A true giant of the UK festival scene, the Isle of Wight Festival returns to Seaclose Park this June 19-22, homing another unforgettable long weekend of iconic music, sunshine (hopefully), and seaside energy. First held in 1968 and once famously home to sets from Hendrix and The Doors, IOW continues to strike the perfect balance between heritage rock royalty and modern mainstage firepower. With over 55,000 attendees expected, it’s one of the biggest weekends of the summer- and this year’s lineup delivers across the board. From headliners to cult favourites, here are the acts we’re most excited to catch.
Example
Kicking things off in high gear, Thursday night belongs to Example- a crossover titan who’s built a career on thunderous beats, addictive hooks, and energy levels that defy physics. Whether he’s dropping platinum-selling anthems or performing to tens of thousands across the world, Example always shows up with stadium-sized intent. Following a sold-out 17-date UK tour and a new single with Nu-La, “Run,” the veteran hitmaker is primed to blow the roof off Seaclose Park once again.
Faithless
Slotting in after Sting on Friday night, Faithless bring their euphoric electronica to the IOW stage with the kind of set that’s destined to blur memories in the best way. Famed for their emotionally charged dance music and legendary live performances, tracks like “Insomnia” and “God Is a DJ” hit different in a field full of people losing themselves to the moment. It’s more than nostalgia, it’s a reminder that some songs will always belong on a festival main stage.
Stereophonics
Welsh rock royalty with a back catalogue built for singalongs, Stereophonics headline Saturday with the kind of confident swagger you earn from eight UK number-one albums. With decades of hits, from “Dakota” to “Local Boy in the Photograph”, they’ve weathered every change in the music industry without losing their grip on melody, grit, and emotional punch. Expect anthems, large crowds, and the kind of big chorus moments that make IOW famous.
Razorlight
Fresh from a sold-out UK tour and reignited with their original lineup, Razorlight returns as tighter and more energised than ever. Their indie-rock classics like “America,” “Golden Touch,” and “In the Morning” captured a moment in early 2000s Britain, and now they’re bringing it full circle with new material and a renewed sense of purpose. If you’re craving genuine, guitar-driven performance without a backing track in sight, Razorlight will deliver.
Supergrass
Saturday night’s Big Top headliners are none other than Supergrass- Britpop darlings and perennial festival favourites. Celebrating 30 years since the release of "I Should Coco", their set is a surefire blast of good vibes and guitar pop perfection. “Alright” and “Pumping on Your Stereo” are more than crowd-pleasers, they’re generational singalongs. This is the kind of band that makes you forget about your sore feet and find one more dance.
Sting
Few artists could follow a day of sun-drenched revelry like Sting. As Friday night’s main stage headliner, the icon brings his “STING 3.0” tour, a tight, urgent three-piece setup to Seaclose Park. With a mix of timeless hits like “Roxanne,” “Message in a Bottle,” and “Englishman in New York,” plus fresh material like “I Wrote Your Name (Upon My Heart),” it’s a rare chance to witness a living legend reimagine his legacy in real time.
Justin Timberlake
Capping off Sunday in style, Justin Timberlake is set to close the festival with pop finesse and superstar polish. With a catalog that spans "Justified", "FutureSex/LoveSounds", and beyond, JT’s smooth vocals, undeniable showmanship, and catalogue of party-starting bangers make for a fitting finale to a massive weekend. It’s been a while since the UK saw him on a festival stage- this is not the moment to duck out early.
With a lineup that spans generations and genres, Isle of Wight 2025 promises to be one of the best festivals of the summer. Whether you’re in it for the heritage headliners, dancefloor icons, or indie heroes, there’s something here for every kind of music lover. The countdown is officially on- see you in the fields.
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