Benicassim to celebrate 20th anniversary this year

Set in a haze of sun and sea, the festival has seen some of the best names in music perform, giving Benicassim strong contender status for the best European festival. Below you will find a bitterly written introduction as to why UK festivals are a bit shit, and you will then be taken on a visual and audial journey of some of the best moments of FIB 1995 – 2014.

If, like many other Brits, you are considering boycotting the mud and rain of UK festivals, digging out your sunnies and heading to warmer climes for your hit of festival fun this year, Benicassim looks to be a good bet. With huge names already confirmed for this year, including the likes of Kasabian, Paul Weller and The Charlatans, Beni is set to be a belter.

Benicassim is a huge hit with Britons who having battled through for years, facing horrific weather conditions, extortionate ticket prices and over complicated ticket buying procedures (I’m looking at you, Glasto) have realised that it’s finally time to accept that there must be a better way. After the Glasto ticket scramble of 2013, the time came, at least for me, to gently put down the three phones and two laptops I usually need to try and get tickets for UK festivals, let my blood pressure drop a bit and look further afield.

With a 6pm start to the festival, the daytime is freed up for exploring the local wildlife and soaking up the culture, or getting bang off it, whichever you prefer. Huge canopies hang over the sea of tents, meaning there is no necessity for a hot, sweaty tent (unless you’re in to that sort of thing), or alternatively, you could check out the local hotels. Although not entirely in the spirit of a festival, a hotel room means you can have the holiday feel while not ending up spending your savings on a tacky strip, drinking cheap shots of local Ouzo with scallies from Wigan – again, unless you’re in to that sort of thing.

The first ever Benicassim, in 1995, set the tone, with a combination of Britpop era bands and a load of obscure Spanish acts whom we know nothing of. The Charlatans, there this year too, headlined, along with Supergrass and The Jesus and Mary Chain.

Benicassim 1995

Benicassim 1995

Fast forward a few years to 2000 and we see a line up saturated with top bands.

FIB 2000

In 1997, Blur and Suede made their Benicassim debuts, first of many for both bands.

Suede – So Young (Benicassim, 1997)

Oasis were partial to a bit of Beni action in their day and played in 2009, one of the bands final festival performances together.
http://youtu.be/jG23rHx927M
Oasis – The Masterplan (Benicassim, 2009)

Beni has also seen some of music’s veteran and most respected artists play, with the late Lou Reed performing in 2004.

Lou Reed – Venus in Furs (Benicassim, 2004)

2012 saw New Order dedicate their set to Ian Curtis, in a spine tingling rendition of Love Will Tear Us Apart.

New Order – Love Will Tear Us Apart Again (Benicassim, 2012)

On the same year, The Stone Roses consummated their holy union in Benicassim, after selling out Heaton Park on two days.

The Stone Roses – This Is The One (Benicassim, 2012)

This year, the festival is playing host to Benicassim regulars The Charlatans, Modfather Paul Weller, Jake Bugg, the Courteeners, James, Manic Street Preachers with more names still to be announced.

Tickets are available from http://fiberfib.com and we will be there keeping you informed, get involved!

@ameliasward