By Isle of Wight Observer
Sky presents the Isle of Wight Festival opened with a bang on Thursday as Joel Corry, Maximo Park, Hot Dub Time Machine and Elvana took to the stage.
It was the beginning of what is set to be the biggest festival of the summer (18-21 June), with headline sets from Lewis Capaldi, Calvin Harris and The Cure.
Eager crowds poured onto the site to be treated to the sounds of Elvana (Elvis-fronted Nirvana) bursting into ‘Territorial Pissings’, the party started by the King performing some of the greatest rock songs of the ‘90s.
Elvis said: “Ladies and gentlemen we are Elvana – from the ‘disgraceland’.”
The party did not let up as Hot Dub Time Machine led the singalongs for the likes of A-ha’s ‘Take On Me’, Vanilla Ice’s ‘Ice Ice Baby’ and Madonna’s ‘Like a Prayer’.
The man himself, Tom Lowndes, told the crowd: “I’m so happy to be here! 24 hours ago I got to Newport and it feels so good. What a beautiful weekend and it’s just getting started.”
Indie legends Maximo Park have an arsenal of indie bangers, from ‘Apply Some Pressure’ to ‘Books from Boxes’. The band opened with ‘The Coast Is Always Changing’, with singer Paul Smith saying: “We had to play our coastal song for you first, just because we’re here on an island. More island references later on! In the meantime are you ready to rock? Are you ready to rock on a Thursday night?!”
The Big Top stage was topped by hit machine Joel Corry, who has more than 4 billion streams to his name with hits including ‘Heart & Heart’, ‘OUT OUT (feat Charli XCX & Saweetie)’ and ‘BED’.
Ahead of his set, Joel Corry said: “Absolutely buzzing to be back at the Isle of Wight Festival. I can’t wait for my set in the Big Top. It’s going to be full-on bangers, full-on energy. The vibe is already amazing. The sun is shining – Let’s go!”
As well as the massive headliners, the weekend will see performances from major superstars including Teddy Swims, The Kooks, Tom Grennan and Sex Pistols with Frank Carter.
Mal Butler