Isle of Wight 2004 Review

Today it is their heirs', the 'well heeled' generation, in designer T-shirts and trainers, those indulging in what used to be the mandatory festival pastimes few and far between. Put this aside the atmosphere has that original festival feel, overflowing toilets, discarded beer bottles and cups carpeting the arena, wafting odours of  the festival 'greasy spoon' hot food stalls only topped by the lavishing of sun cream served up on lobster like rockers. Add this to a line up that might just have been on a wish list and the stage was set for an unforgettable weekend. The Who and David Bowie supported by The Manic Street Preachers, The Charlatans and Steve  Harley , plus many more, indeed a dream line up. That 'I was there', the feel good factor fades all the less favourable memories.

Donning a pair of shorts , we soaked up the weekend. Forgetting the near two mile walk from the campsite, further to Newport and the  temptation of clean toilets and  edible food at reasonable prices, The Isle of Wight festival is a real weekend experience.

What is almost a continuous moving army marches to and from campsite, Newport and the festival taking sustenance from the bands each came to see. Friday, Sterophonics, but Saturday saw a rush to catch a glimpse of The Who, whilst Sunday was packed with sun worshipers waiting to see David Bowie.

The Who, making a return to headline 34 years after their last appearance here and with only Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend surviving from the original line up, were greeted with all the enthusiasm the name The Who conjures. 'My Generation', now  somewhat poignant, inspires what The Who were all about. Delighting The Isle of Wight, Quadrophenia and Tommy had there airing. Daltrey and Townsend maybe pilling on the years but their spirit is still young, their blood runs undiluted Rock.

The Manic Street Preachers brought their welsh brand of rock to the festival and saw the crowd surge to get their fix. In a set of all most two hours their music flowed, not a moment to short for their fans.

As Sunday dawned the arena filled, an inflatable dog drifted across the sky, those in Pete Townsend's words who were probably conceived here packed themselves in, leaving the wandering few to pick their way through the sprawling beer filled bodies. The sweet aroma of marijuana punctuated the air. Suzanne Vega, The Delays and Snow Patrol all rocked their fans but the heavy weights were lining up to blast the day away. The Charlatans returned again this year retaining their popular stance, however battling against the euro 2004 match England vs. France match, proved an up hill task.

Undoubtedly David Bowie was the pull of the day, leaving those feeling cheated by the absence of The Libertines to soak up the sun. Here we should lend a thought for Pete Doherty and hope his cure is complete and maybe Reading and Leads will see there return.

Hot on the French penalty that saw England lose their match, David Bowie strode out on to the stage. Football forgotten Bowie launched into 'Rebel Rebel', charisma oozing, the smiling Bowie took charge. "Old songs, new songs, songs I haven't written yet", joked Bowie, "we'll see what happens". A vibrant and full performance of smash hits, sprinkled with the lesser known.

All too soon it was over and the shattered festival faithful were facing the long walk back to the camp site, waiting ferries and thankfully calm seas. The dispersal of both old and new friends would soon be complete. But what the hell, there is always next year.