23 June 2012 (gig)
24 June 2012
If the show stealing performances on the first full day of the Isle of Wight Festival were by the older bands (Elbow and Tom Petty and the Heart Breakers), then Day 3 was certainly all about the fresh faced pop stars. Labrinth opened star proceedings on the main stage with a lively set of old and new singles, interchanging between crowd rousing rapping and mosh pit inducing rock/pop songs where he was able to show off his guitar playing skills - admirable to say the least. After celebrating a whole afternoon of sunshine with popular number 'Let The Sun Shine', and taking the audience through a few tracks from his latest album 'Electronic Earth', the natural disaster ensued and hit single 'Earthquake' caused a tidal wave in the crowd.
Despite the first 20-rows of the huge crowd being born in the 90s, 'crazy' was the name of the game when Suggs and Madness hopped onto the stage after a Zoe Ball introduction. Well aware of their still blossoming audience, Suggs jokingly apologised "Sorry if you're here to see JLS, but you've got us instead". Despite no JLS, energised renditions of 'House of Love', 'Baggy Trousers', 'Our House', and 'Must Be Love' left festival goers pumped.
Some may argue that the day's performances were masked by the highly anticipated sets by rockers Biffy Clyro and Pearl Jam, both of which wowed their individual crowds and drew in the majority of festival goers, however, there was never any doubt that the two bands would bring in the punters; surprisingly though, it was Isle of Wight newbies Jessie J and Tinie Tempah that were literally the talk of the town and early evening highlights of Day 3 at the festival.
In over bleached, torn denims and biker boots, Jessie J's vocals wowed on her hits, which included 'Nobody's Perfect' and 'Price Tag', as well as 'Who's Laughing Now' and 'Stand Up'. An emotional 'Who You Are' left some audience members in tears, a superb rendition of Usher's 'Climax' wowed, and Bob Marley's famous 'One Love' heightened the festival spirit. Overall, it was Jessie's stage presence, candid on stage antics and extremely impressive vocal ability that made her set a standout for the day - a sentiment continued by the ever-impressive Tinie Tempah. This was echoed by popsters and rockers-alike.
The conversations during the mile walk back to mud ridden tents can be said to sum up Day 3's events at the Isle of Wight Festival 2012. As the stream of Pearl Jam enthusiasts made their way back to their campsites (now flooded from the torrential downpours - if Labrinth had let the sun shine, Pearl Jam had let it pour) male and females alike could be overheard confirming, with jubilation, "Pearl Jam were obviously amazing, but Jessie J was absolutely sick".
