ISLANDERS will be given the chance to buy tickets ‘on the door’ for this year’s Isle of Wight Festival.

John Giddings, the Festival organiser, has announced he has again held back 1,000 tickets for purchase just before the event begins at Seaclose, in an effort to beat the ticket touts. It is the second year running that he has put the scheme into operation.

He said: “The one thing I hate is driving along Fairlee Road and seeing touts selling tickets for the Festival at inflated prices, and making money out of me. So I have decided to hold back 1,000, which will be on sale near the site entrance on a first-come, first-served basis.”

Paul McCartney, this year’s headline act, is the latest in a host of mega-music stars who have performed on the Island since the Festival was re-launched in 2002. The former Beatle will close the show on Sunday evening on the main stage, after Giddings finally persuaded him to appear after five years of trying.

The first Festival to be held on the Island was, of course, way back in 1968 when the one-day event in a field near Godshill saw Marc Bolan headlining. The following year Bob Dylan was tempted out of retirement, and then in 1970 Jimi Hendrix performed at East Afton Farm, just three weeks before his death.

On its re-launch in 2002 former Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant sang a tribute ‘Hey Joe’ to Hendrix, and it is anticipated McCartney will perform his own tribute to the tragic legend this year.

The 2003 Festival saw Bryan Adams and Iggy Pop on the Island, and a year later Giddings came up with arguably his strongest ‘double’ of The Who and David Bowie. Travis and REM were among those appearing at Seaclose in 2005, while Coldplay headlined in 2006, before rock icons The Rolling Stones played their first Festival in more than 20 years in 2007.

The Police and the Sex Pistols stepped on stage in 2008, while last year it was left to Canadian Neil Young to try to captivate the audience – a headline act that even Giddings admits he misjudged in the eyes of fans.

Now it’s McCartney, heading towards 68 years of age, who will take centre stage on the Sunday, following the likes of Pink and Spandau Ballet. The Festival is already a sell-out – unless you happen to snap up one of those 1,000 tickets that are being held back.

Here is the must-see guide for this year’s IW Festival.

Location: Seaclose Park, Newport.

Gates open: Friday: 2pm. Sat / Sun: 11am. Camping opens on Thursday June 10 at midday. Strawberry Fields opens on Thursday June 10 June at 6pm.

The Festival line-up in full:

The Main Stage: Friday June 11: Jay-Z, Florence + The Machine, Calvin Harris, Doves, Mr. Hudson, Hockey

Saturday June 12: The Strokes, Blondie, Biffy Clyro, Vampire Weekend, Crowded House, Paloma Faith, The Hold Steady, Melanie, Detroit Social Club, The Bluebyrds.

Sunday June 13: Paul McCartney, Pink, Editors, Spandau Ballet, Friendly Fires, The Courteeners, Suzanne Vega, The Coronas.

The Big Top: Thursday June 10: Squeeze, The Members, Semi Precious Weapons, Are You Experienced?

Friday June 11: Suzi Quatro, Juliette Lewis, Marina and the Diamonds, Shakespears Sister, Wonderland, Woman, Daisy Dares You, I Blame Coco.

Saturday June 12: Orbital, La Roux, N-Dubz, The Saturdays, Noah and the Whale, Devendra Banhart, Bombay Bicycle Club, Semi Precious Weapons, Arno Carstens, The Brilliant Things.

Sunday June 13: James, Ocean Colour Scene, Local Natives, Reef, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, The Big Pink, O.A.R, The Alarm, Saint Jude. Stage times to be advised on site.

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