"It grieves me festivals are not political" says Isle of Wight Festival co-founder

Isle of Wight Festival co-founder John Giddings weighs in on politics, the festival banning Russia performers, and more.

The Isle of Wight Festival is a legendary music festival that has been held on the Isle of Wight, England, since 1968. The festival has hosted some of the biggest names in music history, including The Rolling Stones, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, and Bob Dylan. In recent years, the festival has also become known for its political activism, with the organizers often using the event to raise awareness of important social and environmental issues.

One of the co-founders of the Isle of Wight Festival, John Giddings, recently spoke out about the importance of politics in music festivals. Giddings said that he believes that festivals should not be afraid to take a stand on important issues, and that they should use their platform to raise awareness of the things that matter most to them.

Giddings' comments come at a time when there is a growing debate about the role of politics in music festivals. Some people believe that festivals should be a place to escape from the real world, while others believe that they should be used as a platform for social and political change.

Giddings' comments are sure to spark further debate about this issue. However, one thing is for sure: the Isle of Wight Festival has always been a place where people come together to celebrate music and culture. And as long as John Giddings is involved, it will continue to be a place where people can also come together to discuss the important issues of the day.

Here are some of the highlights of Giddings' interview:

• Giddings said that he believes that festivals should not be afraid to take a stand on important issues.
• Giddings said that he is "grieved" that festivals are not more political.
• Giddings said that he believes that music festivals can be a powerful force for social and political change.
• Giddings said that he is proud of the Isle of Wight Festival's history of political activism.

Giddings' comments are sure to spark further debate about the role of politics in music festivals. However, one thing is for sure: the Isle of Wight Festival has always been a place where people come together to celebrate music and culture. And as long as John Giddings is involved, it will continue to be a place where people can also come together to discuss the important issues of the day.