Here at Contactmusic, we’re already taking bets on how many punters at Bestival will be dressing up as Elton John on fancy dress day. Or possibly for the whole weekend. If you’re planning on going to the festival, on the Isle of Wight this summer, you’d better get your outrageous glasses purchased now, because they’re sure to run out pretty soon. Apparently, it was the power of fancy dress that lured Elton to the festival. “I’ve heard that the Bestival audience comes in fancy dress and I can’t wait to see that, they must all look amazing from the stage.”

Elton’s appearance is a serious coup for the festival, which is curated by Radio One DJ Rob da Bank. He admits “I haven't played any of the major festivals in the UK in recent years,” so the chance to catch him at a relatively small (though influential) affair on the ever-expanding UK festival circuit will be a treat. “When the opportunity to play Bestival came up I was very interested,” Elton told The Guardian. "Bestival seems to be more of a people's festival, not too big, and very friendly - I like the idea of that.” Whether or not Elton’s planning on wearing fancy dress too, remains to be seen.

The second of the festival’s headliners to be announced is the US rapper Snoop Lion (the artist formerly known as Snoop Dogg, that is), another rarity on the UK’s outdoor gig scene. The event takes place on September 5-8, 2013. Snoop will headline the Saturday night and Elton takes the iconic closing slot on the Sunday. 

Watch the video for Elton John's 'Are You Ready For Love?'