Isle of Wight Festival

NEWS - 6th February - ENTER SHIKARI, KATY B, ASH AND MORE…!
Summer just got a whole lot hotter at the Isle of Wight Festival 2012 with the addition of Enter Shikari, Katy B, Ash, Pulled Apart By Horses and The Virginmarys taking to the stage in the Big Top. Plus New York Dolls, Christina Perri, Stackridge and Beth Hart join the already bursting line up on The Garden Stage.

British eclectic band Enter Shikari will be bringing their incredible electronicore sound to the Big Top ahead of Groove Armada present Red Light on Friday June 22nd. Special Guest, Katy B brings her critically acclaimed sound to the stage on Saturday June 23rd and Ash make a welcome return on Sunday 24th June. Pulled Apart By Horses and The Virginmarys will also be appearing on Sunday afternoon, making 2012 another year to remember at the Isle of Wight Festival.

The Garden Stage also adds to its exciting line up with trailblazing American rockers the New York Dolls playing Saturday, Christina Perri & Beth Hart performing on Sunday, plus Stackridge on Thursday 21st June.

NEWS - 20th January - JESSIE J, MAGNETIC MAN AND MORE JOIN THE ISLE OF WIGHT 2012 LINE UP!
More of the hottest acts around today join the already jam-packed line up at this year’s Isle of Wight Festival. For the first time, the Festival welcomes the sensational Jessie J, who will bring her pure ghetto pop fabulosity to the Main Stage before Tinie Tempah on Saturday June 23rd. Headlining the Big Top on Saturday will be groundbreaking dubstep pioneers Magnetic Man. Bursting at the seams, The Garden Stage will host an appearance from the dapper Miles Kane on Saturday. With over 40 acts performing across three stages, join the party at the Isle of Wight Festival 2012, there’s only one place to be. Tickets are available NOW, the summer starts here.

On Friday June 22nd, the Big Top will see some massive performances under its roof, with the addition of Harlem-bred vocalist Kelis and the inimitable Caro Emerald. Next up, joining the Big Top line up on Saturday June 23rd will be the provocative London-based girl group, Stooshe.

Over on The Garden Stage the charisma-firework that is Miles Kane as well as the theatrically indie sound of The Real D’Coy, will be appearing before The Charlatans on Saturday June 23rd. LA trio Best Coast and on of the BBC's sounds of 2012 - Dry the River will also take to the stage on Friday June 22nd.

NEWS - 21st December - ISLE OF WIGHT ADDS MORE BANDS JUST BEFORE XMAS!
The Isle of Wight Festival 2012 line up just got even BIGGER with the addition of the simply unstoppable Tinie Tempah and one of the UK's most exciting artists, Labrinth appearing on the main stage on Saturday 23rd June. Also joining the line up on Sunday 24th are alternative rockers Band of Skulls and award winning singer and guitarist Joan Armatrading.

For the first time, on Friday 22nd June the Isle of Wight Festival 2012 will host a dance night in the atmospheric Big Top and headlining are the unique Groove Armada present Red Light who will bring their 4-deck, multi F-X, audiovisual DJ experience to the Festival. Watch this space, as more top acts will be announced in the New Year. Sunday 24th June sees the loud guitars and larger than life drumming of Black Stone Cherry, Spector, Zulu Winter, The Milk and Switchfoot turn up the heat.

Appearing on the Garden Stage will be festival favourites the Brit Floyd who are headlining on Thursday 21st June. The exceptional Crystal Castles will headline on Friday 22nd June with Penguin Prison. Headlining on Saturday 23rd June will be The Charlatans, an inspirational force in British music who will be performing their iconic album Tellin' Stories in full. American punk rock band X and singer-songwriter Terry Reid also join the line-up.

NEWS - 9th December - CELEBRATING 21 YEARS GRUNGE MASTERS PEARL JAM CONFIRMED!
Isle of Wight organisers have revealed the last headline act for next year's festival, none other than grunge legends PEARL JAM!  The band will be rocking the stage on the Saturday night at the festival celebrating their 21st birthday!

Also announced today - The Darkness Headline The Big Top On Sunday, Feeder Open The Mainstage On Friday. And for The Big Top Saturday - Professor Green, Wretch 32, Loick Essien, Clement Marfo & The Frontline

NEWS - 6th December - TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS IN UK FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVE
The Isle of Wight Festival has announced another headline act for 2012. Taking the top slot on the Festival main stage on Friday 22nd June is American rock and roll icon TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS at his side. This will be an extra special performance, as it marks the band’s FIRST ever UK festival appearance and their FIRST major UK show in 20 years. Tickets for this epic line up are on sale now click here for details

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers belong to a special class of artists. A class comprised of those few acts that have sustained decades-long careers despite the restlessness of popular music’s audience. They have scored hits in five different decades while selling tens of millions of records along the way. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during their first year of eligibility and have garnered accolades and awards too many to mention. Through it all their uncompromising integrity has never wavered while their concert tours have become things of legend.

Tom Petty has said The Heartbreakers are first a live band. Critics have said they are one of the few great live rock and roll bands still playing today. The audience spoke loudest of all in 2010 when Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers' last North American tour was their most successful, attended by more people then ever before.

John Giddings, the Festival’s promoter, says, 'We are proud to present Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers at the Isle of Wight Festival finally – it has taken years to achieve but I’m sure it will be worth the wait – they are one of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time.’

NEWS - 2nd December - ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES MORE BANDS FOR 2012
Joining the already confirmed Bruce Springsteen are Elbow, Biffy Clyro, and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. Elbow will be the main stage special guests on the festival's opening day, Biffy Clyro will make a special guest appearance on the Saturday, with Noel Gallagher the main stage special guest to headliners Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band on Sunday.

Also confirmed today are Noah and the Whale who will make their main stage debut on Friday, they will be joined on the same day by Example. Returning for the second year are the Vaccines who play the main stage on Sunday. Saturday's main stage also brings us Madness and as expected The Christians who self confirmed themselves earlier in the week will start the weekend on the Thursday night.

NEWS - 25th November - ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Tickets for next year's Isle of Wight Festival featuring Bruce Springsteen go on sale at 9am this morning and we have a secure link for you to buy tickets safely online - just click the "Get Your Tickets" image above to buy tickets from our partners Eventim

NEWS - 21st November - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN TO HEADLINE SUNDAY NIGHT AT ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL
The Isle of Wight Festival has announced its first headliner for 2012. The legendary singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band will take the top slot on Sunday June 24th and close the Festival with a not to be missed show. This will be Bruce Springsteen’s first visit to the Island and only his 3rd festival performance in the UK to date. Join us at the Isle of Wight Festival 2012 to witness what will be an unbelievable performance from one of the greatest artists of all time.

Bruce Springsteen, one of the most influential artists in the world. A musical legend who records and tours with the E Street Band, Springsteen is famous around the globe for his brand of heartland rock, poetic lyrics, and American sentiments centered around his native New Jersey. Springsteen’s recordings have included both accessible rock albums and folk-oriented works and his most successful studio albums, Born in the U.S.A. and Born to Run, have cemented his place in music history. The singer has sold in excess of 65 million albums in the United States alone and 120 million worldwide. He has earned numerous awards for his work, including a staggering 20 Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes and an Academy Award.

John Giddings, the Festival’s promoter, says, ‘It’s taken years to get him here, but it will have been worth the wait – he is one of the greatest acts of all time, it’s going to be a classic year…’

NEWS - 16th September - 2012 DATES ANNOUNCED!
Organisers have revealed that the Isle of Wight Festival will take place from the 22nd to 24th June 2012, with the usual fun on the Thursday night!

Ticket presale starts on 30th Sept with 2011 prices and a staged payment plan -  www.isleofwightfestival.com

2012 Line Up

Friday 22nd June
TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS
Elbow
Example
Noah & The Whale
Feeder

Big Top Stage
Groove Armada presents Red Light, Enter Shikari, Kelis, Caro Emerald

Garden Stage
Crystal Castles, Penguin Prison, Best Coast, Dry The River

Saturday 23rd June
PEARL JAM
Biffy Clyro
Madness
Tinie Tempah
Jessie J
Labrinth

Big Top Stage
Magnetic Man, Katy B, Professor Green, Wretch 32, Loick Essien, Clement Marfo & The Frontline, Stooshe

Garden Stage
The Charlatans, X, Terry Reid, Miles Kane, The Real D'Coy, New York Dolls

Sunday 24th June
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
The Vaccines
Band Of Skulls
Joan Armatrading

Big Top Stage
The Darkness - headliner
Black Stone Cherry, Ash, Spector, Zulu Winter, The Milk, Switchfoot, Pulled Apart By Horses , The Virginmarys

Garden Stage
Christina Perri & Beth Hart

HISTORY

The 1970 Isle of Wight Festival was held on 26 August – 31 August 1970. It was held on Afton Down an area on the Western side of the Isle of Wight. It was the last of three consecutive music festivals to take place on the island between 1968 and 1970. It was widely acknowledged as the largest musical event of its time (until Summer Jam at Watkins Glen in 1973), greater than the attendance of Live Aid, Woodstock and Rock in Rio. The Guinness Book of Records estimated 600,000 to 700,000, and possibly 800,000 people attended.

The Isle of Wight Festivals had already attracted a massive reputation in 1968 and in 1969 by attracting acts such as Jefferson Airplane, T. Rex, The Move, Pretty Things, Joe Cocker and Bob Dylan (in his first performance since his 1966 motorcycle accident) and The Who in their foundation years. The organisers Fiery Creations (apparently alias brothers Ronald Foulk and Raymond Foulk) were determined to make the 1970 event a legendary event. In this aim they enlisted Jimi Hendrix. With Jimi confirmed, artists such as Chicago, The Doors, The Who, Joan Baez, and Free willingly took up the chance to play on the island. The event had a magnificent but impractical site, a strong but inconsistent line up and the logistical nightmare of transporting 600,000 onto an island with a population of less than 100,000. The aftermath and commercial failings of the festival ensured it would be the last event of its kind on the Isle of Wight for thirty-two years.

Isle of Wight Festival 2011 - Line Up
Kings of Leon, Pulp, Foo Fighters, Kasabian, Tom Jones, The Script, Plan B, Pixie Lott, James Walsh, Jeff Beck, Manic Street Preachers, Public Image Ltd, Cast, Hadouken!, Nick Lowe, Brother, Two Door Cinema Club, Beady Eye, Iggy And The Stooges, Seasick Steve, Hurts, Stornoway, Lissie, Wild Beasts, The Vaccines, Semi Precious Weapons, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Boy George, Tinie Tempah, Alexandra Burke, Eliza Doolittle, Imelda May, Diana Vickers, Parade, Laura Steel, Boy George, The Courteeners, Band of Horses, We Are Scientists, ABC, Mike & The Mechanics, Big Country, The Cult, Mona, Tim Burgess & Mark Collins from The Charlatans – Acoustic Set, Andrea Corr, Ian Brodie, Tom McRae, Roachford, Yellowire, Ben Montague, James Walsh, It’s A Beautiful Day, Julie Felix, Scarlette Fever, Pronghorn, Joe Janiak, Bethia Beadman, Soul Circus, The Scarletz, Stereo Son, Bibelots, Charley Macaulay, Will and the People, The Bonfires, The Arcadian Kicks, Truly Violet