Sunday at the Cinch Presents Isle of Wight Festival 2021

The silver lining of 2021’s Isle of Wight festival being delayed is that we won’t have to wait as long for 2022.

I’m getting ahead of myself, but my assumption is that the Festival will a) return in 2022 and b) take place in June. I have no inside information to confirm either of these, just blind hope.

If those things happen, it will mean we only have to wait 9 months between festivals rather than the 27 months between the 2019 and 2021 festivals.

This is good news for those of us who look forward to the Isle of Wight Festival as one of the highlights of the year. There will always be objectors, but I love seeing the Isle of Wight busy with people carrying tents. I can endure a one way system for a few days to bring world class music to a small Island.

Sunday at a festival is sometimes a bit of a stamina test. Some don’t make it to the end, particularly those who pushed it a bit on Saturday night. 

For us, it offered many memorable moments.

We were feeling less wandersome on Sunday and mostly stuck around the main stage field for James Vincent McMorrow and Imelda May. The sun was shining, the music was good and there seemed very little reason to move. 

Next up was Supergrass, a band which I have a great deal of affection for. Unusually for me, I actually prefer the second half of their career rather than the earlier stuff which gets bundled in with Britpop bands of the time. 

"Monsieur Jack" caused a brief problem with a guitar but the rest of the set was flawless, with favourites including Alright, Caught By The Fuzz and Pumpin' On Your Stereo.

The Script provided the penultimate main stage entertainment of the festival. They were an unexpected highlight for me, with some excellent crowd interaction (including getting a member of the crowd to call an ex-boyfriend).

Over the years, the Sunday night headline slot at the Isle of Wight Festival has been filled by several 'heritage' acts. We've had Rod Stewart in 2017, Queen + Adam Lambert in 2016, Fleetwood Mac in 2015, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in 2012 and Paul McCartney in 2010.

Duran Duran may not appreciate being put into that category but they have been going since 1978. 

With tired legs, we settled down on benches in the Octopus Garden for their terrific set which included View To A Kill (with fireworks), Wild Boys and Rio.

Thanks to all who were involved in the Isle of Wight Festival 2021. I'm already looking forward to 2022.

Photos are used with permission from Isle of Wight Festival 2021.