What’s it about?

Back in ’69 this was Britain’s answer to Woodstock. Dylan played here, along with The Who and Joe Cocker, and for a while, this tiny island off the south coast of England was the ultimate site of mass hippie-exodus outside of San Francisco.

The next year though, with Hendrix heading up the bill for his final performance, things turned a bit sour. In an eerie premonition of what was to come in 70’s Britain, one million hippies turned up without tickets, proceeded to break down the perimeter fence and then leg it around the island causing no end of very un-hippie mischief. Enough was enough, and festivals were banned from the island… until 2002.

Now in its seventh year, the Isle of Wight is a lot more sorted, which obviously leaves a fair few encrusted-hippies with their noses skyward, but nonetheless the acts they get on are as exclusive and seminal as the bands that played here back in the Sixties.

This year is no exception with The Police headlining the bill. Big names such as music maestro Pharrell Williams and camarades, NERD, Lily Allen, The Sex Pistols, the ’bittar’songstress Kate Nash and many, many more.

If you’re lucky enough to have a ticket this is going to be the big circle on your calendar. You want unknown bands with intimate performances, headbands and people handing out granola then don’t bother, but if you want a major festival and the best place to see the biggest bands in amazing surroundings, then do not miss…

Book now if you love: tree huggers and recycled toilet paper

Don’t Miss: The Police and the hippy-chic revellers

Want to go? For tickets and more information visit www.isleofwightfestival.com

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