The Isle of Wight Festival’s 2026 edition kicked off on Thursday 18th June with sets from the likes of Joel Corry, Maximo Park, Hot Dub Time Machine, Elvana and more.
Day one of the four day extravaganza preceded headline sets from Lewis Capaldi, Calvin Harris and The Cure across the event. Plus a slew of red hot bands and artists such as Teddy Swims, Tom Grennan, The Last Dinner Party, The Kooks, Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, and more.
The weather was kind with a heatwave. Eager crowds poured onto the site on Thursday to the sounds of Elvana (Elvis-fronted Nirvana), performing some of the greatest rock songs of the ’90s. The party did not let up as Hot Dub Time Machine (aka Tom Lowndes) led the singalongs for the likes of A-ha’s “Take On Me”, Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” and Madonna’s “Like a Prayer”.
Indie legends Maximo Park fired out their arsenal of indie bangers, from “Apply Some Pressure” to “Books from Boxes”. The band opened with “The Coast Is Always Changing”, with singer Paul Smith saying: “We had to play our coastal song for you first, just because we’re here on an island. More island references later on! In the meantime are you ready to rock? Are you ready to rock on a Thursday night?!”. The answer was a rambunctious YES!
The Big Top stage was topped by hit machine Joel Corry, who has more than four billion streams to his name, with hits including “Heart & Heart”, “OUT OUT “(feat Charli XCX & Saweetie), and “BED”. Ahead of his set, Joel Corry said: “Absolutely buzzing to be back at the Isle of Wight Festival. I can’t wait for my set in the Big Top. It’s going to be full-on bangers, full-on energy. The vibe is already amazing. The sun is shining – Let’s go!”
The main stage burst to life on Friday with a massive headline set from Lewis Capaldi, who was in a relaxed mood despite the Scotland World Cup match going south. He said: “Morocco scored within one minute. That wasn’t very Scottish of them. Maybe if we cheer loudly enough they’ll hear us?”
During his performance, the “Someone You Love” star told the crowd: “This is our first UK festival appearance since we came back last year at Glastonbury.” He revealed: “I’m going to make a new album, and I’m going to try to come back as quick as I can. But until then, I love you all so much. Thank you for making this possible. Thank you everyone. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.”
Earlier, at The Big Top, Perrie brought the glamour with a superb set including hits “If He Wanted To He Would” and “Forget About Us”.
Before performing “Punchline”, the former Little Mix star, who had earlier been spotted backstage with her newlywed husband, former England footballer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, made reference to the recent news.
She said: “Alright Isle of Wight! I have a head cold from Satan himself because I had a bit of a rowdy weekend, so to speak, because… I got married! Yes, yes I did.
“So I’m gonna need you guys to really help me out tonight. Is that okay? Can you do that? I’m being deadly serious. I won’t split my wages with you – but you have to sing your hearts out. Can you do that? All right.”
A barnstorming set from “Little Bit of Love” singer Tom Grennan closed The Big Top. He said: “How are we feeling? Oh Isle of Wight, we’re about to go ‘Higher’. It’s good to be back on the island.”
Also on the bill was fast-rising star Alessi Rose, who said: “This is kind of a crazy day for me. I’m super grateful because last year I played the Isle of Wight Festival and I was on the Big Top stage. And now I’m on the main stage, baby. So thank you so much for being here.”
Chloe Qisha put in a stunning performance of “21st Century Cool Girl” for Sky Arts before a huge set in the Big Top. Ahead of the show, she said: “I actually really like the ferry, it turns out. It was a really pretty journey and I’m super excited. I’m really, really grateful to start this festival season off with this show.”
Also performing on day two: Wet Leg, Ash, Two Door Cinema Club, The Guest List, Overpass and Good Neighbours.
Denise van Outen hopped on a buggy in full glam, and was driven around the site by Festival Director, Caroline Giddings before being dropped off at the Electro Love stage to perform a joyous DJ set.
“It’s great fun,” she said. “Also, you realise the scale of it is so big here. I’m very fortunate to have a buggy to get me over to this tent, because if I’d walked, I’d be late for my DJ set. Do you know what, I love Isle Of Wight Festival so much. I always say it’s my favourite festival of the year. The atmosphere is incredible. I’ve always come here and the weather’s been amazing. More than anything, you get people of all ages – unlike other festivals – it’s a real good family vibe.”
- Look out for our coverage of Saturday’s and Sunday’s ‘Sky presents the Isle of Wight Festival’, coming soon in our “Live Zone”.
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