September 6, 2008 16:19

Freak weather forces stage closure at Bestival

Sets by Black Kids, Lykke Li and Sam Sparro cancelled

Torrential rain at Bestival forced organisers to close the BBC Introducing Stage last night (September 5), meaning sets from Sam Sparro, Lykke Li and Black Kids all had to be cancelled.

After a sustained three-hour downpour, the low-lying ground in front of the stage became dangerously waterlogged, leaving festival chief Rob da Bank with no choice but to pull the plug.

The Isle Of Wight bash has been plagued by atrocious weather all weekend, including ferocious winds as well as heavy rain, although da Bank remained confident that the harsh conditions would not dim revellers' spirits.

He told NME.COM: "Obviously people are going to moan about the rain but but I've been to enough muddy Glastonburys to know that things always come good in the end. I've had loads of people come up to me and say this is actually the best Bestival they've ever been to. Onwards and upwards!"

Bestival continues today (September 6) with sets from Amy Winehouse and Hot Chip, as well as special guests Terry Hall and Grace Jones.

Rob da Bank is blogging exclusively for NME.COM from the bash all weekend. Check the NME Festival Blog to keep up with his Bestival musings.

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