Click the link below to listen to the full episode on Spotify, or find the link to the episode on YouTube further below.
Once again, Seaclose Park was the perfect host for the annual Isle of Wight Festival which remains a significant date on the international music calendar with global icons lining up to perform. Beyond The Title was lucky enough to obtain a ringside seat and bring you backstage interviews and exclusive insights into the process of putting on one of the biggest festivals of the summer. Now in its twenty-second year of its second regeneration, organiser John Giddings is forever striving to bring the very best of pop to this small island. As a regular attendee of the legendary Isle of Wight Festivals of the sixties and seventies, John was determined to return a slice of the mystical glamour back to the Island in post millennial Britain.
Music agent, promoter and impresario John Giddings is one of the world’s leading agents and promoters with a career spanning over forty years. Forming his own company Solo in 1986, John became responsible for David Bowie’s seminal concert at Wembley Stadium which got him noticed by bands including Genesis and by 1990 The Rolling Stones had employed him as their European promoter which resulted in him working with the cream of pop including Celine Dion, U2 and Madonna. As a promoter, Giddings has been instrumental to the live tours of global icons including: The Police, Lady Gaga, Pharrell Williams, Boyzone and Westlife. Therefore when faced with creating a formula for a pop festival, John was equipped with the tools and the contacts to pull it off.
The festival has since become a popular barometer for artists and audiences to gauge the trends and fashions in music. With a plethora of stages featuring different genres, it’s easy for audiences to find their niche. The Retro Electro pop diva Sophie Grey made her Isle of Wight Festival debut on the River Stage on Friday afternoon and was the perfect soundtrack to the start of a fantastic weekend. Currently supporting the legendary Sting on his European tour, the avant garde singer songwriter uses pop synths to create a sense of euphoria to her act which haps back to the electronic sound of 1980’s Europop. Normally, there is a sense of distance between new artists and their audience especially when they lack the repertoire to maintain a positive dialogue. However, there’s something intriguing about Sophie Grey which has the power to captivate audiences irrespective of their personal musical tastes. To me, that’s a talent and I can’t wait to see what lies in store for this original artist.
The River Stage gained quite a repertoire this year and on Saturday afternoon Ireland’s very own The Queen Bees swarmed the stage for a unique performance of a unique mix of covers and original music. This was their first festival outside Ireland and they were each buzzing with excitement following a triumphant set. Based in Dublin, The Queen Bees have supported the singer songwriter Mundy on his national tour and are looking forward to their own show later this year. With a string of Irish festivals still to come this summer, they are very busy “Bees” and it was an absolute pleasure to chat with them about their greatest achievements.
Obviously beyond showcasing a variety of new and eclectic music, the Isle of Wight Festival has always revelled in a celebration of pop and rock. The singer songwriter Mae Muller came to public attention in 2023 when she was chosen to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool. Unfortunately the ongoing political system which has dogged the show for decades sadly prevented Mae from bringing it home for the UK. Yet now as an independent artist, she’s enjoying the creative freedom to cultivate her own musical style and while she is able to remember her Eurovision experience with fondness, is now relishing the opportunity to be fully in control of her musical journey.
From an independent artist right at the start of her journey to a nineties icon: singer songwriter Ian Broudie came to national fame in the early nineties as the lead singer of the eternally optimistic band The Lightening Seeds. Formed in Liverpool in 1989, The Lightening Seeds was originally the name for Broudie’s solo work following being associated with the band Big In Japan Original Mirrors and Care. His songwriting abilities were acknowledged by fellow artists which resulted in Broudie becoming one of the UK’s most sought after producers for some of Britain’s best loved artists including Dodgy. Yet a love for the beautiful game would ultimately turn Broudie into a reluctant national treasure as, together with the comedians Frank Skinner and David Baddiel, he would create the unofficial national anthem in 1996 to coincide with Euro 96. Three Lions has since become a shorthand for any patriotic moments in the UK and Ian is extremely proud to have penned such a classic song.
The vast array of talent within this episode possibly echoes the diversity and breadth of talent which the Isle of Wight Festival now boasts. In short, the ability to mix genres, showcase emerging talent whilst still staying true to the past. As a podcaster, I’m frequently wary of making my content too geographically specific through fear of excluding audiences. Yet it’s only events like this weekend that make me incredibly proud to live on the Isle of Wight and be able to witness this incredible festival come to life. Long live live music!
Beyond The Title