This year’s Isle of Wight Festival saw as many as 60,000 people descend upon Seaclose Park in Newport to enjoy a varied mix of world class acts, including three distinctive yet diverse headline performances from the Prodigy, Stereophonics and legendary rocker Neil Young.
Other artists to grace the main stage included UK dance duo Basement Jaxx, Pendulum, the Ting Tings, Razorlight, Maximo Park, Paolo Nutini, Simple Minds, Goldie Lookin’ Chain, Sharon Corr and the Pigeon Detectives. The recently introduced Big Top situated away from the main arena in Strawberry Fields played host to popular household names such as Beverley Knight, Alesha Dixon, Calvin Harris and McFly – all of whom were a huge hit with the crowds.
The Acoustic Stage in the arboretum was new for 2009 and showcased the very best in local talent, with more than 50 up and coming bands having been given the opportunity to highlight the diverse range of musical talent the Island has to offer. There were also brand new fairground rides and bars – many of which also doubled up as live music venues with the Island’s very own Hipshaker tent attracting thousands of visitors throughout the course of the weekend.
The Red Arrows made a spectacular appearance on the Saturday afternoon, performing a breathtaking 30-minute show, setting the skies above the festival site ablaze with colour. There was a large emphasis on encouraging all festival-goers to think green this year, with incentives such as the cup-collecting ‘Cash It Don’t Trash It’ scheme which rewarded people for returning their cups; resulting a massive reduction in litter.
It is estimated the three-day concert boosts the Island’s economy by as much as £10 million a year with music fans unanimous in their support for local businesses and fundraisers including the ‘Give Bee’s a Chance’ campaign and the Hospice Sunflowers, which were sported by hundreds of festival-goers and artists including Will Young.
Once again Isle of Wight Council was instrumental in assisting and supporting organisers Solo to ensure that the event was a resounding success. Please see our exclusive festival photo gallery for a real taste of the weekend’s biggest highlights.