Isla Issue 3

E.

F LOV O R E M SUM

Isle of Wight Festival Magazine 2013

CREW Editors Catherine Earp & Gary Peters Contributors Lizzie Baker Lauren Cansick Rachel Lamb Alec Malloy Corrie Shrine - Parris Charlotte Smith Jacqui Swift Sub Editor Elli Blackwell Art Director Adam Woodgate Photographers Callum Baker Sara Lincoln Liz Murray Designers Ronald Duke Alex Dyer Illustrator Rebecca Libby With special thanks to:

A BA (Hons) Magazine Journalism & Feature Writing Production

CONTENTS 04-05 Festival Pilgrims 06-07 A Different Kind of Festival 08-09 Festival Heritage 10 Campers only 11 Happy Mondays 12-13 The Stone Roses 14 Paul Weller 15 Emeli Sandé 16 Jake Bugg 17 Everything Everything 18 Palma Violets 19 Ellie Goulding 20-21 Rizzle Kicks 22 Delilah 23 Fun. 24 Lianne La Havas 25 T’Pau 26-27 Friday in Pictures 28-29 The Killers 30 Bloc Party 31 The Maccabees 32 Ben Howard 33 Bastille 34 Laura Mvula 35 Willy Moon 36 Sub Focus

37 Modestep 38 Zane Lowe 39 Devlin 40 Little Mix 41 Lawson 42-43 Saturday in Pictures 44-45 Bon Jovi 46 The Script 47 Paloma Faith 48 The Boomtown Rats 49 Newton Faulkner 50 Blondie 51 I Am Kloot 52 Imperial Teen 53 Kids in Glass Houses 54 Imagine Dragons 55 Kodaline 56-57 Sunday in Pictures 58-60 Ones to Watch 61 DJ Future 62-63 Wish Upon a Star 64-65 Tweet Success 66-67 Festival Fashion 68 Fancy Frolics 69-71 Summer of Love

4 isla magazine Festival Pilgrims

FESTIVALGOERS FLOCKED FROM FAR AND WIDE FOR THIS YEAR’S EVENT, SO WE SCANNED THE UK FOR THEIR BEST EXPERIENCES.

FESTIVAL PILGRIMS

“The Script

“The Script made my entire made my entire Camilla Bennett weekend. Camilla Bennett weekend.

24 24 I’m their I’m their Leeds Leeds biggest fan.” biggest fan.”

“Weloved lovedThe The “We Killers.

Killers.

We’veseen seen We’ve themloads loads them now nowand andthis this was wasthe thebest.” best.”

Hannah Darcy Hannah Darcy Charlotte Guy Charlotte Guy Jemma Parsons Jemma Parsons 2121 , 22 1919 , 22&& Hertfordshire Hertfordshire

“Spending “Spendingaa weekend weekendaway away Wilkinson watching Jessie Wilkinson watchingour our Jessie Josh Marsden favourite Marsden favouritebands, bands, 18Josh & 22 18 & 22 we welike likeThe The Kent Kent Maccabees.”

Maccabees.”

“Spending four “Spending four days partying days partying and meeting and people.” meeting new

new people.”

Lizzie Clark 19Lizzie Clark 19 Liverpool

Liverpool

“I tasted the

“I loved Rizzle

“I tasted the best hog roast Kinsley best hog roast GaryGary Kinsley I’ve ever eaten I’ve ever eaten 25 25 festival.” Reading atat thethe festival.”

Reading

“I loved Rizzle Kicks, they’re McIntyre Kicks, they’re JordanJordan McIntyre suchsuch coolcool20 20 guys!” BelfastBelfast guys!”

“Seeing Bon “Seeing Bon Stewart Jovi Stewart Jovi forfor thethe KellyKelly Lee Stewart first time wasLee Stewart first time was anan experience experience33 &3337& 37 Birmingham to to remember.” remember.”Birmingham

came “We “We came to to Blondie,NathanNathan see see Blondie, McGuire McGuire theythey werewere wellwell Chelle McGuire Chelle McGuire worth worth the the33 & 38 33 & 38 travel!”

Aberdeen travel!” Aberdeen

“Zane Lowe’s setset “Zane Lowe’s Newman was incredible.

I Abbie was incredible.

I Abbie Newman 27 27 didn’t stop didn’t stop Cornwall Cornwall dancing.” dancing.”

“Enjoying in the “Enjoying in the Festival’s Festival’s Alex Ward daytime AlexCastle Ward Sophie daytime activities like Sophie 42 & 39 Castle activities like The Site Riddler Oxford 42 & 39 The Site Riddler was fun.”

Oxford

was fun.”

Festival Pilgrims

“Everytime I I “Everytime come herehere I I come havehave suchsuch a aOrla James Orla James goodgood time.time.

The The 23 23 Carmarthen Festival was Festival was Carmarthen amazing!”

amazing!”

“We are “We are young'uns at Catherine Foster Foster heart,young'uns and will at David Catherine Foster heart,stop and will David Foster 55 & 58 never never stopBristol55 & 58 partying!”

partying!”

Bristol

isla magazine 5

A DIFFERENT KIND OF FESTIVAL

EVERY YEAR JOHN GIDDINGS CREATES A UNIQUE ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE. ISLA DISCOVERED WHY 2013 WAS THE BEST YEAR YET.

“

W

atching 50,000 people having the best time of their life is the biggest thrill you can ever have,” explained John Giddings.

The Festival organiser and promoter has been the driving force behind the Isle of Wight Festival since its return in 2002, and this year secured headline acts such as UK Festival Exclusive, The Stone Roses, as well as The Killers and Bon Jovi. Countless others helped put on a musical feast, creating another unique Isle of Wight experience.

“First of all you’ve got to get bands that people like, but you’ve got to create something that people will turn up at and enjoy. The Stone Roses I love.

It was extraordinary to see them all on stage together performing the songs that I love,” John added.

“You can’t treat people like cattle and presume. They all want a quality experience. You get the vibe from

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walking round and people talking to you and an impression of the atmosphere. It’s relaxed, casual and nobody is threatening.”

However, John understands the need for more than just big headliners.

This year saw the addition of new attractions such as The Cabaret Club , The Bohemian Woods and The Intoxicated Tearooms, each one ensuring that every taste and eccentricity was covered and embraced.

“I just think it brings more diverse entertainment and gives an opportunity for smaller, quirky entertainers to project their wares. It’s not all about the Main Stage, is it? You want to discover things as you go around.”

And, as a man who admitted to working “25 hours a day”, it’s no surprise that the preparation for this mammoth four-day event began last year.

John continued: “Over one weekend last year we came up with the ideas

A Different kind of festival

and we were discussing actively where we were going to put these attractions.

Every year I obsess about creating new things for people to find. If you have the same thing every year it’s boring, isn’t it? I go to other festivals and I can close my eyes and find somewhere. I think you need to shake it all up and see what you can come up with.

“I try to imagine that I’m a punter at my own festival and what would I enjoy doing? I’d definitely see three or four acts on the Main Stage, and then I want to go and find other things to play with.”

One of John’s pre-Festival ideas was the unsigned bands competition where six bands battled it out, chosen from thousands of applicants to win a spot performing on one of the Festival’s stages.

“It was something we thought about last minute really just for fun but it took on a life of its own,” he said. “We had

2,700 applications and I was stunned.

That was in a two-week period. Imagine if we had run it longer?”

The six winners, Crystal Seagulls, Tank Trap, CHIDI, Louise Golbey, XOVA and Cable Street Collective will now go down in the Festival’s history, all thanks to John’s unappeasable thirst for showcasing great music. It could be said they are part of his and the Isle of Wight’s legacy, simply to bring “incredible music” to the Island.

With the forecasted rain failing to materialise even the weather heeded everyone’s call for a change. But, as ever with John, there’s no time like the present to start work on next year’s unashamedly proud Isle of Wight Festival. “I remember someone saying to me a few years ago they found festivals a bit alienating. However, I think here, you don’t feel like that, you feel safe and you know you’ll find things you enjoy.” 

HT TS G I F W ROO O LE ITS S I HE , BUT T M 2 00 SSO 2 IN BLO ...

N IO D TO HAT T C RE INUE AN T R H ESU CONT ER T R ITS HAS URTH E F C L SIN TIVA FAR K FES BAC GO

F O

E L S I E E G H A T T I R E H

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L A V I T S E F

G I W

Heritage

T H

A

lthough the Isle of Wight has a reputation for being a cosy and quiet place, the Island changes for this glorious weekend every year. Since the Sixties, the Isle of Wight Festival has attracted people from all over the world to the tiny island for a celebration of music and sunshine. From grass roots, unsigned acts, to contemporary favourites and musical legends, the Isle of Wight Festival has always been the place to catch the hottest acts.

The first Festival was held at the height of the original Summer of Love in 1968. A crowd of 10,000 people all journeyed to the island to see a strong line up. In keeping with the psychedelic nature of the Festival’s Sixties incarnation, San Francisco psychephiles Jefferson Airplane headed up the bill with suitably trippy support from art rocker Arthur Brown.

The Pretty Things brought their own very British brand of psychedelia and a fey folk duo called Tyrannosaurus Rex (and later, T-Rex), that featured one Marc Bolan, enthralled the crowd of

hipsters, groovers, shakers and hippies.

The next saw something similar to a flower power invasion. After the success of the first Festival, over 150,000 festivalgoers flocked to the Isle of Wight in 1969 for what would become a legendary Festival. The number of bands playing was increased and included Joe Cocker, Free and folk rock supergroup Pentangle. But 1969 remains special in the event’s history for two reasons - Bob Dylan and The Who. After a motorcycle accident in 1966, and a cold reception on his first tour with an electric backing band, Dylan had retired from live performance. The Festival organisers pulled off one of the coups of the decade by securing him to perform live for the first time in three years. The fact they secured Dylan is even more impressive, considering he was living in a little place in upstate New York called Woodstock at the time.

The Who had always been at odds with the flower power movement.

The Shepherd’s Bush band had always been too tough for any of the hippy ideology of peace and love and their set showed off their reputation. The band put on a blisteringly heavy set in the early hours of the morning, cementing the 1969 Isle of Wight Festival’s place in the history books.

If the 150,000 people who went in ’69 were a shock to the Island’s system, they hadn’t seen anything yet. In 1970

Heritage

600,000 music lovers invaded the Island to catch The Who at the peak of their powers, The Doors and Jimi Hendrix performing one of his last ever gigs.

Though there wasn’t another Festival for over 30 years, the event was lovingly resurrected in 2002 with Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin fame and The Charlatans headlining the weekend. Since then, the Festival has gone from strength to strength and continued to be one of the best festivals the UK has to offer.

Because of its historical status, the Isle of Wight Festival attracts some of the biggest names in the music industry.

Headliners since the Festival’s return have included a diverse range of talent and an excellent venue for bands to reunite. The Police, the Sex Pistols and Pixies have all graced the Main Stage, as well as triumphant shows from David Bowie and The Rolling Stones.

In 2007, with help from the Stones and Muse putting in amazing performances, the Festival won the Best Major Festival at the British Festival Awards. John Giddings, the Festival’s main man, was also presented with an Outstanding Contribution award for his tireless work in making the Festival the roaring success it is today.

From its origins to the present day, the Isle of Wight Festival remains one of the country’s premier festivals and still holds up to ideals of the Summer of Love – peace, love and rock and roll. 

isla magazine 9

Spanning 13th to the 16th of June, the Isle of Wight Festival returned for another sun-soaked year. Those lucky enough to pick up camping tickets were given a head start to the weekend’s action on Thursday.

The Big Top and Dance Tent were both open for business, ensuring there was a diverse mix of music to suit any reveller’s taste.

The Big Top boasted the delights of all female Led Zeppelin tribute act Lez Zeppelin, The Blockheads, The Farm and Madchester groovers The Happy Mondays.

Jaguar Skillz headed the line up on the Dance Tent, supported by A-Trak, 2002’s Mercury Prize winner Ms. Dynamite and hip-hop legend Grandmaster Flash. There was a host of new bars and attractions for this year’s Isle of Wight Festival including The Cabaret Club with its mix of comedy and burlesque, including one of London’s biggest drag acts The Globe Girls, and The Intoxicated Tea Rooms featuring vintage vibes and cheeky cocktails.

Lez Zeppelin flipped the macho posturing of Led Zep on its head, while The Farm got the crowd chants off to a start with a cover of The Clash’s ‘Bankrobber’ and their biggest hit 1990’s ‘All Together Now’.

Ms. Dynamite wooed the movers and shakers in the Dance Tent. They boogied away to the scratch skills of Grandmaster Flash while Jaguar Skills pumped up dance fans ready to revel in the rest of the festival fun.

The weekend well and truly started here. 

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HAPPY MONDAYS S

ince signing to seminal Manchester based indie label ‘Factory’ in the late Eighties, the Happy Mondays have blazed a completely idiosyncratic path across the British music industry.

One of the first bands to fuse rock and roll sensibilities with fluid dance grooves, the Mondays created their own unique sound which they brought to the Big Top on the first night of the 2013 Isle of Wight Festival.

Bez, Mr Madchester himself, introduced the band in his own inimitable style. Maracas poised, and feet ready to move, he psyched the crowd up, ready for the original 24-hour party people.

The Mondays, composed of their original line up, sauntered onto the stage with their trademark Mancunian swagger. Shaun Ryder strolled into the spotlight decked out in sunglasses and

Happy Mondays

black leather – the very definition of laconic cool.

As the opening guitar strums of ‘Kinky Afro’ rang through the Big Top, the audience were swept up into an unrelenting groove. The Monday’s rhythm section of bassist Paul Ryder and drummer Gary Whelan showed off the chops that made the band superstars the first time around.

A raucous ‘24 Hour Party People’ whipped up the crowd into a dancing frenzy. Driven by the housey keyboards of Paul Davis and the guitar slashes of Mark Day, the band sounded better as they ploughed through their set.

A rousing rendition of the Monday’s signature tune ‘Step On’ threatened to take the roof off the Big Top. Shaun’s Manchester drawl was matched by the sultry and soulful backing vocals of Rowetta. Bez joined the stage to add his freaky dancing and take the crowd even higher.

As the last notes of encore ‘Wrote For Luck’ rang out, Bez proclaimed: “The weekend starts here.” With a set full of bone-shaking bass and sizzling guitar, the Mondays announced the beginning of the weekend in proper Madchester style. 

isla magazine 11

THE STONE ROSES SET LIST

I

I Wanna Be Adored Elephant Stone Ten Storey Love Song Standing Here Shoot You Down Fools Gold Waterfall Don’t Stop She Bangs The Drums Love Spreads This Is The One Made Of Stone Breaking Into Heaven Elizabeth My Dear I Am The Resurrection

12 isla magazine

t’s appropriate that The Stone Roses headlined this year’s Summer of Love themed Isle of Wight Festival; as they’re possibly the most loved live band in Britain at the moment.

Even before the end of The Stone Roses’ intro music – The Supremes ‘Stoned Love’ – the crowd was full of frenzied anticipation. The Roses had written some of the most enduring songs in British musical history and their Friday night headline show was made up of these classic tunes.

The unforgettable, and almost malevolent, bass intro of ‘I Wanna Be

The Stone Roses

Adored’ thundered out from Mani’s bass amp and the audience embraced in the power of The Stone Roses live.

Ian Brown held complete sway over the crowd from the first instance he hit the stage. Always an arctic cool frontman, Ian made a few asides to the crowd asking “Is Prince Phillip here?” as he spotted an inflatable gnome floating around the crowd.

‘Elephant Stone’, a winning combination of squidgy wah-wah guitar and sublime drum patterns that has been greatly anticipated by Roses fans since their comeback last year, followed the opener as the ground bounced up and down Seaclose Park.

The storied interplay between the band members was obvious on ‘Ten Storey Love Song’, ‘Standing Here’ and the lolloping groove of ‘Shoot You Down’, with the audience bellowing out every word in unison.

The band’s musicianship became evident on an explosive airing of stone cold classic ‘Fools Gold.’ John Squire, already known as one of the greatest guitarists of his generation, displayed guitar skills almost beyond compare as he pulled out every lick in his arsenal to bend the sound of the band towards the stratosphere.

Reni showed off just why he is held with such high regard. His hands a blur, he careered the band to greater musical heights with a barrage of drums all held together by Mani’s impeccable bass playing.

If the crowd weren’t already dancing after ‘Fools Gold’ then they certainly were for the multi-coloured chime of ‘Waterfall’. Squire was never a macho

guitar hero, and his delicate touch on ‘Waterfall’ allowed the audience to bathe in the song’s citrus splendor. This tilted into the backwards psych-pop of ‘Don’t Stop’ before the set rolled into the candyfloss melodies of ‘She Bangs The Drums’.

Ian Brown’s almost messianic presence held sway over Seaclose Park as the bluesy swamp slide intro of ‘Love Spreads’ burst from Squire’s guitar.

Although, this was never just the John Squire show because the Roses were always as strong as their separate parts.

This was evident on the absolutely massive ‘This Is The One’ with its crystalline guitars sitting astride Mani and Reni’s formidable rhythm section.

The Roses skill at crafting incredible choruses was shown off as the crowd chanted along with ‘Made of Stone’ and ‘Second Coming’ opener ‘Breaking Into Heaven’. And as the folky lilt of ‘Elizabeth My Dear’ drifted into an intoxicating Reni drum solo, the crowd were on tenterhooks for the set closer.

‘I Am The Resurrection’ was a triumph at coalescing all of the Roses’ formidable strengths into a singular whole. Soaring vocals, frenetic drumming, low slung groove and spiraling, towering guitar combined into one of the defining moments of the weekend.

As the final notes of their final song rung out over the crowd, The Stone Roses cemented their place as one of the greatest headliners in the history of the Festival. The audience went off into the night content in the knowledge that the first night of the 2013 Isle of Wight Festival was capped off with such a fantastic set. 

The Stone Roses

isla magazine 13

PAUL WELLER P

aul Weller is one of the few legitimate icons, stylistically and musically, in Britain today.

Founder member of legendary Mod revivalists The Jam, Weller continues to put out records bristling with Motown horns, heart and soul and searing guitars.

Suited and booted as always, with his silver Mod cut perfectly styled, Weller took to the Main Stage to rapturous applause. With the Jam and the Style Council he wrote some of the nation’s best-loved tracks – a trend he continues with his solo work.

From the minute he stepped on stage, Weller had the crowd enthralled.

He played a high energy set, switching between electric and acoustic guitars and keyboard, that got the audience up on their feet and dancing as the sun set on the first day of the Festival.

His set drew tracks from his last two critically acclaimed albums, ‘Wake Up The Nation’ and ‘Sonik Kicks’, as well as hits from his back catalogue. Kicking off with ‘Sunflower’, followed by the feedback screech introduction of ‘Wake Up The Nation’, Weller demonstrated just why he’s one of the country’s most loved musicians.

Although he wears his influences

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Paul Weller

on his sleeve (Motown, Psychedelia, Soul and good ol’ British pop), Weller always finds new ways to twist them together often with unexpected results.

The high-speed stomp of ‘Fast Car/ Slow Traffic’ fueled by guitarist Steve Cradock’s incendiary guitar playing, pumped up the crowd.

A mixture of sounds swirled throughout the set, which whipped up the already energised crowd into a frenzy. The guitar play between Weller and Cradock was augmented by a sumptuous Hammond organ and a variety of percussions that moved between Sixties cereal box snare and almost industrial tones.

The second half of his set drew the most adulation from the crowd.

A triumphant rendition of The Jam classic ‘That’s Entertainment’ was followed by the staccato punch of ‘Start!’ These were followed by a groove heavy ‘The Changingman’ – a song that has come to be symbolic of the Modfather’s chameleonic approach to creating music.

As the iconic keyboard intro of ‘Town Called Malice’ heralded the end of a sublime set, Weller had whipped the audience up into a hype for the first night’s headliners. 

É D N A S I L E M E

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Emeli Sandé

isla magazine 15

I

JAKE BUGG

sla caught up with 19-year-old singer-songwriter Jake Bugg before his first ever show at the Festival to chat about how his life has changed beyond belief and his travels to Japan.

Sat in his hotel room proudly holding his brand new guitar, which he said, is “identical to Noel Gallagher’s”, a chilledout Jake, sat on his bed, working on his set list with the rest of the band.

You’ve had a busy time travelling all over the world. How was that?

Yeah, all over. Japan for me was great it was a bit mad, I’d heard the stories, but when you actually see it it’s a totally different thing.

What was the best venue you played out there?

I just did an acoustic show and everyone was so quiet – like, 700 people being silent. Afterwards the fans gave me presents.

Do you enjoy festivals?

I like playing them and I appreciate the people coming through the mud to watch me playing a few songs. Can’t ask anything more.

Do the references to Bob Dylan get on your nerves?

No. It’s not a terrible comparison. I just find it lazy and generic. I think he’s

16 isla magazine

Jake Bugg

great, but I think anyone saying it needs to go out and buy more records.

So what are your musical influences?

I like hip-hop, heavy metal, and electro and I take the best parts from them.

There are a lot of emotions about growing up on the album. How has your life changed?

Ironically, because of that album. I’ve done so much more now as well.

You’ve been working with legendary producer Rick Rubin. How’s that been?

It’s been an amazing experience for me. I could see the sunshine, see the sea and lemon trees popping up everywhere. Amazing. But it’s just great to be making records - that’s what it’s about.

I could milk this one for a year or two, but I don’t want to do that. I want make new songs and give people something to listen to. And Rick is a cool guy - he’s very chilled.

What songs do you enjoy playing the most?

Probably my new songs called ‘Slumville Sunrise’ and ‘All Your Reasons’.

What’s after the Isle of Wight?

Glasgow with The Stone Roses, festivals all month then straight into the studio with Rick in August to try and nail this second record. 

EVERYTHING EVERYTHING T

heir opening song chosen from their second album ‘Arc’, ‘Cough – Cough’ was enough to send shivers down your spine.

Everything Everything’s lead singer Jonathan Higgs’ voice alone stood prominent against the backing vocals, heavy drums and guitar, creating a soothing balance between highpitched vocals and heavy bass.

Their sound is a mixture of two genres combined, old school pop and rock. With most of their songs covering current issues in society, guitarist Alex Robertshaw explained how the band feel this adds to their music.

“I think people who listen to it, enjoy it for pure melodies sake. That’s fantastic in itself but when you get people that want to know what’s going on, they get that extra level and that makes people enjoy bands more.”

Jonathan followed by explaining where the band’s inspiration stems from: “ It comes from the news, things people say, just anything that goes by.”

Dressed all in black, the boys looked the part as they performed to a

Everything Everything

captivated crowd. “Thank you, you all look very nice today,” Jonathan shouted as he finished the end of their first song.

The atmosphere then changed from electric to mellow when the band played ‘Duet’ – one of the “proper” songs they have written according to the four-piece. From the outset the song is romantic, soft and warm with the opening lyrics “I don’t know what’s real and what’s going on.”

Clapping his hand together Jonathan spurred on the crowd before breaking into a heavy guitar solo that saw him parade across the entire stage.

“If you know this song then sing along,” he introduced ‘Kemosabe’ alongside excitable roars from the crowd.

Before finishing their electrifying set with ‘Don’t Try’, Jonathan had this message: “Thanks for having us today, you’ve been amazing.” The band certainly did themselves justice with their impressive performance.

Alex spoke on behalf of the band: “It was pretty incredible. I think we played really well, I really enjoyed it and the weather was fantastic.” 

isla magazine 17

PALMA VIOLETS L

ambeth based quartet Palma Violets have had the definition of a meteoric rise to fame since they formed in 2011. Winning fans over with their kinetic, frantic indie punk, Palma Violets have had one hell of a year.

The band won the coveted NME Track of the Year in 2012, and coheadlined the NME Awards Tour alongside Peace, Miles Kane and Django Django earlier this year. The band’s propulsive sound kicked off the Main Stage action of the 2013 Isle of Wight Festival with an explosion of youthful exuberance.

The band cite legendary punks The Clash and lo-fi American rockers The Gun Club as inspiration and it certainly showed in their sound. Lyrics were half

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crooned - half shouted over growling bass and neo-psychedelic keyboard.

Coupled with some melodically strummed power chords, Palma Violets’ high-energy sound was just the thing the Main Stage crowd needed.

Light and shade collided often during Palma Violets’ set. ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ captivated the festivalgoers with its lilting melodies combined with bassist/vocalist Chilli Jesson’s demands for the people to raise their arms and bask in the summer sunlight.

Guitarist/vocalist Sam Fryer’s spidery guitar lines that softened Palma Violet’s rougher edges tempered Jesson’s aggression. Sitting atop this was Peter Mayhew’s keyboards, which

Palma Violets

sounded like a mixture of chintzy organ and full on space rock. Drummer William Doyle solidly held together both sides of Palma Violets musical personality with a pulsing drumbeat.

The band has had a relentless touring schedule, which has paid off in the musical interplay between its members. Their rendition of debut single ‘Best of Friends’ and set closer ‘14’ demonstrated Palma Violets’ knack for fusing ragged garage rock with anthemic, sing-a-long choruses.

As the final strains of ‘14’ filled the air, Chilli dived into the open arms of the crowd. Palma Violets opened the Main Stage with energy and enthusiasm, setting the tone for the music to come over the weekend. 

ELLIE GOULDING

E

llie Goulding arrived in style to the Festival by helicopter. Playing the Big Top on the Friday night she pulled in the youngest crowd.

The star entered the stage and the soft whisper of her voice rippled through the air echoing around the tent.

Opening with ‘Don’t Say A Word’ an atmospheric intro, with ambient, duophonic synths and a catchy chorus. The packed tent started to sway as the pop star used the full length of the stage to parade and wriggle her hips. Then, occasionally beating her own bass drum, she whipped her hair back and forth.

Up next was song ‘Figure 8’, which got

the crowd swaying in figures of eight.

The song’s meaning was conveyed well in her performance, and with added emotion Ellie’s voice became more powerful. The lead guitarist’s solo ended the song on a high.

Ellie performed most of the songs from her second studio album ‘Halcyon’ such as ‘I Need Your Love’ and ‘Anything Could Happen’. She then played her enchanting cover of ‘Your Song’. “I covered this song so many years ago now, it’s mental,” she said. The crowd sung loudly in unison, swaying glow sticks as the regular sized Big Top sounded like a football stadium.

‘Only You’ came next, a great festival song full of powerful vocals and sensational drum routines. As always, Ellie gave her set 100%.

She ended her Festival performance on a high, with her first ever-hit single, ‘Starry Eyed’. Ellie took us on a journey through her new music and brought us straight back to the beginning of her career at the end. It showed just how much her direction has changed over the years and how now she has found herself in her music.

Leaving the stage to the crowd’s pleads of “one more song!”, Ellie Goulding sang her heart out with an astonishing Big Top set. 

Ellie Goulding

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Rizzle kicks

What did you think of the vibe at this year’s Isle of Wight Festival?

Jordan: It seemed pretty awesome. We saw Jake Bugg who’s wicked and Paul Weller, he’s pretty sick. The Main Stage has been awesome.

You closed the Big Top on the Friday night, which tracks were you most looking forward to performing?

Harley: Probably ‘Down with the Trumpets’ and ‘Youngster’.

Jordan: We’ve toured this album for a while so we’re very much looking forward to releasing our new one.

The new album ‘Roaring 20s’ is out soon isn’t it? What can people expect from that?

Jordan: Well/ I think it’s f***ing sick. It’s a similar vibe to the debut album, just more mature.

Are you looking forward to performing it at festivals?

Harley: Very much so, we played a track from it in our set at Isle of Wight.

You guys must’ve been to festivals when you were younger, what’s your best memory?

Harley: One of my best memories is watching Radiohead at Reading Jordan: Yeah but it isn’t as good as my memory though, I was the closest person in the crowd to Thom Yorke.

Harley: That, and The Killers at Reading

in 2008 was so good.

Who would be your dream festival headliner?

Jordan: Jimi Hendrix, just because we’re at Isle of Wight Festival.

What’s next for you guys after your new album?

Jordan: There are a few things in TV and film that we want to work on. One thing is a new music show called ‘Smells like Friday Night’ which could be awesome, Harley has been having some auditions for acting too. Hopefully the new album will propel us into a place where people will want to work with us creatively.

And then we go on tour next February, which is scary because I’m happy just playing in England.

Harley: If someone said ‘If you could tour in one place for the rest of your life where would it be?’ I’d be like ‘England’.

You’ve done so many festivals here as well?

Jordan: Yeah it’s weird, especially as we haven’t released anything new for a while. We walk around backstage and lots of people still ask us for photos.

Any embarrassing onstage moments?

Harley: I fell over once, it was a uni gig in Bristol and there was loads of dry ice smoke so I tripped over a guitar lead.

Jordan: My one was forgetting my lyrics at a gig in Paris. I just had to chat s***.

I’m hoping that as most of the people were French they didn’t notice.

Finally, what’s the weirdest present a fan has given you?

Jordan: The weirdest was when we tweeted that we like Wagon Wheels and then that night someone sent us two packs of Wagon Wheels with the tweet attached to it. 

Rizzle Kicks

RIZZLE KICKS

R

izzle Kicks duo Jordan ‘Rizzle’ Stephens and Harley ‘Sylvester’ Alexander-Sule are no strangers to the festival scene, and this year they took the Isle of Wight Festival Big Top stage by storm. Isla spoke to them about festival life and what’s next for Rizzle Kicks.

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DELILAH U

rban singer Delilah braved her performance at the Big Top on Friday night. Despite being ill she wowed the crowd with her first ever appearance at the Festival.

The Parisian singer looked festival-chic in her 6-inch Lady Gaga heels working the crowd with pizzazz.

Isla caught up with the ‘Inside My Love’ star just after her performance, she said: “I have just had laryngitis so I am not sure my performance was my best but I couldn’t miss playing this festival for the world.”

While she was unsure of how she would perform she appeared to have no worries. She opened with her hit song ‘Never Be Another’ from her debut album, ‘From The Roots Up’, which is a perfect introduction to the vibe she brings to every performance. The atmospheric keys and pulsing drums almost sounded like being in a jungle.

She played all her big hits including ‘Love You So’ and ‘Breathe’, then switched it up straight into her version

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Delilah

of soul legend Minnie Riperton’s 1975 classic ‘Inside My Love’ a sensual song which was portrayed not only through the lyrics but her body movements, as she moved to the rhythm of the music. She said to the crowd, “This song requires you to dance like no one is watching.”

A few songs in and the star said: “I need you to help me sing this song.” She picked several members of the audience to jump up on stage and dance to 90’s hit ‘Gypsy Woman (La da dee la da da)’ originally by Crystal Waters. The crowd went wild for Delilah who said: “If you don’t know this song then you must be under the age of 12.”

Once the song was over Delilah hugged each of them and then said jokingly: “Now get off my stage.” She then gained complete control, while she posed in front of the camera. She ended with her first ever single, top 20 hit ‘Go’.

She enjoyed every minute of her set, showing just how dedicated and passionate she is about her music. 

I

.

N FU

ndie pop three-piece Fun. lit up the Big Top on Friday evening with their catchy upbeat anthems and singalong choruses.

Fans were treated to tracks like the catchy ‘Why Am I the One’ and the bouncy ‘All Alone’. Not a single festivalgoer was stood immobile as lead singer Nate Ruess’s distinctive voice rang through the air.

Accompanied by the rest of his band, Jack Antonoff on drums and Andrew Dost on bass guitar, the cheeky frontman lapped up the crowd’s enthusiasm, poking his tongue out in between tracks.

Both the crowd and the San Francisco boys fed off each other’s enthusiasm as they played tracks from their Grammy award-winning second album ‘Some Nights’.

The boys also brought out tracks from their debut album ‘Aim and Ignite’ like the uplifiting ‘At Least I’m Not As Sad (As I Used To Be)’ which built up the intro with a medley of piano keys and drum beats.

The band are known for their infectious pop rock sound and lyrics that are made to be sung at high volume.

They certainly did not disappoint at their Isle of Wight Festival set as they ensured the crowd were clapping and singing along to every single song.

A fanfare of drum and trumpet sounds throughout ‘One Foot’ had the crowd dancing along and stamping their feet, an uplifting song that it is impossible not to feel happy to.

As they drew their set to a close, Nate Ruess bounced around the stage while they belted out their top hits ‘Some Nights’ and the massive anthem of last summer ‘We Are Young’, which if you haven’t heard on the radio you must’ve been living under a rock for the past year.

Fun. are a band that have been under the radar in the UK for a while, but their set of feel good songs and loud and proud choruses proved why they deserved their Grammy. It’s clear that their fame can only skyrocket. 

Fun.

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LIANNE LA HAVAS 24 isla magazine

S

ince releasing her debut album ‘Is Your Love Big Enough?’ in July 2012, Lianne has shot to fame.

The record was named iTunes Record Of The Year, got to number four in the album charts and was nominated for an Ivor Novello award. We caught up with Lianne to discuss her feelings about playing the Big Top on Friday.

It seems like you’ve shot to fame, did you ever imagine this time last year you’d even be on the Isle of Wight Festival bill?

No. I don’t really consider myself to be famous at all. I’ve always wanted to play at the Isle of Wight Festival. Many of my friends have been and just loved it. It’s a huge one.

You’re playing many festivals this year, what makes the Isle of Wight Festival so special?

Well it’s on the Isle of Wight to start and that just suggests beauty and wonderfulness in my eyes. It’s like when you meet a famous person, you hear about them for years and then you finally meet them.

What song did you enjoy playing the most?

Oh good question. I always enjoy playing ‘Age’. Although it doesn’t necessarily have a beat, it always gets

Lianne La Havas

people dancing. Lots of people seem to know the words as well.

You spent two years developing your song writing before you released any music, how did that help with your album?

It wasn’t just song writing, I played as many gigs as I could find so I made sure I was getting the experience.

I used to earn money singing at weddings and I played to every type of audience. It’s really important to get to grips with what you’re doing live. I think that then inspires your creativity to write album songs.

Do you think the experience of playing to such a wide range of people helped you at the Festival?

Indeed. The beautiful thing about a festival is whoever wants to listens does and some people hear the music in the background. They could be having a picnic or chatting or whatever and you’re creating an atmosphere with your music.

This festival is focusing on the summer of love, did you have anyone special coming to see your set?

Like a significant other? Well I am currently in love. My boyfriend is actually in my band with me so he sat by me every step of the way and probably sang along.

Is that how you met?

We did know each other before but we were both in different relationships.

He auditioned for the band and we became very good friends. The other relationships were breaking down so I took quite a few months to myself and we began dating. Then it was ‘oh it’s love’, it was that eureka moment.

T’PAU W

ith a powerful voice and mass of red hair, Carol Decker is the distinctive icon of T’Pau. It took her just three lines of opening song ‘Sex Talk’ before the Big Top tent was full of dancing festivalgoers.

Dressed in a leather coat that she refused to remove in the name of style despite the temperature, Carol had the audience clapping and chanting without a falter in her vocal performance.

“I was really nervous before we went on because I thought, ‘what if people walk out of the tent?’ But today we absolutely killed it in The Big Top,” Decker admitted. “I still get a churning tummy before I go on stage but about two songs in I thought ‘This is going to be okay’.”

Her voice is as faultless as ever as she goes from soaring choruses to low pitched growls to a hushed whisper.

However, it was the performance of ‘Heart and Soul’ where Carol really

showed what she was capable of. She commanded the audience with ease and even had the security guards singing along.

The band is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary but has stayed remarkably youthful, possibly due to the addition of lead guitarist James Ashby. Despite being dressed in a suitably 80’s skin-tight leopard print shirt, at 23 he wasn’t even born when the band released their first album.

Of course it was the final song that got the biggest reaction. When the first bars of ‘China In Your Hand’ were played, everybody prepared their lungs for a full-on sing-a-long. With the Big Top at maximum capacity, thousands of voices nearly ran the risk of drowning out the band.

Carol also admitted that it was an honour to be asked to play on the Island. “I do lots of festivals but I’ve never done one this big before,” she said. “It’s like a city here.” 

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THE KILLERS S

peaking to Absolute Radio’s Sarah Champion, The Killers’ front man Brandon Flowers spoke of the special nature of the Festival: “This island over here – it was just magic to me and the bands that came out here. Tha t’s what I graduated towards.” With thei r Saturday night headline show, The Kille rs brought a little magic of their own to the Isle of Wight Festival.

Kicking of their set with the iconic ‘Mr Brightside’, The Killers grasped the Isle of Wight Festival tightly in their hands and didn’t let go for the remainder of thei r storming set.

Lasers streamed across the sky as the band rattled through ‘Spaceman’ , lending an almost euphoric sci-fi atmosphere to the Main Stage. Bran don

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Flowers roamed the stage, while The Killers blasted their trademark sound across Seaclose Park. A euphoric ‘The Way It Was’ followed as the crashing drum rumble supplied by drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr fired the band up.

A set drawn from the length of their career, and featuring some surprise covers, which the fans went mental for.

‘Smile Like You Mean It’ produced one of the biggest sing-a-longs of the wee kend with the crowd joining in unison to bellow the words back at a grinning Brandon. ‘Bling (Confessions of a King )’ showed off the band’s formidable live power before the band kicked off one of the set’s surprise covers.

‘Shadowplay’, the malevolent Joy Division anthem, was reworked by the

The Killers

band into a highly danceable tune, replete with lasers shooting through the night sky. The “oohs” and “aahs” of the crowd were audible throughout the whole Festival site before the set shif ted into the luscious pop blast of ‘Miss Atomic Bomb’.

Dave Keuning coaxed great swathes of lush sound out of his guitars which gave way to the enchanting synth intro of ‘Human’ – a song that brought the crow d together with its chorus seemingly designed for Main Stage headline slot s.

Bassist Mark Stoermer teased fans with a slow bass run before the indie disc o favourite ‘Somebody Told Me’, which proved to be just as great booming through the Main Stage’s speakers as it does at any grotty indie club. The fans

SET LIST

Mr. Brightside Spaceman The Way It Was Smile Like You Mean It Bling (Confession of a King) Shadowplay (Joy Division cover) Miss Atomic Bomb Human Somebody Told Me I Think We’re Alone Now (Tommy James & the Shondells cov er)

were taken by storm being swept alon g by the tunes muscular bass thump and the roughhewn synths.

Brandon Flowers has been honing his front man skills for over a decade, and he held the enraptured audience under his spell. A highly energetic performer, he danced around The Killer’s multi leve lled stage. His energy proved to be infectio us as the fans swayed, grooved and dan ced as a singular whole.

The set’s second cover was a fantastic tender moment. The Tommy James and The Shondells song ‘I Think We’re Alon e Now’, that Brandon claimed The Kille rs were “stealing back” from Girls Aloud, further solidified the bond between the band and their fans with its soft hea rted refrain “I think we’re alone now/ ther e

doesn’t seem to be anyone around”.

‘For Reasons Unknown’, taken from second album ‘Sam’s Town’, continued to captivate the crowd, before the ban d slid into ‘From Here On Out’. The Kille rs then slowed the set down again onc e more with the almost rustic ‘A Dustlan d Fairytale’. The song was beloved by fans since it first appeared on their third studio album, and Saturday night’s live showing proved the strength of its evocative imagery and gentle lyrics.

Dave then began to strum the chords to Beatles standard ‘When I’m Sixty Fou r’, with Brendan cheekily changing the chorus lyrics to “every summer we can see The Killers at the Isle of Wight/ if it’s not too dear.” Judging by the crowd’s reaction, this is something that wou ld

The Killers

For Reasons Unknown From Here On Out A Dustland Fairytale When I’m Sixty-Four (The Beatles cover) Read My Mind Runaways All These Things That I’ve Done Encore: Jenny Was a Friend of Mine When You Were Young

go down a storm and something fans would be more than happy to see.

Before the crowd’s enthusiasm had a chance to dwindle, The Killers moved into one of their greatest anthems ‘Read My Mind’, quickly followed by the sublime ‘Runaways’. The set was cap ped off with the ultimate in stadium cha nts in ‘All These Things That I’ve Done’ as fireworks exploded into the velvet skie s.

Just when the crowd thought their appetite for The Killers was over, the band returned once again for the enc ore racing through ‘Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine’ before finishing with a bombast ic ‘When You Were Young’. An impecca ble set from one of the world’s foremos t purveyors of Rock ‘n’ Roll. The Killers ended Saturday night with a bang. 

isla magazine 29

BLOC PARTY

R

eturning after a four-year hiatus in 2012 with fourth album ‘Four’, Bloc Party hit the Main Stage with a set featuring a blend of new tracks and some of their greatest hits.

As the sun began to sink below the Main Stage’s crowd, the band began their set with the chiming guitars of gorgeous love song ‘So Here We Are’.

Front man Kele Okereke’s impassioned vocals soared as the crowd matched him word for word. They then kicked into a faster gear with indie disco staple ‘Hunting for Witches’ that featured a deluge of digitally processed guitars courtesy of Russell Lissack.

The throbbing bass intro of ‘Positive Tension’ shook the crowd to their cores, which proved to be a recurring theme throughout the set.

It was probably Russell’s guitars that stole the show, however. He was able to conjure a variety of sounds utilising his labyrinthine pedal board. These ranged from the coruscating buzz saw hurricane on ‘Song For Clay (Disappear

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Bloc Party

Here)’, the shimmering runs on ‘This Modern Love’, and the erratic riffing of “Octopus” taken from their latest release.

On the intro for ‘One More Chance’ guitar gave way to housey piano as Kele, with a permanent Cheshire Cat grin, coerced the crowd into jumping higher and faster turning them into a seething mass of dancing limbs.

Bloc Party treated revellers to brand new song ‘Ratchet’. Sure to become a future festival favourite, the song won the audience over with its stabs of guitar punctuated by a funky beat and rapid-fire vocal delivery.

Buzzing, waspish electrics heralded the beginning of the sublime ‘Flux’ before shifting into a barnstorming version of their classic single ‘Helicopter’ to close the set.

The audience were jubilant as Bloc Party took a bow and headed offstage, safe in the knowledge that they had just witnessed one of the best sets of the weekend. 

THE MACCA

BEES

R

iding high on their latest the success of alb keep persp ective and Wild’, The M um ‘Given To The keep playin whilst we accabees h record. g out co ave had a great 18 nsistently m Y o o n u’ve playe ths. Isla ca up with gu one of the d the Isle ught itarist Felix best band a ro und for a w o F e f s W tival befo White to c ig s about their h t hile now. hat re in 2009 Isle of Wig T h e M e . x a W c c ht show. ited to be ere you cabees alw returning ays give e live perfo I think it w ? xcellent The Macc rmances. as the Big abees are H ow do you y o T u o r p c s a in e a n t lways festi ’t rememb 2009. I went? think favourites val ac Thank you bumped in er who headlined. W enjoy play ross the globe. Do .

W e ju e to st did wha John Gidd y ing festiv enjoyed th t we do an ago ings a mon als? How d ou differ from e night. W d th o they b and although the m e have fam your own th e is la e lu m n ily on rr d ory is tours and ed, I think so It’s probab th e re was plenty gigs? jo we arrang ly our seve after too. to do e bs this yea nth or eigh year doing r, so that sh d to swap th festivals so Y o u r in o la u te te ld re they have st album, become ve be sting. But ‘Giv we were re ry familiar Wild’ has to be play ally excited to us, and a more am en To The of course w in g yes, th e bitious so e enjoy pla M a a n in Stage. d was nom Were there und ying them year they se inated for any band . This rved as we M la e rc s s t w y u y o ry a e u n a e P te r’s really from the st k rize. Are y d to see th udio whilst ends away ou happy is year? the reacti It’s sad we w we made o ith o fourth alb n th a m t issed I Am it has had um. So the ur The last tw Kloot on th Sunday. Th ? y’re useful o y e a e e rs y ways to have us. We fee headlining are a great shout for l the record been great for a tent and was a fr o m our prev have been ious album step on people ha s and are ve gone w ith it too.  glad

The Maccabees

isla magazine 31

BEN HOWAR D 32 isla magazine

T

he BRIT award winner Ben Howard, was certainly not short of fans at the Isle of Wight Festival as he played to a crowd that stretched back as far as the eye could see.

Opening his Saturday Main Stage set with the beautiful ‘Everything’, Ben Howard’s stunning vocals drifted through the crowds as every lyric oozed raw, heartfelt meaning.

It was an overcast evening with a cold, harsh wind, but that wasn’t deterring the festivalgoers, as they were too busy appreciating the voice that has got so many people talking.

As he played his acoustic guitar, all eyes were on Ben as he treated the crowd to songs from his album ‘Every Kingdom’. Although his chilled, laidback music may not be for everyone, it’s hard to argue against the fact that this man is gifted with genuine musical talent.

The crowd listened in awe and admiration as they swayed along to the emotional ‘Black Flies’ and the familiar

Ben Howard

vocals and raw sounds of ‘Only Love’.

Even though there hasn’t been an artist as hyped up as Ben Howard since Ed Sheeran, he remained charmingly humble and modest. Either unfazed or unaware of his growing musical status, he addressed the crowd saying: “I didn’t think we’d get to play any shows this summer. It’s a privilege to come here and see so many new faces.”

Ben Howard continued to play melodic tracks like ‘Diamonds’ and some more upbeat numbers like ‘The Fear’ and ‘The Wolves’, both of which had the audience clapping and nodding along.

To close the set Ben performed ‘Keep Your Head Up’, a poignant, powerful track that ended the performance on a high. Whatever your opinion on Ben Howard’s music is it’s hard not admire the skill and beauty of his song writing.

Before departing Ben told the audience that he “was looking forward to seeing The Maccabees”, and left with an ever humble, modest “Thank you for having us.” 

BAST I L L

E

F

ormed in 2 011 breakthrou , Bastille are the gh band o performin f 2013 with ‘Pompeii’ re g at a festi val? aching No T he crowds 2 in the charts in M are genera opened. Th arch and th lly there to fu n so album ‘Bad can be gre ey asked u eir debut have Blood’ hitti a s to play ‘P t to fo r them, an play to. I’m a pessimis ng No 1. ompeii’ We spoke d we were a t b so it o I a f to the ban lw a a bit reluc to y s play our litt assume no going to co d’s frontma Smith abo tant one’s le song in me along to n Dan ut festivals context, b su c h see us, so I it’s nice to and his pla a n visiting the o ut it transp dd be pleasan guess th ns for Pompeii ru ired that w tly surprise e first ban people do ins. e were d to ever p d when come. lay there a turns out th What is it You starte nd it e acoustic that make d writing s in the Rea R s o om were in Isle of Wig Festival so songs in y bedroom d ing ht our special? at a young What are y credible.

It was one age. Are th 15-year-o o u r o p f la th a ld’s style a ns for Bas t on July 14 played at tw e first festivals we tille Day nd influen identifiab ? o years ago ces le with Ba It ’s my birthda just started when we h stille toda I think so. M y so it wou ad y? gigging. W y taste in m be in Paris e played in Strongbow usic varies massively, one year fo ld be great to The Tent and m but a lot o r Bastille D also tourin assively luc out becau f the ay. W as a kid is st g and doin ked se it was p uff I still list music I heard g lots of othe e’re Y ** o si u ng down w rain so the have been en to now, think the in r stuff. ten ith called perh so I flu most excit a Pompeii w t was packed. p s th Bastille son ences run throughou e in g prospec as a huge t the gs. I still wri t a long tim hit. Have y been to th te songs in bedroom. e. But, how in indie for ou ever e ruins of my I get ideas d y o you defi o th u e r music?

None of us for songs a city? time and p ne have. We’d ll the retty much W e a ’r bsolutely lo to go, and e rubbish a anywhere in pretty st we’re tryin ve - often ran music, main t trying to define ou g to fit in a there whe being able ge places, but I really r ly because trip n we’re ne to go hom like we weren’t setting ou xt doing a in Italy. We e and assim them into t re to g ally ig were lucky ilate son I guess the be anything in partic enough to invited by What’s the gs. re u la a r. be the British best thing as well as p re elements of indie Museum to round the about in it, op, R&B an look ir exhibitio d electron Someone n on Pomp Herculane ic music. called it “alt eii and um recentl ernative, c pop music y, just befo inematic ” but some re it times we’re to as a rock referred band. 

Bastille

isla magazine 33

LAURA MVULA D

ressed in a huge faux-fur coat and high heels, Laura Mvula looked like the picture of elegance. Previously classed as the world’s least likely pop star, she’s incredibly humble about her own performance. “I think it went well for a first festival,” she admitted.

Her soulful set created a moment of stillness during an otherwise blustery day. After a beautiful version of her song ‘Morning Dew’, she then stepped away from songs from her debut album and sang ‘Let me Fall’. She told the audience she had to perform it as her husband, musician Themba Mvula, was in the audience and it was the only song she had written that he liked.

Laura then moved on to ‘Flying Without You’. Written about a boy she loved when she was 15, the jazzy song has a tinkling tune and a stomping bass. As she sang “I’m right now

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Laura Mvula

without you, I found something better” she stuck a metaphoric two fingers up to the boy who broke her heart and didn’t love her back.

Laura came out from behind her flower decked piano to reveal an incredible pair of legs and the softest voice as she sang her album’s title track ‘Sing to The Moon’. “That was my favourite song to perform today, it was great,” she said. “I actually wanted to get up and dance which is something that doesn’t usually happen.”

Despite admitting her nerves to the audience, she claimed that the Isle of Wight was the easiest place to play. By the end of her set she looked so at ease with the crowd it’s hard to believe that she’s only released one album.

“Maybe next time I’ll be more comfortable,” she said. “And maybe I’ll bring my wellies next time rather than my heels.” 

WILLY MOON

Image courtesy of Rog01

W

ith his chiselled features and slick backed hair, Willy Moon is a distinctive looking character whose style of music could almost be compared to that of the king, Elvis Presley.

When his debut album ‘Here’s Willy Moon’ was first unleashed on the public back in April, Willy Moon filled the retro, rockabilly void that the music industry had desperately been missing.

The weather may have been dull on Saturday afternoon , but the upbeat guitar sounds and heavy drumbeats blared through the Big Top as Moon got the crowd going with new tracks. The cool, deep bass and the lively rhythm of the chorus of ‘What I Want’ got the crowd moving and nodding their heads. While the retro guitar sounds of ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’ wouldn’t have sounded out of place at a 50s diner.

Moon wore an all black suit with an open shirt and a slick, cool, laidback stage personality to match, the modern day Elvis commanded the stage as he alternated between playing his own electric guitar and showing off some

dance moves.

Willy Moon’s style of music is hard to pin down as his album is so varied, but it mashes up a mix of retro and modern day sounds that made for a hugely entertaining performance and showed off his originality. At 29 minutes long in total, it’s clear he wanted his album to be about quality not quantity.

One thing’s for sure though, there wasn’t a song that didn’t get the crowd rocking. He played tracks ‘Get Up (What you Need)’, ‘My Girl’ and ‘She Loves Me’ accompanied with the occasional backing vocals from his female guitarist.

To close the set, Moon predictably saved the best until last as he belted out the track that was first made famous by being featured in an iPod advert, ‘Yeah Yeah’. The loud beat and familiar chorus had the audience jumping around and waving their hands, a conclusion to an impressive set from an emerging star.

With confidence and a personality that could match that of a seasoned rock ‘n’ roll performer, Willy Moon departed the stage after telling the crowd: “Be mad, be happy and thanks for coming to see us.” 

Willy Moon

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SUB FOCUS A s the giant rings of the Sub Focus logo descended from the ceiling of the Big Top, crowds eagerly gathered to await one of the most anticipated dance sets of the Festival.

MC I.D appeared on stage to make the proper introductions before Sub Focus, A.K.A Nick Douwma, finally mounted his decks. The former announced: “You are now in the mind of Sub Focus.”

Nick spoke to Isla after his set about what hypes him up before a performance: “If there is a big crowd of people there waiting to see the show then that’s hype enough for me.”

The set kicked off with big drum’n’bass hit ‘Rock It’, much to the delight of the excited crowd, who went

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crazy jumping up and down as one.

The impressive set design lit up the Big Top with an extraordinary light display that changed with each track.

The giant rings illuminated the famous DJ as he had the crowd transfixed from beginning to end.

Remixes of familiar tracks by Passion Pit and Deadmau5 were thrown into the set to mix it up, alongside club favourites ‘Out of the Blue’ and ‘Could This Be Real’. The sounds blasted out from the speakers, and the Big Top turned into a full on rave.

Nick then played new track ‘Endorphins’ which includes the powerful vocals of Alex Clare. Alex couldn’t be there in person, but it clearly didn’t disappoint the crowd as they sung the chorus at the top of their lungs.

Sub Focus

“’Endorphins’ has been getting the best crowd reactions lately,” Nick said afterwards. “I love testing out new material for the first time.”

Finally, to close the dynamic set, Sub Focus played one of his most popular tracks to date, ‘Tidal Wave’.

The electronic rhythms pierced the air culminating in a perfect finale.

When asked what was next for the DJ, he said: “I have a new album about to drop at the end of the summer. I’m also going to be touring throughout the festival season and I have a residency at Amnesia in Ibiza.”

It’s hard to imagine Nick was ever an unknown DJ, but Sub Focus has risen rapidly through the ranks to become one of the biggest players in the electronic dance music scene. 

MODESTEP

W

hen dubstep fans scuffled to the front of the Big Top in their masses on Saturday night, it could only mean that Modestep was performing.

The four-piece, bass-heavy band from London that infuses dubstep bass lines with live electric riffs, arrived on stage with an explosion of raw energy.

Returning to the Festival as an established act, Modestep’s first Isle of Wight Festival performance seems a million years away.

Drummer Matthew Curtis said: “This was one of the first festivals we ever played before we got really big. We were in the tiny Strongbow Tent before, so we’ve really come a long way. If the crowd from last time is anything to go by, the energy will be mad.”

Rock and roll front man Josh Friend hyped the rowdy crowd with just one sentence, as he launched himself on stage for their awaited performance. He roared to the crowd: “Isle of Wight are we ready to f***ing rock?”

The response from their avid fans was electrifying and remarkable considering the band hadn’t even performed their first track yet.

The band admitted they are always in fear of their live performances, as they have a range of diverse fans and pleasing different musical genres can be difficult.

“You have a camp of dubstep people expecting a filthy dub performance, and then rock and metal fans expecting a certain different sound,” Matthew told us.

Instantly, the tattooed foursome

Modstep

threw themselves into performing a series of chart topping tracks from their newly released album ‘Evolution Theory’, including ‘Freedom’, ‘Show Me a Sign’ and ‘To The Stars’.

Soon after they performed their third track, lead singer Josh ordered the crowd to “bounce” and bellowed “Where’s my f***ing mosh pit, bring it to me.”

Finishing with ‘Sunlight’ their infamous single from the album, the crowd raised their arms and repeated every lyric back to the gratified band, who thanked the audience for being loyal followers.

Ending with an exhilarating electric guitar and drum instrumental, the crowd went wild for the once unheard of band. As the lights shone over the sweaty boisterous crowd, there wasn’t an unsatisfied face in sight. 

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ZANE LOWE 38 isla magazine

H

e’s the well –respected DJ, producer and broadcaster whose performances pack quite a punch – Zane Lowe wowed the crowd once again at the Isle of Wight Festival 2013.

Zane entered the stage with one hand in the air, appreciating the animated crowd that impatiently awaited his hour-long set. Being one of the most respected workers in his field, Zane’s love for music was evident from the word-go due to his illimitable enthusiasm to ‘perform’.

After several shout-outs in honour of previous artists, the 38-year-old began his set by bellowing “put your hands up in the air” to which everyone obeyed. The talented Kiwi played an

Zane Lowe

array of genres, crouched over his decks he started by travelling back in time to some of the 90’s hip-hop classics. As his DJ set progressed, he mixed music from Jay Z’s ‘Dirt Off Your Shoulder’, Azealia Banks’ ‘212’, Enur ft Natasja’s ‘Calabria’ and Pendulum’s ‘Blood Sugar’. He then cranked it up a notch by placing his order for dimmed lighting in preparation for his heavier tracks: “Turn the lights down to make it more grimey in here.”

Quite the showman, it wasn’t long before he shouted his signature sentence, ordering everyone in the arena to “get down low” – he crouched down onto one knee and the crowd followed his lead. The crowd persisted to stay down until the beat dropped.

Zane explained to Isla how playing at Bestival compares to Isle of Wight. “I’ve always played Bestival on this island, I’ve never had the chance to play here but I’ve been looking forward to it.

“It’s well organised and very condensed, it’s easy to get to and everything’s been pretty smooth. The crowd was cool, festivals are long and by the second day, and definitely the third, everyone’s pretty exhausted so the aim is to try and give everyone a reason to have a good time.”

Finally, Zane revealed who he wanted to see most at this year’s Festival and the one person he has longed to DJ alongside: “I would like to see Ben Howard just personally to say ‘What’s up?’ He’s a buddy and I’d like to catch up with him. Oh and if I could DJ with anybody, dead or alive I would love to have played records with Jam Master Jay.” 

DEVLIN

D

agenham boy James Devlin made his Big Top debut on the Saturday of the Festival, where the grime-mastermind took to the stage and proved exactly why the Isle of Wight deserved a rap artist among their line-up.

He marched onto the stage with a boisterous manner. Beer in hand and a towel wrapped around his neck, the lyrical talent threw himself into performing a series of his chart-topping singles from his acclaimed album ‘A Moving Picture’ such as ‘Rewind’ and ‘Sun Goes Down’.

The gifted performer may have been the only grime artist at this year’s Festival, but the hard-hitting rapper admitted his fans would be shocked if they knew who he would love to collaborate with one day. He said: “I’d love to work with Springsteen man, Bruce Springsteen is such a good writer. Some of his lyrics you could easily spit over a rap beat.

“Paul Weller too, I’ve done a couple of gigs with him, but we’ve never done an actual song, it would be fresh.”

He described the February released album ‘A Moving Picture’ as a piece of work he’s very proud of. Devlin said: “There’s loads of great collaborations on the album, music is such a wide spectrum, I really love the album.”

Sceptical of how the Festivals audience would take an Essex grime artist, Devlin told Isla how he felt about being the only rapper this year: “It was

nerve racking, but loads of rap and grime fans came out to support me. I’ve never been to the Isle of Wight Festival before, so I think it went really well.”

He stopped the music and bellowed down the mic: “Let’s slow this down”.

Devlin promptly began a powerful acapella freestyle that showcased his intricate lyrical talents, to which the crowd went ballistic.

He ended with an intensely passionate

Devlin

performance of his single ‘Watchtower’.

He explained his love for performing the track live: “That song really goes down well, the crowd responded to every lyric, It’s up-tempo and grimey, I really like performing that one.”

Much to his disbelief the crowd chanted ‘Devlin’ until the rapper thanked the audience, before taking a swig of his beer, raising his fist in the air and leaving the stage. 

isla magazine 39

X I M E L T T LI

A

s Little Mix sang and danced to their catchy pop beats, their incredible air of confidence made it hard to tell this was their first major festival. They opened their set with ‘How Ya Doin’, and the Big Top filled with an audience eager to see the girl band.

“How Ya Doin’ is my favourite song to play live,” said Leigh-Anne. “When the dance break comes it’s just the best moment, everyone goes “YEAAHHH” and gets involved.”

The girls are the first and only band

40 isla magazine

to ever win the X Factor and since then have gone from strength to strength.

After selling over two million records worldwide they broke the record left by The Spice Girls when their album went in at number four in America, a feat that Simon Cowell sent them 25 bottles of champagne for.

“To know we’ve broken their record is incredible,” said Leigh-Anne. “The Spice Girls led the way, and we look up to them so much and we’re so proud just to be considered alongside them.”

The girls even received the spice seal of

Little Mix

approval from Baby Spice herself Emma Bunton who went to see the band’s set.

“I’m glad I knew she was watching after or I would have got really nervous,” said Perrie. “And she knew all the words so must have the album.”

“She was proper dancing away though,” added Jesy. “I wish I could have taken a picture.”

Little Mix also paid homage to their favourite girl bands with a medley that included TLC and Destiny’s Child.

They also showed off their incredible range with a capella songs peppered through their set and acoustic versions of some of their album songs. They also showed how versatile their talent is with rapping and beat-boxing added to the mix.

Apart from currently writing songs for their second album, what is next for the girls? “Global domination!” said Leigh-Anne. “We’re so excited for what’s to come and we’re going to keep working hard. There’s a lot more to come from Little Mix!”

LAWSON F

our-piece popular rock band Lawson rolled up supporting V-necks and sunglasses, looking like true rock stars. The band spoke to Isla about Taylor Swift, their inspirational band name and an exclusive upcoming US tour.

This is your first appearance at the Festival, how has it been?

It lived up to all our expectations. It’s great to play a proper rock festival.

Do you enjoy festivals?

Yeah, they are our favourite shows.

There’s an inspirational story behind your name – can you tell me about that?

Andy Brown, our frontman, had a brain tumour when the band first started.

The doctor was called Dr. Lawson who saved his life so it was a great way to dedicate something to him.

People were expecting you to be a boy band, but you’re actually a rock band…

That’s the great thing about festivals.

Everyone expects a boy band, but we’re not that at all. We’re a normal,

Lawson

live playing band that worked their way up through pubs and clubs.

Taylor Swift is a big fan…

Yeah apparently Taylor Swift really likes Lawson. It’s a great honour when someone like that likes your band.

What’s next for you guys?

We’ve got our ‘Everywhere We Go Tour’ coming up in October, which we are really excited about. And in August we have a US tour, whoops that hasn’t been announced yet.

We love it here we want to come back to the Isle of ‘right’. 

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I V O J BON 44 isla magazine

“

W

e’ve travelled a long way to be here today,” Jon Bon Jovi announced to the crowd. The band from New Jersey were the Sunday headliners and grand finale to the Festival. With a back catalogue of 12 studio albums the carefully selected songs got the crowd dancing while managing to cover the old classics, new singles and a bit of everything in-between.

Dressed in a leather jacket emblazoned with the flag of his homeland, Jon Bon Jovi controlled the audience like a puppet master pulling the strings. When he asked them to clap, they clapped. When he belted out ‘Raise Your Hands’ - they did.

Five songs into their set, that opened with ‘What The Water Makes Me’, Jon Bon Jovi announced that warming up time was over and things

section/story

were about to get serious. It was then that the famous talk box guitar launched into the belting ‘It’s My Life’.

The lead singer, famed for his on stage moves, made sure he busted out some more as he stomped his feet and waved his arms. When he finally broke a sweat, an acoustic guitar came out to finish ‘Because We Can’, the debut single from their latest album.

As the dark began to creep over Newport, Jon Bon Jovi asked the audience “Are you still with me?” A scream from the audience confirmed that they were and the lights went up ready for ‘We Got It Goin’ On’ which the band stomped through.

As silence descended on the stage, it was the sound of maracas that indicated what the next song was going to be. ‘Keep The Faith’ had serious maraca shaking from Jon Bon Jovi and a pounding drum solo from Tico Torres at the end.

A tinkling piano and throbbing guitar beat then began to a roar of satisfactory applause from the audience as ‘In These Arms’ started.

Jon Bon Jovi’s velvety voice then smouldered its way across the crowd.

“You want commitment, take a look in to these eyes,” he purred as the hearts of thousands of women fluttered.

After an outfit change from a blue leather jacket to a black one, Jon Bon Jovi came back on to the stage carrying an acoustic guitar. “Hey, man, I’m alive,” he whispered as the crowd took over the rest of the verse. The acoustic made another appearance at the end of the song as he hung on to every note.

The band then rolled through some

of their newer hits including ‘Captain Crash’ and ‘The Beauty Queen from Mars’, ‘We Weren’t Born to Follow’, and ‘Who Says You Can’t Go Home’.

After the audience joined in with a foot stamping bonanza starting by the band, they launched into a cover of ‘Rockin’ All Over the World’. Status Quo weren’t the only band to get the Bon Jovi treatment. The Rolling Stones ‘Start Me Up’ was also covered, as was the famous opening line from Lulu’s ‘Shout’ with Jon wailing an everlasting note.

The band’s old classics then continued with a call of “Is there a doctor in the house?” and the constant chords of ‘Bad Medicine’ played by David Bryan on the keyboard.

The stage lights then went down, highlighting the UV paint across faces of the audience members. Jon Bon Jovi took this time to thank the fans for always supporting them through the ups and downs, a poignant message with Phil X beside him who was standing in for an absent Richie Sambora on the guitar.

The acoustic guitar then made its final appearance of the night to accompany the story of two young people called Tommy and Gina. The famous talk box also reappeared and started one of the most famous opening lines in rock history.

With the acoustics kicked to the curb, Tommy and Gina had their world-famous story played out in full glory. With thousands of fans singing the story of love and hope, the American band provided a perfect end to the British weekend. 

SET LIST That’s What The Water Made Me You Give Love a Bad Name Raise Your Hands Born To Be My Baby Lost Highway It’s My Life Because We Can What About Now? We Got It Goin’ On Keep The Faith In These Arms Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night

Bon Jovi

Captain Crash & The Beauty Queen From Mars We Weren’t Born To Follow Who Says You Can’t Go Home I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead Rockin’ All Over The World Start Me Up Bad Medicine Wanted Dead Or Alive Have a Nice Day Livin’ On a Prayer

isla magazine 45

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section/story THE SCRIPT

PALOMA FAITH I

ntroduced onto the stage with a dramatic, instrumental build up, Paloma Faith emerged confidently like a seasoned festival performer.

Paloma has been a festival regular for a few years now. This year she returned to the Isle of Wight Festival, with thousands of festivalgoers flocking to the Main Stage on Sunday to see her.

Famed for her eccentric onstage outfits, Paloma was dressed in a surprisingly low key and elegant white floor-length dress, but with one electric blue tasselled sleeve and a headscarf to add that Paloma touch.

Opening with ‘Agony’, a track from her second album ‘Fall to Grace’, she warmed the crowd up with her strong and powerful voice.

After playing a sassy rendition of her first single ‘Stone Cold Sober’, she returned to her new album, singing tracks like the upbeat ‘30 Minute Lover’ and the beautifully written ‘Never Tear Us Apart’. Her distinctive voice rang through the air, encouraging the audience to sing along with her.

Bantering with the crowd in between songs, she described the Isle of Wight as the place where her career first began.

She told the crowd: “This was the first

ever festival I played after I came out of the gutter basically.”

She then played tracks ‘Black and Blue’ and crowd-pleaser ‘New York’, before singing a stunning cover of ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’, dedicated to her idol, the late Etta James who she said she’s “never got to meet, but she was basically my singing teacher as I grew up”.

Paloma then perched on a grand piano to sing the slow and heartfelt ‘Just Be’, a touching song, which is “what true love is all about”.

She had the crowd captivated from beginning to end as she gave an audacious and charismatic performance.

Comparing the set to when she first performed at the Festival a few years ago, and saying how nervous and scared she felt, she reassured the crowd: “It’s okay, I know what I’m doing now.”

Pausing the set to take an instagram picture of the crowd on her phone, she then rounded off the set with ‘Blood, Sweat and Tears’ and ‘Picking up the Pieces’, which had the whole audience belting out the chorus.

Paloma exited the Main Stage where she first started, confirming once again that she deserves her status as a festival favourite. 

Paloma Faith

isla magazine 47

S T A R N W O T M O O B E TH rtunately lly and unfo a ic g a Tr . d e with chang words today se o th ” g s. n d si n time to be I could y cool ba Perhaps it’s . e n g a o God, so man ti st ic e v th n co utter ed onto Geldof strutt ars since the .” in suit and sk ke singer a angry again sn t’s been 27 ye last played together. ke ul-mouthed e still aring a fa fo h s e r a at lly w e a R cl ic n p b is w o ty it to B The un crime , Sir sses, Boom me to re-rat rst gave is views on g rored sungla ti fi h ir s d a at m e w th ss it a cu g r sm is in fo er chari re the also d Decid t back togeth gedies befo 70’s. that moody a o 9 s 1 g tr a e h g co n th ti d o n in a o f ty nti and sh Geldo ‘I Don’t Like n exclusive nd their ide arted with a nd snakeskin piano start to ht the ba te g ig re lin p W k f n is o ti th le a tour that st is Is e “How mega me in. arance on th nce who ed images Mondays’ ca festival appe ed the audie sk ”. a b e o h B ?” a reen project it g sc e su s m e’ g g . a in e st g ** e d Th pte from all ally f* Main Sta d cash prom uthful faces lied with “re ld n o p a yo ir re ’s ty e d si th n o a h ri ” , b g in cu e u thro of th r aga how much “Age, s they went ing togethe king At nd showed A o tt a e o Lo g g s a e in e n st o m e re ti e same ‘Som that d our inte r One’, , but could th ssics such as lways fancie e d a a b e cl e g m ’v n u a “I N f. r ch o r e ’d ld ft they al eve udience? ing A said Ge ow Wight Festiv u’ and ‘Look bout their a h f a o d Yo e id le rk sa Is a e e m b d th re a g in d/b bit,” Geldof often playing modern th y haven’t changed one re in the goo e e lead man e th th th d in e re ch a , it o s h h good “The he W e song since I tten ill incredibly ri a kid. I saw T rominent th st w s p e a ’r n y e w e e I h b n e e “T . h h hav .O said music.”  days w w The Doors . “They could stances reat taste in sa ay m g I d u h k rc it in ci w th e g I h lly in x, “T k loo e said.

Hendri incidenta asn’t yesterday,” h Cohen, who ere written h s w ri y K e d th n and Leonard a h , e ic g within wh x off the sta blew Hendri o amazing ls a s a w o h ,w Kristofferson

I

48 isla magazine

Boomtown Rats

chorus. The crowd singing and clapping along together as one gave Newton’s set an unparalleled sense of community with a strong outpouring of admiration for the singer’s song craft plain to see.

By performing a mix of his older material and newer tracks, including brand new songs such as ‘Orange Skies’ – and a fabulously inventive reworking of Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ to crown the set off – the dreadlocked song smith thoroughly enchanted the crowd. And although the rain began to creep in at the end of his set, Newton Faulkner provided his own little ray of sunshine on Sunday afternoon. 

Newton Faulkner

NEWTON FAULKNER

N

ewton Faulkner is an old friend of the Isle of Wight Festival having first brought his idyllic acoustic playing to the Island in 2008. Newton returned for the Summer of Love to dazzle the crowd on the Main Stage for a stripped down Sunday afternoon performance.

Though the black clouds overhead threatened to burst, the sun began to shine as Newton took to the stage.

Resplendent in his trademark red dreadlocks, he opened strongly with percussive strumming.

From the beginning Newton had the crowd charmed with his affable personality and entertaining stage banter. He charmed them further with spidery finger picking on ‘Clouds’, a song that could’ve been written for the sky above the Festival, drifted across the park with its winning combo of delicate guitar runs and Newton’s impressive voice.

While some solo artists rely on backing bands to fill our their sound, Newton performed solo in the truest sense of the word by being accompanying himself with a single booming bass drum. This created a sound large enough that reached across the crowd, but still retaining the intimacy and intricacy inherent in his playing.

This shone through the brightest on a stirring cover of Massive Attack’s ‘Teardrop’ – a song that Newton has since made his own.

Radio Staple ‘Dream, Catch Me’ held the audience with its swooping

isla magazine 49

BLONDIE I

t’s been 35 years since the release of their breakthrough album ‘Parallel Lines’ and you would be forgiven for thinking that’s all we’ve seen from Blondie. But as Debbie Harry stepped on stage in a pink tracksuit, gold raincoat and matching hi-top trainers (who other than Debbie Harry could pull that off?) it was clear that the band had a few surprises left.

With fireworks still blasting over the site from Bon Jovi’s set, Blondie jumped straight in with ‘One Way or Another’ sending the crowd into a frenzy that lasted for the rest of the night. After a barrage of hits including ‘Hanging on the Telephone’ and ‘Union City Blue’ there was almost a groan from the crowd when Harry

50 isla magazine

Blondie

announced that her band would be performing new material.

However, any doubt was quickly erased with the performance of new single ‘A Rose By Any Name’ with catchy lyrics that had the crowd singing along half-way through.

Ending the initial set with ‘Atomic’ and ‘Heart of Glass’, Blondie left with the Big Top chanting their name.

Running back on stage for their encore performance to a cheer that equalled that of when they first arrived, the band played one of their best-known hits ‘Call Me’, before a surprising cover of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s ‘Relax’. Closing their set with ‘Dreaming’, Blondie left the Big Top 35 years older, but as entertaining as ever. 

I AM KLOOT I

“

t was just terrific,” said John Bramwell of their Sunday night performance in the Big Top. The front man and songwriter of Manchester band I Am Kloot “was absolutely amazed, because it had been very, very quiet in there all day.”

Revellers flocked to the giant tent to catch the trio, as they performed a set that combined their older material with hits taken from their last two critically acclaimed albums, 2010’s ‘The Sky At Night’ and 2013’s ‘Let It All In’.

“There was a real buzz,” said John,

describing the Big Top atmosphere.

“The crowd was brilliant. I like having a great rapport, and I like to build it up conversationally with the audience - but you don’t really have time to do that at a festival. I felt a very immediate connection with the audience.”

I Am Kloot have had a fantastic couple of years, high points including a Mercury Prize nomination in 2010 for their fifth studio album.

“After the Mercury nomination we did kind of stop in our tracks and go ‘Oh, actually we’ve reached some

I am Kloot

kind of acceptance’”, John explained.

“We’ve never had that before. And I love the Mercury Prize because it’s about albums. It focuses on the music.

“It’s like a concert,” John added. “You view it as a whole entity – not just song by song.”

The Isle of Wight was the first festival that I Am Kloot had played for nearly two years.

“My performance was a bit ropey,” John admitted. “Audience wise I don’t think they’ll get any better, but the band might – or, more specifically, I might.”

isla magazine 51

IMPERIAL TEEN

W

ith five albums under their belts, indie-pop foursome Imperial Teen are no strangers to performing to huge crowds. Isla spoke to lead singer Will Schwartz about their set, onstage nerves and the new album.

Your new album ‘Feel the Sound’ is your fifth release, what can fans expect from the new record?

Our new album ‘Feel the Sound’ has a lot of signature Imperial ‘Teenisms’, such as pop hooks and lots of boygirl harmonies. What separates this record from the others is that it’s more developed, as we built the tracks over time. We had a great mixer called Wally Gagel, who was attuned to our sound

52 isla magazine

and brought it to the next level.

Are you pleased with how your set went at the Festival?

We had a fantastic time at the Festival.

We were pleased with our set but I think we lost some of our audience to Bon Jovi, as his set was on at the same time. Other than that it was great and we felt the love from our crowd.

What did you think of the vibe at this year’s event?

We had never been to the Isle of Wight before but it seems like you can feel kind of a hippy vibe mixed in with a sense of now. It was a nice place to be and I quite like that there aren’t too many choices at once. Gives it more of a curatorial feel.

Do you still get nervous before

Imperial teen

going onstage?

I sometimes do get nervous before going onstage, but it usually happens in situations where we’re playing a smaller club than a festival. It’s a lot of fun to play a huge show with big professional lights and being filmed.

You feel like a rock star.

Who would be your dream festival headliner?

My dream festival headliner would be us, and then who does it better than Beyoncé?

And finally, what can fans expect from you next?

We’ll be playing at a festival in Los Angeles on July 7th, and we also have a new video starring Emily Browning for our song ‘No Matter What You Say’. 

KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES

K

ids In Glass Houses hail from Cardiff, South Wales and have travelled to the Isle of Wight for their first ever appearance at the Festival.

Isla magazine spoke to lead vocalist Aled Phillips and drummer Phillip Jenkins about playing a mainstream festival and their highly anticipated new album ‘Peace’.

How long have you guys been together for now?

Philip: Aled started the band way back in 2003 but we have been focused on the band since like 2006. So yeah, you could say 10 years.

What was it like recording the new album, ‘Peace’?

Aled: We recorded it in a place called South Thorsby, which is in Lincolnshire

in some serious farmland. It was pretty intense, we were in a residential studio but it got really crazy in the end.

Philip: We were already prepared before we went to the studio, so we had a month there and we knew exactly what we were doing. Differently to our other albums it came together really easily, naturally.

What’s the concept behind the new album and why is it called ‘Peace’?

Aled: There is no concept, we just wanted to write as many songs as we could and approach it in the same way as our older album ‘Smart Casual’. If we come across a song and we thought it was nothing less than the best song ever we’d put it on the album. We called it ‘Peace’ because as a band I think we have found peace with ourselves.

It was your first time playing the Isle

Kids in Glass Houses

of Wight Festival. How did it feel?

Aled: Obviously Young Guns and us are the heaviest bands to be playing a mainstream festival, we’ve played V Festival before but nothing like this, we just did our best and it went really well I think.

You played with Bon Jovi in Cardiff recently, how was that?

Philip: It was our best and worst show ever, it was the wettest gig we’ve played, we broke amps and loads of our mic’s got water damaged. But it was our best show because it was Bon Jovi, our hometown and we played to 40,000 people.

What was your highlight of the Isle of Wight Festival?

Aled: Probably The Killers. They were pretty amazing, the best show they’ve done. 

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Imagine Dragons

KODALINE

D

ublin-based quartet Kodaline are one of 2013’s brightest new bands, and at the Isle of Wight Festival they certainly showed what they were about as they brought their meaningful and haunting alternative rock sound to the island.

Isla caught up with lead singer Steve Garrigan after their Sunday afternoon performance in The Big Top. This was your first time at the Isle of Wight Festival – how did it go?

We’ve heard so much about the Festival

so we were really excited about it. We just did our thing, and had to hope people were going to dig it.

Which artists are you fans of? Does anyone inspire your music?

A lot of bands inspire us - LCD Soundsystem, The Strokes, and Radiohead. But the people around us and our life experience are what really influence our song writing.

Your success is increasing rapidly and your new single ‘Love Like This’ is doing well, did you ever imagine things would take off like this?

We never really expected any of the success. We are quite blown away by the amount of people that have supported us from so early on, it’s quite overwhelming.

Kodaline

In the studio do you ever have disagreements?

Yeah we disagree sometimes but it’s always for the good of the track - the track always wins. That’s the only thing we argue about really, that and who gets shotgun whenever we’re in a car.

What’s your best music-related memory from when you were younger?

I remember the day my sister got a guitar. I was much younger at the time and I ended up dropping it and breaking it so I was never allowed go near it again. After a while I was persistent enough to make her let me borrow it so that’s how I started.

Any embarrassing moments from when you’ve performed live?

During a performance at SXSW in Texas we were playing on a very hot stage and sweat got into my eyes. It looked like I was crying and it was quite a slow song as well- that was a bit embarrassing. 

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ONES TO WATCH

CABLE STREET COLLECTIVE An epitome of their name, this collective from London fuse African reggae and blues influences.

Formed in the latter half of 2011, Bianca Bafitis, Alex Johnson, Ash Underwood, Tristan Kennedy, Rowan Kennedy and Dave Lawry took to the stage early in the night.

Guitarist Tristan said: “It was awesome. The Cabaret Club is a really good venue. The sound was really good.”

Percussionist Dave Lawry explained: “Putting on a good show was the kind of vibe needed.”

Bassist, Rowan, went further: “That’s what we try to do with our music, it’s very much dance, happy music, getting people up out of their seats.”

And, that was certainly the case as people nodded, stomped their feet and lifted arms to Cable Street’s infectious sound. Such was the relaxed atmosphere, Dave even found time to sample the delights of a massage table before going on stage. “I think the key to the whole thing was the fact that you could lay on a massage table before you played,” he laughed. “I was limbered, officially limbered.”

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“The set went really well,” said the singer/songwriter. “It was wicked, I got really good feedback from people who were there.”

After six years gigging on the London soul scene, Louise has built a strong reputation and brought her jazzy sound to the Isle of Wight to great acclaim.

With a musical family, it was inevitable Louise would find herself following in the same footsteps. “I’ve always sung and danced since I was little, but I was quite nervous. It’s been a big build up to the gig and a lot of organisation, and because I don’t have a manager I was doing all the logistics. I had a lot to think about other than just the actual performance.” Despite this, Louise’s nerves failed to stop her swagger, producing an evening vibe full of smiles.

“I’ve really loved it here, the vibe is really cool. It’s a music crowd here. I love John Giddings. I’m really grateful for the opportunity and how he creates this amazing Festival. The Isle of Wight was my milestone of this year.”

LOUISE GOLBEY Image courtesy of DJ Photography

Image courtesy of Alexis Bafitis

APPEARING AT THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL WERE SIX BANDS WHO WON THEIR SPOTS ON THE STAGES THROUGH THE ISLE OF WIGHT UNSIGNED BANDS COMPETITION.

Ones to watch

Image courtesy of XOVA Mgmt

An old school grungy rock band hailing from Gravesend, Tank Trap are influenced by the likes of Led Zeppelin and Black Stone Cherry. Opening the Main Stage, they delivered a set full of energy as Ian Day led on vocals, flanked by bassist Pete Smith, guitarist Ben Attwood and drummer Saw Ewen. Propped up in their RV after their set, the group were bouncing around with enthusiasm. “It was easily one of the best shows of our career. This is the pinnacle of any signed band’s dream,” explained Pete.

Ian added: “Since I was a teenager this has been my dream, although you think it would never happen. Now it’s like f****ing hell, we’ve actually just got up on the Main Stage.” The occasion also called for a pep talk beforehand.

“I think for the first time we gathered around and made sure everyone was cool,” described Ben. “We thought, even if there’s only one guy there, we’re going to blow his head off.” After 25 minutes of their explosive sound, Tank Trap had well and truly caught the Main Stage.

XOVA Cross-over by name, cross-over by nature. This six-piece indie-reggae group from Birmingham claim to be the most un-genrespecific band in the world. “It’s definitely a unique sound,” said Wayne Lawrence, lead vocalist and guitarist. “People have said you can hear early UB40, on the flip side there’s a bit of Arctic Monkeys, so everyone can define the influences. But our sound is quite unique.”

Whatever the sound, on Friday night the Life’s a Beach stage was awash with happy faces as XOVA – made up of Wayne Lawrence, Mikey Nanton on keys, Stuart Haugh on trombone, James Renford on saxophone, Anthony ‘Boot’ Bartley on bass and David Forskin on drums – treated the beach-goers to a party atmosphere.

“I experiment all across the board. That’s the thing that’s always gone against us, but all of a sudden everyone is now experimenting and people are starting to get us,” added Wayne. Judging by the reaction of the crowd on the beach, the Isle of Wight Festival was one such place.

Image courtesy of James Heron

TANK TRAP

Ones to Watch

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WINNER S

CRYSTAL SEAGULLS

A singer-songwriter who started in her local church choir, CHIDI filled The Hipshaker Lounge with her passionate vocals and smooth velvet voice. Her uplifting soul set had tails wagging left, right and centre, pulling in passers by. “It was brilliant,” she said.

“The crowd seemed to love it and were all involved with a bit of audience participation. They were totally up for it.

They were all ready to groove.”

As a session singer, CHIDI has shared the stage with some of the greats, such as James Brown, Stevie Wonder and Corinne Bailey Rae. However, there is no doubt that playing the Isle of Wight was a career highlight.

“It was a really good vibe. At the end they were shouting ‘encore, encore’,” she added.

“It was all one big moment, but one guy dressed as a pirate kept waving at me.

“I don’t know how I would have gotten on that stage without the opportunity.” By 10pm on Saturday, the entire Hipshaker Lounge was grateful CHIDI had.

CHIDI

The overall winners of the competition, this four-piece indie rock band from London had four days at the Power Studio as well as playing the Big Top. “It was definitely the biggest set we’ve ever played. It was incredible, and the crowd seemed to really like it.

We were living the dream,” said Jim Lawton, lead singer alongside John Armstrong.

With John Giddings admitting to being a fan, the band released their new single ‘Time’ on the Saturday, which is available to download. Jim continued: “We thought it would be a good idea to do it on the Festival day, that way we could announce it and hopefully a few people would hear about it. We did 10 tracks and that was one of the tracks that got people moving.”

Joined by guitarist Elliot Whitty and drummer Ben Heliczer, the band had the Big Top jumping with animation, and secured a legion of new fans. Jim continued: “We’ve got nothing to say other than what we play, and it’s helping us toward what we want to do.”

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Ones to Watch

DJ FUTURE THIS YEAR WAS THE YEAR OF UNHEARD TALENT. THE FIRST DJ COMPETITON WAS WON BY BEN FIRTH WHO STARTED DJING AT JUST 14.

C

reated by the Isle of Wight Festival to give up and coming DJ’s the chance to play in The Dance Tent, this year’s DJ Competition was a formative experience for the winner: 16-year-old Ben Firth aka DJ Future.

How does it feel to have won the DJ competition and to have played the same festival tent as some of the biggest DJ’s in the world?

It is a great honour, especially as I played on the same night as MistaJam. He was the first DJ to give me airtime on national radio, broadcasting my guest mix across BBC 1Xtra. I was so excited when I received the call to say I had won the slot.

What did you have to do enter the competition, what was the process?

The competition was through Topman in partnership with the Isle of Wight Festival. Firstly I had to create my Isle of Wight Festival themed mix. Then I received an email saying I had got through to the next round. Three other DJs and myself played a live set in front of judges at the Topman store in Oxford Street. A few days later I got a call to say I’d won.

You’re only 16. At what age did you start DJ’ing?

I got into DJ’ing when I was 14 and it has gone from there. I started to record mixes and sent them around to a few people. My local nightclub got in touch with me and offered me some work

DJ Future

experience. Then, later that year I got a call from BBC 1Xtra saying they wanted to play one of my mixes. It turned out they played out on my birthday.

What was your aim for your set?

I played a mixture of all genres, from brand new exclusive tracks to classics from back in the day. I try and keep my sets fresh and unique. Bringing energy is important and at the end of the day my main aim is for people to enjoy it.

What are your plans for the future?

I would like to have a go at producing, but it’s looking like a busy summer already this year. I will still be DJ’ing at events and I am working with MCX on a few shows. This year you will be able to see us at Wakestock Festival, Basingstoke Live and Pepperbox. 

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WISH UPON A STAR THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL WAS MORE THAN MUSIC, IT WAS MAGICAL...

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he Isle of Wight Festival not only offered a weekend of world-class music, but a diverse range of activities on offer for everyone.

One of the more enchanting experiences was Green Eye Event, Wish Upon a Star.

The event gave the Isle of Wight Festival a unique touch, allowing festivalgoers to make a wish before hanging it on the wishing line, or oak tree branches.

It was a hit with people of all ages as

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John explained: “Most of the wishes we had were from adults and the rest from children and teens that are getting into the spirit and having fun.

Some of the wishes were really sincere, and some were hilarious.”

Several campers returned to the tree to explain their wish had in fact come true. One man wished he did not have to work the next day, then discovered his mini bus had broken down.

Greeted by festival fairies in silk sequinned dresses, the Wish Upon a

Star tipi was decorated similarly, with fairy lights, lanterns and colourful tassels creating an enchanting area.

Festival fairy Lauren, 21, said: “It’s been a really different experience for the Isle of Wight Festival. It’s something people do no matter what their age.”

There truly is something for everyone to experience at the Isle of Wight Festival. 

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TWEET SUCCESS Aled Phillips @aledsavedlatin

The Killers were faultless tonight. Total festival masterclass.

Joel Peat/Lawson @LawsonJoel

That was awesome! Can we come back tomorrow? @IsleOfWightFest crowds are the best...

Ellie Goulding @elliegoulding

Isle of Wight Festival tonight‌ Mega excited

Emeli Sande @emelisande I’ve missed festival life! #isleofwight tonight tonight

thescript jump...;)

kidsi

We < nglassh 3 IOW ous

es

Steph @StephyCYanez

@IsleOfWightFest I have a top 3: Only Love – Ben Howard, Laura Palmer – Bastille and Livin’ On A Prayer – Bon Jovi

Jaguar Skills @JAGSKILLS

Thank you thank you thank you. Isle of Wight was wicked yo! Amazing! X I’m a very lucky ninja!

Keith Mullin/The Farm @KeithMullin

A great time was had @IsleOfWightFest has to be one of the best festivals out there!!

Tank Trap @TankTrapBand

Had such a great time playing @IsleOfWightFest and partying with everyone! Hopefully we’ll get to do it again! What a wicked festival!

Suzanne Vega @suzyv

Had a great weekend here at the Isle of Wight for my husbands bday thanks to @JohnGiddings01

Heather Currie @heather_currie1

@Palomafaith you ain’t half got some lungs on you gal! #IsleOfWightFestival

palomafaith

m

usic Thank you Isle of Wigh t Festival!

FESTIVAL FASHION

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Festival Fashion

This year’s Isle of Wight Festival was certainly a fashion frenzy.

These ‘glampers’ not only came prepared for the rain with ubiquitous wellies and waterproofs, but also dressed to impress sporting denim cut-off shorts and patterned bralet tops. Adding a touch of flair was this year’s accessories, including printed rucksacks, funky sunglasses and fun floral head garlands.

FESTIVAL BEAUTY MUST HAVE’S Sunglasses Bumbag Dry shampoo Deodorant Lip balm FESTIVAL BEAUTY FAUX PAS Unclean hair Dry skin Dry shaving Strange sunglasses tan lines No showers

Festival Fashion

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FANCY FROLICS

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a well-known fact that when festivalgoers are planning what items to take to the event of the year, fancy dress is a must. Whether there be a set theme or not, people love to dress up, and the Isle of Wight Festival was no exception. Isla snapped some of the best (and worst) costumes from this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event.

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Fancy frolics

SUMMER OF LOVE LOVE WAS IN THE AIR FOR COUPLES AT THE ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL

Student couple of three years, Sophie and Steve entered a Vodafone competition in the hope of bagging two VIP tickets to this year’s Festival.

“Two months ago we applied for tickets through the Vodafone VIP website and were told we would find out in the next couple of weeks if we had any luck,” said Sophie. “I was a bit sceptical to begin with as I thought it

Kim and Darren Buckett married in June last year and thought of no better way to celebrate their first anniversary than at the annual Isle of Wight Festival - both are huge Bon Jovi fans, while Kim was your typical girl rocker back in the day: “They were in my era, back when I was a rock chick a long time ago, I’ve seen Bon Jovi six times, and I’ll always go and watch their gigs, absolutely.”

To mark their first anniversary together the couple spared no

was some sort of Internet scam. When we hadn’t heard back, we just forgot about it really. Until two weeks ago.”

Steve said: “We couldn’t believe we got them, this sort of thing never happens to us, so this time it was an amazing surprise.”

The couple enjoyed the rather unexpected perks of VIP watching their favourite band The Stone Roses with the best spot of the Festival.

expense “doing it properly”.

“We’re not camping this year, we’re doing it posh and staying in a very nice hotel – we have blown the budget already,” Kim said. “When we were getting ready, I looked at Darren with all his layers on and said are you climbing Everest or are you going to a festival.”

The couple agreed on returning to the Isle of Wight Festival after having such an enjoyable weekend.

Summer of Love

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Two couples, Wendy and Gary, and Jill and Carl came to the Isle of Wight Festival to celebrate their marriages each spanning over twenty years.

It seemed the men were much closer to each other than their wives, as Jill jokingly told us: “The men may as well be married to each other, and they’re inseparable.”

With Wendy and Gary celebrating their twenty-fifth anniversary and Jill

and Carl celebrating their twentieth, the foursome thought the Isle of Wight Festival was the perfect place to commemorate the special bond that they all share.

“We are especially looking forward to seeing our favourite childhood bands, Blondie and Bon Jovi.”

This year’s Isle of Wight Festival welcomed loved-up couple Amy and Ashley Messenger (22 and 25) as they celebrated their first anniversary.

Meeting at last year’s Festival, the pair hit it off immediately. Their fairytale story, however, may have never begun if it wasn’t for Amy’s last minute decision.

“When I found out I had premature ovarian failure I didn’t know how to feel,” said Amy as she explained that the illness is known

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Summer of Love

as the loss of normal function of the ovaries before the age of 40 – 50 years old.

“I attend the Festival every year and was not going to let this stop me, I booked a ticket on the spur of the moment and started packing.

“The minute I climbed onto Ashley’s shoulders, watching Jessie J, the cameras picked us up and we were displayed on the big screen, next to the Festival stage.”

After moving in with Ashley wedding bells chimed in December and their fairy-tale story had a very happy ending.

The Summer of Love theme seemed to have a great effect on this year’s festivalgoers at the Isle of Wight. For two newly engaged couples, the 2013 Festival will be one they never forget.

Luke David, 24, said he had been planning to propose to his girlfriend Beth Smout, 19, for months. The moment finally came when Luke got up on the Life’s a Beach Stage and stating he had something very

important to tell his girlfriend and got her to the front of the stage. When he proposed she collapsed to her knees crying and said yes.

Lewis Starling also proposed to his girlfriend Kirstie Partride on the Big Wheel. He said: “It was an amazing thing to do. We been going to the Festival for years and have always wanted to go on the wheel, it was the best moment of the weekend by far.”

SUPERFANS CAME OUT TO SEE THEIR FAVOURITE BANDS Some fans have T-shirts, some fans have posters, hardcore The Killers fan Louisa has a tattoo.

“I’m obsessed, this will be my 11th time seeing them,” Louisa proudly said as she displayed her forearm, which has the lyrics ‘It’s indie rock & roll for me’ from their song ‘Indie Rock & Roll’.

Chris, Louisa’s partner of four

Johnny- ‘The Stone Roses’ number one fan’ as he so proudly calls himself, paraded around the Festival sporting the band’s 2013 tour dates on his back and chanting their ‘Fools Gold’ anthem.

In true fan tradition Johnny confessed to spending a fortune

months explained how she had changed his opinion on The Killers.

He said: “It wasn’t until last night that I realised how good they were, it was my first time seeing them but I thought they were absolutely amazing.

“There was no fuss, he didn’t even break a sweat – it was effortless.”

“He was like velvet he was that smooth,” Louisa finished.

haggling online reunion tickets, after the band announced a break, and even drove five and a half hours to collect them.

This will be his third time seeing the band this year alone, “I’ll die with The Stone Roses, I just love them,” Johnny said.

Summer of Love

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