Yet Another Muddy Festival Has Come And Gone

OK, The Isle of Wight festival was a bit of a wash out this year but that doesn't mean it was a failure. After all, it was on the same weekend as Glastonbury normally is and that is always a mudfest! The line up for Isle of Wight this year was the best it's been for ages, in my opinion. So instead of remembering the terrible traffic, murky mud and wet wellies, let's remember it for the great music that was on offer over the weekend.

If you went and you're looking to relive some of the artists on show then this is your chance. If you didn't go this year then here are a few of the artists you missed out on.

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers - American Girl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNgt7U9QrFQ

Tom Petty is a musical legend and thoroughly warranted his headline spot on the Friday. I stumbled across this live version of American Girl on the Old Grey Whistle Test. According to the show, The Strokes stole the riff for their song Last Nite.

Pearl Jam - World Wide Suicide


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq-pA4R_EMM

Another legendary head-liner, this time on the main stage on Saturday. Pearl Jam have been making great record after great record for years. This is a lesser known single but it just shows the depth they have and how much they've changed over their 22 year career.

Best Coast - The Only Place

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoPoRuNTo9U

They played The Garden Stage on Friday and are completely at home in the festival scene. Their feel good indie folk is adorably catchy and suits a drunken sing-a-long. Something about this song makes me think they love living in California.

Primal Scream - Loaded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O9sLkn3nz0

Why they weren't on the main stage is slightly baffling but they still never disappoint. Once voted Scotland's greatest ever band (yes, they beat The Proclaimers) it is easy to see why.

Miles Kane - First of my Kind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5qz8TGH7yA

The one in Last Shadow Puppets that isn't Alex Turner is creating a great name for himself on his own. After leaving The Rascals, Miles Kane is now solo. He was on The Garden Stage on Saturday performing tracks from his debut solo album, Colour of the Trap.

Dry The River - No Rest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iUHfAChgBA

Yes, it seems folk is popular again, with a sudden influx of bands such as Mumford and Sons, Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver. Dry The River are the latest to try their hand at the genre but with an indie twist. They were on just before Best Coast, their American counterparts. It's easy to tell the difference in moods from the citizens of California to the citizens of London.

So there we have several highlights from The Isle of Wight this year. Yes, I know I've missed a lot of great artists, but I don't have all day. We all know how good Bruce Springsteen is and Biffy Clyro and Noel Gallagher and Elbow and you get the picture. There was lots more going on besides this. To sum up, here's to a great festival season and to a sunny one next year.