Yahoo News Isle of Wight headliners: Festival announces Lionel Richie, Duran Duran and Sam Fender for 2021 line-up
Like countless others, it looks like organisers of the Isle of Wight festival are keen to pretend 2020 never happened.
The festival has announced its line-up for next year and – in a move sure to please those who've rolled over their tickets from this year to next – will offer three days of music almost identical to that originally planned for this weekend.
Lionel Richie and Lewis Capaldi will still headline the Friday night, and Saturday will still see Snow Patrol top the bill – though Pete Tong will replace the Chemical Brothers. New addition Jess Glynne will take what would have been Tong's Friday night supporting slot. Besides Glynne, other new names joining the bill include The Script, Carly Rae Jepsen and famed gospel singer, rock n' roll hall of famer and civil rights activist Mavis Staples. Staples, 80, made a recent appearance on Run The Jewel's acclaimed recent album, RTJ4.
Other big names returning on Saturday will be Hypersonic Missiles man Sam Fender, and Quite Miss Home singer James Arthur. On Sunday, 80s icons Duran Duran are back to close the show.
As well as the main stage, the festival boasts "the Big Top", where the eclectic scheduled acts remain; Happy Monday, Primal Scream, Kaiser Chiefs and Razorlight all return.
Tickets will go on sale at 9am on Monday June 15, and can be bought here.
The 2021 show will return to the island's Seaclose Park on June 17–20 2021.
John Giddings of the Isle of Wight Festival, said: "We should be watching some fantastic performances in a field together this weekend, but sadly it was not to be. We’re thrilled that we will welcome most of the artists booked for 2020, plus a few special additions, to next year’s festival. We’re excited to get planning and will work within advised guidelines to ensure the safety of the audience, artists and staff on site – come on down!!"
Hello singer Lionel Richie added: "I was really excited to be playing at The Isle of Wight Festival this summer and like so many of us I was very sad that so many things have had to be delayed. Obviously everyone’s health and safety comes first.
"I’m now looking forward to it even more and know we’ll all have such an incredible night of partying together. It's a festival steeped in music history – Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones have all headlined and I'm honoured to be joining the esteemed list! See you all next year!"
Though this year's three-day concert had long been cancelled owing to Covid-19, organisers are taking things online this weekend, screening its greatest hits on Sky Arts from 7pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Sets from the likes of David Bowie, Nile Rogers and Chic, Amy Winehouse, Jay-Z and Liam Gallagher will be among those to feature.
It's not the only virtual Isle of Wight tribute happening this weekend either; Absolute Radio will broadcast some of the festival's biggest sets from the likes of David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Fleetwood Mac and The Rolling Stones.
The Isle of Wight has become a firm mainstay of the summer's festival scene since it was revived in 2002, but first made its name with shows in 1968, 1969 and 1970. The 1970 show is particularly well remembered, and thought to have drawn 600,000 revellers, who would have witnessed setss from Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, Janis Joplin and more. In tribute to Hendrix, cover act Are You Experienced will play the Big Top on festival's opening night next year.
For more information, visit isleofwightfestival.com
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