ISLE OF WIGHT, UK (VIP–NEWS) — The promoter of the Isle Of Wight Festival is launching a spin-off event on the British island.
British rock veteran Paul Weller will headline the first night at Osborne House on July 26, with pop act Girls Aloud topping the bill the following night.
The 380km-square island off the south coast of England is now hosting three major music events this summer, with the return of the 50,000-capacity Isle Of Wight Festival at Seaclose Park, Newport in June and Bestival at Robin Hill Country Park in September.
Osborne House, which is owned by English Heritage, is set in 1,000 acres on the north east of the Isle of Wight and is one of its most popular tourist attractions. The royal residence was built in the 19th century and became know as Queen Victoria's palace by the sea.
"Staging concerts in the grounds of important historic sites like Osborne House is a very immediate way of engaging people with their heritage as well as attracting a diverse audience, some of whom may never normally visit a historic property," comments Dean Pascall, English Heritage head of visitor operations on the Isle of Wight, in a statement. "We hope they will go away with lasting memories of a fantastic evening's music made even more special by the superb backdrop of Queen Victoria's magnificent island home."
John Giddings, organizer of Osborne House and the Isle Of Wight Festival, adds in the statement: "It's great to be involved with developing the music scene on the island and especially at one of the most beautiful locations in the country."
Weller will be returning to the Isle of Wight for the first time since playing the main festival in 2003.
Tickets go on sale on April 21, with more acts to be confirmed.
Kaiser Chiefs, Sex Pistols and the Police headline this year Isle Of Wight Festival, to be held June 13 to 15. Bestival is staged on Sept. 5-7 and this year's line-up includes Amy Winehouse and dance music veterans Underworld, according to Billboard.biz.
