Focus On Festivals: Isle Of Wight Festival 2012

Revived in 2002, the IOW Festival is notorious for boasting one of the best musical line ups of the summer. This year is no exception, with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Pearl Jam and Bruce Springsteen headling the main stage alongside Elbow, Biffy Clyro, Jessie J, Example and Noah & The Whale. Elsewhere, the Big Top will house the likes of Enter Shikari, Pulled Apart By Horses, Professor Green, and special guests Lana Del Rey and Katy B.

Where the festival really comes into its own, however, is in the eclectic mix of musical genres which are represented. The Garden Stage seems to be the home of Country, Folk and Americana, with Gretchen Peters, Beth Hart and Suzanne Vega all making an appearance.

Football fans will also be satisfied, with BT’s Field of Dreams showing all of the Euro 2012 quarter-final matches, as well as screenings of feature films and highlights from all the festival’s stages. As for the kids, the Rainbow Stage will have singers, dancers and magicians, and the Arts & Crafts Marquee will house various workshops.

The 14th Isle of Wight Festival takes place on the 22nd, 23rd & 24th June 2012. For more information and to book tickets visit www.isleofwightfestival.com