BESTIVAL and Common People curator Rob da Bank will be paying tribute to David Bowie at a special Isle of Wight event later this month.

The former Radio 1 presenter says he is very excited to announce “an evening of musical exploration” at Quay Arts, in association with Independent Venue Week 2016, on Friday, January 29.

Expect fantastic live performances from Xylaroo and Alice Jemima, with Bestival, Sunday Best and Silver Bear DJs spinning throughout the night.

Independent Venue Week is a celebration of small music venues around the UK, from Norwich to Bridgend and Aberdeen to Exeter, recognizing all those that own, run and work in them. These venues are the dynamic force of emerging British music, giving new artists their first live gig experiences, and audiences the chance to see artists that may one day end up headlining festivals and stadiums of the future.

Rob da Bank says: “I grew up throwing parties, raves and gigs in independent venues so I’m proud to be supporting this excellent initiative, and on my home turf of the Isle of Wight. Add to that the fact that we’ll be presenting two amazing new bands signed to my record label, Sunday Best, and it should be a great night. As a tribute to my all-time musical hero David Bowie I’ll be playing a set of all my favourite Bowie tunes too – new and old, slow and fast and everything in between.”

Celebrating the lifeblood of the live music industry at Quay Arts, one of the island’s most vital live music venues, Bestival will team up with sister company Sunday Best Recordings to showcase two of the acclaimed label’s freshest new talents, including Xylaroo.

Sisters Coco & Holly are a product of their worldly environment. Originally hailing from Papa New Guinea, but moved through Hong Kong and Europe, then finally settled in East London. Anticipate sweet harmonies, a beguiling lyricism, and spirited sisterly affection. Their debut album Sweet Tooth is due this spring, and tracks Sunshine and I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor can be heard at smarturl.it/xylaroo_spotify.

Also performing will be new label signing Alice Jemima. Hailing from Newton Abbott in South West England, Alice coordinates a considered lyricism, fluent pop sensibilities, and brooding electronic beats. Her album is due later this year.

Rob da Bank will be on hand to play a very special David Bowie Tribute DJ Set, taking in the Bestival and Sunday Best head honcho’s floor-filling favourites from the truly inspirational cultural icon’s extensive catalogue of chart smashers and deep cuts, from Space Oddity to Let’s Dance and beyond. Plus, we’ll have feet-pleasing sets from the finest DJs that Bestival, Sunday Best and its electronic spin-off imprint, Silver Bear, have to offer.

Tickets £5 advance available from www.quayarts.org.

Every ticket holder will be entered into a Prize Draw on the night, with a pair of tickets to Bestival 2016 and Sunday Best merchandise up for grabs.