Latest news with #IsleOfWightFestival
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
An Englishman in Newport – Sting wows Isle of Wight Festival
Former The Police frontman Sting has wowed the crowds at the Isle of Wight Festival with a set of greatest hits. Wearing a white T-shirt and tight black trousers, the 73-year-old raced straight into fan favourite Message In A Bottle which got the crowd singing along. Half way through his one-and-a-half-hour slot, Sting said to the Newport audience: 'We are delighted to be back at the Isle of Wight festival, it's a historic festival. 'Thank you for inviting us.' After bounding through An Englishman in New York, Walking On The Moon and Every Breath You Take, the band went off before returning for an encore of Roxanne which the crowds enthusiastically sang along to. Sting then finished with Fragile, the only acoustic song in the set. Other bands taking to the Main Stage on Friday included Lottery Winners, Amy Macdonald, The Corrs and Faithless ending the night while Clean Bandit headlined the Big Top. Some 55,000 partygoers have crossed the Solent to reach Seaclose Park in Newport for the four-day event also being headlined by Stereophonics and Justin Timberlake. John Giddings, who has run the festival since re-launching it in 2002 following the legendary events which ran from 1968 to 1970, has said he goes with 'gut feeling' when choosing the acts. The 72-year-old told the PA news agency: 'You want to book acts that have a catalogue that's going to entertain an audience for an hour, hour and a half, and, secondly, someone who's capable of performing to an audience of 50,000 people in a field, because they need to be able to project to entertain.' Other acts performing during the weekend include The Script, Jess Glynne, Supergrass, Example, Busted and Texas.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Isle of Wight Festival bus driver escapes fire
A bus used to ferry passengers to and from the Isle of Wight Festival has been destroyed by fire. The driver managed to safely pull over before emergency services were called at 00:40 BST to Newport Road. No-one else had been onboard the bus which had been shuttling people between Cowes ferry terminal and the festival site in Newport. Richard Tyldsley, Southern Vectis general manager, said: "There was no prior warning of any issue, and the driver pulled over immediately and safely." "This type of incident is extremely rare, and we are investigating to establish the cause of the fire. Early indications suggest a mechanical issue," he said. The former Salisbury Reds bus has been retained on the island and is part of the additional fleet used for festival transport each year. "The vehicle has been maintained and was prepared for service by the Southern Vectis team," said Mr Tyldsley. The Isle of Wight Festival started on Thursday with some of the thousands of revellers making their way to the island. Headliners for this year's weekend-long event include Justin Timberlake and Stereophonics. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Isle of Wight Festival: What you need to know Isle of Wight Festival
BBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Isle of Wight Festival: What you need to know
The Isle of Wight Festival returns to Seaclose Park in Newport this it first began in 1968 the event has drawn the biggest names in music to the island, including Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Amy Winehouse and year's event, which as usual requires visitors to catch a ferry to reach the site, runs from 19 to 22 June, and includes Sting, Justin Timberlake and Stereophonics on the year's four-day festival welcomed 55,000 people to the island. Who is on the Isle of Wight Festival line-up? In addition to this year's headliners the bill includes English electronic groups Faithless and Clean Bandit, Irish rock band The Script, and US singer-songwriter Teddy rapper Example, former The Beautiful South singer Paul Heaton, former Yazoo member Alison Moyet, X-Factor alumnus Olly Murs, Mercury Music Prize-winners English Teacher, Britpop legends James and Supergrass, and the UK's 2025 Eurovision darlings Remember Monday will also that is still only skimming the surface. Also taking to the stage will be:BustedThe LathumsTexasThe Lottery WinnersThe CorrsDean LewisAmy MacDonaldElla EyreLightning SeedsThe Pigeon DetectivesThe Saw DoctorsBjörn AgainCrystal TidesThe SmythsRazorlightYard ActAlessi RoseMidge UrePale WavesTwin AtlanticAmbleNieve EllaArthur HillMae MullerMatilda MannThe LilacsEmmanuel KellyRhythm of the 90s Getting to the Isle of Wight Festival There are four mainland ferry ports at Southampton, Portsmouth, Lymington or Southsea, with Red Funnel, Wightlink, Hovertravel and all offering different routes to the ports are all served by rail and road can take their cars across from the mainland, though this will take longer, with Red Funnel and Wightlink operating three services between them. From Wednesday morning until Monday afternoon there will be a one-way system introduced on the island for festival-bound system will operate along Fairlee Road and traffic from Newport will be directed up Staplers Road, but residents are being warned to expect Green Coach is the festival's official travel partner, a "carbon neutral coach" which arrives at the festival's official coach park on Thursday or Friday and returns on up locations are in Birmingham, Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, London Croydon, London Victoria, London Richmond, Manchester, Nottingham, Oxford, Reading, and on the Isle of Wight, Southern Vectis runs regular festival shuttle buses across the Cowes Floating Bridge, which carries vehicles, bikes, and foot passengers between Cowes and East Cowes, will be operating an extended timetable during the festival. When do the gates open and what can I bring? The campsite is scheduled to open at 10:00 on Thursday and close at 14:00 on car park gates open from 06:00 on are not allowed to bring the following items to the festival:GlassCandlesGas canisters larger than 300gSmoke canistersKnivesIllegal substancesLegal highsNitrous oxideLaser pensMegaphonesFireworksFlaresPoles, banners, and flagsAnimals (other than registered guide or hearing dogs)Any items which may be used as a weaponCamping-style chairs and inflatable seating are allowed on-site, but they cannot be taken beyond a designated point in the main arena. Anything else? Be sure to use the BBC website to check the latest weather forecast for Newport, but it never hurts to bring waterproofs in as with all festivals, it is always worth being aware of the health risks so you can enjoy the event safely - there are some top tips here. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"It's all about gut feeling" – IW Festival boss on what makes a true headliner
Isle of Wight Festival promoter John Giddings has revealed that when it comes to booking headline acts, social media clout comes a distant second to old-fashioned instinct. The long-time organiser of the Island's biggest music event says a performer's ability to connect with a real crowd is what truly matters – and no number of TikTok views can replace that. 'It's gut feeling, really,' said Mr Giddings. 'I've learned the hard way in my years in the music business that some people might have sold a lot of records, but they're useless when it comes to performing.' Crowd scene at the main stage at Isle of Wight Festival 2024 (Image: Paul Blackley / IWCP) Recommended reading: Isle of Wight Festival 2025: Main Stage and Big Top schedule revealed! "We're levelling up": Co-op adds second Isle of Wight Festival store for 2025 While he appreciates the appeal of digital fame, he's seen its limits. "I do know artists who've had a million views on TikTok, who can't sell 300 tickets at a club in London. "Just because all these people want to watch them on socials, doesn't mean they're going to pay money to go and see them in a field," Mr Giddings added. The 72-year-old, who has brought the festival back to life since its relaunch in 2002, knows a thing or two about putting on a show. From U2 and Madonna to Phil Collins and Blondie, he's worked with some of the biggest names in music. Speaking to the PA news agency, Mr Giddings explained that picking the right acts for Seaclose Park is about more than numbers. 'You want to book acts that have a catalogue that's going to entertain an audience for an hour, hour and a half,' he said. 'And someone who's capable of performing to an audience of 50,000 people in a field, because they need to be able to project, to entertain." Crowd scene at the main stage at Isle of Wight Festival 2024 (Image: Paul Blackley / IWCP) Mr Giddings, who runs his music agency Solo out of London, says finding fresh talent is a vital part of the job. 'Because I'm older, we book acts from past, present and future,' he said. 'There's a discussion in the office as to what new bands are coming up, and you're projecting as to what they're going to be doing in the year's or nine months' time.' There's also room for fresh ideas from all corners of the operation. 'If the truck driver comes up with a good idea and it's a better idea than mine, then go for it,' said Mr Giddings. 'We've got 15 stages on the Isle of Wight, so whatever stage you're at in your career, you can play one of those stages.' Jay-Z, who headlined Friday night at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2010 Looking back on the magic moments over the years, one in particular stands out – Jay Z. 'I remember thinking 50,000 people couldn't go wilder, and then Kanye West walked on with them, and it exploded. 'I turned to my left, and there was Beyonce standing there – I thought 'It couldn't get better than this'.' Now, with more than two decades of organising the modern incarnation under his belt, his passion is undimmed. 'I absolutely love it, which is my downfall because I work all the time, I never think I've actually had a job,' he said. 'It's the most satisfying thing ever to provide entertainment for people.'
CTV News
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
PNE reveals summer concert lineup for 2025
Adam Duritz and David Immergluck of the band the Counting Crows perform at the Isle of Wight Festival on Friday, June 12, 2015 in Newport, Isle of Wight, England. (Photo by Jim Ross/Invision/AP) (Jim Ross/The Associated Press)
