Today, The Isle of Wight Festival 2017 announces ten young and upcoming acts for the 2017 festival: Catfish and the Bottlemen, Zara Larsson, Clean Bandit, The Vamps, The Strypes, The Amazons, Germein Sisters, Judas, The Novatones and The Second Sons.
They join recently announced headliners David Guetta, Run DMC, Arcade Fire and Rod Stewart, as well as Kaiser Chiefs, Texas, The Shires, Example + DJ Wire, Jonas Blue, Nothing But Thieves, The Sherlocks, Ward Thomas, The Undertones, The Alarm and Elle Exxe. As well as George Ezra, Bastille, Jack Savoretti and Rag’n’Bone Man.
John Giddings said: “We've always supported fresh, new and exciting talent at the at the Isle of Wight Festival. It’s what music festivals are all about. We had Blossoms in 2015 and they've just been nominated for a BRIT award! Looking forward to seeing what the Isle of Wight 2017’s talents have in store for us!”
The most exciting new guitar band to come out of the UK this decade, Catfish and the Bottlemen released their debut album ‘The Balcony’ in September 2014 and went on to win best newcomer at the BBC Awards later that year. The platinum selling album debuted in the Top Ten in the UK, yielded hit singles aplenty and saw the band win a BRIT Award for best British Breakthrough Act. Known for their incendiary live shows, Catfish and the Bottlemen have toured extensively on both sides of the Atlantic and in May 2016 released their eagerly anticipated second album ‘The Ride’. It went straight to the top of the charts on release, and has sold an astonishing 150,000 copies to date. After a summer of sold out open air shows and festival appearances across the world, the end of 2016 saw the band embark upon an 8 week tour of the US before finishing up with arena dates across the UK. 2017 sees Catfish and the Bottlemen play dates in Australia, Japan and South America, and embark upon a major stadium tour of the USA in the summer with Green Day.
Over the past twelve months, Zara Larsson has achieved what most artists can only dream of, becoming one of the biggest and most exciting breakthrough artists of the year. To date, she has graced the cover of NME, featured in the Time Magazine’s 30 most influential teenagers and become unmissable across our screens and airwaves. Factor in a V Festival performance, two 2016 MTV EMAs wins, two BRIT Award nominations and the small matter of opening for Beyoncé on both dates of her Formation World Tour at Wembley Stadium, it’s been non-stop for the Swedish sensation. With a string of global hits already under her belt, Zara’s previous single, ‘I Would Like’ continues to sit firmly in the UK Top Ten, six weeks after being released and peaking at Number 2 in the UK Officials Singles Chart, while her debut single, 'Lush Life’ has gained over half a billion streams on Spotify and gone double Platinum here in the UK.
Zara Larsson said: “So Excited to play the Isle of Wight Festival! UK festivals are always so much fun! You guys always bring 100%.”
Genre-defying Clean Bandit first emerged on the scene in 2012 with their matchless blend of electronica, pop, r’n’b and string arrangements, and have gone onto become global Number One stars. Landing their first UK Number One single in 2014 with ‘Rather Be’ feat. Jess Glynne (the track stayed as the UK Number One for four consecutive weeks), it won a GRAMMY Award for ‘Best Dance Recording’ in 2015, not to mention two Ivor Novello nods for the band’s multi-instrumentalist/producer, Jack Patterson, in the same year for his work on the track. Currently in the studio working on their new album – the follow-up to 2014’s Top Three debut ‘New Eyes’ - Clean Bandit released their mighty single ‘Rockabye’ at the end of 2016; staying at Number One for nine consecutive weeks in the UK and featuring vocals from woman-of-the-moment, Anne-Marie, and the mighty Sean Paul, it was also 2016’s official Christmas Number One in the UK.
The Vamps following continues to grow rapidly. Since they burst onto the scene in 2013, they have had five UK Top 10 singles, two smash hit albums and their YouTube and VEVO channels have topped ½ billion views and 2.7 million subscribers. They often trend around the world on Twitter, and have over 3.3 million followers. The band are also regulars on Facebook where they have 6.3 million Facebook fans. The band have sold out London’s 20,000 capacity O2 four times, with a fifth on sale now, and have hit the road for multiple world tours visiting over 25 countries. The Vamps have won Best Breakthrough, Best British Single and Best British Group (twice!) at the Radio 1 Teen Awards, as well as being nominated for Best Love Song and Best Breakout Group at the Teen Choice Awards. Their current single, All Night, is rising up the charts around the globe and has picked up over 100 million streams worldwide, making it currently the 21st most streamed song on Spotify in the world.
The Vamps Brad Simpson said: “We all can’t wait to play the Isle of Wight Festival! We love playing festivals!”
The Strypes are a four piece rock'n'roll band from Ireland. They began playing together at primary school and signed a record deal in 2012. Their debut album Snapshot was produced by Chris Thomas (Sex Pistols/Beatles) and made the top five in the UK album charts. Their follow up Little Victories cracked the UK top 20 and reached number One in their home country. Their TV appearances include Later with Jools Holland, Late Night with Letterman and Conan O'Brien.
The Strypes’ Ross Farrelly said: “We love the Isle of Wight Festival. It’s one of our favourite festivals, so being invited back to play is incredible news! We can’t wait. Roll on June!”
Reading four-piece, The Amazons, took the new music scene by storm when they released ‘Stay With Me’, produced by Tom Dalgety (Royal Blood and The Maccabees). They have already been championed by BBC Music Introducing, featured on the BBC Sound of 2017 shortlist and the MTV Brand New for 2017 shortlist.
The Amazon’s Matt Thompson said: “We’re very excited to be escaping the mainland to play Isle of Wight Festival for the second time. We had a blast last year at the Jack Rocks tent and can’t wait to join a line-up of some of our favourite artists"
Australia’s Germein Sisters have been turning heads across the globe with their indie pop tunes. Sibling trio Georgia (guitar, keys), Ella (electric cello, bass) and Clara Germein (drums) have got music critics raving worldwide with their flawless harmonies, catchy melodies, and euphoric live show. Described as “my soundtrack to summer” by Music in Time UK, the trio’s organically crafted pop sensibility, intriguing element of electronicism, topped off with that distinctive sibling magic has been making waves ever since they started jamming together on their family’s bushland property in South Australia. Their debut single ‘Da Da Doo’ was nominated for ‘Best Song’ at the South Australian Music Awards, where the girls also scored nominations for ‘Best Pop Artist’ and ‘Best Band’. Germein Sisters have performed across Australia, New Zealand, China, and Europe; and not forgetting supporting Ronan Keating on his tour of Germany, and representing Australia at the Hue Festival in Vietnam, and the Women of the World Festival in Germany.
British Four piece ‘Judas’ have quickly managed to gain a reputation as one of the best new emerging rock and roll bands in the UK, with a fearsome live reputation to boot. Led by charismatic frontman and chief song writer John Clancy, having previously gigged with indie heavyweights such as The View, Catfish & The Bottlemen and The Mystery Jets, he has certainly picked up their knack for writing bona fide indie anthems.
The Novatones are fast becoming a festival favourite. Since first playing at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2014, they have risen up the stages year on year with a huge performance in the Big Top last year. They seem to be the support band of choice in 2017, and are now getting played on 6 Music.
One of London’s most exciting new bands, The Second Sons have risen to international acclaim in 2016 after releasing their debut single “Best Of Me” featuring the late, legendary Bobby Keys and have recently followed up with the bands electrifying collaboration with iconic record producer Chris Kimsey on their most recent single “Can’t You See”. Always able to get people off their feet and dancing, the Second Sons are one of the most entertaining live acts in music to date. "The Second Sons are the best thing to happen to rock n roll since Booker T fell in with the MG’s. It drives like a freight train and punches like a very young Mike Tyson. This band gives me hope for the republic of rock n roll." Rich Cohen - Contributing Editor, Rolling Stone
The Second Sons’ Nick Harding said: “We are thrilled to be back this year, the Isle of Wight Festival is one of the world’s finest and we are happy to be playing it again for a second time.”
The Isle of Wight Festival takes place from 8th - 11th June at Seaclose Park, Newport. Due to popular demand, 2017 sees the return of Day Tickets in addition to Weekend Tickets.
For a VIP festival experience, exclusive glamping options are also on sale. Eve’s Tipis offer a luxury stay with a cocktail bar and hot breakfast options to kick start your day. The much loved colourful Podpads will also be returning which include a power point to keep your phone charged throughout the weekend. Love Your Tent, Tangerine Fields and Pink Moon Camping also offer unique camping experiences for a weekend in style.
2017 will be the 16th Isle of Wight Festival since it was successfully relaunched in 2002 to become one of the most popular weekends of the summer, with a proud heritage of show-stopping headliners such as Foo Fighters, The Rolling Stones, The Killers, Paul McCartney, Coldplay, Blur and Fleetwood Mac.
Published on 30 January 2017 by Ben Robinson
Isle of Wight Festival 2017 Clean Bandit Catfish & The Bottlemen Zara Larsson
