Bigger and better than ever before, Platform One College of Music are back at the Isle of Wight Festival with their very own mini-big top.
The stage will be known as the ‘Platform One Stage’ and will feature young up and coming acts serious about progressing in the UK music industry. This will be the ideal meeting place for young people to gather and watch some of their favourite Island bands, celebrating the wealth of musical talent associated with Platform One.
The stage will also feature bands from this year’s Wight Noize auditions, as well as past and present students studying commercial music at the college.
Platform One has been involved with the Festival since its rebirth in 2002 with John Giddings becoming a patron of the college in 2008.
David Pontin, director of Platform One said:
“The Festival has had a profound impact on the aspirations of young musicians. It is incredible to think that they have an opportunity to perform at such a prestigious and internationally acclaimed Festival”.
John Giddings has also committed to giving a mainstage slot on the Sunday for Platform One’s Wight Noize initiative. Wight Noize is an annual professional music industry showcase and aims to support young bands that are looking to establish a career in the music industry. Bands and artists have the opportunity to receive advice and guidance from industry professionals and this year, Naked Fridays have won the top spot and will now play the mainstage, with runners up to the competition programmed on the Platform One Stage.
In collaboration with Platform One, the Isle of Wight Festival has been able to do much to enrich the aspirations of young people on the Island, which goes beyond opportunities to perform.
It is important to note that a festival of this size does not need to embrace local musicians. The Festival’s commitment to Platform One is never taken for granted and is a unique model for major festivals.
John Giddings certainly takes his role as patron extremely seriously:
“I am very proud to be a patron of Platform One. I think they do an incredible job of preparing young musicians for the reality of the music industry. I like helping people and our work with Platform One feels the right thing to do. They have integrity, are good at what they do and underline that it’s the Isle of Wight Festival of music.”
