Isle of Wight Festival boss, John Giddings, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that this year’s music event takes place even despite the adversity currently being faced by the events industry.
Speaking in an interview with Audio Media International, John Giddings made comment on the current state of live events, and revealed his thoughts regarding the Governments seeming reluctance to run test live music events – despite its trials with sporting fixtures.
Speaking to AMI, John said:
“The bottom line is, we’re being treated like second class citizens. They’re allowing the Grand Prix, the tennis, the football – but all those events are financed by TV incombe, the audience is peripheral.
“We can only do shows if we can sell tickets to pay for the costs, but we’re last in the queue. We have to beg to have test events, which is pathetic.”
The comments come several months after the Isle of Wight Festival announced a change from its usual June date, with the Seaclose Park event now set to be held in September.
According to Giddings, it costs £10 million to host the annual event (which was cancelled in 2020 for the first time since its reintroduction), but there has still been no progress with the ‘Covid Insurance Scheme’, which is said to be backed by the Government.
Continuing in his chat to AMI, John continued:
“If they extend [the lockdown] I don’t know what will happen. We’re getting very angry and we feel we’re being treated half-heartedly.
“Over my dead body will it not occur, and I don’t intend dying in the near future, believe you me. We are prepared to take the risk – you should phone me in October to see if I’m bankrupt or not!”
The expected return of the Island’s only mainstream music festival has in itself been a hot-topic amongst residents, with arguments from both for and against camps coming to light, and some Islanders expressing their fear over 50,000 people heading here to soak up the atmosphere.
Music fans were warned in June that the reduced capacity event was close to selling out, as more and more people decided to try and resurrect the summer.
Good time for a holiday & get away from the mayhem
Well that has confirmed what John Giddings priority is in a pandemic.
Also saying that the event was close to selling out suggests it wasn’t.
Why September? Why not August so not affecting schools?
Our children’s education has already been badly effected by the pandemic, and if the festival goes ahead when planned it will mean yet more disruption to students at Medina. All for Greedy Giddings and the already multimillionaire muscians headlining.
Thats not even taking into account the health risks for all involved attending this event, plus the ferry workers and the NHS staff who will no doubt be attending to a higher percentage of emergency and covid patients due to the amount of intoxicated music fans and visitors to the Island. This at a time when St Marys is already overwhelmed. Without the added issue of Covid 19!!
What world is John Giddings living in where putting on a live music event outweighs all these health risks for the Island residents and visitors alike???
I do not understand the school part ?? The event will be on a weekend..
Thursday and Friday its not just the weekend
I think he is hoping that a later date wont run into further restrictions or bans?
So just keeping an eye on the bottom line then, Money Money Money
Just like every other business in the country.
Look how the positive cases went up after half term holidays, whats it going to be like with 50000 visitors from all over the country are here. There are still a lot of that age group who have no intention of getting vaccinations; wealth before health. How is Mr Giddings going to monitor COOVID guidelines I ask, pure selfishness.
Giddings is selfish bring Covid carrying hippy’s over here.
Why is our council permitting it to take place? Thought they were supposed to be protecting us?
You’ve had your vaccines, so stop whinging!!!
Not everyone can have the vaccine. Selfish pleasure seekers don’t give a thought to anyone except themselves.
interesting that their sponsors wont even deliver to the island
It’s not that the government “do not think that it is that bad”, it is…. because like you and John Giddings they have an arrogant attitude. Ask yourself my the NHS staff are not allowed any holidays over August and September. Word on the grapevine is that the Government are going to go for another lockdown then. I think the thumbs up and thumbs down in these comments speak volumes don’t you.
Don’t see any of you moaning about football matches.
I hope the ferry companies are going to stick to the guidelines aswell
the ferry companies already do stick to the guidlines – which is no restrictions placed on visitors to and from the isle of wight, which means ferry companies are not legally permitted to prevent travel, otherwise they will be discriminating.
you tin foil hat wearers need to get a grip – if it is ok for UEFA to turn up and watch football, avoiding restrictions and for the government to ignore rules, then it is ok for everyone else.
what Is everyone’s problem as long as the restrictions are in place at the time are followed then why shouldn’t it take place yes people are going to come over to it but have you seen how many tourists are coming over for the weekends at the moment
I’m sure the majority of these moaners, never wanted the festival here before covid!
The young people you refer to are the highest spreading group of all of us, and are only just able to have their first vaccinations.
We should be protecting them from all risks of this awful virus, whilst providing live streamed music concerts and events. We have the technology!
You can fight for your Country at 18, drive a car at 17 so let them look after themselves, they don’t need protecting by anyone.
Giving people the jab is not the answer, read what the government put out there. You with the jab are more likely to spread the flu virus!!!
It is a shame for people, but holding the Festival this Year is very irresponsible
IW Council should postpone it until next year.
People are under the impression because they have been vaccinated they are exempt from
the Virus.
That is not the Case.
Better to be Safe than Sorry
Stay safe everyone
Great news. He’s totally right.
A lot of nasty selfish people on here ,wanting to deny people earning a living .shame on you .
And whop would be to blame if people die from Covid caught at the festival ? Obviously you do not care about people, just your wallet !¬
Typical reply from someone who sits on their arse claiming benefit .
Yeah let’s stop people being happy a minor flu.
The usual selfish moaning people on here, that hate the festival every year no matter what’s going on. Time to get back to normal and ignore these ridiculous lockdown rules, as more people are dying of the vaccine than the flu (covid). If you are that worried, then stay home & don’t leave your house that weekend, which is what you probably do all year round anyway!
Might regret saying “Over my dead body will it not occur, and I don’t intend dying in the near future” with Covid about!
Only sure thing I will not be anywhere near the event even if offered free tickets!
Bringing Covid over too , still never mind he will not loose out I’m sure.
It’s going to happen, so get over it!
With the Delta variant on the rampage, this is rather an arrogant comment to make. If the organisers insist on proof of 2 vaccines and a negative COVID test, yes ok, but I doubt this will happen. Caution is key, look at how the EU countries are treating us and the restrictions and requirements needed to visit their country.