Experience 25: exhibition celebrating the history of the Isle of Wight Festival set to open at London’s O2

It started out as a Sixties anti-establishment event, and has grown, over the quarter of a century, into one of the UK’s best festivals. Now a new exhibition at London’s O2 Innovation Building will celebrate the fascinating history of the Isle of Wight Festival.

Opening on September 18, marking its 25th edition, the new show will document some of the festival’s biggest moments over the years: think Bob Dylan playing to thousands in 1969 (the festival enjoyed three iconic years before a 30 year hiatus), Jarvis Cocker belting out bangers with Pulp in 2023, Jimmy Hendrix playing in 1970, and musicians such as Amy Winehouse, Mick Jagger, The Doors, The Who, Joni Mitchell and Robbie Williams taking to the stage over the years.

There’ll be a recreation of the chaotic office and workspace of the festival founder, Ray Foulk – exactly as it was on the run up to the legendary 1968, 1969 and 1970 festivals.

Dylan and Band performing in 1969 (Photo: Stephen Goldblatt. Courtesy of Experience 25)

Visitors will be invited to imagine the electric energy that permeated during the time when Foulk and his team put together the historic events – overcoming hurdles and dramas aplenty. Sculptor Guy Portelli’s Wight Spirit, a large-scale glass mosaic, will also be displayed as part of the exciting new exhibition.

The exhibition will also tell the story of the Isle of Wight’s 30-year break, and relaunch in 2002.

Installation view, Experience exhibition (Photo: David Rutherford. Courtesy of Experience 25)

“The iconic Isle of Wight festival 1970 was the Woodstock of Europe, but the IOW Council in their wisdom decided to ban it for 32 years in the form of an act of parliament – allowing others to pick up the baton,” said promoter John Giddings, who revived the festival.

“They let us restart it for the Queen’s jubilee, and it has gone from strength to strength – re-establishing this small island off the south coast of England as a worldwide brand. Here is a celebration of the last 22 years, with the original three years added by kind courtesy of Ray Foulk, without whom it, it would not exist.”

Jarvis Cocker performs with Pulp, by Day Rutherford (Courtesy of Experience 25)

Today the Isle of Wight festival hosts as many as 60,000 music fans annually and has hosted major musicians including David Bowie, Jay Z, Dave Grohl and Green Day.