Isle Of Wight Festival

9th June, 2007

Starting with a tenth-rate Supertramp (The Feeling) and music for TV ads (Groove Armada), Snow Patrol’s anthems were too squeaky-clean for a headlining slot. Saturday featured the original troubadour, Donovan, and a mass singalong to Sunshine Superman. The impressive funk/ska of Amy Winehouse had the field jumping and there was total fun from Wolfmother, who brazenly usurped the approach of Hendrix. Ash blew it by trying new material, while Kasabian came close to stealing the show with a set of deceptive subtlety. Sadly, this competed directly with the island’s own brilliant Bees. Muse’s preposterous, proggy pomp-rock triumphed by sheer bravado, the Persil-white Matt Bellamy second only to Jagger in the showmanship stakes. Sunday was a delightful mish-mash. Country Joe followed Melanie C! The distressingly bland James Morrison caused mass dozing, but more exciting was Paolo Nutini, with his sideways approach, cool image, daft demeanour and willingness to rock. The frantic Fratellis seem to be in a cul-de-sac like the similar (but better) Supergrass, while Keane’s huge singalongs and quality made them a perfect warm-up for the rock’n’roll maelstrom that was to follow. This was one damn good festival.