Isle of Wight festival makes a triumphant return to the UK music festival scene, boasting a huge range of internationally known and loved bands. Ranging from Kings of Leon and Red Hot Chili Peppers to Fall Out Boy and Calvin Harris, this years acts are as varied as they are talented, doubtless drawing in a wide range of ages and music lovers.
The festival is located on the sunny island of Isle of Wight, just 4 miles off the coast of Southampton. The usually pleasantly quiet community is disrupted for 3 days each year with a huge influx of ticket holders, artists and volunteers alike. The history of this festival is long, with the original festival dating back to the 1960’s. The past line-ups have included such musical legends as The Who, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Coldplay and The Rolling Stones. With such critically acclaimed artists, ferries booked months in advance and ticket sales already high, Isle of Wight is set to have another huge year.
The first day is headlined by the Scottish rock band trio, Biffy Clyro, and internationally renowned DJ Calvin Harris. They are joined on the main stage by British quartet Rudimental, Kiss FM’s own DJ Pioneer, singer-songwriter Tom Odell, post-Britpop Starsailor, and Grad Ball performers Lawson. The BT Sport Big Top stage is headlined by Katy B, and has artists including: Samantha Fox, Chlöe Howl, The Selecter, Anna Calvi, Alison Moyet, and The Polyphonic Spree.
Saturday boasts the California’s own legendary Red Hot Chili Peppers, preceded by a wide range of support acts, such as Manchester four piece The 1975, solo artist John Newman, and ex-Gossip Girl star Taylor Momsen’s band, The Pretty Reckless. Also featured on this day are; The Specials, The Waterboys, Nina Nesbitt, Rival Sons, Jesse Clegg, and Little Eye. Newcomers Clean Bandit headline the BT Sport Big Top stage, with the recent release and success of their debut album New Eyes. Other highlights of this stage include; Duke Dumont; best known for his track ‘Need U (100%)’ which peaked at the top of the UK charts, X Factor contestant Cher Lloyd, ex-N-Dubz member Dappy, and the internet phenomenon that is The Vamps.
The line-up for Sunday gets even more exciting; with Kings of Leon returning to the island after their 2011 headline slot, alternative-rock legends Suede making an appearance, and Fall Out Boy travelling from overseas to play the festival. Other main stage acts include; Passenger, Grad Ball performer Ella Eyre, The Move, The Delays, and Naked Fridays. The Big Top stage, hosted by BT Sport and headlined by britpop band Travis, includes; skinny rock band The Horrors, recent Made In Chelsea performers Peace, indie band Swim Deep, The Strypes; who are comprised of a youthful range of 16-18 year old members, and California’s Deap Vally.
This line-up easily competes with the boarding on hundreds of festivals available in Europe and the UK, and while the line-up placements may confuse some of the younger, more chart focused audience members, it is a festival to please all ages. The setting in the British island of Isle of Wight is perfect, allowing for a family feel to this festival. The sponsorship by BT allows for World Cup playtime to be shown at the festival, as well as movies and other activities to keep younger members of the family entertained. Although not the typical slaughterous weekend that most festivals are required to be to catch the teenage to young adult audiences, such as Reading and Leeds and the majority of camps at Glastonbury, it offers a steadily more popular kind of festival. A festival that isn’t synonymous with a guaranteed hangover and sleep deprivation.
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