Since 2002, when the Isle of Wight Festival was reborn, the number of British music festivals has quadrupled. Now, there are 1500+ held each year.
With its unique heritage, dating back 50 years, the Island has an unrivalled pedigree. To celebrate its golden anniversary festivalgoers were encouraged to dress in gold clothing. A large number duly did including festival curator John Giddings.
With a combination of hot sunny weather and a crowd of 72,000 there were monster queues for cooling drinks. In fact, in one area of the park, crowds were lined up in one queue waiting to join the already long queues for drinks.
Kashmir Café, run by Quay Arts, was offering real ale including the Island’s own Yachtsman’s Ale. Appropriately, when we looked in during a break in live performances Led Zeppelin’s ‘Kashmir’ was playing.
To close Friday night on the main stage Kasabian drew their usual large audience to witness their performance.
Saturday afternoon saw a short aerial display by 5 stunt planes over the festival site whilst Liam Gallagher’s Saturday evening set relied heavily on the Oasis back catalogue.
Headliners Depeche Mode played only new material for the first half hour. As a result, a large number of the crowd left, bewildered by their choice. If only they had played their well- known songs – after all they have 50 hit singles to choose from.
On Sunday, Manic Street Preachers, proudly bearing their Welsh Flags, made their third appearance at Seaclose Park and were well received by the audience during their hour-long set.
Sunday headliners The Killers gave a high energy ninety minutes performance. Lead singer Brandon Flowers had the crowd with him from the start. They played one hit after another with a cover of Dire Straits’ ‘Romeo & Juliet’ thrown in. Their display came to a climax with ’Human’ during which the show stopping fireworks lit up the sky.
With the pyrotechnics over they launched into their anthemic ‘Mr. Brightside’ as a finale. Technically they broke the 23:00 curfew but no one was complaining!
Local music college Platform One staged 48 acts over the weekend in their mini “Big Top’, which at times was bursting at the seams with those listening. Close by was a raft of stands from local charities and organisations.
Making their inaugural appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival Girlguiding IW gave away 2,000 large marshmallows over the weekend.
Other standholders included Dimbola Museum & Galleries, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, St. Catherine’s School with their ever popular sweet shop, Mountbatten Sunflowers and IW Scouts.
Report by Alan and Suzanne Whitewood
