Two years ago it didn't seem possible that we would be writing that the IOW festival was completely sold out and was one of the hottest tickets around. Rewind back to 2002 and we were standing in a field with a few thousand people. The one day lineup wasn't much good and the field as empty as a Labor party European election hall. Paul Weller headlined above virtually unknown bands. Last year the festival grew over two days. Weller returned with Bryan Adams headlining the second night, not the best acts and certainly not crowd fillers. The Darkness was another act on last years bill, but sadly at the time they were unknowns. Walking backstage last year towards our car ready to catch the ferry the festival's future wasn't looking good for 2004. However it was then we heard the rumor that David Bowie had been booked to play next year- surely this was sheer speculation?

Towards the end of last year the news was confirmed that Bowie was to headline alongside The Stereophonics and The Who. Tickets were sold faster then ever. Nokia became sponsors and Virgin Radio stepped forward eager to broadcast the whole weekend. The Isle Of Wight festival was looking promising and it lived up to the hype.

The gates opened at 4pm on Friday and we managed to wangle three wrist bands around our arms. The pink band allowed us in the Carling VIP marquee where press Mongols and assorted liggers had access to a basic paying bar and a concealed area with a beautiful netted wire fence blocking the view to the stage! The blue band gave access to the amazing Nokia suite. The phone company treated their guests by sailing them over the the festival from Portsmouth on a Sunseeker yacht, wining and dining them all weekend and prime viewing on a balcony overlooking the jealous crowd. Our black band gave us backstage

access and entrance to the pub where artistes gave press conferences throughout the day before retreating back to their dressing rooms at the near side Travel lodge.

New band 22-20's gave background music to festival-goers as they entered the site and familarise themselves with the layout. After finding the Barcardi tent, the funfair and the Magic Mushroom stall the crowd were ready to settle and enjoy The Super Furry Animals, Groove Armanda and a white cladded Kelly Jones fronting The Stereophonics. After six hours of live music we made our way to the backstage pub for a quick pint before making our way back to our pollen saturated field making hayfevers lovers wanting to scoop out their eyeballs with a big fork for the next month or two!

Townend gets cramp

in his right arm!

Saturday 12th June. The day when sunfactor cream was a must, David James was still regarded as a football hero and The Who was going to blow crowds away when they took the stage at 10pm. Roger Daltery and Pete Townsend performed a memorable two hour set in front of the 33,000 fans. Spirits were high all day and bands such as Steve Haley, British Sea Power, The Electric Soft Parade and Jet were given a very warm welcome to the stage. The Manic Street Preachers manage to plough through their usual dose of depressing hits and Ronnie Wood's daughter, Leah opened the day with one of her first UK live performances. Most of the bands attended a press conference prior to their set in the backstage pub where journalist from national papers crowded rounded the stars

like flies around a cows waste product in a field. We can't help thinking that the journalist from The Mirror ended up somewhere else! We presume this because of the following days report on the entertainment pages. It documented that Ronnie Wood turned up to see his daughter - he didn't! Also it reported David Bowie was staying in the Travel lodge overnight - he wasn't!

The final day and there was only one thing on peoples minds. Apart from finding more lies in the Sunday Mirror carrying on where Piers Morgan left off! England were playing France which messed up the 9pm appearance from Bowie. The star postponed his appearance to 9.30 and ordered to have a TV in his dressing room so he could watch the game in private - according to a story in an unreliable tabloid! The second half was shown on the big screens so everyone was able to see the two French penalty's in full glory! Steven Gerrard's goal was missed thanks to The Charlatans crooning on about a North Country Boy. Mind you in the Nokia suite we were

Bowie hears the footie result!

enjoying a buffet in front of the match with Snow Patrol and when England scored the guests ran out onto the balcony telling the crowd the apprehensive good news giving Tim Burgess and his chums the loudest cheer they have ever witnessed. Bowie then had the impossible task of coming on stage immediately after the match and entertaining the miserable crowd.

So despite the Footie the Isle Of Wight festival was a success at last and hopefully put a smile on Jimi Hendrix face as he looked down on us. Same time next year then and hopefully there will be no sporting events to put a dampner on things. Well, except Tim Henman being knocked out of a Tennis tournament!