Rob da Bank to launch Bestival in North America

Bestival founder Rob da Bank has announced plans to launch his beloved Isle of Wight fest in North America.

Toronto Islands is set to host a two-day festival on 12-13th June by Lake Ontario, da Bank has confirmed. No bands have been announced, but it’ll run in partnership with SFX Entertainment and Canadian company Embrace.

20,000 people are expected to attend each day, the New York Times reports.

“No disrespect to the festivals in North America, but a lot of them are very much stages, bars, food tents,” Rob da Bank said. “This festival will look very different. It will have theatricality, ambition.”

Elsewhere this year, Bestival is expanding to Southampton, with Common People launching this summer.

Last week Bestival announced The Chemical Brothers, Duran Duran and Tame Impala for 2015.