The Isle of Wight Festival is a music festival which takes place every year on the Isle of Wight in the UK. It was originally held from 1968 to 1970. These original events were promoted and organised by the Foulk brothers (Ron, Ray and Bill Foulk) under the banner of their company Fiery Creations Limited.
The venues were Ford Farm (near Godshill), Wootton and Afton Down (near Freshwater) respectively. The 1969 event was notable for the appearance of Bob Dylan and The Band. This was Dylan's first paid performance since his motor cycle accident some two years earlier, and was held at a time when many still wondered if he would ever perform again. Followers from across the world trecked to the Isle of Wight for what seemed like a 'second coming'. Estimates of 150,000 - 250,000 attended.
The 1969 festival opened on Friday 29 August - eleven days after the close of Woodstock. Dylan was living in Woodstock, New York, at the time and it was widely believed that he would perform there, after the event had been "put in his own backyard". As it happened, Dylan left for the Isle of Wight on 15 August - the day the Woodstock festival began.
Martin Skarendahl of The Hoosiers
Alfonso Sharland of The Hoosiers
Irwin Sparks L and Alfonso Sharland of The Hoosiers
The Hoosiers perform during Day 1 of the Isle Of White Festival
Fans watch the main stage on Day 1 of the Isle Of White Festival
Fans watch the main stage on Day 1 of the Isle Of White Festival
Fans watch the main stage on Day 1 of the Isle Of White Festival
Fans watch the main stage on Day 1 of the Isle Of White Festival
Fans watch the main stage on Day 1 of the Isle Of White Festival
Ricky Wilson of the Kaiser Chiefs
Ricky Wilson of the Kaiser Chiefs
Ricky Wilson of the Kaiser Chiefs
Ricky Wilson of the Kaiser Chiefs
The Hoosiers L-R Irwin Sparkes, Alfonso Sharland and Martin Skarendahl
Members of Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong
Hoosiers front man Irwin Sparkes
Festival campers have a drink as they sit outside their tents at the Isle of Wight Festival
Two festival goers sleep in their tent at the Isle of Wight Festival
Hoosiers drummer Alphonso Sharland L and band frontman Irwin Sparkes
Hoosiers front man Irwin Sparkes
Police officers search some of the 50,000 music fans
Some of the 50,000 music fans due to attend the Isle of Wight Festival arrive off the ferry at Cowes
Some of the 50,000 music fans due to attend the Isle of Wight Festival sit on the deck of the ferry as it sails to Cowes
Some of the 50,000 music fans due to attend the Isle of Wight Festival sit on the deck of the ferry as it sails to Cowes
Joe Lean of Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jongs
A festival goer arrives on the first day of the Isle Of White Festival on June 13, 2008 in Newport, Isle of Wight, England.
Matthew Murphy singer and guitarist with the Wombats
Matthew Murphy singer and guitarist with the Wombats
Police officers with dogs check certain cars
Cormac Neeson, James Heatley and Paul Mahon L-R from The Answer
A man advertises tickets for sale on the first day of the Isle Of White Festival
Cormac Neeson, James Heatley and Paul Mahon L-R from The Answer
Some of the 50,000 music fans due to attend the Isle of Wight Festival arrive off the ferry at Cowes
Some of the 50,000 music fans due to attend the Isle of Wight Festival arrive off the ferry at Cowes
Micky Waters, Cormac Neeson, James Heatley and Paul Mahon L-R from The Answer
Singer Ricky Wilson of the Kaiser Chiefs performs at the Isle of Wight Festival
Some of the 50,000 music fans due to attend the Isle of Wight Festival arrive off the ferry at Cowes
Emma B relaxes with friends in the sun at the Isle of Wight Festival
Some of the 50,000 music fans due to attend the Isle of Wight Festival sit and wait for bus
Police officers watch as some of the 50,000 music fans due to attend the Isle of Wight Festival arrive off the ferry at Cowes
Singer Ricky Wilson of the Kaiser Chiefs
Singer Ricky Wilson of the Kaiser Chiefs
Singer Ricky Wilson of the Kaiser Chiefs
Lead singer of Suke Spirit Liela Moss
Joe Lean of Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jongs
One of the 50,000 music fans due to attend the Isle of Wight Festival watches from the deck of the ferry as it sails to Cowes
Police officers with dogs check certain cars as some of the 50,000 music fans due to attend the Isle of Wight Festival
Police officers watch as some of the 50,000 music fans due to attend the Isle of Wight Festival arrive off the ferry at Cowes
Some of the 50,000 music fans due to attend the Isle of Wight Festival arrive off the ferry at Cowes
Hoosiers drummer Alphonso Sharland
Jean-Jacques Burnel of the Stranglers
Jean-Jacques Burnel of the Stranglers
Jean-Jacques Burnel of the Stranglers
Singer Ricky Wilson of the Kaiser Chiefs
The logo is displayed at the Isle Of White Festival on June 13, 2008 in Newport, Isle of Wight, England
A festival goer arrives on the first day of the Isle Of White Festival
Festival goers arrive on the first day of the Isle Of White Festival
A festival goer arrives on the first day of the Isle Of White Festival
Festival goers arrive on the first day of the Isle Of White Festival
Festival goers arrive at the Isle of Wight Festival at Newport
Liz Andrews L and Sophia Kilford R arrive at the Isle of Wight Festival at Newport
People arrive at the Isle of Wight Festival at Newport
People walk about the tents at the Isle of Wight Festival at Newport
A steward guides vehicles as they arrive at the Isle of Wight Festival
People walk about the tents at the Isle of Wight Festival
Festival goers arrive at the Isle of Wight Festival at Newport
Singer Ricky Wilson of the Kaiser Chiefs performs at the Isle of Wight Festival
Singer Ricky Wilson of the Kaiser Chiefs performs at the Isle of Wight Festival
Music fans cheer the Stranglers as they perform at the Isle of Wight Festival
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