A fan favourite stage at the Isle of Wight Festival is back for 2023 with another fantastic lineup of the best touring bands from across the UK and beyond, mixed with a cross-section of Island talent sure to keep everyone entertained.
Find out when each band is playing on Events OnTheWight’s Kashmir Cafe page
With headliners Tankus the Henge, Jo-jo and the Teeth, Mauvey and Bare Jams leading a bill of over 40 acts across the four days of the festival, Kashmir Cafe has again delivered on its mission to programme musically diverse acts with a focus on genuine talent.
Island charity and business support
Kashmir Cafe not only gives Island musicians the chance to appear alongside more established acts, it also uses a range of Isle of Wight based suppliers and sells locally brewed real ale from Island Brewery.
The profits from its bar are donated to Quay Arts, Newport’s charitable arts centre, and over the years those donations have added up to a significant sum.
Thompson: Fiercely proud of the exciting line-ups curated each year
Rob Thompson, Quay Arts’ Chair says,
“As a charity we depend on fund raising and Kashmir Cafe has been a significant and consistent contributor, enabling us to sustain our work. It is very, very important to us culturally and financially.
“Every year we love seeing the dynamic Kashmir team come together to create such a vibrant musical world within the Isle of Wight Festival.
“We are fiercely proud of the exciting line-ups curated each year and the opportunities provided for home grown emerging artists to showcase their talents.
“We hope that you have a chance to visit Kashmir Cafe during the Festival to catch a local brew, an emerging artist, or to meet with friends and family. It’s a magical, home-grown oasis not to be missed and we hope to see you there.”
Alldred: There’s nothing quite like Kashmir Cafe anywhere else on the festival circuit
Lineup a real melting pot Kashmir Cafe talent booker Doug Alldred adds,
“We have a real depth of talent on the Isle of Wight, and it’s a huge privilege to pick the best of that and showcase it alongside established acts from across the UK and beyond. This year we have acts from Canada and the Netherlands alongside UK and Island bands.
“It’s been a real delight to see Island based acts we’ve showcased go on to bigger things; an embryonic Coach Party played for us a few years ago, Plastic Mermaids have performed several times and they’re playing Big Top this year, Lauran Hibberd came through our stage a few years ago, Grade 2 played a couple of years ago and you’ll now see them in Hyde Park supporting Guns n’ Roses, and of course we gave Wet Leg their first ever gig.
“There’s nothing quite like Kashmir Cafe anywhere else on the festival circuit, and we’re so grateful to John Giddings for giving us the opportunity to do what we do and put on great music you might not have heard of yet, but you’re sure to love when you see it.
“If you’re coming to the festival, don’t miss out; come and buy a pint and listen to something amazing in our marquee or riverside garden – it’s a place of real solace and relaxation right in the heart of a major festival.”
Volunteers key to success
Kashmir Cafe is predominantly staffed by volunteers, many of whom return every year giving the whole venue a genuine family feel.
Kashmir Cafe Event Manager Vicky Spencer credits them with a lot of the venue’s success.
“Every year it’s like meeting up with friends and family rather than work colleagues, and the fact our volunteers love to play a part in raising funds for Quay Arts and putting on a great show really comes across to our audience – everyone just has a great time, and that’s brilliant to see, and to be a part of.”
Kashmir Cafe can be found in the Strawberry Fields area of the festival site, with live bands on throughout the festival weekend.
