THERE WAS MUD.
However, once we got over this fact and I managed to stop belly laughing at my IOW buddy who chose to wear ANKLE wellies to the island, a joyous stretch of music shenanigans awaited us.
Aware that this was their time to shine in Glastonburys absence, whilst they may have gotten off to a bad start, it was the line up where Isle Of Wight truly triumphed.
Three giants of American Rock headlined of course, but there was also a solid mix of genres to suck and see across the site. Elbow’s dusky emotional set had us arms-outstretched and yearning for a Guy-hug. Lana Del Rey’s impossible glamour and vocals were sorrowfull yet spellbinding ,and Madness disarmed and inveigled the crowd into a mass dad-dance.
Just when the sky started thinking about raining, Biffy Clyro played Golden Rule with such frantic thundering power, I swear they actually scared the droplets to retreat right back into the sky.
The Vaccines set affirmed their increasing popularity, a group of loveable London lads, they had everyone dancing and wanting to be their mates.
Despite many leaving early on Sunday, Noel Gallager’s High Flying Birds must be mentioned. Revealing what he’s made off by not only performing despite his man flu, he also remained unperturbed and undisturbed when a punter threw a lit flare on stage, causing a roadie to run over and dramatically kick it off.
Acknowledging the simple fact that after 3 days of festival life the majorty of us look like we have been hit by a routemaster, our friends at Carling came to the rescue, refreshing and delighting with merciful showers and ice cold beer.
Once revived, clean and sweet smelling, were able to enjoy Bruce Springsteen, who ended the festival with so much charisma and energy he could have continued effortlessly into next week. Trumping the other headliners by playing 3 hours, he blasted through favourites from his 18 year career and ended with a spectacular firework.
Momentarily threatened to be eclipsed by the headlines, the festival finished standing proud and tall with a spirit that no amount of rain can dampen.
