The Isle of Wight Festival’s long-standing promoter, John Giddings, has shared a wealth of behind-the-scenes stories and insights into the history of the event, from its cultural heritage to unforgettable performances by music legends.
Speaking on Rock ‘n’ Roll Book Club’s Music Maps podcast recently, Giddings highlighted how Bob Dylan was enticed to perform in 1969 due to the Isle of Wight’s literary and cultural appeal. Dylan was drawn by figures such as Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens, whom he admired deeply.
David Bowie’s final UK performance in 2004 is a standout moment for Giddings. He recalled a tense lead-up, with England facing Germany in a major football match. Giddings had agreed to show the match’s first half on big screens before Bowie took the stage. By the time Bowie went on, England were trailing and the crowd was silent. Yet Bowie, unfazed, delivered a powerful set packed with hits.
Prince nearly played the festival, but ultimately pulled out. Giddings also shared the tense yet successful negotiations that persuaded Amy Winehouse to join The Rolling Stones on stage after initial reluctance.
Accommodating the Stones in 2007 was a feat Giddings took great pride in. He spent an additional £100,000 to construct a second stage and a pool marquee for band members Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood – though it went unused. Still, bringing the band to the Isle of Wight was a major milestone in the festival’s evolution.
Another quirky memory involves Paul McCartney’s backstage request for acrylic nails. Giddings sourced a local nail technician from Cowes to help strengthen McCartney’s nails for acoustic guitar. She ended up having dinner with the legendary Beatle.
Recalling a surprise encounter with Bruce Springsteen, Giddings admitted to not recognising him in a Soho club when he asked him for a light.
Reflecting on the challenges facing the modern festival scene, Giddings pointed out the market saturation – from 400 festivals to over 1,500 today. Post-COVID cost increases have also reshaped the industry’s economics, with production costs now outweighing artist fees, forcing higher ticket prices.
He also shared how he first met Iggy Pop through Peter Davis of RCA Records, who brought the then-up-and-coming David Bowie as a keyboard player. A long-standing debate between the stars revolved around whether Bowie was ever paid for his contributions.
Despite the hurdles, Giddings continues to see the Isle of Wight Festival as a special event, deeply tied to the culture, community, and history of the area.
You can listen to the full podcast at https://open.spotify.com/episode/5IpDT4KJUDxWz0hGohQIie?go=1&sp_cid=88b7ba92f43f392f90e8b56cf5ef85d5&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1&dlsi=08aaec24c7a3407d.
The Isle of Wight Festival returns this week, getting underway at Seaclose Park on Thursday.
About time this crap ended,”bands” that no one knows,rife with drugs,people walking around like zombies drunks as skunks and seaclose park after 3 months still reeks of urine and faeces ,and didnt giddings say jess glyne (whoever she is) would never play there?
all about the money eh giddings?
and the ferry tickets being nearly £600 for a weekend return!
utterly disgusting.
Rock on Glastonbury
Giddings is an idiot, trying to “Big up” this awful festival. Load of tribute acts, and has beens. Give it up giddings the festival is all but finished now.
60,000 people this weekend would say otherwise. And day tickets are still being sold.
Still is a huge waste of money for second rate acts.