By Isle of Wight Observer
The Isle of Wight Festival has announced 10 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 June 13 to 16 at Seaclose Park.
The 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. Other acts include: Lily Allen, Jess Glynne, Madness, Sigrid, Sam Fender, Tom Walker, Richard Ashcroft, Freya Ridings, Anne-Marie, IDLES, Bastille, DMA’s and Jax Jones.
Alt-rock icons, Garbage, have sold over eight 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. Their debut album, Hopes and Fears, 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.” his upcoming sold-out UK tour and a debut album in the works, this year 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 found 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.
