The Isle of Wight Festival is up for nomination to become this year’s Best Major Festival, thecmuwebsite.com reports.
The annual bash, held at Seaclose Park in Newport, will go head-to-head with some of its biggest rivals in the UK Festival Awards, including Download, Reading & Leeds Festival, T in the Park, V Festival and fellow-islander Bestival.
Competition for the prestigious title could be somewhat easier for the Island this year, as Glastonbury – which won the Best Major Festival accolade in 2011 – took a break this year, owing to 2012’s royal and Olympic celebrations, and a much-needed rest for locals.
However, with Glastonbury experiencing its so-called “fallow year” – and with the nation riding high on Olympic spirit – BBC Radio 1 added to the festival calendar with June’s Radio 1 Hackney Weekend, which could be a serious contender for the title.
Festival goers, who may have stayed in Seaclose Park or opted for separate Isle of Wight accommodation for the event, will have wait and see who wins come Monday December 3, when winners are announced at London’s Roundhouse.
Commenting on this year’s voting, Steve Jenner, co-founder of the awards, said on festivalawards.com: “The phenomenal surge of public votes cast in this year’s awards proves that the public’s passion for Britain’s music festivals has never been greater.
“The shortlists they have produced are a very positive reflection of the scale, diversity, colour and creativity that makes the UK’s festival landscape so unique and special.”