WIGHT NOISE! ’17

Well Isle be! We hope you’ve cleared your schedule from the 8 - 11 June, because the Isle of Wight Festival will be taking this year’s celebration by storm.

Headliners, Etc.

We’ve got an incredible four headliners over three nights, starting with David Guetta and Run DMC Friday. On Saturday, Arcade Fire will take the stage, and on Sunday, we’ve got the inimitable — drumroll please — Rod Stewart! Do we think he’s sexy? The question answers itself, really. We’ll also be listening to an unbelievable Friday line-up including Kaiser Chiefs (every day we love them more and more!), Rag n’ Bone Man, and The Pretenders. Life gets lusher on Saturday with our beloved Zara Larsson, Catfish the Bottlemen, Example and DJ Wire, The Kooks (we can’t pretend we’re not still rocking out to She Moves in Her Own Way), Texas, Jack Savoretti, Melanie C (as in Sporty Spice!), and Tom Chaplin.Sunday comes with a whole new collection of artists — but if you close your eyes, does it almost feel like nothing’s changed at all? That’s right, Bastille’s taking the stage! Other exciting names include George Ezra, Clean Bandit, Imelda May, The Shires, The Vamps, and Scouting for Girls...And, as an extra surprise, Razorlight is headlining Thursday night, alongside Starsailor, The Alarm, and The Sex Pissed Dolls. (New Biggest Fans alert, is all we can say.)

Camping Out: What it’s All About

Where to stay? You might be asking. Float along on a current of choice as we run you through the possibilities.Each festival ticket allows you the option of camping at the site of your choice along the River Medina (they’re all named after colours, so it shouldn’t be too hard to remember your whereabouts). Another option is to camp out at the nearby Island Harbour site, whose name reminds us of that idyllic Hawaiian summer we spent fifteen years ago, cracking coconuts in the sea breeze ... but anyway, that’s another solid option.Another option is to chill in a campervan in the designated campsite area. They’re currently sold out, but don’t haul your caravan along as a substitute! They’re not permitted on the grounds.RESPECT Camping marks its sixth appearance at this year’s festival. It’s fully booked, and we can see why: RESPECT is an area you can join after signing the Tent Commandments (we like what they’ve done there) of environmental awareness.

There are also disabled and family camping spots, so everyone can be included.

In the Zone(s)

It’s not just a musical extravaganza — the Festival is upping their game with some intense perks! We’ve got Cirque de la Quirk, a Soleil-style hub of glittery, gymnastic festivity. Tim Peaks Diner offers drinks, snacks and fresh juice, as well as the cutest record shop this side of ... wherever the cutest record shops are. Head to Kashmir Cafe for locally produced vegetarian food, hand-brewed ale, and live music. And check out the fantastically named Hipshaker Lounge if you’re in the mood for dance lessons, cross-genre vintage beats, and  deviously decadent burlesque acts.

We know you’ve got the date down, but just as a reminder, it’s this May Bank Holiday Weekend! See you at the Hipshaker Lounge ...

By Sian Kitchener