Young talent shines at Isle of Wight Festival thanks to Platform One.
Young talent shines at Isle of Wight Festival thanks to Platform One.
While the Main Stage at the Isle of Wight Festival 2025 played host to global icons like Sting and Justin Timberlake, the true heartbeat of emerging talent could be found at the Platform One Stage.
Throughout the four-day extravaganza at Seaclose Park, this dedicated arena served as a high-octane launchpad for the next generation of musical stars.
A Stage for the Stars of Tomorrow
The Platform One Stage is a unique collaboration between the festival and Platform One College of Music, the Island’s own independent, not-for-profit music college. For over two decades, festival promoter John Giddings has championed this partnership, ensuring that young, local talent shares the same hallowed ground as industry legends.
The 2025 line-up was a masterclass in variety, featuring a tireless schedule of original music:
Wight Noize Winners: The weekend’s momentum was set by 5 Degrees North, the winners of the 2025 Wight Noize competition, who earned the prestigious honor of opening the Main Stage before returning for an electric headline set at the Platform One tent.
Local Legends & Rising Stars: The stage featured standout performances from Island favorites like Panda Swim, Myriad, and Marnie Marie, as well as high-energy sets from bands like Slackrr and Willowfly, who closed out Saturday night to a packed crowd.
Eclectic Soundscapes: From the soulful singer-songwriter melodies of Deborah Rose to the indie-pop vibes of Natalie Shay and Brighton-based Matisse, the stage offered something for every musical palate.
While the Main Stage at the Isle of Wight Festival 2025 played host to global icons like Sting and Justin Timberlake, the true heartbeat of emerging talent could be found at the Platform One Stage.
Throughout the four-day extravaganza at Seaclose Park, this dedicated arena served as a high-octane launchpad for the next generation of musical stars.
A Stage for the Stars of Tomorrow
The Platform One Stage is a unique collaboration between the festival and Platform One College of Music, the Island’s own independent, not-for-profit music college. For over two decades, festival promoter John Giddings has championed this partnership, ensuring that young, local talent shares the same hallowed ground as industry legends.
The 2025 line-up was a masterclass in variety, featuring a tireless schedule of original music:
Wight Noize Winners: The weekend’s momentum was set by 5 Degrees North, the winners of the 2025 Wight Noize competition, who earned the prestigious honour of opening the Main Stage before returning for an electric headline set at the Platform One tent.
Local Legends & Rising Stars: The stage featured standout performances from Island favorites like Panda Swim, Myriad, and Marnie Marie, as well as high-energy sets from bands like Slackrr and Willowfly, who closed out Saturday night to a packed crowd.
Eclectic Soundscapes: From the soulful singer-songwriter melodies of Deborah Rose to the indie-pop vibes of Natalie Shay and Brighton-based Matisse, the stage offered something for every musical palate.
Capturing the Magic: Jennifer Stone
No performance is complete without the visual story to match, I was a constant presence in the Platform One tent throughout the weekend.
With a characteristic eye for detail and energy, I expertly captured the raw emotion of the artists and the vibrant spirit of the audience. My work serves as a definitive archive of the weekend, immortalising the "I was there" moments for the performers who are undoubtedly the headliners of the future.
"Platform One does an amazing job in nurturing talent and helping students learn about the music business." — John Giddings, Festival Promoter
A Family Affair
Reflecting on an incredible weekend at the Isle of Wight Festival 2025! 🎸 There is nothing quite like the energy of the Platform One tent. I spent the weekend blurring the lines between work and play—shooting from behind, on, and in front of the stage to capture some truly electric performances. 📸
A huge highlight was crossing paths with my good friend Billy Hill from Vectis Radio. It was a pleasure to introduce him to the talented Georgia Nicole, Amy Jolliffe, and a few others for their interviews—love seeing the local creative community connect!
But the real MVPs? My kids. Watching them navigate the festival life was such a joy. Whether they were out at the Main Stage with friends, joining me in the pit for a few shots, or just vibing backstage on their Switches (ear defenders firmly on!), having them there made the experience whole. Truly a weekend for the books. ✨
Of course, I have to give a massive shout-out to the wonderful Adam from Platform One. He single-handedly made my kids' weekend by giving them a buggy ride into the site. Zooming along behind all the festival hustle and bustle was easily their favourite part of the whole weekend—there’s nothing quite like that VIP wind-in-your-hair feeling to start the day!.
Main Stage Magic & The Sunday Slump 🍩
While my daughter Ella would tell you her peak moment was watching Jess Glynne while perched high up on Brooke’s shoulders, she was the first to admit that the buggy ride beat the long trek back to the car on Sunday night by a mile!
By the time we hit the halfway point on that final walk back to the car on Sunday night, we were all flagging. Luckily, the "Festival Gods" provided:
The Sunday Save: We had to stop for a mid-walk donut break to keep the morale up.
The Verdict: Sugar-coated, exhausted, and happy—it was the only way to end such an epic weekend.
Looking Ahead
As the 2025 festival drew to a close, the Platform One Stage once again proved why it is a vital organ of the UK music scene. It remains a rare and essential space where education meets the industry, and where "bright and promising" is more than just a label—it's a promise of what's to come.
To give you a clearer picture of the weekend’s energy, here is a look at the Platform One Stage schedule from the 2025 festival.
The stage featured a curated mix of current students, alumni, and hand-picked emerging artists, culminating in a celebration of the college's 20+ year legacy.
Friday, June 20
The weekend kicked off with a blend of acoustic soul and high-energy rock.
17:00 – 17:20: Big T
17:30 – 18:00: Mia Reed
18:15 – 18:45: Trapps
19:00 – 19:30: Deborah Rose
19:45 – 20:15: Panda Swim
20:30 – 21:00: Slackrr
21:15 – 22:00:5 Degrees North (Wight Noize Winners)
Saturday, June 21
The busiest day of the festival saw indie-pop and alternative sounds take over.
11:30 – 11:50: Rio
13:50 – 14:20: Lots of Lace
15:10 – 15:40: Inversions
16:30 – 17:00: Carne
17:10 – 17:40: Ruby
18:00 – 18:30: Flo Wilkes
19:15 – 19:45: Matisse
20:00 – 20:30: Natalie Shay
20:45 – 21:30:Willowfly
Sunday, June 22
A showcase of singer-songwriters and folk-rock to close out the weekend.
11:30 – 11:50: Ellen Katherine
12:00 – 12:20: Lina
12:30 – 12:50: Corrine Atkins
13:00 – 13:20: Amy Jolliffe
13:30 – 14:00: Mokat
14:10 – 14:40: Mikalan
14:50 – 15:20: Kyle
15:30 – 16:00: Georgia Nicole
16:15 – 16:45: Marnie Marie
17:00 – 17:30: Neverunder
17:45 – 18:15: Issy Sutcliffe
18:30 – 19:00:Myriad
Note: These times highlight the incredible work ethic of the Platform One crew, who managed back-to-back sets with surgical precision while Jennifer Stone captured every moment from the pit.
I also Provided photography for the Isle of Wight County Press https://www.countypress.co.uk/news/25262562.young-talent-shines-isle-wight-festival-thanks-platform-one/
A Heartfelt Thank You
Finally, a huge thank you to Peter Pontin for giving me this amazing opportunity. To be part of the Platform One crew and capture the magic of the festival from the inside is something I won't soon forget.
Photography by Jennifer Stone
