The Cure's Solstice Triumph
The Cure closed out this year's Isle of Wight festival with a mesmerising, atmospheric set that fortuitously fell on the summer solstice. The two-and-a-half-hour show, which might have intimidated non-fans, concluded with a euphoric poppy sequence starting with Friday I'm In Love followed by Let's Go To Bed, The Lovecats, Why Can't I Be You and, finally, Boys Don't Cry. The band's renewed relevance, bolstered by collaborations with Olivia Rodrigo, added intrigue for younger festivalgoers.
Nostalgia-Focused Lineup
The festival leaned heavily into nostalgia, with mixed results. Rita Ora's lacklustre set drew criticism, while David Gray's dad dancing charmed the crowd. The Kooks won over the audience with hits from their debut album Inside In/Inside Out, which turned 20 this year. Luke Pritchard's vocals sounded as good as ever, and his moving rendition of See Me Now drew audible sobs from the crowd.
Generational Divide
Millennials dominated the crowd, with one attendee noting they felt firmly towards the younger end of the spectrum. Gen Z festivalgoers mostly congregated in the Big Top tent, braving the sauna-like atmosphere to catch younger artists like Rose Gray and Luvcat, whose jazzy vocals and Gothic romance were well worth sweating out for. The Molotovs, a teenage sibling duo who recently toured with Yungblud, also drew significant attention.
Sound Quality Excellence
Underpinning the entire festival was unfailingly excellent sound quality. According to attendees, other festivals should take note of the Isle of Wight's superior audio experience.
