Stereophonics to Join Bowie: Who in the Blue Hell are They?

• 21st Dec 2003

Yes, I know we feature the Phonics a fair bit, but the fact stands they are one of Wales most succesful musical exports, only beaten by Bryn Terfel, Dame Shirley Bassey and Sir Thomas Jones. Any way heres a bit of news to warm the cockles of all Welsh and Isle 'o Wightean hearts.

Stereophonics have confirmed they will headline the historic Isle Of Wight Festival on Friday 11th June 2004. They will be joining the legendary David Bowie who will be headlining the festival on Sunday 13th June.

Stereophonics are one of the UK's best selling rock groups. Their current album 'You Gotta Go There To Come Back' entered the charts straight in at number one in June 2003 and spawned the massive hit singles 'Madame Helga', 'Maybe Tomorrow' and 'Since I Told You It's Over'. The current leg of their world tour will finish on December 20th 2003 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

The 2004 Festival is the third Isle Of Wight Festival since it has been revived. The Isle of Wight Festivals at the end of the 1960's were a series of legendary events featuring Bob Dylan, The Who, Free, The Doors, Joni Mitchell, Jefferson Airplane culminating in 1970 with 600,000 hippies descending on the island to see Jimi Hendrix perform his penultimate concert. As documented in the film 'Message to Love' and celebrated in songs such as Oasis' 'F***ing in the Bushes', the event has played a major part in shaping the music festivals we know today and was the European answer to Woodstock.

The historic festival returned in 2002 after a 32 year absence and featured The Charlatans, Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant, Ash, Starsailor, The Coral and local heroes The Bees. In 2003 Paul Weller, Starsailor, Iggy Pop, Counting Crows, Bryan Adams and Cooper Temple Clause, John Squire, The Thrills, The Darkness, Hell is for Heroes and The Raveonettes rocked the island.

Due to the continued success of this festival, next year's event has been extended to three days and will run from Friday 11th June to Sunday 13th. The festival will take place in Seaclose Park, Newport.

Virgin Radio will be broadcasting live from the show.

Tickets available from: link or 08705 321 321

£75 weekend ticket, £35 day tickets, £15 camping voucher (thurs, fri, sat, sun)

£75 for camper van voucher

Further artists will be announced shortly