Camp Bestival funkiness

Last weekend we saw Al McKay's Earth, Wind & Fire Experience, Chic, and Kool & The Gang at Camp Bestival. Three extra-large helpings of funky stuff and by the end of the night we had gorged ourselves!

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Camp Bestival's brilliant Saturday night line-up presented funk/disco lovers in the UK with a rare opportunity to see Al McKay's Allstars with their Earth, Wind & Fire Experience and Kool & The Gang. 

Al McKay, former original member of Earth, Wind & Fire, and his Allstars were first to hit the stage and they introduced themselves to the Bestival revellers with an energetic rendition of EWF's Serpentine Fire. A very accomplished and energetic set included other EWF classics such as 'Can't Let Go', 'Jupiter', 'Getaway', September, 'Let's Groove' and even 'Let Your Feelings Show', which we particularly enjoyed. Al McKay himself seemed to be really enjoying it, as did the vocalists, and the horns section sounded fantastic. Overall we really enjoyed their set and we hope we get to see them again some day.       

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Chic came next and totally raised the roof, as we knew they would. Chic are the masters of getting everyone moving and feeling good, and by the end of their set the crowd around the stage had increased considerably as people (of all ages) were drawn in by those irresistible grooves that seem as if they've always existed. 

Chic have mixed their set up a little recently and these days bassist Jerry Barnes gets even more license to thrill with some seriously funky bass work. His hard bass slapping after 'I Want Your Love' and at their set's climax was reminiscent of Larry Graham, and was output so deeply by the sound system that it reverberated through your body. You can't be more 'into' the music than that, I say. 

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Kool & The Gang were the 'headliners' and we were very impressed with how their hits sounded live. Great musicianship, lots of horn work, tonnes of energy and plenty of dancin', quite acrobatic dancing at times it must be said!

In my view, Camp Bestival's Saturday night line-up was a real winner, and the festival as a whole had a really relaxed and friendly atmosphere. It was fun to see kids bopping around to this kind of music, and inbetween sets we witnessed an impressive impromptu dance-off between some kids who had some serious dance skills! It was also kinda funny to watch the looks on some kids' faces as their parents embarrassed them with their dancing.

A big thank you to the people behind Camp Bestival, we had a whale of a time, and we look forward to finding out who will be performing next year.    

Below, more videos. Click here for all VibeRide video from Camp Bestival  

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