Boardmasters, Cornwall’s own surf and music festival came to Watergate Bay today, drawing festivalgoers in droves for what’s set to be a weekend of unforgettable live music. Situated on the stunning Cornish headland at Watergate Bay, Boardmasters will this year welcome more guests than ever before. Today, headliners Two Door Cinema Club got the party started, along with other huge names including The Flaming Lips, Andy C, Giggs, Slaves, Frank Turner, Lucy Rose and Frances who delivered show-stopping sets, getting festivalgoers primed for the rest of the weekend.
With live music across the Main Stage, Unleashed, Land of Saints, The Point presented by Relentless, The View, Corona Sunsets, The Net Loft and BBC Introducing, guests at Boardmasters were spoilt for choice with everything from huge headliners, stripped back acoustic sets, undiscovered artists, DJ sets and much more taking place across the site. Summer vibes shone through despite the drizzle, with Friday’s highlights including a surprise performance at The View from Newton Faulkner following his packed-out Main Stage set. The Flaming Lips put on a spectacularly animatic performance, filled with dazzling light shows, larger than life props and superhero crew members. At the Land of Saints, Pulled Apart By Horses electrified the crowd with their huge riffs, powerful vocals and pit invasions by frontman Tom Hudson.
Friday at the Main Stage culminated with a fantastic set from Ireland’s Two Door Cinema Club. With many a surprise teased by the band in the run up to their headline set, fans and festivalgoers alike were not left disappointed. Alex Trimble’s iconic lead vocals resonated across the Watergate Bay cliffs, leaving everyone awestruck with enjoyment.
Beyond the music, brand-new restaurant The Wild Oyster opened its doors for the first time, serving up delicious dishes made with fresh Cornish produce. #ROXYFITNESS hosted the first of its morning yoga classes at Watergate Bay’s The View stage, overlooking the beautiful Cornish coast. Positive vibes were the order of the day at the House of Marley, with thumping DJ sets keeping crowds hyped. The Underworld brought a time trip to the Boardmasters crowd, creating tunnels to long lost iconic clubs and the legendary parties that took place in history within their walls.
Meanwhile on Fistral Beach, surfing resumed as conditions improved. Both men and women competed in the short and longboarding events taking turns out in the Fistral lineup. As the business end of the competition approaches, the best ranked English surfer Jack Unsworth proceeded into the quarterfinals of the Jeep Men’s Longboard, where he’ll go up against Antoine Delpero. Elsewhere in the events, French waterwoman Justine Dupont fought it out today, making all three heats in both the QS and longboard divisions. However, it was Vahine Fierro who dominated the women’s QS division with her brilliant surfing racking up an impressive 15.16 combined heat total. The talented surfer from Tahiti later advanced into the quarter finals. Slade Prestwich annihilated the competition, stamping his authority and looking to keep the ball rolling in a possible finals day tomorrow. The day wrapped with the Roxy Open Round Three to determine the event’s quarter finalists who will compete for the coveted title later this weekend.
Established in 1981, Boardmasters is a 5-day event situated across two stunning locations in Cornwall - the surfing mecca of the UK, Fistral Beach where Boardmasters famous International Surf Competitions take place and arguably the most stunning location in the country to watch live music, Watergate Bay. Last year saw Boardmasters welcome over 150,000 festivalgoers across its two sites over the 5 days of the festival. Boardmasters operates a tiered ticket system with price bands for tickets changing over time. The sooner you buy, the cheaper it is! Book tickets via the website.
For local resident queries please contact the production office (FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS ONLY)
• Watergate Bay phone number: 01637 818 486 (open from 2 – 15 August)
• Fistral Beach phone number: 01637 818 488 (open from 4 – 14 August)
