Whatever the season, the Isle of Wight has something to offer those who enjoy live music all year round. The Island made a name for itself as a fantastic place for concerts and music with the first Isle of Wight Festival back in 1970. From intimate music events in small pubs or tiny churches to larger festivals on the Island, there is something to suits all tastes. What's more, Wightlink offers a seamless journey to the Island in just 22 minutes as a foot passenger or 40 minutes by car ferry, making it ideal for a day trip or short break.  

Here are Wightlink's top recommendations for live music on the Isle of Wight:

Quay Arts Centre

The Quay Arts Centre is located in a converted 19th Century brewery warehouse and includes three galleries, a theatre seating 134 guests, a gift shop and café bar. This popular art gallery and live arts venue in Newport has monthly jazz and blues nights from local artists, including many free events. Upcoming events include Jazz Jam on 9th September, a Blues Night on 16th September and Acoustic Originals on 7th October. Easily reached with Wightlink, passengers can be at the Quay Arts Centre in just 20 minutes by car from Wightlink's Fishbourne port. Find out more at http://www.quayarts.org.

Ventnor Exchange

Ventnor Exchange aims to develop a unique and creative community on the Isle of Wight. The building houses a theatre, record store and craft beer bar all in Ventnor's former Post Office. The organisation presents emerging talent, new work and even festivals. For example, the creative hub hosts events for the Ventnor Fringe Festival in July each year but is also open every night and at weekends for drinks and live music. From Wightlink's Ryde port, passengers can reach Ventnor Exchange in 30 minutes by car. Find out more at https://ventnorexchange.co.uk.

The Spyglass Inn

Iconically carved into the cliff edge, this cosy pub in Ventnor is also a great place to enjoy some live music. From classical guitar, to folk and traditional jazz there is something to suit all tastes with music usually starting around 8.30pm each evening, as well as music at Sunday lunchtime. Plus, during the summer months, bands often play outside in the eye-catching 'Boathouse'. The pub serves seafood as a speciality, with crab and lobster delivered fresh from the Ventnor Haven fishery. Passengers can be at The Spyglass Inn in around 30 minutes by car from Wightlink's Ryde port. Find out more at: https://thespyglass.com/live-music.

Strings Bar & Venue

Located in Newport at the heart of the Isle of Wight and founded and run by musicians, Strings Bar & Venue has a capacity of 300 and hosts a variety of high-profile acts, including legendary artists and touring bands across the world. They also support local and emerging artists and hold live music nights throughout the year. The venue is easy to reach from Wightlink's Fishbourne port, with the journey taking just 20 minutes by car. Find out more at https://stringsbarandvenue.com.

The Waterfront

Visitors can enjoy the stunning location of Totland Bay in the west of the Island and experience some Mediterranean cuisine, along with live music every Friday evening and on Sunday afternoons all year round. The venue is perfect for enjoying drinks whilst watching the sunset and there is always a host of bands lined up each month. It's easy to reach from Wightlink's Yarmouth port, with a car journey taking just 10 minutes. Find out more at www.waterfrontiow.com.

There are plenty of live music venues to choose from on the Isle of Wight and crossings with Wightlink make the journey quick and easy. Foot passenger return tickets start from £17.00 per person*, so it's the ideal way to escape for a short break. More information and booking details can be found here.

ENDS

*based on a foot passenger day return crossing on 3rd September 2019 on the Portsmouth – Fishbourne route.

Wightlink

Wightlink is the leading cross-Solent ferry operator carrying almost 4.5 million holidaymakers and Islanders across the Solent to the Isle of Wight every year. Eight ferries on three routes complete over 45,000 sailings a year, giving Islanders an easy and frequent service to mainland Hampshire, and tourists an accessible way to enjoy a taste of Island life.

Having introduced its new environmentally-friendly ferry – named Victoria of Wight - in August 2018, Wightlink is proud to be heralding a new, greener era of travel between the Isle of Wight and the mainland. As a hybrid energy ship that runs partly on electricity, Victoria of Wight offers greener crossings between the mainland and the Isle of Wight. The Isle of Wight is also the sixth area in the UK to be awarded a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, meaning it's now recognised as one of the best places in the world to explore the sustainable way people interact with their natural environment.

With seamless train connections to Portsmouth Harbour and Lymington directly to the Wightlink terminals, getting to the Isle of Wight could not be easier. Passengers can step off the train from London, hop on a Wightlink catamaran and be on the Island from just 22 minutes, while the car ferries take around 40 minutes from Portsmouth and Lymington. On board, passengers and drivers alike can relax in the lounges and enjoy some refreshments before arriving on the Island to enjoy the range of attractions, events and experiences that make the Isle of Wight a leading destination for tourists.

More Routes, More Ferries, More Often

Drive Less See More -  www.wightlink.co.uk/dlsm

For more information about Wightlink Ferries, please contact:

Radhika Sharma           020 7680 7118              radhika.sharma@flagshipconsulting.co.uk
Claire Nelson                020 7680 7116              claire.nelson@flagshipconsulting.co.uk
Jo Kenworthy                020 7680 7125              jo.kenworthy@flagshipconsulting.co.uk