This in from Visit Wight in their own words. Ed
Acoustic Isle is an initiative by the Island’s official tourism body, Visit Isle of Wight (VIOW), to attract visitors during the off-peak period. For the second year running, VIOW has worked with local businesses to present a fantastic series of performances to bring extra visitors to the Island.
The festival itself will feature more than 100 live performances as a lively music scene and a vibrant arts community come together under the Acoustic Isle banner to produce an infectious mix of harmonies and rhythmic guitars.
Surprise guests and top name acts
Surprise guests and several top name acts will rub shoulders and share stage space with the Island’s own up-and-coming talented musicians, who have helped to establish the Island’s reputation as being a place where top quality live music can be found on most nights.
Among the many highlights, enjoy musical performances from such varied artists as the Cat Skellington jazz quartet, the crazed genius of John Otway, British Blues guitar hero, Marcus Bonfanti, London-based Indie Folk duo The Worry Dolls and many more.
Boost for tourism
Seen as an early season business driver for the Island’s tourism and hospitality industry, VIOW will run a two-week series of ads on commercial radio stations in London, Birmingham, the South Coast and the Thames Valley region.
Newspaper competitions and feature articles with leading regional newspapers in these areas will further support the Acoustic Isle message and invite visitors to enjoy a relaxing, pre-Easter break on the Isle of Wight.
David Thornton, CEO, Visit Isle of Wight said:
“Festivals can play a very important role in stimulating demand for short breaks and Acoustic Isle allows us the opportunity to promote the Island as a coastal escape very early in the season -somewhere visitors can walk, enjoy good food, comfortable accommodation and sample the Island’s rich and diverse musical talent.”
On-board performances
The Acoustic Isle experience begins the moment you step on board the ferry; on the first weekend there will be fourteen live performances on Red Funnel’s sailings in both directions on 28th February and 1st March, and on Wightlink’s car ferry service from Portsmouth on 28th February and 8th March.
Full details of these and the other gigs on offer during Acoustic Isle can be found by visiting our Website
An Acoustic Isle gig guide will be available from all Acoustic Isle venues, including attractions, cafes, pubs etc, selected shops, ferry terminals and Island tourist information points.
