The Isle of Wight Festival delivered an unforgettable weekend of live music, friendly crowds and surprisingly good festival food. With a line-up featuring Teddy Swims, Rick Astley, Rita Ora, Calvin Harris and The Cure, there was something for almost every music fan.
As a student, festivals can sometimes feel like a risky investment. Tickets, travel, food and camping costs quickly add up, so you want the experience to be worth the money. Thankfully, the Isle of Wight Festival offered a well-organised and welcoming weekend that earned a solid nine out of ten from me.
A Festival Line-Up Full of Variety
One of the best things about the Isle of Wight Festival was the range of artists performing across the weekend.
Teddy Swims brought his powerful vocals and emotional songs to the festival, while Rick Astley proved why he remains such a popular live performer. His set was fun, energetic and full of the feel-good atmosphere you want from a summer festival.
Rita Ora added plenty of pop energy, getting the crowd dancing and singing along. Calvin Harris was another major highlight. His set transformed the festival into one huge outdoor party and was easily one of the most memorable moments of the weekend.
The Cure offered something completely different, bringing their distinctive sound and legendary status to the Isle of Wight stage. Seeing so many different artists in one weekend made the festival feel varied and gave everyone something to look forward to.
Whether you enjoy pop, dance music, soul or alternative rock, the Isle of Wight Festival line-up provides a good mix of established performers and crowd-pleasing festival acts.
A Friendly and Welcoming Festival Atmosphere
The people can make or break a festival experience, and the crowd at the Isle of Wight Festival was one of its biggest strengths.
Everyone we met seemed friendly, relaxed and ready to enjoy the weekend. Despite the festival attracting a large number of visitors, the atmosphere rarely felt unfriendly or intimidating.
There was a real sense that people were looking out for each other. It was easy to chat to other festivalgoers in the campsite, while waiting for food or between performances. For students attending their first major festival, this welcoming atmosphere could make the Isle of Wight Festival a particularly good choice.
Vegetarian Festival Food That Was Actually Exciting
Festival food is extremely important to me. I am vegetarian and love my food, so I was hoping for more than a basic portion of chips or a disappointing veggie burger.
Luckily, the food at the Isle of Wight Festival was lush.
There was a good selection of vegetarian options, making it possible to enjoy different meals throughout the weekend rather than relying on the same limited choice every day. Having varied vegetarian festival food available made the whole experience more enjoyable and showed how much festival catering has improved.
Food at commercial festivals can be expensive, so students should still plan their spending carefully. However, the quality and range of the food made it feel like a proper part of the festival experience rather than something you simply had to put up with.
Well-Organised Isle of Wight Festival Camping
Camping at a large festival can sometimes be chaotic, but the Isle of Wight Festival campsite was well organised.
The camping arrangements were clear and the site felt properly managed, which helped us settle in and enjoy the weekend. Good organisation is especially valuable after a long journey carrying tents, bags and camping equipment.
The campsite still had the lively social atmosphere you expect from a festival, but it did not feel completely out of control. For anyone researching Isle of Wight Festival camping before buying a ticket, I would say the experience was positive overall.
As with any festival, it is worth bringing suitable footwear, portable chargers, warm clothing for the evening and something waterproof. Even during summer, British festival weather can change quickly.
Is the Isle of Wight Festival Good for Students?
The Isle of Wight Festival is a commercial event, and the overall cost should be considered before booking. Students will need to budget for the ticket, ferry travel, camping supplies, food and drinks.
However, you receive a packed weekend of entertainment featuring major artists, multiple stages and a lively festival atmosphere. Sharing travel and camping equipment with friends can help reduce some of the expense.
The festival is particularly suited to groups with different musical tastes because the line-up is so varied. It also offers a good balance between the excitement of a major UK music festival and the relaxed feeling of a weekend away by the coast.
Final Verdict
Our weekend at the Isle of Wight Festival was amazing. The music was brilliant, the people were friendly, the vegetarian food was delicious and the camping was impressively well organised.
Seeing Teddy Swims, Rick Astley, Rita Ora, Calvin Harris and The Cure during the same weekend made the trip feel special. Although it is a large commercial festival, the strong organisation and welcoming atmosphere helped it retain a fun and sociable character.
For students searching for a UK summer festival with a varied line-up, good camping facilities and plenty of food choices, the Isle of Wight Festival is well worth considering.
Rating: 9/10
