The RX-8

MUSIC & ART
9, 10, 11
“this year will
JUNE
blow people
away”
FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
The Prodigy
Placebo
Goldfrapp
The Rakes
Morning Runner
Foo Fighters
Primal Scream
Editors
Dirty Pretty Things
The Kooks
The Upper Room
747s
The Isle of Wight Festival is without question one of the best things
that has happened to the Island for many years. Apart from the
world-wide branding exercise it creates for the Island, it is also
bringing some positivity back into the Island, which is so much
needed.
I caught up with John Giddings, the festival organiser and had a
chat with him about his take on the Islands biggest yearly event.
Q. What made you consider starting the festival again?
The idea of reviving the 1970’s event was suggested by Lindsay who
worked for me at the time, back then my feelings were that it was a
rubbish idea, and that it would not work. However Lindsay who
lived on the Island kept badgering me until I come round to her
Coldplay
Richard Ashcroft
Lou Reed
Maximo Park
Kubb
way of thinking.
Q. Why was the Fairlee site chosen and not West Wight?
It could not happen over West Wight for various reasons, transport
links, and the area was in-accessible for large volumes of people. So
the site at Fairlee was suggested, it had good transport links, it
backed onto the River Medina, with a pub and hotel to hand, this is
a perfect location.
Q. Do you think the festival will grow in the future or are you happy
with the size it is?
If anything I would make it smaller, I am not trying to compete with
Glastonbury, it’s the Isle of Wight, people have to remember this.
58 Island Life - www.islandlifemagazine.net