The Isle of Wight Festival today announces 10 exciting new acts for this year’s event, which officially kicks off British festival season this summer. Garbage, Keane, Dermot Kennedy...
Cage The Elephant, Picture This, Ward Thomas, Wet Wet Wet, Björn Again, Feet and
The Marcus King Band are now confirmed to play the festival across the long weekend of 13th - 16th June at Seaclose Park, on the Isle of Wight - this week revealed as one of the UK’s Top Ten UK visitor destinations.
This mix of music icons and exciting new artists will join the already announced headliners
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, George Ezra and Biffy Clyro and special guests Fatboy Slim, plus acts including Lily Allen, Jess Glynne, Madness, Sigrid, Sam Fender, Tom Walker, Richard Ashcroft, Freya Ridings, Anne-Marie, IDLES, Bastille, DMA’s and Jax Jones, demonstrating the festival’s much-celebrated musical diversity.
Further appealing to a cross-generational audience of music fans looking for the ultimate festival experience this summer, a range of exclusive glamping options are available to enhance the overall festival package. Pink Moon Camping are back with their fabulous pre-pitched tents and boutique accommodation and even have their own pamper parlour with hair styling tools. For festival goers seeking a peaceful oasis within the bustling festival site, Harvest Moon Boutique offer luxury lodges and yurts. Eve’s Tipis have luxury tipis, bell tents and lotus tents available furnished or unfurnished and the unique, colourful Podpads are perfect for a group booking, with a wide range of choices to suit all budgets.
Alt-rock icons Garbage have sold over 8 million albums, topped the charts and secured a GRAMMY Album of the Year nomination for Version 2.0. Currently working on their as-yet untitled 7th record, the stage is prepped for the band’s triumphant return this summer.
By 2013, Keane had released four full length LPs, sold 12 million albums, won two BRIT Awards and an Ivor Novello and Hopes and Fears, their debut album, had entered the list of the 40 best-selling UK albums of all time. Reunited in 2019, they’re gearing up to release new music.
The band, said: We’re so happy to return to The Isle of Wight Festival this summer. It’s one of the most iconic British festivals, and we have great memories of playing back in 2007. We’re closing out the weekend, so hopefully you can join us for a massive sweaty euphoric singalong.
With his upcoming sold-out UK tour and a debut album in the works, 2019 is set to be a stand-out year for fast-rising star Dermot Kennedy. His year began with an outpouring of critical acclaim and spots on numerous “Ones to Watch” lists, including BBC’s Sound of 2019.
Dermot, said: I’m so excited to be playing at The Isle of Wight Festival this year. Some of my favourite bands and artists have played it in the past and are playing this year, so to be on the line-up beside them feels amazing.
Hailed as saviours of slapper funk-punk, Cage The Elephant’s self-titled debut album garnered international attention, catapulting them up Billboard’s Alternative and Rock charts and achieving RIAA Platinum certification.
Picture This released their debut album in 2017 which held the Number 1 spot in the Irish Album Chart for four weeks. They sold out a stadium tour in Ireland last summer and became the first act to play and sell out five nights at Dublin’s 3arena, surpassing U2 (four nights) and Adele (three nights).
Ward Thomas have fought their way to success as sharp-eyed songwriters fond of slick songwriting and melodic harmonies. Their 2019 album Restless Minds showed the Hampshire sisters to be on scorching form, proving they’d progressed since 2016’s chart-topping album Cartwheels.
The duo, said: Really thrilled to be coming back to the brilliant Isle of Wight Festival this year. It’s always a highlight performance for us and we can't wait!
Bursting onto the scene in 1987, Wet Wet Wet have an incredible back catalogue of songs including three UK Number 1 hits, making them one of the most successful bands in British pop history. Last year Kevin Simm (2016 winner of The Voice and former member of Liberty X) joined as lead vocalist.
Graeme Clark, said: The Isle of Wight Festival is absolutely legendary and we’re thrilled to be joining the amazing line-up for 2019. Over the years the festival has had some incredible artists play and we feel honoured to join the ranks.
Tommy Cunningham, added: We can’t wait to play all of our biggest hits for The Isle of Wight Festival crowd when we headline the Big Top stage. See you there!
Designed as a rocked-up, light-hearted, satirical ABBA spoof, Björn Again has achieved cult status since its inception 30 years ago and was acknowledged for initiating the ABBA revival which brought about ABBA Gold, Muriel’s Wedding and MAMMA MIA!
Björn Again, said: We are so honoured to be on the bill with some fantastic artists and are very much looking forward to seeing everyone going crazy and having a wonderful time at The Isle of Wight Festival.
Feet have already secured early support from tastemakers across Radio 1, Radio X and NME. Currently recording their debut album alongside producer Cam Blackwood (Jamie T, George Ezra), the band have accrued hordes of new fans with their brand of danceable indie punk rock.
The band, said: Since it’s our first time at The Isle of Wight Festival, we assumed that they’d ease us in with a pretty adequate stage - twenty odd punters to fill the room, a couple cans of Burton’s best and an ice cream would leave us more than fulfilled. So we were adamant that the whole “8,000 capacity tent” thing was a typo. But since we’ve been assured that it’s not a typo we’ve taken the necessary precautions of arranging a Hannibal Lecter-style transfer for our resident Brummie to Blighty’s most southern music festival. If these safeguards pay dividends then it’s sure to be a lovely show.
At just 23 years old, Marcus King has been on stage for half his lifetime. With their musically enthralling, deeply personal recent album, Carolina Confessions, The Marcus King Band are adding their own eloquent chapter to the American rock and soul narrative.
The Isle of Wight Festival takes place 13th - 16th June at Seaclose Park, Newport. Last year fans celebrated the 50th Anniversary of The Isle of Wight Festival. The first festivals in 1968, 1969 and 1970 put the event on the map for its world renowned, iconic performances from artists such as The Doors, The Who and Jimi Hendrix. The event was successfully relaunched in 2002 to become the first major festival in the UK calendar, and one of the most exciting weekends of the summer. It continues to build on its proud heritage and has featured show-stopping headliners such as David Bowie, Foo Fighters, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Jay-Z, Coldplay and Fleetwood Mac since its reincarnation in 2002.
Published on 09 April 2019 by Ben Robinson
