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Isla

Isle of Wight Festival Magazine 2012


CREW Editor: Fashion Editor: Features Editor: Editorial: Photographers: Illustrator: Design:

Jane Baker Helen Archard Charlotte Babington Jacqui Swift, Rachel Lamb, Lisa Dibben James Gillham/StillMoving.net, Linzi Radwell, Edie Lawrence Rebecca Libby Adam Woodgate, Marcus Faint, Paul Ansell, Justin Earle

A BA (Hons) Magazine Journalism and Feature Writing publication


WELCOME to the Isle of Wight Festival Magazine 2012 - a souvenir edition bursting with pictures, reviews and news on the most exciting fesival of the summer. Whether you were lucky enough to bag a three day camping pass, crossed the Solent just to see your favourite act or watched from afar this digital magazine is your ticket to relive the excitement, energy and excellence of a weekend of class acts, great music and ever-lasting memories. Brought to you by the students of Southampton Solent University’s Magazine Journalism degree, we hope all of our exclusive interviews and insider gossip will keep you going until next year.


CONTENTS 03 Welcome 04-05 Contents 06-07 festival pilgrims 08-09 luckiest man alive 10-11 american trilogy 12-13 campers only 14-15 tom petty & the heartbreakers review 16 elbow interview 17-19 friday in pictures 20-21 pearl jam review 22 biffy clyro review 23-25 saturday in pictures 26-27 bruce springsteen & the E Street band review 28-29 the vaccines interview 30-33 sunday in pictures 34-35 survival guide 36-37 tweet success 38-41 festival fashion 42-45 festival frolics 46-47 A greener festival 48 love your tent 49 What a buzz! 50-51 overheard @ IOW festival 52 stooshe interview 53 clement marfo interview 54-56 miles kane interview 57 the pierces interview 58-59 the darkness interview 60-61 final thoughts



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LUCKIEST

MAN ALIVE 8 isla magazine


“It was a great weekend, some of the best music I’ve ever seen. It was really hard to begin with, getting people into the car park, the mud, and the British weather. Despite all that though, people were having the best time and talking to them around the site in the audience they were loving it; absolutely loving it. I can’t thank them enough for their support.” e talk Hendrix, So what is it about Isle of Wight Festival that makes for Heartbreakers and such a good place to hold a festival? heavens opening “There is so much history here. The island had Jimi with legendary music Hendrix and the festival was the Woodstock of Europe. I love promoter and festival the fact you can only get there by boat, it has beaches… organiser John Giddings. need I go on?!” The Isle of Wight Festival is one that has been enjoyed No need, especially seeing as 55,000 people attended by people of all ages for eleven years. Having begun its this year. The music extravaganza continues to go from festival reign back in 1968, it is safe to say that it is one of the strength to strength introducing bigger acts as the years go oldest and most well known music events in history. on. Organiser John Giddings is not a man to let a crowd “Our audiences like good music of different genres. They down, and with this year’s lineup, he succeeded once again might not have bought a Tinie Tempah record but they to please everyone. might enjoy his live performance. When I saw him last year I “The headlining acts I chose for 2012 are ones I had been thought he was an up and coming Jay Z and I’ve seen Jay Z targeting for the past five years. It just all came together at perform here with Kanye West and tear the place apart so it the same time. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Pearl Jam was a no brainer.” and Bruce Springsteen are rock Gods.” The Isle of Wight Festival is known for being an Those were just some of the names that graced the environmentally friendly operation, one of which John stages this year. A diverse range of acts enveloped the invests a lot of time and money in promoting. festival from Tinie Tempah to Miles Kane and from Boyce “I care about the environment and really I’m just an old Avenue to Madness. Something for everyone’s taste. hippy.” “It’s not difficult to put together a lineup that caters for This was evident as around the festival there were ‘Love all ages. I book good music from the past, present and the your Tent’ campaigns as well as people riding bikes to charge future.” their phones. Having come a long way since the festival’s stages were a The Isle of Wight Festival is a continuing success and couple of trailers back in ’68, John is excited that the Garden looks set to remain one of the biggest festivals in the UK. The Stage had evolved this year. Moved closer to penny Lane only thing we know about 2013 is that planning has already and on a much larger scale, his hopes were for a less ‘fringe’ begun. There are ideas for performers but they’re being kept experience. Playing host to talent such as Christina Perri, on the down low so as not to tempt fate. Crystal Castles and The Pierces his vision was right on the Rumours suggest that Aerosmith, Greenday and the Red money. This year’s acts made the Garden Stage blossom and Hot Chili Peppers are all on the ‘Wish List’. However, we can add even more variety and kudos to the festival. only wait in anticipation until next year’s lineup is released Interviewed prior to gates opening on the first festival with nothing but trust in John Giddings that he will deliver of the summer season, John had his fingers crossed for once again. good weather. Unfortunately the heavens didn’t play ball “I want the festival to still be enjoyed by music lovers of unleashing a torrent of rain hours before revelers were due all ages in the future. Work on the festival is all year round, to arrive. However, thanks to a resilient team and a positive the planning for 2013 has already begun. I am the luckiest outlook, rain definitely didn’t stop play. man alive to be doing this.”

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MERICAN TRILOGY Y

ear on year, the Isle of Wight Festival plays host to the biggest names in music, along with the best in up and coming acts from at home and abroad, and this year promoter John Giddings went all out to secure his ‘Wish List’ and in doing so created the ultimate festival lineup. This trio of legendary American headliners have never before graced the same stage and for all three crossing the Solent marked a momentous occasion in the Festival’s elevenyear history. Despite having toured extensively in the UK in the past, it was Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ first ever UK festival performance and as almost 13 years have passed since their last UK gig, fans young and old revelled in Tom’s raspy melodies singing along to all 19 hits on his set list. Seattle rockers Pearl Jam, contemporaries of Kurt Cobain’s Nirvana during rock’s alternative, grunge, explosion circa the ‘90s, brought their mix of angst and pulsating hard rock to a loyal and rousing crowd. Having sold more than 60 million records worldwide, PJ showed why signing them up for this year’s festival was such a coup. With a 24-strong set list rockers from as far afield as Sydney, Australia hollered and cheered as the band kicked off with a powerful rendition of ‘Unthought Known’. For some this was the first and last time they will ever see this legendary band live and emotions ran high. The final installment in this American Trilogy came with the arrival of Bruce Springsteen and his E Street band. Recovered after an epic four-hour set in Madrid last week, The Boss performed another stellar performance. He’s sold out stadiums across the world, played the Superbowl, opened for President Obama during his inaugural campaign so closing the Isle of Wight Festival after a stonking weekend of headline-grabbing acts was going to be easy. A huge, quasi religious communion between Bruce and the festival crowd rocked out to a sky-lighting firework crescendo after dancing in the dark to hit after hit from his extensive back catalogue. The Isle of Wight Festival has been THE biggest event of the summer. All hail the American Trilogy. Glory, glory Halleluiah.

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R

unning from the 21st to the 24th of June, Isle of Wight was always going to be a huge weekend. But enthusiastic campers got a head start with the action on the Thursday evening. An early treat for eager festival goers came in the form of Primal Scream, Penguin Prison and The Stranglers kicking off a weekend of amazing headline acts. Both the Big Top and the Garden Stage were in action, despite the weather, playing host to bands exclusively for campers. The Garden Stage invited Brit Floyd, Howard Jones, Stackridge, Cerys Matthews and Tensheds to perform and all acts were graciously received by muddy campers and excited fans. As the unfortunate weather stormed the news, nothing stopped the early crowd from getting stuck in: almost literally. Primal Scream rocked out as the headliners of the Big Top. Fans jumped up and down relentlessly as front man Bobby Gillespie punched the air and with a set that ranged from ‘Jailbird’ to ‘Get your Rocks Off’, the audience were excitable and energetic. The Stranglers performed a simple set that rallied the crowd to join in with singing from their hearts. With a set list ranging from ‘Always the Sun’ to ‘Golden Brown’ they entertained the onlookers that filled the tent. Chris Glover of Penguin Prison took to the stage coming all the way over from the States. Performing his most well known tune ‘Don’t F*** with my Money’ the crowd danced around happily to his retro beats. What better start to a rock ‘n’ roll weekend?

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TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS T

om Petty took to the Isle of Wight stage for his first ever UK festival performance and the crowd exploded, aware how lucky they were to be witnessing the genius on their home soil. All it took was two chords into his first song ‘Learning to Fly’ and they were singing along as though they were the Heartbreakers. This was audience participation in its finest form and Petty knew from the start he had an audience that loved him – and he loved them back. Petty was Free Fallin’ and the crowd was ready to catch him as he delivered a set that was in turns mellow and rockin’, soulful and wild. “I wanna pull a little mojo on you!” he announced to the cheering fans – they were ready for it. It was easy to see why the audience was so excited to have Petty and the Heartbreakers performing live – flawless musicianship combined with heartfelt lyrics created a set that was worth the wait for his UK festival debut. Petty knows how to work a lyric, a song, a mic and a crowd and he delivered on all fronts.

‘Runnin’ Down a Dream’ brought back the old school rock ‘n’ roll vibe and Petty could have been a teenager singing to the enraptured fans. His ability to appeal to all ages was what made him a perfect headline act for the Isle of Wight. “I never thought I’d get the chance to see him perform live – I’ve been a fan for years,” said 52-year-old Julie Pauls. “He was the reason why I bought the ticket and he’s been worth every penny. I can die happy!” Twenty-one-year-old Josh Evans was equally knocked out. “To be honest, I’d only heard Learning to Fly and Free Fallin’ before tonight but he was amazing. That’s the brilliant thing about festivals – you get to listen to people you’d never normally think of listening to. Top act!” Finishing the set with American Girl, Petty proved that transatlantic talent takes well to UK gigs – it may have taken him forty-odd years to perform at a festival but it was definitely worth the wait.

SET LIST ‘Listen To Her Heart’ ‘You Wreck Me’ ‘I Won’t Back Down’ ‘Here Comes My Girl’ ‘Handle With Care’ ‘Good Enough’ ‘Oh Well’ ‘Something Big’ More’ ‘Don’t Come Around Here No ‘Free Fallin’’ ‘It’s Good To Be King’ ‘Something Good Coming’ ‘Learning To Fly’ ‘Yer So Bad’ ‘I Shoulda Known It’ ‘Refugee’ Down A Dream’ n’ nni ‘Ru ‘Mary Jane’s Last Dance’ ‘American Girl’

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lways a festival favourite, Bury boys Elbow flew the flag for Britain on the opening night of the Isle Of Wight Festival - taking to the stage prior to Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, the first of three American giants that also included Pearl Jam and Bruce Springsteen. And playing at sunset seems to bring out the best in the band who drew one of the biggest crowds of the weekend. “This is one weekend when we reaffirm our faith in humanity,” Guy Garvey told the Isle of Wight audience which he affectionately renamed Izzy. Backed by strings and a choir, he had the crowd in the palms of his hands, encouraging them to sing along and even conducting them on songs like ‘Grounds For Divorce’, ‘Lippy Kids’ and big finale ‘One Day Like This’. Guy told us: “That was the big song. It always is at festivals and it always has us all smiling too. “That’s why we love festivals as much as the punters. There’s a mutual love for the bands and the crowd, whatever the weather is like and that’s why festivals are always an extraordinary day – and the Isle of Wight was certainly that.” Guy also told us how proud the band are to have written the BBC theme for the Olympics. The song –’First Steps’, named after seeing the baby daughter of bassist Pete Turner walk for the first time, is a fitting tribute to the band who have soundtracked many sporting events in the past with their anthemic songs. “We are dead proud,” says Guy. “It’s like we are representing Britain in our own way. And it’s a wonderful song that fits the Olympics perfectly. Another way of getting everyone together to cheer on our team. Music has that power.”

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PEARL JAM Pearl Jam stormed the main stage as Saturday’s headlining act. Eddie Vedder’s distinctive voice was welcomed by the screaming fans that filled the fields of the Isle of Wight. Fist pumping hands punched the air as songs such as ‘Better Man’ and ‘Daughter’ were played to the crowd. Flashing lights dominated the sky adding to the electric vibe. It started to rain and as the water fell it glittered against the hectic backdrop of the Main Stage. Eddie was accompanied by flawless guitar playing by Stone Gossard and Mike McCready that punctured the atmosphere with power, the solo in ‘Alive’ for the encore being an ultimate highlight. Air guitars were being strummed by hundreds in the crowd as an energetic Vedder jumped off the stage to be closer to his fans. Grasping the mic tightly with both hands, Eddie exuded emotion through his voice. The audience grappled at his arms as he threw his head back and listened to his lyrics being sung back to him.

Vedder shouted to the crowd, “Give a man a gun and he can rob a bank. Give a man a bank and he can rob the world”, before the backdrop of the Main Stage changed colour and Pearl Jam delved into their next track. ‘Blood’ took the rock vibe to a whole new level. Eddie’s voice clawed the ears of the audience making them howl for more. And more they got. ‘Yellow Ledbetter’ was played effortlessly for the encore. The chorus echoed around the main stage as fans sang along to every word. Eddie’s sweat drenched hair was tucked behind his ears as he sang a perfect rendition of this well-known tune. The crowd erupted in screams and applause as Pearl Jam left the stage short of breath after such an intense show. A powerful performance by a band that is still yet to disappoint a crowd. Isle of Wight was witness to a show that delivered as much talent as it would have done two decades ago. Pearl Jam proved to be a perfect headliner for the Isle of Wight Festival 2012.

SET LIST ‘Unthought Known’
 ‘Last Exit’
 ‘Hail Hail’
 ‘The Fixer’
 ‘Rain’
 ‘Elderly Woman Behind The Counter in A Small Town’
 ‘Supersonic’
 ‘Given To Fly’
 ‘Untitled’
 ‘MFC’
 ‘Even Flow’
 ‘Setting Forth’
 ‘Corduroy’
 ‘Arms Aloft’
 ‘Jeremy’
 ‘Why Go’
 ‘Got Some’
 ‘Daughter/Blitzkrieg Bop’
 ‘Just Breathe’
 ‘Betterman/Save It For Later’
 ‘Porch’
 ‘Blood’
 ‘Alive’
 ‘Yellow Ledbetter/Little Wing’

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BIFFY CLYRO Sporting a pristine white jumpsuit, Simon Neil led Biffy Clyro in an outstanding performance on the Main Stage. A raucous crowd welcomed them as they opened with their first track ‘Mountains’. Their thick Scottish accents oozed lyrics of personality and character with every line. With Simon’s face emblazoned on giant screens the crowd almost felt alongside him as the beads of sweat fell whilst lyrically hypnotizing them with his melodic tone. Performing emotional classics such as ‘Machines’ and the heartfelt tune of ‘Folding Stars’ the crowd was a sea of waving hands, crying out for more as each track closed. The chorus to ‘Many of Horror’ was sung solely by the audience, which lifted the vibe of the set to a new level. Gentle guitar playing accompanied a throng of voices. Lost in the moment of their own music making, fans gave it all they had joining in these Highland champions as they dominated the stage. Smoke billowed from the front of the Main Stage covering the audience casting an eerie glow over performer and reveler as Simon’s haunting melodies reverberated on wind. Contrasting with their softer tunes, Biffy Clyro thrashed out heavily whilst performing ‘Bubbles’ and ‘The Golden Rule.’ The crowd heaved forward in a surge of excitement, eager screams being squeezed out of them as they were crushed in a pit of energy. An immaculate set by a band that continues to go from strength to strength. Not a bum note was played throughout and an overly animated audience replicated the energy on stage. The determination of providing a set full of pure talent shone through grey skies of the Isle of Wight. Even through the rain, Biffy Clyro managed to produce rays of sunshine highlighting the calibre of this home-grown act.

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BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

& THE E STREET BAND

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I

t’s no easy task competing with those patriots wanting to cheer on their nation in a major football tournament but if there was ever a spectacle to draw their eyes away from giant TV screens it would be ‘The Boss’. Headlining on the main stage, wrapping up an awesome Isle of Wight Festival, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band played a three-hour set that had young and old yearning for more. Just minutes into a solid rendition of his classic ‘Badlands’, football glory was put on hold as the thousands of festival stalwarts who’d refused to leave early to avoid the queues, couldn’t take their eyes of this American music legend doing what he does best. Playing for the first time on the Island Bruce, in a seemingly playful mood, reeled off hit after hit from his amazing back catalogue proving his might as one of the biggest US music makers of all time. Fans travelled from as far as California to see their idol rock the Main Stage and they were not disappointed. This American big gun pulled out all his armory to ensure there was something for everyone. “When he announced his world tour I never thought I would get the chance to see him – that was until the Isle of Wight Festival announced he was headlining and I knew then I just had to be here,” said Marina Burchill, 53, from Aberdeen. “I’ve brought the whole family and everyone is having the best time. Bruce is a legend and even my granddaughter, who’s just four, is bouncing around and singing. “This is the highlight of my year. I’m the biggest Bruce fan and seeing him live has exceeded all my expectations. Thank you Isle of Wight Festival”. With every album, from a career effectively spanning five decades, there is a distinct sound and message. A few tracks from his new album, ‘Wrecking Ball’, lost a little in translation but that was soon remedied as the band thrashed out the crowd pleasing ‘Born In The USA’ – where the revellers sang more than the man himself. From deep southern Blues to evocative Gospel, The Boss softened England’s defeat in the Euros and with back to back renditions of ‘Glory Days’ and ‘Dancing in the Dark’ the crowd went wild. And with a crescendo of fireworks the legend and his entourage wrapped up this epic set with a lively rendition of ‘Twist and Shout’ before proclaiming he had to leave “...because I have to get a f****** boat”. A truly great ending to a memorable festival.

SETLIST ‘Badlands’ ‘No Surrender’
 ‘We Take Care Of Our Own’
 ‘Wrecking Ball’ 
‘Death To My Hometown’
 ‘My City Of Ruins’ 
‘Spirit In The Night’
 ‘Lonesome Day’ 
‘Jack Of All Trades’
 ‘Atlantic City’
 ‘Because The Night’
 ‘Working On The Highway’ 
‘Shackled And Drawn’ 
‘Waiting On A Sunny Day’
 ‘The River’
 ‘The Rising’ 
‘Out In The Street’ 
‘Land Of Hope And Dreams’
 ‘We Are Alive’
 ‘Born In The USA’ 
‘Born To Run’
 ‘Glory Days’
 ‘Dancing In The Dark’
 ‘Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out’ 
‘Twist And Shout’

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THE VACCINES IN TWO SHORT YEARS, THE VACCINES HAVE EXPLODED ON TO THE INTERNATIONAL MUSIC SCENE. THIS WAS THEIR SECOND IOW FESTIVAL APPEARANCE AND THE LOCAL BOYS SPOKE TO US JUST BEFORE THEIR SET ABOUT LOVING THE FESTIVAL VIBE AND NEEDING TO WORK EVEN HARDER!

So, here you are at the IOW Festival again, how does it feel to be here? (Freddie) It’s nice to be here, the weather has just turned nice. I’ve heard it’s been horrible. It’s lovely actually. (Pete) I’m feeling really chilled, this was our first proper UK festival last year and it felt so exciting and the gig for us was really amazing. (Freddie) So it’s all downhill from here! (Pete) It’s nice to be back, it’s exciting. What are your expectations for this year? Do you think it will exceed last year or will it be the same? (Freddie) I think it would be hard to exceed last year. Last year was a kind of life changing year for all of us. You know what, I’d be really surprised and happy if we matched it. Actually because of last year we’re already set up to

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technically surpass it because on the success of last year we are doing main stages and bigger crowds and bigger tours and we’ve got a bigger crew and it already feels like a bigger thing but I guess it all kind of rests on how the next album is received. We’ve finished it now but until it comes out we don’t really know what’s going to happen. What can your fans expect from your next album? (Freddie) It’s even more of a direct rock ‘n’ roll record. We did it quickly. Ethan Johns is a genius rock ‘n’ roll producer. It’s a different chapter of the same book but it’s definitely the next one. (Pete) It’s definitely a progression, I think. We’ve broadened slightly in terms of direction and pace. It’s more varied, I think it’s better. That’s a bold statement! (Freddie) It’s different .


Apart from your album, what is next for you guys? In terms of summer you’re doing this festival, what else? (Freddie) We’re playing with the Red Hot Chilli Peppers next week, and we’re playing with the Stone Roses next week. (Pete) It’s going to be amazing. (Freddie) We’re doing endless stuff that is of much interest to us! (Freddie) We’re in Japan for a bit. What are you doing over there? (Freddie) We’re playing a gig! Just one gig?! How many gigs? (Freddie) We’re playing a couple of gigs. (Pete) We’re doing a festival called Summer Sonic and there’s a sister festival in South Korea that we’re doing as well. (Freddie) We’re on tour with the Red Hot Chilli Peppers in Eastern Europe for a bit.

(Pete) Yeah, a lot of European festivals and then onwards from there really. So your crowds here, do they differ a lot to abroad? (Freddie) We are much bigger in every other country. Why do you think that is?! (Freddie) I don’t know, still trying to work that one out! In Brazil 100,000 people, North America we’re like twice as big as we are here, Europe is insane. What’s that country? Oh yeah, Scotland we’re big in Scotland. Just here, we’re not really very big. Are you going to work on that?! (Freddie) We’re going to work on that. How are you going to do that? (Freddie) We start today. We’re going to climb that ladder. (Pete) We’ve got to get better really haven’t we?!

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ESTIVAL SUR VICKY WESTERN AGE 20

ABIGAIL KEAYTE

ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL TIP FACEWIPES

ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL TIP CUP COLLECTING MONEY

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHT ELBOW

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHT JESSIE J

TOM ROBERTS AGE 28 JACOB SMITH AGE 14 ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL TIP SLEEP IN A PORTALOO

ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL TIP GOOD QUALITY TENT

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHT SLEEPING IN A PORTALOO

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHT MADNESS

EMMA STREETS AGE 25

TOM KEAFE AGE 45

ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL TIP ANTIBACTERIAL WIPES

ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL TIP WELLIES

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHT ELBOW

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHT MADNESS

BRIDGET KEAYTE AGE 40 ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL TIP LIVE CLOSE TO THE FESTIVAL! WEEKEND HIGHLIGHT MADNESS

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IAN CATO AGE 42 ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL TIP WIPES WEEKEND HIGHLIGHT MADNESS


RVIVAL GUIDE HEATHER BELL AGE A SECRET ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL TIP LOTS OF BLACK BAGS WEEKEND HIGHLIGHT PEARL JAM

VICTORIA UNWIN AGE 19 ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL TIP TOILET ROLL WEEKEND HIGHLIGHT JESSIE J

JO SMITH AGE 26

NICOLE DUGAN AGE 23

ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL TIP WELLIES

ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL TIP WELLIES

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHT ELBOW

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHT JESSIE J

EMMA TENANT AGE 26 ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL TIP LAYERS WEEKEND HIGHLIGHT TINIE TEMPAH

KRISTEN MACANDER AGE 26 ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL TIP GAFFA TAPE WEEKEND HIGHLIGHT SUNSHINE

JOE NICKELSON AGE 49

ELLIE WISE AGE 23

ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL TIP WIPES

ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL TIP WELLIES

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHT MADNESS

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHT JESSIE J

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samantha landesberg@samlanmakeup Your set at iow was sick @JessieJ loved your jorts (jeanshorts)x

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Matt Cardle@matt_cardle_uk Thanks for having me over the weekend @ IsleOfWightFest @johngiddings01 awesome time, amazing festival... and the sun came out!! Twitter

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Scott pratt@spratt90 back from @IsleOfWightFest great weekend the weather only made it better

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Melanie C@MelanieCmusic Stupidly excited to perform @ IsleOfWightFest tonight. Just saw the gorgeous@Molly_McQueen Footie’s on too, I will be giving updates!

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David Corway@davidcorway @swench How did Noel go down? Looked super at IOW.


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Pulled Apart By Horses@Pulledhorses @IsleOfWightFest you rule! Thanks for missing the football and sticking around! Damn the council noise levels! Cheers everyone! Twitter

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Katy B@KatyB In my dressing room at the Isle of Wight Festival! UKG Blaring! Rollers in! Ready for action!

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Ellen Moseley@yeaahellen Can’t believe my auntie saw Lana Del Rey at IOW !!!!!! #jel

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The Charlatans@thecharlatans @tim_burgess Amazing! Thanks to everyone who came to see us play Tellin’ Stories at @ IsleOfWightFest - hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Big love x Twitter

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The Old Village Inn@oldvillageinn OmG last day clear up at IoW festival. Thankyou John Giddings for putting it on & braving it. IOW would not be the same without it Twitter

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Sadie Thompson@Sadieet now that IOW is over i have nothing to look forward to :( want to go to another festival

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Clement Marfo@ClementMarfo Today is the Day! Clement Marfo & The Frontline rock Isle Of Wight Festival (Big Top stage) | Stage-time 3.25pm - we have a surprise #IOW

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Labrinth@Labrinthda1st Who’s at #Iow2012 cos I am!

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ESTIVAL FASHION: TOP TRENDS FASHION IN A FIELD HAS NEVER LOOKED BETTER THAN AT THE ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL. MUSIC LOVERS TEAMED THE SEASON’S TOP LOOKS WITH TRUSTY WELLIES AND ROCKED THE MUSIC VIBE.

Headwear Channelling the hippy vibes of the 60s and 70s, floral headpieces were the ultimate accessory. Garlands gal ore in all shades of sunshine colours crowned festival goers’ heads. Als o making appearances were straw boaters, top hats, bandanas and, of course no festival would be complete without a range of homemade headwear – we predict the plant-hanging- from-your-hat look is bo und to take off as a major trend in festivals worldwide.

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s t r ho

S

S t r ho

Super short hot pants are the staple piece to every fashionistas wardrobe this summer and the IOW Festival showcased some of the best. Whether classic denim or colour blocked, the shorter the better. Teamed with leggings and tights or just bare legs, short shorts refused to stay in the wardrobe or tent – who needs sunshine when you’re rockin’?

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r i a H Wear it long, tie it up, hide it in a hat, put a flower in it, it really doesn’t matter as long as the face beneath it is smiling. A weekend at a festival isn’t going to give you masses of time to dress your locks though so the rule is to go with the flow (and pack some dry shampoo!).

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Facepaint

Who says face paint is for kid s? There’s no b chilled and fee etter way to sa ling the festiva y you’re l vibe than to a coloured strip dorn your face es, symbols an with multid words of pea animals, rainb ce ‘n’ love. We ows and heart spotted s among the c none of them rowd – one th were thinking ing was for sure about the life , they’d left beh ind.

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ESTIVAL ROLICS

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GREENER FESTIVAL DIRECTOR OF THE ECO ACTION PARTNERSHIP, RICHARD STOREY, TALKS GREENER ENTERTAINMENT, KINETIC BIKES AND LASTING LEGACIES.

Five years ago when an act unexpectedly pulled out of the Isle of Wight Festival organizer and promoter John Giddings was unsure of what to do with the booking fee. In a bid to move the festival forward and show his commitment to environmental concerns he made a decision to put the funds towards the Eco Action Campaign, making his annual festival one of the ‘greenest’ in the country. John wanted to make the Isle of Wight Festival a more ecologically aware and sustainable event, he teamed up with environmental consultants to the music industry, Eco Action Partnership, to launch an eco campaign that has managed to successfully adapt ecological methods to the running and organisation of the island’s annual event. With the help of musician-turnedecologist Richard Storey they began to sow the seeds of their environmental legacy. Last year saw the festival win a Greener Festival Award awarded for efforts in reducing the festival’s environmental impact whilst being voted in the highest Outstanding category for the third year running. This year they hope to surpass those efforts with their new ‘Love Your Tent’ initiative. “Our campaigns are not just about recycling waste. We cover energy and have biodiesel on site to fuel the backstage generators, and we also use solar panels and lights that are connected to the stages,” said Richard. “It was great to see the visual display of solar panels powering the Garden Stage this year. A real achievement. “Our campaign has become so big that our contacts in Europe and Australia are inspired by us and have started to apply methods to their major events and festivals. One factor many people forget about at events such as these is travel. We have tried to encourage people to take other means of travel to reduce the carbon footprint by suggesting other sustainable alternatives. A five year commitment programme, which kicked off in 2008, aimed to leave a lasting legacy for the future of the island with initiatives such as long term conservation projects. The programme has grown every year and the Eco Action Partnership now has contacts in Europe and Australia where they

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are applying the methods of the Eco Action campaign to other festival events. “This year we have many initiatives to make festival goers journey to the event greener including providing bicycles for hire at the ferry terminal. But car use is the most difficult habit to change. Many people come to the festival by car and this causes a lot of traffic, and parking problems on the island, but unfortunately there is no way to avoid this totally, but we are starting to make have an impact. “We’re using kinetic bikes again this year; the sight of so many people cycling to charge their mobile phones was amazing. “Also the vibe of The Hive, again, this year was excellent. It was here people could learn about all our initiatives and really help us to start making a real difference. “Our ‘Love Your Tent’ campaign began this year and we are hoping this is going to become a recognisable brand at all festivals across the country, and eventually, globally.” “I hope that festival lovers will start to realise the impact these events have on the environment and that not only is it important to clear up after yourselves, but to understand the damage the festivals can have on all aspects of the environment. I want our campaign to have good press, and for people to understand our message. If we clear up after ourselves festivals will be a more enjoyable experience for everybody involved.”


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WITH MORE THAN 12,000 TENTS ABANDONED AT LAST YEAR’S ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL DRASTIC ACTION WAS NEEDED TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THIS MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE. WE CAUGHT UP WITH LOIS PRIOR, INVOLVED IN A NEW INITIATIVE TO GET CAMPERS REUSING, INSTEAD OF DISCARDING, THEIR PORTABLE HOMES.

How and why was the ‘Love Your Tent’ campaign set up? “Every year we carry out an environmental audit that looks at the use of energy and waste. Last year 1 in 5 tents were abandoned at the festival. That was a total of 12,000 tents left for us to clear up. We realised this couldn’t go on; for those who love festivals and are regular festival goers it is so important to invest in a good quality tent that will last you for years. Not a cheap one that is easy to leave behind. How did you want festival campers to help? Tents need taking apart properly because they are made up of different materials, plastic, metal, nylon, polyester, - the list goes on. You cannot recycle all of these materials and so it is such a difficult job to take apart thousands of tents. Instead they just get dumped in landfill, which is no good for the environment. We wanted people to learn to love their tents and to treat it as a second home. Our aim is for people to have a relationship with their tent and not hesitate in taking it back home with them, no matter how muddy and wet it gets.”

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What would you like the campaign to have achieved this year? “Love Your Tent has become a viral thing and we were promoting the campaign for a while before the festival on Twitter and Facebook. I think it has become a recognisable brand already, and I hope this expands across the country. We want to take it to all festivals, that way everyone is doing their bit for the environment because abandoned tents are the biggest environmental issue. We want the campaign to change the way people think about their tents and result in it being socially unacceptable to leave your tent. How successful do you think the campaign will be in its first year of action? “There has been a lot of interest in the campaign and many people did not realise how important their actions and behaviour is to the environment. We have even had people sign up to help the campaign and many have offered to take other tents home if they see them being wasted. It is nice to see others take interest and do their bit for the community. The clean up is still on going but initial signs look very promising.”


HAT A BUZZ! WHILE REVELLERS ENJOY THE SHOW-STOPPING LINE-UP, ON THE FRINGE THERE IS AN ECO MESSAGE WHICH HAS THE CROWDS BUZZING.

D

own in the buzzy Hive at this year’s festival, a campaign aimed at raising awareness of the humble bumble and his friends has boosted the coffers of a fund aimed at essential eco research and conservation. ‘Let it Bee’, a joint initiative between the Isle of Wight Festival and Gift of Nature, highlighted the plight of the world’s most extraordinary pollinating force with an ecominded audience, as they kicked back in the chill out garden whilst listening to home-grown new talent. The message was clear: without bees, our crops, wildflowers and trees would not be pollinated and the fruits and seeds that feed the wildlife, and ultimately us, would not exist. A gloomy prospect one might think, but an eco issue that festival organisers are valiantly trying to remedy with this campaign. Monies raised this year in The Hive will help continue to improve a new Bee Reserve in Newchurch, a field of dreams that will eventually expand to new reserves across the country. So far research and contributions have helped more than 160 varieties of bee to thrive on this small island reserve. ‘Let It Bee’ has also funded emergency habitat protection to protect the rarest species. “Bees are the pollinating source of the world. Without them there wouldn’t be fruit or flowers,” said Ian Boyd, of Natural Enterprise. “The fields we have on the Isle of Wight for bee

conservation are absolutely brilliant. The area has become the most amazing place for bees. The trees have grown in just the right way; they have glades, gaps, hot spots and shelters around the edges. “Those who came to The Hive took away a bee stick with wild flower seeds on the end, to stick in their garden or plant pot and it will have just the right seeds of nectar and pollen for bees to be attracted too.” At the Isle Of Wight Festival over the last few years the chilled out party crowd, children and creative adults have been able to take part in many arts and crafts including hundreds of hand-crafted bees, hand sewn bees, and wooden bees. They have crafted floaty fairy wings and created over three hundred festival flowers from recycled/reclaimed vitamin bottles for the festival lovers to wear over the weekend. Keith Taylor from the Green Party and MEP for south east England wanted to learn more about the research into bee welfare and was very impressed with the campaign and what it has to offer. “I am here at the festival to learn more about the research into bee welfare so I can take this information back to Europe and hopefully everybody can benefit from what’s going on here in the Isle of Wight. It’s absolutely brilliant. ” Support the Let it Bee campaign by logging on to www. giftofnature.org.uk

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W AT THE BIG WHEEL: “IS THAT THE LONDON EYE?” OVERHEARD BY MAIN STAGE

KOJO FROM

‘”I THINK I

FRONTLINE ARO

ACTUALLY HAVE TRENCH FOOT”.

T

OVERHEARD IN TEENAGE WASTELAND

OVERHEA “I WONDER IF NOEL GALLAGHER’S BROTHER WILL BE WATCHING HIS PERFORMANCE” OVERHEARD BY MAIN STAGE

“FENTON!!!” OVERHEARD EVERYWHERE.

“ALAN. ALAN. ALAN”. OVERHEARD EVERYWHERE.

V ERHEARD @IOW FESTIVAL “NOTHING WAS GOING

“LOOK’S LIKE I’LL BE

TO STOP ME SEEING TOM PETTY, I TOOK

SWIMMING TO THE GARDEN

A FISHERMAN INSTEAD OF THE FERRY”.

STAGE THEN”.

OVERHEARD AT THE BUS STOP.

OVERHEARD IN STRAWBERRY FIELDS.

“IS IT WRONG TO LIKE OLD PEOPLE’S MUSIC?” OVERHEARD BY GARDEN STAGE.

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WOMAN FOLLOWING CLEMENT MARFO AND THE

OUND SHOUTING ‘TINIE, TINIE

TEMPAH, TINIE!!’

“I CAN’T FIND OUR

“ WHY’S HE CALLED TINIE TEMPAH WHEN

TENT, DO YOU RECKON IT COULD HAVE

HE’S ABSOLUTELY STACKED?!”

SUNK IN THE MUD?!”

OVERHEARD IN PENNY LANE.

OVERHEARD IN IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY.

ARD IN THE MEDIA VILLAGE.

“WHY ARE THEY (BIFFY CLYRO) COVERING A MATT CARDLE SONG?” OVERHEARD BY THE MAIN STAGE

“I AM NOT GOING HOME NOR AM I SLEEPING ALL WEEKEND”. OVERHEARD IN PENNY LANE

“ARE WE STILL IN ENGLAND IF WE’RE ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT? I WASN’T ASKED FOR MY PASSPORT WHEN I GOT OFF THE FERRY?” OVERHEARD IN IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY.

‘I THOUGHT THAT SIGN SAID SNOG ROAST”. OVERHEARD IN STRAWBERRY FIELDS.

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(Karis) We’re very different but the longer we’ve been together the more we’ve got the same sense of humour, the same down days, the same happy days so we almost become merged into the same person. We’ve still got these three individual roles and characters when we’re on stage and we’ll throw ourselves about but together we’re like one person. And you think that works the best? Yea definitely. I think we’re very lucky we’ve got that balance. (Courtney) I couldn’t imagine doing it with anyone else (Karis) Aww babes! You’ve kicking off your summer here at the Isle of Wight Festival. What’s next for you? Are you heading to any other festivals? We performed at Lovebox the other day, we’re doing Wireless, V Festival, T4 on the Beach, T in the Park. Loads of them! Busy then? How do you think those are going to compare to the Isle of Wight Festival? I think every one of them is different. The IOW has definitely got the widest range of audience members and biggest spectrum of ages. It’s also got such different performers as well from Biffy Clyro to us to Wretch to Bruce Springsteen to Clement Marfo and the Frontline. It’s pretty crazy!

STOOSHE

Stooshe burst onto the UK music scene earlier this year with their song ‘Love Me’ featuring Travvie Mcoy from the Gym Class Heroes. Making their debut at the Isle of Wight Festival they tell us what we can expect from this feisty threesome and their love of the festival crowd. (Stooshe) Come sit come sit! Here you go babe (pulling a deck chair over) So guys, how are you doing? How are you getting on? Really good thanks yea (collectively) This is your first Isle of Wight Festival. How did it go? Did you get much chance to scope out the festival? (Karis) We were excited and couldn’t wait to perform. It was a wicked crowd, there were so many different types of people listening to so many different types of music so we were excited for them to hear our sound and see how they took it. What sort of vibe do you think it is here? (Karis) There’s all different types of people. We’ve seen families, teenagers, young kids, and middle aged people. Everyone is just up for a good time which is the main thing. You are all very charismatic people when you’re on stage. Do you ever feel like your personalities clash? (Alexandra) I think they compliment each other.


Despite being relative newcomers to the music scene Clement Marfo and The Frontline are already festival veterans. Here they talk about how The Isle of Wight Festival is the one they’ve been waiting for. Clement Marfo and The Frontline formed three years ago in South London. With a huge group of seven members, their presence on stage is an organised chaos. Yet their rise to fame has been co-ordinated and born out of sheer hard work and determination. They’ve earned their stripes supporting names such as Plan B and Example and their track ‘Champion’ featured on the montage of 2011’s blockbuster movie ‘Streetdance 3D’. But this year, for them, it’s all about the Isle of Wight. So guys, first time at IOW Festival? Yes. How do you think it’s gone? (Clement) It’s been incredible. I’ve been very pumped up. We were all very excited about it. There were a lot of great acts to see and we were looking forward to performing on the Big Top stage. Got a bit of an adrenaline rush from that. Saturday was the best day. I looked at the line up before we performed and was like we are definitely, definitely on the best day.

Compared to a lot of people here, you are fairly new to the music scene. Do you ever feel pressure to win over fans that may not necessarily have heard your music? We’ve built a very loyal fan base. Currently what is happening now is that we go out on stage and we gain so many new fans. They’re so excited to see seven people on stage raving it out and having fun so every day and every time we perform it’s like a challenge for us and we like those sort of challenges. It’s good stuff. Like you said, there are seven of you. How did that come about? Because, Clement, you started off on your own didn’t you? Yes I started off on my own So did you sort of recruit a gang? (Kojo laughs hysterically) Gang is such a harsh word! (Clement) You know what, I’ve been a fan of everyone doing their own stuff and everything just fell into place to naturally. We’ve been together for three years now, supporting some crazy, crazy types of people from Plan B to Rizzle Kicks and it’s one of the best decisions I have made in my career so far, pulling us all together. We get to do festivals every summer. Isle of Wight has been the one we’ve all been looking forward to – and it hasn’t disappointed. It’s been amazing.

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MILES KANE A

s soon as Miles Kane wandered into view, it was clear to see that the interview was going to be an absolute pleasure. His smile spread from ear to ear and his warm personality entered the media village before he did. His circular sunglasses covered the majority of his freshly shaven face and his hair was scruffily swept to one side. Looking relaxed as he chatted, it was hard not to smile at his thick Liverpudlian accent. He seemed calm yet enthusiastic about his performance explaining that he’d done a show in Paris the evening before. “There was so much love over there which has been great. It’s been our first festival over here so hopefully the crowd thought we smashed it.” At 26-years-old Miles Kane has done a fantastic job at making a name for himself. Being the front man of band The Rascals who broke up in 2009, he moved on to work with Alex Turner, lead singer of the Arctic Monkeys. “Me and Alex met when we were 18 and then we met on tour and we just started hanging out and playing guitar together. He’d come to Liverpool and I’d go to Sheffield and we just started this beautiful relationship.” Having been a while since his and Alex Turner’s band The Last of the Shadow Puppets have recorded material, it’s a wonder whether Miles prefers to perform solo.

“I just love playing gigs and being on stage and that. I’ve got a great band for live performances, it’s not just me going on and doing acoustic. It’s quite rock ‘n’ roll and it’s having it. That gives you confidence as well having that behind you. I just love gigging. It’s like a drug. It’s the best drug you can have.” Not a stranger to entertaining large crowds, Miles didn’t seem phased by the throngs who turned out to see him on the Garden Stage. “I was very excited. You never know what to expect do you? I just wanted it to be off its head.” Going by the crowd’s reaction, he had nothing to worry about. As he says, ‘they were having it’. Back in 2003, Miles’ idol Paul Weller performed at the Isle of Wight Festival. They recently featured on the cover of NME together. Weller was referred to as the Mod Father and Kane as the Mod Son. So how does he feel following so closely in his inspiration’s footsteps? “It’s great and it’s nice to get recognised for that. Paul is a great guy and I’ve learnt a lot from him and it’s something to aspire to, to have a career like that. I’m at the start and he’s done so much more than me. I just want to keep on and hopefully one day I’ll have it. Me and Weller have done some stuff together but I don’t want to let it out of the bag too early. We’ve done some songs and they sound great and it’s been great working together. He’s a top guy and he’s a mate now, it’s mad. I’m hoping to get the album out early next year, I want to record it in the winter.” His performance on the Garden Stage brought together a mass of indie fans all in fine voice as Miles blasted out hit after hit. An incredible set and his fans both young and old were definitely having it.

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THE PIERCES A

merican sister act The Pierces graced the Garden Stage and delivered a distinctly different set. They talked to us about sibling rivalry on stage and why their fans always make their day. Festival organiser John Giddings said you were the act he was most excited about having at the Isle of Wight Festival this year. How does that make you feel? Well, of course, that feels amazing. We were so happy to be asked to headline the Garden Stage this year. You have collaborated with the All American Rejects. Was there anyone you would like to collaborate with that also performed at the Isle of Wight Festival? Who and why? It would be fun to do something with Noel Gallagher. He’s such a great song writer...we met him and he is lovely. What made you say yes to doing the Isle of WIght Festival this year? It’s a great festival and they gave us such a good spot this year. We couldn’t say no! You describe your sound as melodic pop rock. The Isle of WIght Festival is known for hosting a range of genres of music. Did you feel you fitted in with the rest of the acts or did feel as though you stood out? I think people want diversity at a festival. Hopefully we stood out in a nice way! You two are sisters, do you ever argue over set lists or have any sort of sibling rivalry over performances?

Oh yes. All band members argue and being sisters can intensify that at times but it also has great benefits so we just try to roll with it. You were exposed to music at a young age. Has it always played a big part in both of your lives? Yes, it’s always been a big part of our lives. We can’t imagine doing anything else. Do you feel more pressure when you perform at festivals as opposed to gigs? Do you still get nervous before your performances? It’s always a little unpredictable at festivals. There is so much going on and a lot of craziness so yes, it can be a bit scary, but it’s always really fun too so you take the good with the bad. How do you prepare before a big show? Do you have any pre show rituals to get you hyped up? We like to meditate to calm nerves...a glass of wine or two can help that too! What were your fans like at the Isle of WIght Festival this year? They were amazing! Luckily we had great weather and everyone was in a happy mood. It was a beautiful night. What is the best part for you guys about performing at a festival? The sunshine! The weather makes all the difference. And we met some really sweet fans...that always makes our day.

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THE DA

AFTER HAVING A SHORT BREAK FROM EA THE DARKNESS ARE BACK. FRANKIE, THE ABOUT THE ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL, CA FESTIVAL IS FO You’re back! Does it feel good to be together again performing to huge crowds? It’s a magical feeling, we feel blessed, but then we always did. It’s just that there’s always a price to pay for having too much fun. Which is fair enough really. It’s like a parallel universe, a dream maybe, the kind of dream you are rudely awakened from when you wish life was always like that. Did you miss it a lot when you weren’t doing it? Is that what made you get back together or were your fans just pushing you to do it?! Strangely no, but then maybe I was in denial. Or maybe this really is just the ‘right’ time. Providence made us all do it. The fans are a bit like us, contrary and surprisingly precious about what we do. Nit pickety but in a good way. That means we have to come up with something different and special. How did you feel the Isle of Wight Festival went for you? It was intense and turbo charged. We were very hyped up, with all the waiting, and it went off like a rocket. I wore a cape. A denim one actually, and it felt great, really swishy. Ed our drummer is having his bionic hips done, but Darby Todd did an amazing job. He’s here for the next three and then Ed will be back for our homecoming gig at Thetford Forest 14th July. Do you still get nervous when you’re about to go on stage and are the nerves worse than the first time around? This time we were doubly nervous because we were due on stage right after the penalty shoot out! There were groans, and then stifled groans, before we collected ourselves, taking on the mammoth responsibility of lifting dejected wellington booted English folk’s soggy spirits. Yes, more nervous now, because we feel a sense of responsibility. A sense of responsibility to be irresponsible, funnily enough. Justin, you have said before that you make good music because you all hate each other. How true is that and what could your fans expect from you if you all got on?! This is the album where we all get on. It’s called ‘Hot Cakes’ and the cover artwork alone tells you all you need to know about the spirit of friendship within this band. You have a crazy sense of style. Where does your

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ARKNESS

ACH OTHER AND THE WORLD OF MUSIC, E BAND’S BASS PLAYER, CHATTED TO US AT-SUITS, WELLIES, BOOBS AND WHY THIS OR EVERYONE. inspiration come from for your whacky and colourful outfits? My style is not the same as Justin’s and Dan’s is not the same as Ed, but as a band we like to contrast and stay true to our respective personalities. At first they seemed like alter egos, but now it feels strange to dress normally after a tour. And as the tours pile up one finds oneself dressing less normally even on downtime, so that eventually the ‘alter ego’ becomes just a plain old ‘ego’. Do you put a lot of thought into your outfits before you do a gig or a festival? We talk about this a lot and have fun with it. You find yourself egging people on and encouraging them to have the confidence to do it. It might surprise people to know we’re not confident people, but hopefully that’s what gives it the edge insecure nerds reinventing themselves. What about wellies? Do you reckon you could pull them off well with a cat-suit? Justin could almost find a way of making anything work. There’s certain people who can carry off any colour or accessory, something to do with their aura you could say. I think he’s one of those people. Festival toilets tend to have a bit of a bad rep. What were the toilets like at the IOW Festival this year? I used the backstage school ones, the catering was in the school too. Our dressing room was in a modern languages classroom with French and Italian phrases plastered everywhere. We’d played in Italy at Milan’s Gods Of Metal just the night before and hadn’t slept, I thought I was going crazy! Justin, you once arrived on stage standing on top of an enormous pair of boobs. The Boob Chariot you called it. Would that be your preferable mode of transport to get around? No bus-pass for you, just a larger than life pair of breasts? Yes, I’ve always wanted my very own ‘Bust-Pass’! Why would you recommend people go to the Isle of Wight Festival? It’s a banquet where every flower reveals itself.

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INAL THOUGHTS WE CATCH UP WITH SOME OF THE CELEBRITIES ENJOYING THE BIG WEEKEND TO FIND OUT THEIR HIGHLIGHTS. Zoe Ball: How many times have you been to Isle Of Wight Festival before? This is only my second time because I worked last year but I’ve not actually been to kind of hang out and have a bit of a giggle but I saw a bit of Tom Petty and Madness. I wanted to see Pearl Jam because twenty years ago I saw them at the Brixton Academy. They’re just amazing and Eddie Vedder was a real pin up, he was the Alex Turner of his day. Possibly not quite the right analogy but yeah! Matt Horne: What has been your favourite part of the festival? Probably doing the Sky 1 show. It was really fun just watching all the stuff put together. It’s been I’ve seen Miles Kane and The Charlatans and I’ve interviewed Magnetic Man. I really, really love them. Kelly Jones: You’re not performing this year, do you wish that you were? No actually. This is the first year we haven’t toured in 14 years. We’ve done IOW Festival twice, which was brilliant, and we’ll probably come back again next year when the album comes out. Kaya Scodelario (Effy from Skins): Beautiful day at Isle of Wight Fest. Shame there’s still so much mud. Wanted to bust my new sandals. It’s been one of the best weekends of my life! ISLE OF WIGHT! Need new boots mine got so muddy. Rob Brydon: Had great time at IOW watching Noel Gallagher and Brooooce, good weather too. It was great seeing people new to Bruce blown away. Glory Days, Dancing in the Dark – they couldn’t believe the joy of it all. Remarkable! Managed to avoid the mud. Ronan Keating: Lovin the Isle of Wight Festival. Thank u o John Giddings and all at Solo Music Agency. The Boss – amazing.

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