Excitement is building with the Isle of Wight Festival just days away

THERE are just days to go until one of the biggest parties of the summer – and it’s not too late to make sure you are there.

Tickets are still on sale for the Isle of Wight Festival which promises an exhilarating extravaganza of music and entertainment starting next Friday (June 12).

Excitement is rapidly building for the three-day event at Seaclose Park in Newport which will showcase everything from global stars to up-and-coming acts of the future.

Now in its 14th year, the festival continues its proud tradition of having some of the biggest names in the business take the main stage.

Headliners this year are The Black Keys and The Prodigy on the Friday and Britpop superstars Blur on the Saturday before legendary rockers Fleetwood Mac bring everything to a close on the Sunday night in a UK festival exclusive performance.

And this year’s festival also marks the 45th anniversary since Jimi Hendrix made his last ever UK festival appearance on the Isle of Wight in 1970; a legendary gig that could be heard across the Solent.

To mark the occasion, festival organisers have named the main stage The Electric Church in tribute to the all-time great who referred to music as “his electric church”, believing music was a religion.

Festival boss John Giddings was among the hundreds of thousands in the audience that night and said Hendrix’s music and attitude has inspired the festival ever since it was re-launched in 2002.

He said: “Jimi’s contribution to both the island and the festival has been immense. By naming our main stage ‘The Electric Church’ we hope to build on his legacy at the festival as well as paying tribute to his unique contribution to music which will always be remembered by the festival and the artists we have on our stage.”

This year’s attendance won’t match the 600,000 who showed up in 1970 but the ‘congregation’ will reach around 65,000 people who are sure to love every minute of it.

And Mr Giddings added there were a number of other exciting plans in place that will be revealed in the coming days.

It’s not the first time the festival has paid tribute to Hendrix after a life-size statue of the guitar hero was commissioned and installed on the island by Mr Giddings in 2006 to create a permanent reminder of his cultural impact.

And those attending this year’s festival are encouraged to dress up as Hendrix or come up with their own ways of paying tribute to the rock and roll legend.

There is plenty on offer for those who aren’t fans of Hendrix, with the festival jam-packed full of world stars like Pharrell Williams and Paolo Nutini, blasts from the past in Kool and the Gang and Counting Crows and the cream of the future in James Bay and Jess Glynne, the latter well known for her vocals on Clean Bandit’s number one hit Rather Be.

But the festival is about much more than music, with something for everyone around every corner.

New this year is the Jack Rocks stage, a collaboration between whiskey giants Jack Daniels and club night This Feeling which will showcase emerging talent alongside guest slots from established artists including Zutons frontman Dave McCabe.

The free kids zone is also back featuring puppet theatre, comedians and magicians.

Other attractions include the Stand Up to Cancer waterslide and the relaxing Bohemian Woods while a brand new show from Midnight Bakery and Cirque de la Quirk takes place on the Saturday night featuring fire-eaters and jugglers.

Tickets are still available with weekend passes at £195 each including camping or £185 without.

Student weekend tickets cost £180 and teens cost £145 while children under-12 go free.

For tickets, camping options and more visit isleofwightfestival.com.

• THERE are plenty of new additions for Isle of Wight Festival veterans to enjoy this year.

Debuting in 2015 is The Strongbow Tree – a 12-metre high installation complete with a DJ booth at the top to entertain guests well into the night with revellers able to dance along in the pavilion or relax on nearby loungers.

Also new is The Bulmers Colourena, a unique offering for all the family featuring singalongs and quirky challenges with prizes on offer for the winners.

Electro Love is a 1980s-themed tent packed with video games, BMX bikes, UV lights and bubble parties with music from tribute acts.

And then there is Cabaret Noir, an adult only venue set in a garden featuring a variety of weird and wonderful acts from contortionists, drag queens, burlesque dancers and fortune tellers.

All the new additions sit alongside the Festival’s much loved areas including the Intoxicated Tea Rooms, Zebra Champagne Bar and Ace Casino, Hipshaker Lounge, Hey Joe Rock Bar and Hard Rock Stage and Garden.