With ears still ringing and limbs still aching from the previous two days, the third and final day of Isle of Wight promised us another day of beautiful weather with an incredible soundtrack to match.
Naked Fridays (Main Stage, Natt)
Aside from the fantastic name, Naked Fridays have yet to really work out what they want to achieve with their sound. They seem to be shooting down the line of a hybrid between electronica and rock; but at any given time they find themselves leaning to heavily on one and completely neglecting the other. It means that what should be seamless transitions to their electronic refrains, instead ends up completely unexpected and jarring. You get the feeling that if they do manage to find a rocktronica balance, they will make for something formidable live. Until then, it’s just a little disjointed.
Pylo (Big Top, Natt)
The pace in the Big Top is completely different to that of the Main Stage. If you need any easing of the mind and body in to the day, then Pylo are it. With the anthemic and uplifting nature of Kodaline and Eliza and the Bear and the cinematic tones of Embers— they make you want to put your arms around a stranger and just bask in the moment. It’s beautiful and absolutely perfect for a Sunday morning.
The Move (Main Stage, Natt)
As The Move take to the Main Stage, we are whisked away to the first ever Isle of Wight Festival– it’s all terribly nostalgic. Though normally I would’ve avoided such a thing, there’s something about this festival that makes you take the chances to sprawl on the grass to listen to a band that wrote the first track ever to be played on Radio 1 (‘Flowers in the Rain’). It’s a set that’s incredibly nostalgic and jam packed with the hits and even for those unfamiliar with The Move, it’s enjoyable and gives us an idea what the first IoW had to musically offer.
Ella Eyre (Main Stage, Natt)
Bounding on to the stage, Ella Eyre has an impressive, albeit brief set, up her sleeve. Her soulful vocals are monsterously powerful and can be heard with startling clarity wherever you’re stood in the main field. Musically it is undeniably melodic pop full of emotion; which fits perfectly alongside Eyre’s vocals. Perhaps what is most impressive is that she never falters, never stumbles, despite her persistent bounding around the stage in a way that can only be described as cartoonish.
Kassassin Street (Hipshaker Lounge, Natt)
It seems as though that Kassassin Street have brought half of Southsea with them to the Hipshaker Lounge. Spirits are high, the volume is even higher and the reaction to the group rivals the reactions to the headliners thus far. Despite being at the festival since Friday, Kassassin Street don’t seem to be suffering any of the effects and are instead on the top of their game. The set is explosive; they seemingly have energy to spare as they barrel through a set that proves their debut single ‘Royal Handkerchief Ballet’ is not a lucky one-off. Every track is undeniably catchy with their own unique hazy psychedlica drowning beneath the Eastern influences that make them stand out from the crowd. They certainly prove to be one of Sunday’s highlights.
Swim Deep (Big Top, Natt)
If you have to sum up the Swim Deep set in one word, then you’d probably choose baggy. Dressed in shirts that are at least three sizes to big for them, they deliver their summertime psych-indie with the same dreaminess that it inspires. It’s all sorts of laid-back and hazy, yet draws in a crowd that obviously worship at the B’Town altar. As one guy crowd surfs on a bodyboard, Swim Deep let us in to some of their new material, which is just as floaty and free as much of Where The Heaven Are We is. I, for one, can’t wait to see where Swim Deep are going to whisk us off with their sophomore album and judging from the enthusiastic response of the rest of the crowd, neither can they.
Peace (Big Top, Natt)
Last time I saw Peace, there was about 500 people in the crowd and it was 2am. Today we couldn’t be further away from that secret show at The Great Escape. Despite clashing with Fall Out Boy, the tent is jam packed with people who know that it’s better to see the up-and-comers opposed to the been-past-their-primers. Every single moment of their set is triumphant. ‘Money‘ despite only being officially released today, has a full scale sing-a-long already and new tracks ‘Lost On Me‘ and ‘World Pleasure‘ seemingly get better with each airing– completely funk addled 90’s indie. Old tracks still haven’t lost their appeal, with the same tropical refreshment oozing through as on the first listen and the crowd take it all in with a thirst that only Peace seem to be able to quench. The future certainly looks incredibly bright for the Birmingham quartet. It’s only a matter of time before they hit headline status at this rate.
Kings of Leon (Main Stage, Natt)
Much unlike most of the people that have made the trip over to the island this year, it’s Kings of Leon I’ve been most excited about seeing. The set tonight certainly showcases why Kings of Leon have managed to climb the rungs to headliner status. All the heavyweight numbers as here; ‘The Bucket‘, ‘Four Kicks‘, ‘Molly’s Chambers‘ and each sounds just as raw and fierce as it did back when the Kings first emerged. Of course they don’t miss the opportunity to air more recent material– though they steer clear of the majority of their disappointing fifth– and instead show that actually, they have returned to form with Mechanical Bull. Musically the set easily outstrips the Chili’s headliner and matches Biffy Clyro— but their lack of stage banter (which is normal for them) and lack of sheer spectacle sees them lagging behind Biffy (though ahead Chili’s). But it’s definitely a triumphant set from the Followill family which shows that the bad times are behind them and long may they reign.
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