Music and Festivals

Culture

The Isle of Wight has a remarkable music festival heritage. The original Isle of Wight Festivals of 1968, 1969 and 1970 were defining moments in rock music history. The 1970 festival, headlined by Jimi Hendrix and attended by an estimated 600,000 people, was one of the largest gatherings in history and led directly to the Isle of Wight Act, which banned unlicensed gatherings of more than 5,000 people.

The festival was revived in 2002 and has since become an annual fixture at Seaclose Park in Newport, typically held in June. It attracts around 60,000 people over the weekend. Past headliners have included the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie and the Foo Fighters.

Beyond the main festival, the island has a lively music scene. The Ventnor Fringe, held in late July, brings theatre, comedy, music and spoken word to venues across the town, following the model of the Edinburgh Fringe. Jack Up the Eighties in Cowes is a nostalgia-themed music festival.

Live music can be found year-round in pubs, clubs and community venues. The Strings Bar and Venue in Newport hosts touring acts. The Quay Arts Centre in Newport presents music, theatre and visual arts throughout the year. Local musicians and bands perform regularly across the island, and open mic nights are common in many pubs.