. Not only do they put on the best acts (both in the water and on the land) they’re also dedicated to helping the environment. For almost 20 years they have worked closely with Surfers Againsts sewage to implement sustainable & environmental strategies to reduce their environmental impact and run an enjoyable, sustainable festival.
Boardmasters are returning the Newquay’s Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay 11th – 15th August 2021 and have perhaps their best lineup yet. I’ve spent the last few weeks / months looking at the different festival line ups across the UK from Kendal Calling to Isle of Wight and Boardmasters is one that has stuck out from the beginning. When most of the festivals have similar acts on to each other Boardmasters has stepped out of line and brought some incredible bands that you’ll struggle to see anywhere else.
The three main headline slots are Foals, Gorillaz and Jorja Smith and if that isn’t enough to bring you to Cornwall then the rest of the lineup certainly will. With a whole host of big hitters like Sam Fender, Jade Bird, Loyle Carner, The Kooks, Jamie XX, Blossoms, Django Django, Beabadoobee and Arlo Park, Boardmaster have also got the cream of the crop of the latest upcoming bands. A bit further down the lineup are the bands I always look for at a festival, the ones who you get up at daft o’clock and get into the arena for. This year catching my eyes are Alfie Templeman, Lucy Spraggan, Andrew Cushin, The Snuts, Inhaler, The Big Moon, Gangahr and Jamie Webster.
I feel like i’ve named every band on the lineup and that’s testament to how good it really is. Not only do you have the best music but also the setting and all the other activities at Boardmasters make it a must for festival season this year.
Written by Stuart Daley
Photo by Callum Morse (Boardmasters Festival)
