With just a few weeks to go until the 50^th anniversary of the Isle of Wight Festival kicks off, now is the time to start preparing our Spotify playlists and adding our festival essentials to our shopping lists ready for the big event. For those of us who have already bagged our tickets then here are a few of my recommendations of what we can expect to find over the weekend. To those who have not bought tickets yet, here are a few reasons why you should!

Headlining the anniversary special will be the hugely popular American rock band The Killers, indie giants Kasabian, former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, and eighties electronic icons Depeche Mode.

As always at the Isle of Wight Festival, it’s not just the headliners causing excitement. The inclusion of everyone from legendary throwback acts like Nile Rodgers and CHIC and Manic Street Preachers, to chart favourites Camila Cabello, Rita Ora and Chase and Status, means that there is truly something for everyone on the bill.

The Killers at BST Hyde Park.

In honour of the festival’s ‘Golden Jubilee’, all attendees are invited on Saturday 23rd June to adorn themselves in gold for a weekend of fun and celebration. Expect to see sparkling divas, shining stars and victorious gladiators come together for this year’s 50th anniversary.

The Main Stage features some of my favourite current indie bands as well as a couple of blasts. Whilst I’ll be spending my weekend listening to as much music as possible across all the stages, there are a few handpicked acts that I’m especially hoping to catch.

The Saturday sees the return of one of my favourite bands at the moment, Blossoms. After first seeing them at Isle of Wight Festival a couple of years ago, I was instantly hooked. I’ve since seen them on their UK tour last year and I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the arrival of their new album a few weeks ago.

In honour of the festival’s ‘Golden Jubilee’, all attendees are invited on Saturday 23rd June to adorn themselves in gold for a weekend of fun and celebration. Expect to see sparkling divas, shining stars and victorious gladiators come together for this year’s 50th anniversary.

Kasabian’s Tom Meighan and Sergio Pizzorno

Other Main Stage acts I’m looking forward to are Kodaline, James Bay, Nile Rodgers & CHIC and Van Morrison. Combining some fun old favourite tunes with some brand new music will be great to get the crowd up on their feet, singing and dancing in preparation for the main acts.

Of course, the Main Stage isn’t the be-all and end-all of the weekend. I’m also planning on catching Feeder, Tom Grennan and Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly over on the Big Top.

Whilst you might think the Isle of Wight Festival is all about watching some great live music, it’s also a fantastic opportunity to experience some tasty food, and get involved in everything else going on. This year the extra areas will include old favourites returning as well as some new and exciting places to swing by. Here are some of my top picks:

Bathing Under the Sky
Returning for another amazing year on the island, this is your chance to relax and re-energise in luxury. The best way to cure a hangover from the night before is by sitting in a wood-fired hot tub with a glass of bubbly, right?

Bathing Under The Sky at Secret Garden Party. Taken by Scott Salt.

Cirque de la Quirk
This fun, unique and magical stage is returning for another year at Isle of Wight Festival. Join in for a feast of the senses; immersion at the dawn of possibility and music at the cutting edge of sonic misbehaviour.

Old Mout Cider Kiwi Camp
Dip your beak into a packed programme of fun and interactive entertainment, including Disco Yoga, Rockaoke and much more, running all day and night at the Kiwi Camp. The bar will be fully stocked with the famous Old Mout, so a crisp, cold, fruity cider will never be too far away.

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