It hardly seems like yesterday that we were sat here, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, looking forward to a packed summer of festival-going.

Now with the nights drawing in and September upon us it is almost over. Almost.

This weekend we get to enjoy one last blast, courtesy of one of the best festival of the lot: Bestival.

The suitably-named gathering is the sister event of Oxford’s own Common People, and between them, the events neatly book-end the summer.

Organised by hedonist in chief Rob da Bank, the festivals share some of the same acts – with this year’s Bestival names possibly cropping up on the line-up for next year’s party in South Park.

So who’s playing?

Well the big names include headliners The XX on Friday, A Tribe Called Quest on Saturday, and Pet Shop Boys (last seen in these parts playing a storming headline slot at Henley) on Sunday.

Joining in the fun are Kidlington reggae doyen David Rodigan who presents his Ram Jam with Preditah, DJ Maximum, Conducta & MC Creed and Venum Sound.

Other big names include Justice, Dizzee Rascal, Little Dragon, Rag’n’Bone Man, Wiley, Laura Mvula, Danny Brown, Loyle Carner, Soul II Soul, Circa Waves, Rejjie Snow, Ray Blk, Stefflon Don, Dub Pistols, Mary Epworth, L.A. Salami, The Cuban Brothers, Nadia Rose, Too Many T’s, Lauran Hibberd, House Gospel Choir and THØSS.

And that’s nowhere near all.

Oxford Mail:

Expect Jamie T, DJ Shadow, Blossoms, Kurupt FM, Lucy Rose, Twin Atlantic, Nick Mulvey and and Toddla T’s Bestival Carnival featuring all sorts of special guests.

The festival is set to be special in all sorts of ways – not least because it could be the last chance to see A Tribe Called Quest – one of the most important bands in the history of hip-hop.

There are also the likes of Annie Mac and Andy C hitting the decks and the usual fun at Club Dada, HMS Bestival and Invaders of the Future
It is also easier to get to now, with the event sharing the Camp Bestival site at Lulworth Estate in Dorset having left the Isle of Wight.

Bestival, Lulworth Estate, Dorset, Thurs 7th-Sun 10th September. Go to bestival.net

WIN!

To celebrate Bestival’s beautiful, brand-new home at the Lulworth Estate in Dorset, We’ve teamed up with them to offer five pairs of weekend camping tickets to you lovely lot.

Bestival is being redrawn in the spirit of its original pioneering vision on its brand-new site.

Don’t miss the truly immersive experience of Bestival 2017, exploring the wonders of Colour on a mission to increase the peace, from Thursday to Sunday.

With headliners The xx, A Tribe Called Quest, Pet Shop Boys and Jamie T, and many more across over 20 stages and micro-venues, plus the World’s Biggest Confetti Cannon, Castle Fireworks Finale, Love-Bot, the World’s Biggest Bouncy Castle, The Inflatable Church, The World’s Largest Disco Ball, Bestival is an escapist world of creative wonder with a weird and wonderful underbelly. Don’t miss out on the last hurrah of the summer.

Oxford Mail:

For a chance to win, tell us which Oxfordshire reggae icon, pictured, is hosting his Ram Jam at Bestival.

Send your answers, with full name, address, age and daytime phone number, to tim.hughes@nqo.com by 6pm Wednesay, September 6.

Usual rules apply. The Editor's decision is final.

.......THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED......