eFestivals exclusive: John Giddings organiser talks Isle Of Wight 2010
Jay-Z is a worthy headliner, World Cup plans, another announcement soon, and more
Monday 30th November 2009
John Giddings, the festival organiser of the ninth Isle of Wight Festival which happens from Friday 11th until Sunday 13th June 2010 at Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight gave a quick interview to eFestivals about today's announcement.
The festival boss revealed that he was 'very pleased to the reaction' of today's announcement of Jay-Z, and The Strokes saying, "It took a few people by surprise."
The festival organiser added that he felt there would be no backlash to announcing Jay-Z as topping the bill, and that Jay-Z had proved himself a worthy headliner, with his Glastonbury Festival appearance last year, "He was incredible at Glastonbury, incredible with Coldplay, he's had a number one album, and he's one of the world's superstars. Our audience are younger than Glastonbury's and so they appreciate that kind of artist more."
Giddings also revealed that there could be more acts announced before tickets go on sale on Friday saying, "Probably there will be a couple more of the bands announced before Friday when we go on sale with tickets, but let's see."
He also revealed that already Isle Of Wight organisers were making plans for next year's World Cup, and would not show the football on the main stage, but would make it possible for football fans to watch it this year. He explains, "I think I'm going to have to do something about the football because that's the first weekend of the world Cup so I'm thinking of turning an extra field into a football field, to keep it away from the main stage. You don't want 5000 people traipsing into town, and you don't want it broadcast on the main stage either, so I might embrace the concept. I think there will be a couple of other surprises too, definitely.
Festival goers can also expect some more surprises with Giddings hinting the festival will be doing special to celebrate the famous performance on the island of rock legend Jimi Hendrix. Giddings hints, "It's also the 40th anniversary of Jimi Hendrix's performance, so I'd like to put something on concerning him, I was there, along with 600,000 other people."
To read the exclusive eFestivals interview with John Giddings in full, click here.
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