Isle of Wight 2015: The Build Up

Isle of Wight; one of the oldest festivals in the world have this year got themselves a stellar lineup. The legendary festival, which takes place from 11th – 14th June will this year, welcome’s American rock duo The Black Keys, Essex dance-rock pioneers The Prodigy, London rock band Blur and British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac. 70s giants Fleetwood Mac were announced earlier this year, taking the closing headline spot on Sunday, the band’s only announced UK appearance since Christine McVie returned to the band.

Fleetwood Mac released a statement saying, “We’ve always wanted to come to the UK to play the Isle of Wight festival, and so we are delighted that in 2015 we are finally making it happen. So many fellow artists and friends have played at this historic event over the years, and we can’t wait to see all of our fans on the island next summer.”

The announcement of the band ended months of speculation that the group would headline Glastonbury, after a series of world tour dates were sent out. Instead, though, they will play at the Isle of Wight, the festival that has seen the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, The Doors, The Stone Roses, Bruce Stringsteen and Red Hot Chili Peppers take to the stage over the years.

Isle of Wight Festival organiser John Giddings said that the band had been on his wishlist for some time: “I’m very pleased and extremely proud to have them headline next year’s event. With Christine now back in the band, too, it is going to be a momentous occasion, a moment in music history.”

Isle of Wight Festival veterans, The Prodigy, will return to the festival for their third visit and first since 2009 when they also headlined the main stage on Friday night at Seaclose Park. The Prodigy have had a busy start to the year, headlining Future Music Festival in Australia, releasing sixth studio album The Day is My Enemy, before hitting the road in the UK with a sold out theatre/arena tour.

Friday night will also see Surrey rock quintet You Me at Six take to the main stage. The group, who released fourth studio album Cavalier Youth in 2013 have had a busy couple of years, with festival appearances and tours all over the world, including two sold out UK arena tours; with Counting Crows, Kodaline and The Struts completing the Friday main stage bill.

Blur will take to the main stage as Saturday night headliners. The band recently released their eighth studio album The Magic Whip, their first since 2003’s Think Tank. Isle of Wight festival will mark the band’s first major UK show since 2012 when the band headlined Hyde Park, of which they will be performing at just a week after their Isle of Wight slot.

American chart topper Pharrell Williams will also join the Saturday bill for the first time as a solo artist. Pharrell who released second album G I R L in early 2014 has seen much success over the past couple of years, featuring on Daft Punk’s 2013 hit single ‘Get Lucky’, and his own album peaking at number one in 12 countries; A strong looking Saturday main stage lineup is completed by James, Jessie Ware, James Bay and Jess Glynne.

Joining the Sunday main stage lineup and performing immediately before Fleetwood Mac is Scottish singer Paolo Nutini. The Scotsman has had a busy 18 months, releasing third studio album Caustic Love in April last year before going on to headline Glastonbury’s Other stage and T in The Park, as well as touring UK and Ireland arenas; also performing on the main stage on the Sunday will be First Aid Kit, The Courteeners, Imelda May, Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson, Suzanne Vega and The Rainband.

Headlining the secondary stage, the Big Top on Thursday night is Billy Idol, after Noasis, Geno Washington and The Ram Jam Band, Virtue and UB40.

Friday’s Big Top headliner is Groove Armada in the form of a DJ set, after Ruen Brothers, Larkin Poe, Sharon Corr and Visconti and Woodmansey.

Paul Oakenfold will headline the Big Top on Saturday night, with Sunset Sons, La Femme, Chicks on Speed, The Shires, Foxes and Stiff Little Fingers playing before.

Sunday will see The Charlatans headline the Big Top with prior performances coming from The Pretty Vicious, Sheppard, Coasts, The View, The Lightning Seeds and Ash.

We’ll see you there!