Sun at Seaclose

SEACLOSE IN THE SUN - SUZANNE & ALAN WHITEWOOD

Sun and clear skies greeted the pop and rock fans at Seaclose Park for this year's Festival. Probably the estimated 60 thousand fans was exceeded as the whole area seemed to just be a mass of people. Before the first act on Friday evening there were some problems with forged tickets and wristbands and this meant a long wait of several hours before everyone was on site. When we saw the queue at about 5pm it stretched from the entrance, well inside the Medina High School site, to the cemetery gates in Fairlee Road and was growing by the minute.
However once in there was plenty to see and do. Food and drink outlets were kept busy all the time, even when the top bands were performing on stage, the crowd were on the move back and forth to the food areas.
All acts on Friday were well received but the favourites were Snow Patrol justifying their Top of the Bill slot. Having played Seaclose three times now they seem part of the Isle of Wight Festival scene and in a Channel 4 interview stated that "You must play the Isle of Wight".
One of the highlights, away from the music, was the display from the "Red Arrows" at 5.05 p.m.(or should we say in true RAF style 17.05 hours) on Saturday. Always to the minute these pilots never fail to please and one of the loudest cheers of the festival went up when that heart was vapourised in the clear blue sky.
After this display it was music all the way until well after 11pm. For us the best acts were Kasabian and Ash. For top mentions of the Isle of Wight, and lets not forget that TV programmes of the event are shown worldwide, Kasabian wins the award for proclaiming the Island or did Roger Mazillius give them the promise of a holiday here.
Although enjoyed by some, perhaps the younger members in the crowd, Muse were just too loud and sound distorted. They did not seem to have the same rapport with the crowd as the other bands but we expect others will disagree. The band’s performance however did come over better on the Channel 4 programme, perhaps it was just the sound balance in the park.
Funfair rides proved very popular, especially between acts, and at the Festival Big Eye the queue never seemed to shorten. Even as we left on Saturday there was a queue, perhaps a wheel ride before camping overnight is the way forward!
With warm weather continuing on Sunday the atmosphere at the Festival just seemed to bubble along. Although got together at short notice the Island promoted itself this year with a marquee showing off the Island’s produce and an information stand hosted by IW Tourism. When we spoke to them at the end of Sunday they said trade had been brisk and it was well worth promoting the Island in this way and having a bite of the cherry or should we say cherry tomato. Several Island charities had stands. Selling very well were the Hospice’s Sun Flowers and Dimbola had pictures of the yesteryear Island festivals and performers for sale.
Situated in the aptly named Strawberry Fields the Island marquee was alongside small entertainment stages and bars for those wanting a break from the main stage. Hosting a whole range of new names in entertainment and providing a dance setting was the Strongbow Cider House. A club atmosphere prevailed here and it proved very popular.
Back in the main arena young Island band Siniez opened on Sunday. There was even a brief snatch of their performance on the Channel 4 programme later in the day. Having won a competition organised by Platform 1 this up and coming band showed what talent there is amongst Islanders.
There was a very long wait for the top of the bill –The Rolling Stones- but with fireworks and flashes in strutted Mick and the lads. With several changes of set and costumes this was The Rolling Stones. Choosing some of their less known numbers, the crowd, was at times disappointed, but all in all the show lived up to their past reputation and they, and most of the audience rocked the night away.
To round off the Festival there was a spectacular firework display and as we left, looking forward to next year, there were still queues for the food and drink stalls, funfair and that Festival Eye.