Isle of Wight Festival co-founder says festivals should be political

Foulk, who set up the music event alongside his brothers Ron and Bill, is having the workspace he used as curator recreated for an exhibition celebrating 25 editions of the festival, now in London after a stint on the Isle of Wight.

The exhibition, at the O2’s Innovation Centre, features old County Press photos of the festivals, plus photos from photographer Sienna Anderson whose covers the festival for the paper, and Pamela Parker who works for the CP. 

Foulk told the PA news agency: “The festival, with the likes of Bob Dylan and (Jimi) Hendrix and Joni Mitchell and people, it was a pilgrimage for the counter-culture, and the songs and the artists were singing about trying to make a better world.

“It was very political in that sense. Nowadays, it’s not that, it’s entertainment rather than a pilgrimage for people thinking about how to make a better world.”

Ray Foulk and guests enjoying the exhibition (Image: Pamela Parker)

The music event first took place in 1968, with festivals in 1969 and 1970 before it was stopped, returning in 2002 thanks to current boss John Giddings.

A short film about an archaeological investigation on Afton Down, the site of the 1970 festival, was featured on The One Show last month.

“Festivals are beautifully organised now,” Foulk said.

“I mean, our thing was fairly well organised in many ways, but it wasn’t anything like a festival today in terms of the range of facilities and things going on and great organisation.

“I’m certain they’re better in that respect, but in another way, it grieves me that young people are not out there seeking a better world in the way that we were.

Jessie J and The Prodigy by Island Photography Sienna Anderson and Neil Tennant from the Pet Shop Boys by Pamela Parker (Image: Contributed)

“You’ve only got to look at the great anthem of Bob Dylan’s in the 60s, The Times They Are A-Changin’.

“It was the feeling at the time that things were going to change and that young people were not going to put up with what was going on.

“I now go to the Isle of Wight Festival myself, and I can see that people have a lovely time.

“There’s nothing wrong with that, that’s fantastic, but it grieves me politically that we’re not doing much to make the world a better place.”

The Experience 25 exhibition incorporates the three Isle of Wight Festivals that were organised by Foulk and his brothers.

It also displays archive items from the festivals that have taken place since 2002.

The exhibition will run at the O2’s Innovation Centre in London from September 19 to November 13.