Today, The Isle of Wight Festival 2018 announces 18 new acts to be added to the bill: Travis, The Wombats, Rak-Su, Sigrid, Hot Dub Time Machine, Hurts, The Pretty Things & ,more.
They join headliners Depeche Mode, The Killers, Kasabian, Liam Gallagher as well as Camila Cabello, The Script, Rita Ora, Van Morrison, James Bay and Blossoms who will also be playing across the weekend.
In honour of the festival’s ‘Golden Jubilee’, all attendees are invited on Saturday 23rd June to adorn themselves in gold for a weekend of fun and celebration. Expect to see sparkling divas, shining stars and victorious gladiators come together for this year’s 50th anniversary.
One of Britain’s best-loved bands, Travis will return to the festival to close the Big Top on Sunday night. With eight Top Ten albums and over 25 years of experience, festival goers can expect an incredible end to the weekend singing along to their greatest hits such as ‘Why Does It Always Rain On Me?’, ‘Turn’ and ‘Sing’.
British trio The Wombats make driving guitar and electronic-influenced pop. Formed in Liverpool in 2003 while the members were all attending the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, the band have gone on to sell out shows across the globe, including London’s Alexandra Palace, and have amassed over one billion Spotify streams for hits such as ‘Let’s Dance To Joy Division’, ‘Moving To New York’ and 'Cheetah Tongue' - the latest single from their number 3 charting new album Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life.
The Wombats said: “This will be our 1st UK festival of the summer and we can't wait to play the Isle of Wight again. It's been too long. Nothing but fond memories from last time we played and look forward to making some new ones with you all in June! Our new album tracks are very excited to experience their 1st UK festival too...See you there”
Rak-Su are the four piece collective that blew audiences away on the X Factor last year as the first act on the show to win performing their own original music. Following their win, Rak-Su went on to have 6 songs in the Top 10 on iTunes including original tracks ‘Mona Lisa’, ‘I’m Feeling You’ and their hit single duet ‘Dimelo’ featuring Wyclef Jean and Naughty Boy at Number 1.
In the last year Sigrid has gone from unknown to one of the most exceptional breakout artists of the last year. Sigrid’s rise has been unrivalled; from releasing her acclaimed debut ‘Don’t Kill My Vibe’ EP, which has amassed over 185M global streams - to playing Hoxton Kitchen, two sold-out Scala’s, headlining Shepherds Bush Empire and winning the BBC Sound of 2018.
Posting tracks online, SG Lewis quickly built a loyal following. In 2014, his remix of Jessie Ware's song ‘You & I (Forever)’ caught the attention of Ware's label, PMR Records, who then signed him. Three years since first emerging as Britain’s emotive dance music maker-in-chief, SG Lewis is back with a new record and a renewed sense of purpose. After two EPs, 2015’s ‘Shivers and 2016’s Yours’, a period that saw him crafting hits for rising artists Dave (100Ms) and Ray BLK (Chill Out), the Reading-born producer-cum-songwriter-cum-DJ returns with a three part ode to club music, 'Dusk, Dark, Dawn', these 3 phases will be released throughout 2018.
Hot Dub Time Machine is the World’s First Time Travelling DJ, a global festival smash-hit and the Best Party Ever! Hot Dub aka. DJ Tom Loud from Sydney Australia, plays songs in strict chronological order, mixing and mashing visuals and audio live from vinyl turntables. It’s every song you love presented in a whole new way. It’s the Best. Party. Ever!
Since the release of Hurts’ international breakthrough single ‘Wonderful Life’ and their debut album ‘Happiness’, the British duo have established themselves as one of the most popular and successful pop acts throughout Europe, scoring top ten albums and numerous hit singles across the world. Hurts have also sold 100,000 gig tickets in 2016 alone, making them one of the most successful new British bands of the past decade. Their new album Desire was released in September to critical acclaim and the band continue to wow audiences at their arena shows across Europe.
50 years after their legendary appearance at the very first IOW Festival, iconic, cult superstars, The Pretty Things - formed by ex-Rolling Stone, Dick Taylor - are back, performing "S. F. Sorrow" - their fabled 1968 rock opera, which is also celebrating it's 50th Anniversary. After 55 years on the road, this will be the band's final year of touring and the IOW will be the band's only UK Festival show, and the last chance to see SF Sorrow performed live. Don't miss the final outing for this massively influential and seminal act.
LANY combines the feel of '80s radio pop, '90s R&B soul, and atmospheric synths. They recorded their first two songs ‘Hot Lights’ and ‘Walk Away’, in four days. They continued to build a following while on the road, touring with Troye Sivan, Ellie Goulding, Halsey, and X Ambassadors. After signing to Polydor in 2015, the band released ‘ILYSB (I Love You So Bad)’ which has reached over 14 million streams.
Powerful soulful rock band, Bang Bang Romeo make their return to open the main stage with hits such as ‘Invitation’, ‘Chemical’ and ‘Natural Born Astronaut’. Lead singer Anastasia Walker will command the stage with a vocal range that evokes Jefferson Airplane’s Grace Slick, Florence Welch and Beth Ditto.
Bang Bang Romeo said: "There's very few things that have been more integral to our career that the Isle of Wight Festival and it's an honour to be asked to open the main stage on it's 50 year anniversary! It's an incredibly special festival with a legendary history that we're grateful to be a part of."
Irish duo, Hudson Taylor released their long-awaited debut album “Singing for strangers” in 2015. The multi-instrumentalists honed their craft busking on the streets of their hometown of Dublin as well as all over Europe and in fact gained the albums name from their love of entertaining anyone who would stop and listen. Having spent the majority of 2017 recording their next album and touring - they are looking forward to the release on 23rd March of their EP “Feel it again” and are just back from touring the US having already completed a sold out European and UK tour earlier in the year. Summer of 2018 will be spent doing festivals all over Europe and the UK and Ireland.
Hudson Taylor said “Cannot wait to get back to the island! Have never played IOW festival before - excited!”
19-year-old Kara Marni has been infatuated with music for as long as she can remember. Kara spent her adolescent years being soundtracked by classic soul artists. Since arriving on the scene in 2017 Kara has headlined her own show and received critical acclaim from Wonderland, Interview and Clash.
Gerry Cinnamon has achieved record breaking success and cemented his status as Scotland’s most successful independent artist. Gerry sold out multiple nights at the world famous, Barrowland Ballroom; becoming the first unsigned artist to do so; and earning him a place in the music institution’s hall of fame alongside the likes of David Bowie, Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller and Ocean Colour Scene. The prestigious Barrowland ‘Hall of Fame’ award adds to his growing collection, including his Great Scot Award for Entertainment and Best Live Act in the Scottish Alternative Music Awards.
After opening the Big Top last year, South Coast band, Wild Front are back! It’s still under two years since the band first formed, but in that time their singles have been championed by BBC Introducing and Radio 1.
Wild Front said: "So excited to be back at Isle of Wight festival this year. Last year was so good, so to be playing the main stage is going to be mental. We’re buzzing for it!"
Paradisia are a London based trio that combine vocals, harmonies, keys and the delicacy of a harp that creates their unique sound. They have been in various music projects together, when finally in 2016 they spent some time in Berlin recording their 1st record 'Sound of Freedom’. Paradisia are best known for their cover of Springsteen's 'Dancing in the Dark’ and since have gone on to tour across Europe and support the likes of Michael Kiwanuka, Birdy, Laura Mvula, Ryan Adams, Carole King at Hyde Park and most recently Starsailor. The girls are currently in the studio writing their 2nd album.
Paradisia said: “We are super excited to be back at IOWF this year. We love the legendary festival for both its diversity in musical genres and it’s beautiful setting!”
Slydigs are a rock 'n' roll four piece from the North West of England that pride themselves on bringing a fierce modern edge to a classic rock 'n' roll sound, earning them an ever growing loyal fan base from across the globe. Slydigs took to the road with The Who on tours across the UK, Europe and North America, receiving standing ovations at every show. The band also toured with Californian rhythm and blues band Vintage Trouble as well as selling out their own headline shows and performing at some of the biggest festivals throughout UK and Europe.
Slydigs said: "From Hendrix to Dylan to The Doors and The Who, this festival is as culturally relevant as the acts that have performed there over the years. To be part of that this year and to be playing the main stage is incredible. We are truly honoured and it means a great deal to us to say that Slydigs will be playing the main stage of the Isle Of Wight Festival 2018. We will be looking to prove to point of why this was meant to be."
21 year-old neo-soul singer Mullally is well on his way to becoming UK’s next big breakout star. In the last 12 months, Norfolk-born Mullally has sold out shows from London to L.A, supported Jess Glynne, Anne Marie, Raye and Clean Bandit as well as garnered support from Radio 1, 1Xtra, MTV and SBTV.
To honour T.Rex’s 1968 festival performance, tribute band T.Rextasy are set to open the festival. With a career spanning over 25 years, T.Rextasy are now regarded beyond the boundaries of ‘tribute’ and are respected in their own right. They are also the only band to have the blessing and support from Marc’s own family and Ex-T.Rex band members. They have toured worldwide, performing alongside artists such as Wizzard, Cockney Rebel, Ian Hunter (Mott the Hoople), and Slade amongst others.
T. Rextasy said: “It’s an absolute pleasure to be part of the 50th Anniversary of The Isle of Wight Festival, and also to celebrate 50 years since Marc Bolan himself played at this very hallowed event!”
The Isle of Wight Festival takes place from 21st - 24th June at Seaclose Park, Newport. This year will also mark the 50th Anniversary of the Isle of Wight Festival. The first event in 1968 put the festival on the map as it then grew to become world renowned for iconic performances from artists such as The Doors, The Who and Jimi Hendrix in his last ever UK show. The festival was successfully relaunched in 2002 to become one of the most exciting weekends of the summer, continuing to build on its proud heritage with show-stopping headliners such as Foo Fighters, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Jay-Z, Coldplay and Fleetwood Mac.
Published on 22 March 2018 by Ben Robinson
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