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10 Unforgettable Isle Of Wight Festival Moments
The Isle of Wight Festival is over 50 now, but it's certainly not looking ready to watch Countdown or book on a river cruise.
Here are the 10 most memorable and significant moments in its first 50 years - well, in my opinion anyway.
(Let's overlook the fact that there was a small gap between the festivals in 1970 and 2002).
Here are the 10 most memorable and significant moments in its first 50 years - well, in my opinion anyway.
(Let's overlook the fact that there was a small gap between the festivals in 1970 and 2002).
1. 1969 - Dylan shows up
Sure, the first festival was 1968 but the attendance grew significantly in 1969 to about 150,000 thanks to the remarkable blag of getting Bob Dylan to appear.
The whole thing was bizarre. The main organiser ran a printing company but found the time to persuade Dylan to choose a small festival on an English island over Woodstock. John Lennon turned up and played a doubles tennis match with Dylan as his partner versus Ringo Starr and George Harrison. I'm not sure who won.
The full story is told in Ray and Caroline Foulks' book.
If you're a nostalgic type, you can book accommodation right by the 1969 festival site at Woodside Coastal Retreat and Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat.
The whole thing was bizarre. The main organiser ran a printing company but found the time to persuade Dylan to choose a small festival on an English island over Woodstock. John Lennon turned up and played a doubles tennis match with Dylan as his partner versus Ringo Starr and George Harrison. I'm not sure who won.
The full story is told in Ray and Caroline Foulks' book.
If you're a nostalgic type, you can book accommodation right by the 1969 festival site at Woodside Coastal Retreat and Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat.
2. 1970 - the big one
Every family has a story that gets retold and exaggerated a little bit each time. For years my mother told me that my auntie had - more or less - programmed the first computer. Turns out she didn't.
I've wondered the same about the 1970 festival. Surely there weren't really 600,000 people there - or even 700,000? That's 10 times the modern-day attendance all crammed into a field near Freshwater. We spent far too long coming up with our own estimate and ended up at around 200,000 - 300,000 (read the blog).
Whatever the exact number, it was remarkable in scale and line-up - Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Joni Mitchell, Miles Davis... you get the idea.
The problem was that lots of people didn't pay to get in and some of the locals weren't so keen on the general debauchery. As a result, it was the last one for quite some time.
You can watch recordings of the 1970 sets from Jethro Tull, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Moody Blues, Taste, Leonard Cohen, The Who and The Doors. Several artists also feature on Message To Love.
I've wondered the same about the 1970 festival. Surely there weren't really 600,000 people there - or even 700,000? That's 10 times the modern-day attendance all crammed into a field near Freshwater. We spent far too long coming up with our own estimate and ended up at around 200,000 - 300,000 (read the blog).
Whatever the exact number, it was remarkable in scale and line-up - Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Joni Mitchell, Miles Davis... you get the idea.
The problem was that lots of people didn't pay to get in and some of the locals weren't so keen on the general debauchery. As a result, it was the last one for quite some time.
You can watch recordings of the 1970 sets from Jethro Tull, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Moody Blues, Taste, Leonard Cohen, The Who and The Doors. Several artists also feature on Message To Love.
If you want to stay on the 1970 site (or nearby at least) then your best bets are East Afton Farmhouse, Tom's Eco Lodges and Tollgate Cottages B&B which has festival memorabilia.
There's also an exhibition at Dimbola in Freshwater Bay.
There's also an exhibition at Dimbola in Freshwater Bay.
3. 2002 - Someone at the Isle of Wight Council has an idea
I'm not exactly sure how it came about but John Giddings tells the story that the Isle of Wight Council decided to revive the Festival and invited tenders.
Over the years it had dawned on someone that festivals bring culture and money if they are well managed. The 18 year olds whose minds were supposedly being corrupted by the wild 1970 festival were now 50, wearing suits and running the UK's councils.
John Giddings says no-one else showed an interest, but he went along for a laugh and decided it was worth a go after seeing the sun glinting off the Solent (I'm paraphrasing a bit).
And so, 2002's one day Rock Island was the pinnacle of a two week festival. The weather was a bit grey, the field was half empty and everyone I knew had been given free tickets. But for us it was still desperately exciting to have artists we'd heard of playing in our home town.
Other events during the fortnight seemed to be appearances at pubs by husband and wife folk singers, but we could live with that.
It started the ball rolling and created the tone for future festivals with a mix of established indie bands and heritage acts.
There's barely any footage of it on Youtube, whereas the 1970 Festival has whole documentaries. The end of this documentary has a few shots of teenagers jumping around in raincoats.
Over the years it had dawned on someone that festivals bring culture and money if they are well managed. The 18 year olds whose minds were supposedly being corrupted by the wild 1970 festival were now 50, wearing suits and running the UK's councils.
John Giddings says no-one else showed an interest, but he went along for a laugh and decided it was worth a go after seeing the sun glinting off the Solent (I'm paraphrasing a bit).
And so, 2002's one day Rock Island was the pinnacle of a two week festival. The weather was a bit grey, the field was half empty and everyone I knew had been given free tickets. But for us it was still desperately exciting to have artists we'd heard of playing in our home town.
Other events during the fortnight seemed to be appearances at pubs by husband and wife folk singers, but we could live with that.
It started the ball rolling and created the tone for future festivals with a mix of established indie bands and heritage acts.
There's barely any footage of it on Youtube, whereas the 1970 Festival has whole documentaries. The end of this documentary has a few shots of teenagers jumping around in raincoats.
4. 2004 - Bowie is the hero
John Giddings has pointed to this moment as being key to the festivals longevity, since it brought a global star to the Isle of Wight and opened the (ferry) door to many more.
At the time it was a bit strange. England v France in the European Championship was on the big screen and all was going well.
Then Zinedine Zidane woke up and Bowie had to walk out to a crowd of disappointed football fans.
Normally such things would lead to beered up idiots looking for a French car or a croissant so they can destroy it, but Bowie rattled through the hits.
Following Bowie's death the set is talked about with religious reverence. At the 2017 festival I stood with a friend who was wearing his 2004 t-shirt. Two strangers approached and wanted to know if he had actually been there to witness Bowie in person. I thought they were going to ask if they could touch the t-shirt, but they just about saved their dignity.
Remarkably, the 2004 gig turned out to be David Bowie's last ever UK gig (as far as I can tell, someone correct me if I'm wrong).
At the time it was a bit strange. England v France in the European Championship was on the big screen and all was going well.
Then Zinedine Zidane woke up and Bowie had to walk out to a crowd of disappointed football fans.
Normally such things would lead to beered up idiots looking for a French car or a croissant so they can destroy it, but Bowie rattled through the hits.
Following Bowie's death the set is talked about with religious reverence. At the 2017 festival I stood with a friend who was wearing his 2004 t-shirt. Two strangers approached and wanted to know if he had actually been there to witness Bowie in person. I thought they were going to ask if they could touch the t-shirt, but they just about saved their dignity.
Remarkably, the 2004 gig turned out to be David Bowie's last ever UK gig (as far as I can tell, someone correct me if I'm wrong).
5. 2005 - Morrisey goes missing
I'm sure this is not the Isle of Wight Festival's greatest moment, but it is certainly a memorable one.
Morrissey's name was on the poster, fans had booked tickets and I imagine the t-shirts had been printed. And then, a couple of weeks before the Festival, it was announced he wasn't coming.
The initial statement on Morrissey's website blamed a busy schedule and drummer issues. Morrissey was then quoted as saying that his label had booked it without telling him.
In the end, Travis stepped in to save the day but I get the impression John Giddings still has nightmares about the moment he got the phone call.
Morrissey's name was on the poster, fans had booked tickets and I imagine the t-shirts had been printed. And then, a couple of weeks before the Festival, it was announced he wasn't coming.
The initial statement on Morrissey's website blamed a busy schedule and drummer issues. Morrissey was then quoted as saying that his label had booked it without telling him.
In the end, Travis stepped in to save the day but I get the impression John Giddings still has nightmares about the moment he got the phone call.
6. 2007 - Rolling Stones bring out Amy Winehouse
A friend of mine from the Isle of Wight is still kicking himself that he didn't get to see the Rolling Stones on the Saturday night back in 2007. It's not often that your favourite act - and one of the world's biggest bands - plays in your home town.
I'm in that category of lightweight 'fans' who love all their early stuff but couldn't name a single or album from the last 30 years.
Thankfully they rattled out the hits and we all sang along. At one point in the middle Keith took over the singing and it all got a bit self indulgent. People at the back started chatting and wandering off to the toilet.
But they picked it up again, the stage started moving at one point and they even brought out Amy Winehouse for a duet of Ain't Too Proud To Beg.
Good times.
I'm in that category of lightweight 'fans' who love all their early stuff but couldn't name a single or album from the last 30 years.
Thankfully they rattled out the hits and we all sang along. At one point in the middle Keith took over the singing and it all got a bit self indulgent. People at the back started chatting and wandering off to the toilet.
But they picked it up again, the stage started moving at one point and they even brought out Amy Winehouse for a duet of Ain't Too Proud To Beg.
Good times.
7. 2009 - Pixies rocka-my-soul
This one is a personal choice, I don't imagine it would make the top 10 for many people.
In 1999, prior to the revival of the Isle of Wight Festival, I became a Pixies fanboy. I rummaged through HMV sales for their albums and downloaded bootlegs on dialup, only to discover they had been mislabelled and my parents' phone bill had been wasted.
I shared my Pixies collection and a group of us became fans. Big fans.
Music became our main topic of conversation, we all became obsessed with the same bands and it felt ridiculously important for some reason.
At the time, the Isle of Wight was starved of live music beyond pub bands. Major bands never included an Isle of Wight gig on tours so it was a case of a late ferry back from Portsmouth and a request for a midnight pickup from the least unwilling parent.
And so, the thought of the Pixies playing on the Isle of Wight was incomprehensible in 1999.
And yet, 10 years later here they were.
Honestly, I don't think the crowd was all that keen. The Pixies are a bit quirkier and shoutier than most Isle of Wight Festival acts and if you've not listened to the albums you are unlikely to hear many songs you've caught on the radio.
But I didn't mind because the Pixies were playing at Seaclose Park where I used to play cricket and tennis on Sunday evenings and I couldn't believe it.
I briefly met them too and my wife made me a mug with her on one side and myself with Black Francis surrounded by love hearts on the other.
I'm still figuring out exactly what point she was trying to make.
In 1999, prior to the revival of the Isle of Wight Festival, I became a Pixies fanboy. I rummaged through HMV sales for their albums and downloaded bootlegs on dialup, only to discover they had been mislabelled and my parents' phone bill had been wasted.
I shared my Pixies collection and a group of us became fans. Big fans.
Music became our main topic of conversation, we all became obsessed with the same bands and it felt ridiculously important for some reason.
At the time, the Isle of Wight was starved of live music beyond pub bands. Major bands never included an Isle of Wight gig on tours so it was a case of a late ferry back from Portsmouth and a request for a midnight pickup from the least unwilling parent.
And so, the thought of the Pixies playing on the Isle of Wight was incomprehensible in 1999.
And yet, 10 years later here they were.
Honestly, I don't think the crowd was all that keen. The Pixies are a bit quirkier and shoutier than most Isle of Wight Festival acts and if you've not listened to the albums you are unlikely to hear many songs you've caught on the radio.
But I didn't mind because the Pixies were playing at Seaclose Park where I used to play cricket and tennis on Sunday evenings and I couldn't believe it.
I briefly met them too and my wife made me a mug with her on one side and myself with Black Francis surrounded by love hearts on the other.
I'm still figuring out exactly what point she was trying to make.
8. 2010 - Macca, Pink and Kanye make it
I'm going to stick my neck out and say that 2010 had the most impressive headliners of any Isle of Wight Festival since 1970.
Sir Paul McCartney, Jay-Z and the Strokes is some trio. Others will argue for 2004 (Bowie, The Who, Stereophonics) or 2006 (Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Prodigy), 2007 (Muse, Snow Patrol, Rolling Stones) or 2011 (Foo Fighters, Kasabian, Kings of Leon) or perhaps another year.
As John Giddings says in an interview: "When Jay-Z was on, I thought an audience couldn't go more wild - and then Kanye West walked on. It was extraordinary, the way people erupted...I thought the earth was shaking!"
There was also a memorable circus-style performance from Pink who gets extra points for effort. You wouldn't get some shoe-gazing Indie band going to such trouble...
Sir Paul McCartney, Jay-Z and the Strokes is some trio. Others will argue for 2004 (Bowie, The Who, Stereophonics) or 2006 (Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Prodigy), 2007 (Muse, Snow Patrol, Rolling Stones) or 2011 (Foo Fighters, Kasabian, Kings of Leon) or perhaps another year.
As John Giddings says in an interview: "When Jay-Z was on, I thought an audience couldn't go more wild - and then Kanye West walked on. It was extraordinary, the way people erupted...I thought the earth was shaking!"
There was also a memorable circus-style performance from Pink who gets extra points for effort. You wouldn't get some shoe-gazing Indie band going to such trouble...
9. 2012 - Muddy hell
The Isle of Wight is a sunny place and the Festival certainly hasn't endured many soggy moments. 2012 was the exception when it rained hard, leaving queues from the festival site back to Milton Keynes, or something like that.
John Giddings tells stories of spending the weekend trying to get hold of tractors to drag cars out of the mud.
It was a shame, since it put a soggy note on a great line-up (Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam). Still, it's a reminder of one plus point the Isle of Wight has over Glastonbury.
Organisers must have been especially irritated since the festival had moved from its usual weekend to avoid a clash with the Queen's Jubilee. So I guess, in a way, it was the Royal Family's fault.
John Giddings tells stories of spending the weekend trying to get hold of tractors to drag cars out of the mud.
It was a shame, since it put a soggy note on a great line-up (Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam). Still, it's a reminder of one plus point the Isle of Wight has over Glastonbury.
Organisers must have been especially irritated since the festival had moved from its usual weekend to avoid a clash with the Queen's Jubilee. So I guess, in a way, it was the Royal Family's fault.
10. 2017 - Milkshake Party Party Live!
Bear with me on this one.
Back in the early 2000s I was a complete music snob. My idea of a festival was planning which bands I would see and rigidly sticking to the schedule. There was no time for dodgems, crepes or wandering around to see which acts I might stumble upon.
In 2017, I took my older daughter to the Isle of Wight Festival for the first time.
I soon realised that my festival routine would need to change. I might catch a bit of something I wanted, but mostly I would wander around trying to keep a four year old happy.
And so, the highlight of Saturday daytime was a performance by the presenters of Channel 5's Milkshake. In summary, it involved people who usually introduce episodes of cartoons singing some songs about chickens.
We both loved it and my daughter was happy. My wider point is that - like most festivals - the Isle of Wight Festival has evolved into a multi-generational festival with stuff going on all over the place. The headliners are important, but you could still have a good time without seeing any of them.
In the evening, I left her sleeping (mostly) at my mother's house and crept back to watch Arcade Fire's thumping set. I got home around 1am, she woke up for the day at 5.30am. Ah well...
Back in the early 2000s I was a complete music snob. My idea of a festival was planning which bands I would see and rigidly sticking to the schedule. There was no time for dodgems, crepes or wandering around to see which acts I might stumble upon.
In 2017, I took my older daughter to the Isle of Wight Festival for the first time.
I soon realised that my festival routine would need to change. I might catch a bit of something I wanted, but mostly I would wander around trying to keep a four year old happy.
And so, the highlight of Saturday daytime was a performance by the presenters of Channel 5's Milkshake. In summary, it involved people who usually introduce episodes of cartoons singing some songs about chickens.
We both loved it and my daughter was happy. My wider point is that - like most festivals - the Isle of Wight Festival has evolved into a multi-generational festival with stuff going on all over the place. The headliners are important, but you could still have a good time without seeing any of them.
In the evening, I left her sleeping (mostly) at my mother's house and crept back to watch Arcade Fire's thumping set. I got home around 1am, she woke up for the day at 5.30am. Ah well...
11. 2021 - The Isle of Wight Festival Survives Covid
It's been a few years since we first wrote this guide, so it seems like a good time to turn it up to 11.
The 2021 festival was a memorable one because it showed the Isle of Wight Festival's resilience - whilst dozens of other festivals have gone bankrupt or given up.
The 2020 Festival was postponed due to COVID-19, and then cancelled altogether with plans to return in June 2021. Ticketholders were told they could either have a refund or keep their ticket for next year.
That plan for a June festival was scuppered and then the festival finally went ahead in September 2021. Some locals complained that it shouldn't be happening at all. Everyone who did attend had to show off negative lateral flow tests or prove they'd been double-jabbed.
In the end, the headliners were Liam Gallagher, Snow Patrol, David Guetta and Duran Duran.
I remain grateful that the festival didn't give up and continues to provide us music fans with a brilliant annual event on our doorstep.
The 2021 festival was a memorable one because it showed the Isle of Wight Festival's resilience - whilst dozens of other festivals have gone bankrupt or given up.
The 2020 Festival was postponed due to COVID-19, and then cancelled altogether with plans to return in June 2021. Ticketholders were told they could either have a refund or keep their ticket for next year.
That plan for a June festival was scuppered and then the festival finally went ahead in September 2021. Some locals complained that it shouldn't be happening at all. Everyone who did attend had to show off negative lateral flow tests or prove they'd been double-jabbed.
In the end, the headliners were Liam Gallagher, Snow Patrol, David Guetta and Duran Duran.
I remain grateful that the festival didn't give up and continues to provide us music fans with a brilliant annual event on our doorstep.
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