Island Records celebrates 50 years with festival

Island Records have announced they will be holding their own festival next year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of Island Records. The label will be collaborating with Island founder Chris Blackwell to create the Island 50 Festival.

The festival will feature special anniversary gigs happening at The Shepherds Bush Empire, London, in May 2009 and will feature performances from Island artists past and present, although no acts have yet been confirmed.

Chris Blackwell founded the Island label in Kingston, Jamaica in 1959 before relocating to London in the early 60s. From the independent label's early Jamaican roots in ska and rock-steady, through the label's expansion into progressive rock in the late 60s, and the signings of superstars Bob Marley and U2, Blackwell created one of the most prestigious record labels in the history of British music.

Blackwell, who has agreed to oversee the festival, said, "When I recorded 'Lance Hayward at the Half Moon' in 1959 at Federal Records Studio in Kingston, Jamaica, I had no inkling what path this had set me on. It has been an honour and a privilege to work with some of the greatest musical artists of all time. It was always my intention at Island to make records that stood the test of time, and I'm proud that Island is still a potent force in music 50 years since that first release. I'm very excited to be collaborating with the label to organise a number of events to celebrate Island's 50th birthday in 2009."

The festival will also include cinema, TV and radio documentaries, music re-issues, and an exhibition of photography, artwork, and memorabilia which will travel around the country through the year.

The history of Island Records is also included in the national curriculum for Music/Music Business students during 2008/09 at over 50 universities and colleges.

All proceeds from the shows will be donated to Amnesty International and The Oracabessa Foundation in Jamaica.

There has been no date set yet for when tickets will go on sale and nor have prices been confirmed.

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