By Isle of Wight Observer
The Island’s Got Talent brought together performers from across the Isle of Wight on Sunday, as East Cowes Town Council hosted an afternoon of live music in the town hall in front of a judging panel and enthusiastic audience. The event forms part of the build‑up to this year’s Cowes Fringe, with the overall winner securing a performance slot at the festival in May.
A strong line‑up showcased a mix of pop, rock and folk, with performers presenting both original songs and well‑known covers. Jennie Vacher was named overall winner for her rendition of Tina Turner’s Simply The Best, earning her a place on the Mountbatten Gala Evening programme at Cowes Fringe 2026. Local band Razor took the Judge’s Choice runner‑up award for their original track Dumb Love, praised for its songwriting and confident delivery. Mio was recognised as the Young Rising Star for her folk‑inspired interpretation of a Lana Del Rey song, while the Performer’s Choice Award, voted for by the audience, went to Courtney for her powerful version of I See Red.
The judging panel brought together a range of experience, including Nigel Hartley, patron of Cowes Fringe; BRIT Award winner James Newman; Medina Community Choir leader Hannah Brear; and Island DJ JAMRoKi. Each act received written feedback and comments. The afternoon was compered by Chris Quinton, with Wight TV filming the event for future release.