The annual Isle of Wight Festival kicks off tomorrow (June 12th), beginning a British summertime so filled with awesome music events you might even forget about that whole football thing that’s also happening. This year the festival boasts an impressive line up featuring acts such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kings Of Leon and Fall Out Boy. So if you’re one of the lucky ones packing your bag to head off to Seaclose park, or if you’ll just be following the action from the comfort of your own home, here’s our handy guide to enjoying the Isle of Wight Festival 2014.

Red Hot Chili Peppers
The festival season kicks off June 12th on the Isle of Wight, where Red Hot Chili Peppers will perform

Background

As far as historically important festivals go, the Isle of Wight Festival ranks pretty high thanks to its first incarnation in the late 60s. The original festival was first held in 1968 and headlined by Jefferson Aeroplane. A year later Bob Dylan chose the festival to make his return to the stage after a motorcycle accident which nearly ended his career. A estimated 150,000 flocked to the Isle to see the return of Dylan, travelling from all over the world. The last Isle of Wight festival took place in 1970, before it was resurrected in 2002 at Seaclose Park, where it’s been held ever since.

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The main line-up

A mixture of the past, present and future of music, the Isle of Wight festival always boasts a diverse line up with something for everyone. This year, on the main stage Calvin Harris and Billy Clyro will headline on the opening night, while Katy B and The Polyphonic Spree will be entertaining fans inside the Big Top. Saturday night sees The Vamps, Cher Lloyd and Clean Bandit keep the Big Top party going while The Pretty Reckless and The Specials are among the main stage acts to enjoy prior to the Red Hot Chili Peppers headlining set. Then on Sunday the festivities will surely end with a bang as The Horrors and Travis perform in the Big Top and the Main Stage plays host to Fall Out Boy and Suede before Kings of Leon close the weekend.

Kings of LeonThe Kings of Leon will also headline Isle of Wight 2014

The smaller stages

But it’s not all about the big headline acts, there’s also plenty of new music to be discovered over the course of the weekend. Why not head to the BA Music Stage and sample some new talent from across the UK and Europe? Or try the Hard Rock Rising stage and become a fan of Bleech or Swiss Lips before everyone else.

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What else is there to enjoy?

Okay for those of you really worried about missing any of the World Cup action, don’t despair the Isle of Wright has you covered. At the BT Field Of Dreams area every match will be screened including England vs Italy on Saturday night. As for bars why not check out the Hey Joe Rock Bar? Paying homage to the festival’s heritage, the bar will have DJs keeping the party going, including The Charlatan’s frontman Tim Burgess. But if you really want something different, head to the Cabaret Club where you’ll find everything from comedy and burlesque to keep you entertained.

The Specials
The Specials will also play Isle of Wight 2014

The weather forecast

This year everything’s looking good on the weather front, with sunshine forecast from Thursday onwards and just a bit of cloud expected on Saturday. We’re not saying forego the rain poncho entirely (it is Britain after all) but do pack some suncream and hope for the best.