contactless wristbands could be at American Trilogy topped IOW

During an exclusive interview with eFestivals to be published online in full in the next few days John Giddings, the Isle Of Wight Festival promoter revealed that they intend to implement the prepaid contactless payment wristband which they trialed in the VIP arena this year.

	Isle Of Wight 2011

John Giddings told eFestivals, "We're definitely going to do that again, it was very successful. It won't just be hospitality, we're looking to expand it to the main gates. That's what we're hoping to do, although it's not finalised yet."

The festival pioneered the Radio-frequency identification (RFID) wristband system, but it's too early to know for definite whether the system will be offered as option to festival goers or implemented across the board, and whilst the wristbands make it easy to get into the festival, he hinted they do not necessarily have to be used to pay for items, "It's all to do with clicking on the way in, and you can put money on them if you want."

Last year the wristbands were sent out to VIPs before they got there, John Giddings explained that the festival has led the way in sending out wristbands rather than tickets. "We've been doing that for years." He added, "We were the first people to do that. I thought, 'Why do we send everyone a ticket, then we turn up and we wristband them? Why don't we send them a wristband first?' It's the most stupid idea in the world sending everyone a ticket and then spending hours wristbanding them. It delays them getting in by half an hour."

Those that had the wristbands this year used them as their preferred payment method whilst at the festival. Instead of using cash, those with wristbands could pre-loaded with £30, and could then use them to purchase food and drink with a simple tap of the wrist, making it much faster to pay and resulting in much less queues.

The system also cuts down on ticket touting, with John Giddings saying, "There's no law against re-selling a wristband as long as they're not selling hundreds." Pointing out that there were 'secret ways' to keep tabs on them.

John Giddings also revealed that he was aiming for an "American Trilogy" to headline the festival next summer, which means two more American acts could be joining the already confirmed Bruce Springsteen who is set to play a mammoth two and a half hour main stage show. John Giddings added, that they were not yet in place, but he hoped to reveal another headliner around "Christmas time".

He also ruled out Aerosmith as being either of the two headliners next summer. The full interview will be published on eFestivals in the next couple of days.

The headline performance will be Bruce Springsteen's first visit to the Island and only his 3rd festival performance in the UK to date. Bruce Springsteen will appear with the E Street Band to deliver songs like 'Born in the U.S.A.' and 'Born to Run'.

The festival has moved into the fallow Glastonbury Festival weekend for one year only. The dates for the eleventh Isle of Wight Festival have been announced as from Friday 22nd until Sunday 24th June 2012.

The festival now in it's eleventh year, takes place at Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight There are no other acts confirmed yet for 2012.

Tickets will go on general sale from 9am this Friday, 25th November, priced at £190 for adult camping, and £95 for a child ticket (aged 7 to 12 years). The price of an adult ticket without camping will be £160 and £80 for children (aged 7 to 12 years). All children 6 years old and under on 22nd June 2012 can go for free but must still have a ticket. A campervan permit will be priced at £100 (all occupiers must also have a valid Camping ticket). Every person attending the festival must purchase a ticket. This includes babes in arms. Last year tickets for the festival sold out.

eFestivals will have links for you to buy tickets when they go on sale on Friday.

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