Island Life Magazine Ltd April/May 2006 | Page 58

MUSIC & ART 9, 10, 11 “this year will blow people away” FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY The Prodigy Placebo Goldfrapp The Rakes Morning Runner Foo Fighters Primal Scream Editors Dirty Pretty Things The Kooks The Upper Room 747s Coldplay Richard Ashcroft Lou Reed Maximo Park Kubb JUNE The Isle of Wight Festival is without question one of the best things that has happened to the Island for many years. Apart from the world-wide branding exercise it creates for the Island, it is also bringing some positivity back into the Island, which is so much needed. I caught up with John Giddings, the festival organiser and had a chat with him about his take on the Islands biggest yearly event. Q. What made you consider starting the festival again? The idea of reviving the 1970’s event was suggested by Lindsay who worked for me at the time, back then my feelings were that it was a rubbish idea, and that it would not work. However Lindsay who lived on the Island kept badgering me until I come round to her 58 way of thinking. Q. Why was the Fairlee site chosen and not West Wight? It could not happen over West Wight for various reasons, transport links, and the area was in-accessible for large volumes of people. So the site at Fairlee was suggested, it had good transport links, it backed onto the River Medina, with a pub and hotel to hand, this is a perfect location. Q. Do you think the festival will grow in the future or are you happy with the size it is? If anything I would make it smaller, I am not trying to compete with Glastonbury, it’s the Isle of Wight, people have to remember this. Island Life - www.islandlifemagazine.net