The Ultimate Guide to Boardmasters 2024: What Not to Miss

As the countdown to Boardmasters 2024 begins, excitement is reaching fever pitch for what promises to be an unforgettable five days of live music, surfing, and unique experiences on the Cornish coast. Running from 7th-11th August, this year’s festival is shaping up to be the best yet. From headline performances to wellness retreats and after parties, here’s your ultimate guide to making the most of Boardmasters 2024.

Tickets in” High Demand: Don’t Miss Out

Boardmasters 2024 has already made waves by selling out its camping and weekend tickets in record time, a clear sign of the festival’s growing popularity. With only a limited number of Sunday tickets and VIP passes left, fans are urged to grab theirs quickly before they sell out. The final tickets can be purchased on the official website, www.boardmasters.com.

A Line-Up for the Ages

The line-up for this year’s Boardmasters is nothing short of spectacular. Headliners Chase & Status, Sam Fender, and Stormzy are set to deliver electrifying performances on the Main Stage. But the talent doesn’t stop there. In the final line-up announcement, seven new acts have been added, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

• Nick Mulvey: The Mercury Prize nominee and Cornwall favourite will be a special guest on Sunday, promising a memorable performance.
• Mahalia: R’n’b sensation Mahalia will bring her soulful sounds to the festival, adding diversity to the musical offering.
• Elderbrook: Known for his live performances and collaborations, including the hit track “Cola” with Camelphat, Elderbrook is set to be a crowd favourite.
• Jack Saunders: The DJ known for his energetic sets will keep the party going into the night.
• Liz Lawrence: Indie pop sensation Liz Lawrence will bring her catchy tunes and vibrant energy to the stage.
• DJ Jaguar Skills and Baxter: Both will be spinning tracks that will keep festivalgoers dancing well into the night.

Explore the New and Improved Festival Site

This year’s Boardmasters site has been refreshed with five carefully curated areas, each offering a unique atmosphere and a variety of music stages. Here’s a closer look at what you can expect:

Main Arena

The Main Arena is the heart of the festival, featuring the Main Stage where headliners Chase & Status, Sam Fender, and Stormzy will perform. New for 2024 is The Bandstand, a stage dedicated to showcasing a wealth of local talent and the most exciting emerging artists.

The Dockyard

For those who love high-octane DJ sets, The Dockyard is the place to be. This area features DB90, the home of drum’n’bass, and introduces the Lifeguard Tower, a new venue for 2024 that will host DJ sets and graffiti battles from Graffiators, transforming the area into a vibrant art space.

North Shore

At the North Shore, The View stage offers one of the festival’s most spectacular vistas, looking out across the panoramic Watergate Bay. This is the spot to discover new and upcoming artists in an unparalleled setting. Nearby, Surf Club ‘81 will take you back in time with its retro surf shack vibe, offering sunsets by day and cheesy singalongs by night.

Land of Saints

Land of Saints is known for its big top tent that hosts live music with an independent spirit. This year, acts like Nia Archives, Kenya Grace, Maisie Peters, and Overmono will take the stage. Don’t forget to visit the Keg & Pasty pub, positioned atop cliffs with breathtaking views of Watergate Bay, for a truly Cornish experience with live stand-up and musical performances.

Paradise Lost

The party doesn’t stop at Paradise Lost, home to The Point presented by Smirnoff. Here, the most hyped cutting-edge DJs, including Sammy Virgi, Eliza Rose, and Ewan McVicar, will take to the decks. Also in this area is the Unleashed stage presented by Drip, where club-land and major arena acts collide for the biggest indoor rave in the South West. Expect high-energy dance and big bassline beats from the likes of Girls Don’t Sync, Hannah Laing, and Hedex & Eksman.

The UK’s Biggest Silent Disco: A Five-Night Extravaganza

A Boardmasters staple, the silent disco is back and bigger than ever, now taking place across all five nights of the festival. Festivalgoers can dance and sing along to a mix of pop, indie, disco, and dance tracks through wireless headphones. This year’s silent disco will feature special guest DJs including Charlie Simpson, Rickie Melvin, and Bastille’s Woody and Kyle.

On Thursday night, the silent disco will transform into a Beach Themed Party, with attendees encouraged to wear their best fancy dress, from rubber rings and silly sunglasses to loud Hawaiian shirts. Silent disco tickets are priced at just £7.50, with a fully refundable £20 deposit for the headset, ensuring everyone can join in the fun.

Late-Night After Parties

For those who want to keep the party going after the main events, Boardmasters’ After Parties are back. These late-night sessions will take place over four nights at Newquay’s top clubs, Berties and Sailors. Featuring world-class DJs like Gok Wan, K Motionz, Badger, and Switch Disco, these after parties are the perfect way to keep the energy alive into the early hours. Tickets for the After Parties start at just £14.50.

Surf Lessons: Ride the Waves at Boardmasters

Boardmasters isn’t just about music—it’s also about embracing the Cornish coast’s world-renowned surf scene. This year, the festival offers a variety of surf lessons and adventure experiences for both beginners and experienced surfers looking to ride the waves.

Surfing for All Levels

Whether you’re a first-timer eager to catch your first wave or a seasoned surfer looking to refine your skills, Boardmasters has partnered with the best surf schools in the South West to offer tailored lessons. Professional instructors will guide you through the fundamentals of surfing, ensuring you have a safe and fun experience in the water. Lessons are designed to cater to all skill levels, so everyone from novices to advanced surfers can get involved.

Booking Your Surf Experience

Surf lessons can be booked in advance through the Boardmasters website, ensuring you secure your spot in the water. In addition to surfing, Boardmasters offers other exciting adventure activities like coasteering and paddleboarding, perfect for those looking to explore the beautiful Cornish coastline from a different perspective. These activities are available at an additional cost, and slots are filling up fast, so early booking is recommended.

Beyond the Music: Wellness, Cinema, and Fitness

Boardmasters is about more than just music. The festival offers a range of wellness, cinematic, and fitness activities to ensure a well-rounded experience.

Zennor Haven

This year, festivalgoers can unwind at Zennor Haven, a Cornish sanctuary within the campsite that offers self-care and wellness activities. Enjoy an aromatherapy massage, or join a yoga session in the Zen Den to relax and rejuvenate before heading back into the festival.

Boardmasters Cinema

Back by popular demand, the Boardmasters Cinema provides a cosy retreat where you can watch a variety of films. From light-hearted rom-coms in the morning to late-night animation favourites after the headliners have finished, the cinema offers a perfect way to wind down.

Muscle Beach

For those who like to stay active, Muscle Beach is back for 2024, bigger and better than ever. This free outdoor gym offers group classes with professionals, workout sessions, and challenges with prizes. Whether you’re a dedicated gym-goer or a complete novice, Muscle Beach has something for everyone.

Surfing and Adventure: Embrace the Cornish Coast

Boardmasters isn’t just about the music—it’s also about the surf. Partnering with the best surf schools in the South West, the festival offers surfing, coasteering, and paddleboarding experiences that can be booked online. Newquay, renowned as the UK’s surfing capital, offers consistent waves and beautiful beaches perfect for all levels of surfing and adventure.

The Boardmasters Open Surf Competition at Fistral Beach

For those who prefer watching surfing over riding the waves, the Boardmasters Open Surf Competition at Fistral Beach is a must-see. The competition, which marks the official launch of the European leg of the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series, features top professional surfers including Ben Skinner, who recently reached #3 on the WSL World Longboard Tour, and local talent Lukas Skinner, who won Silver in Europe. The event also showcases some of the best female surfers, including Alys Barton and Emily Currie. The competition is free to attend, and shuttle buses will be available to transport festivalgoers to and from the beach.

Sustainable Travel Options and Getting Around

Boardmasters 2024 continues its commitment to sustainability, offering a range of greener travel options to reduce the festival’s environmental impact. Here’s how you can get to and around the festival:

Big Green Coach

Boardmasters has partnered with Big Green Coach, the festival’s Official Travel Partner, to provide eco-friendly transportation options. With over 80 pickup points around the UK, this service makes it easier for festivalgoers to leave their cars at home and reduce their carbon footprint. The service has been increased by a quarter this year, highlighting the growing demand for sustainable travel options.

For day ticket holders, Big Green Coach also offers a Day + Coach Package with pickups from 14 locations across the South West. This includes stops at Bodmin, Cornwall Services, Exeter, Falmouth, Helston, Launceston, Liskeard, Okehampton, Penzance, Plymouth, Roche, St Austell, Treverbyn, and Truro. Coaches will arrive at the festival site by 11am and depart after the headliners finish, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

Park & Ride Service

New for 2024, Boardmasters is introducing a Park & Ride service for day ticket holders. This convenient and budget-friendly option allows attendees to park their cars and be dropped off right at the festival gates. Buses to and from the Park & Ride will operate from early morning until after the music finishes, using a simple tap and ride system to make the journey as seamless as possible.

Shuttle Bus Service

For those arriving by train or travelling between festival locations, the Boardmasters Shuttle Bus Service offers a quick and efficient way to get around. The shuttle runs between Newquay train station, Fistral Beach, and Watergate Bay for £3.50 per single journey. This service is particularly useful for reaching Fistral Beach, especially since it has access to closed roads, ensuring a faster journey.

Sustainability at Boardmasters: Leave Only Footprints

Boardmasters 2024 continues its commitment to sustainability with its ‘Leave Only Footprints’ campaign, which encourages festivalgoers to reduce their environmental impact. Single-use plastics have been banned from the site, and the festival’s reusable cup scheme is in full effect. Additionally, there are 288 free water refill points located throughout the arena and campsites, encouraging attendees to stay hydrated while reducing plastic waste.

Beach cleans will be organised daily, supported by the Marine Conservation Society and local community groups across Fistral, Great Western, Porth, and Watergate Bay beaches. Festivalgoers are encouraged to participate in these efforts, helping to preserve the natural beauty of Cornwall’s coastline. The Green Team, a group of volunteers dedicated to keeping the festival site clean, will be out in force, rewarding attendees who help keep the site tidy with spot prizes.

Plan Your Festival Experience with the Boardmasters App

To stay on top of everything happening at Boardmasters 2024, festivalgoers can download the official Boardmasters app. The app offers maps, stage times, and notifications, making it easy to navigate the festival and ensure you don’t miss any of the action.

For maps, stage times, notifications and more, fans can now download the Boardmasters app for 2024. The app is available to download via Apple here, and via Google here.

With just days to go until Boardmasters 2024, now is the time to finalise your plans and prepare for what’s set to be an epic festival experience. Whether you’re there for the music, the surfing, or the incredible atmosphere, this ultimate guide will help you make the most of every moment. Don’t forget to secure your last-minute tickets at www.boardmasters.com before they’re gone!