Is it really a festival if there isn’t mud? Have you actually been if you’re not at risk of contracting trench foot?! The Isle of Wight Festival spectacularly delivered on all fronts this year – line up, atmosphere, crowds and MUD.
Jokes aside, even though the weather the week before the festival hadn’t been kind, the site held up brilliantly and didn’t dampen the mood at all. Revellers of the IOW Festival know they are coming to a seasoned event, one that covers all bases to ensure the punters have an awesome weekend and this year was no different.
With the likes of the Courteeners, Noel Gallagher, Lily Allen, man of the moment George Ezra, festival legend Fatboy Slim, Biffy Clyro and bucket-loads of other huge acts past and present on the line-up, there was plenty of talent to capture through the weekend.
When I photograph these events I think it’s almost more important to document the crowds as it is the performers. There’s something pretty magical about a festival and how people act when they are there, almost like a ready-made community, all united for the love of music and having a great time; it feels completely different to a night in a club or even an arena, so I know I’m in a privileged position to be able to lock those moments into the festival’s history books.
On Thursday night I got to photograph the ever-talented Heather Smalls, that lady seriously packs a punch on stage! Friday saw the Courteeners rip up the stage leaving the audience in a frenzy, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds pull out yet another incredible performance, and some token crowd-surfing during James’ set!
Saturday and Sunday were the perfect mix of pop, rock, rave and indie, there was something for every taste that brought this year’s event to a blistering crescendo.
Being just a small part of one of my home county’s festivals is always an amazing experience and 2019 has just made me even more hungry to get back in 2020!
