As I boarded the Isle of Wight ferry with the Beats and Swing crew, it felt like a holiday in the sun rather than heading to a festival.
After all, such is an iconic way to travel to the Isle of Wight Festival, the likes of Hendrix and Bowie have done it all before us.
Isle of Wight Festival 2021 – Saturday Review
First visit was the Kashmir Lounge, with its separate bar and unique decor presenting the tent as a venue in its own right. One that was showing some younger talent. It was here we’d see Lavender Oil, a band who once any initial nerves passed relaxed into a pleasant performance.
After an early beer or two, it was off to the main stage next. With the likes of Rochford, All Saints and the Lightning Seeds playing during the afternoon the line-up was somewhat on a par with Southsea’s Victorious Festival. As in there was a distinct love of the nighties going on the bill. Yet while I didn’t venture to the main stage very often, the Lightning Seeds were worth the visit.
Their set everything you’d expect from a band that hadn’t released anything since their much-overlooked 2009 album “Four Winds”. The highlights being that of earlier singles “Lucky You”, “Marvellous” and “the Life of Riley”. Then, the finale and football anthem “It’s coming home” complete with crowd participation.
It’s not all about the main stage…
Cirque de la Quirk however had a more eclectic mix of performers. Featuring the talented double bass playing of Grant Sharky. Although his political satire may have been a little lost at a distance on this occasion.
Shortly after, however, the same stage came alive with the half DJ/half flute playing antics of Captain Flatcap. Along with his trusty MC, the show was somewhat unconventional but that in itself also made it highly impressive.
Back to full band entertainment and young lads The Shakes from Liverpool were making friends with a rock n roll swagger in the Hipshaker tent. Meanwhile, Maximo Park pulled in the crowds elsewhere.
The latter opening their up-tempo set with “Girls who play guitar”. Other hits followed with “Velocity” and “Apply Some Pressure” going down a storm among the newer material.
Beats & Swing – Intoxicated Tea Rooms
An early ferry meant missing out on Kaiser Chiefs, so my run in for the night was spent back at the Intoxicated Tea Rooms with Beats & Swing.
Earlier DJs were bizarrely put on pause by an hourly trip to a wartime bunker. Whereby they were briefly interrupted by Andrew Sisters covers n such like. However, DJ Prince Brandon soon had the room (quite literally) back in the swing of things with some old-time tunes fitting of the mood, before Wes Brown took to the decks for a distinct change of pace.
This bridged the gap and prepared the dancefloor, ready for our man Tom Mayhem. As while the audience at the main stage were soon treated to David Guetta, it was in fact Beats & Swing that were demonstrating the real DJ talent.
As for Mr Teeth Reviews, I hadn’t intended to go to the Isle of Wight Festival. However, spending the day among the hospitality of friends was a wonderful taster of the weekend festivities.
