Culture

Ventnor Fringe: First Shows Announced!

900 900 Ventnor Fringe

Today we’re excited to reveal the first shows to be confirmed for this year’s Ventnor Fringe!

Ventnor Fringe is back! Returning from 21st – 30th July and today the first shows in by far the largest and most exciting programme to date go on sale!

Early highlights to be announced include the acclaimed Barely Methodical Troupe’s International award winning smash hit BROMANCE, five star circus about camaraderie and affection. Audacious, touching, exhilarating tour-de-force of physical heroics where handshakes become handstands and backslaps become backflips. It looks set to take The Big Top, a new venue introduced last year, by storm.

Following last year’s sell out event local promoters EarsPeeled return with A Day At The Fringe, a whole day music takeover headlined by Coventry based Alt/Indie band FEET, alongside the likes of Dublin’s Fizzy Orange, Bristol’s Grandmas House, London’s Freddy Merkky, and an array of Island talent.

Other musical offerings announced include international psych explorers Flamingods who combine Eastern and African influences, purveyors of some of this year’s most catchy earworms, Gengahr and BC Camplight, moniker of maverick songsmith Brian Christinzio. The Philadelphian is considered one of indie music’s most forward-thinking artists with a discography which acts as a soundtrack to a life rife with bad fortune, mental illness, running afoul of the law, and ultimately absolute redemption.

Families will be pleased to see the return of two time Audience Choice Award Nominees Let’s Circus to the boutique Magpie Tent with a brand new show Happy Daze. Also returning is award-winning Japanese duo Witty Look, whose on-stage characters jump right out of the world of manga and cartoons. Meanwhile The Handlebards turn their hands to JM Barrie’s Peter Pan in a special three-hander adaptation with their signature comedic style.

For fans of cabaret, breakout star of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 2, Ginny Lemon explores the intersections of their working class identity, queerness, disability but with a distinct acidic wit, aesthetic and unique perspective on life have made them one of the UK’s most celebrated drag and performance artists in Pick ‘n’ Mix.

Much of the comedy offering is yet to be announced but two time Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee Ahir Shah (Live at the Apollo, The Mash Report, BBC 2) returns to curate and host The Pick of The Fringe, a selection of some the best comics from across the festival and always an early event to sell out.

With around 150 shows expected to take part, new additions to the programme will be added regularly at vfringe.co.uk and audience members looking for advice or recommendations can also visit the festival box office at Ventnor Exchange (open 7 days a week from 10am) or by calling (01983) 716767.

Ventnor Fringe: Host An Artist!

940 788 Ventnor Fringe

Do you have a spare room? Would you like to host an artist at Ventnor Fringe?

Each year hundreds of performers take part in Ventnor Fringe, travelling from all over the UK and beyond. As you can imagine it’s a big challenge housing everyone so this year we’re launching a new scheme for residents with spare rooms. 

Could you host an artist?

This year we’re working with TheatreDigsBooker.com to provide an online database of local residents with spare rooms, who are happy to accommodate visiting performers to the festival. The website works much like Airbnb except it’s only for residents with a spare room, who would like to host a visiting artist/s during the Ventnor Fringe.

It’s a great way to meet new people, be involved with the festival community, see a free show and earn some extra money.

FIND OUT MORE

Watch / Listen

Watch / Listen

Flamingods Open Ventnor Fringe With ‘Pay What You Want’ Show

2500 1406 Ventnor Fringe

Psych explorers Flamingods will be bringing their unique sound to a special opening night concert to kick off Ventnor Fringe in style!

The best bit? We’re excited to say tickets are ‘pay what you want’ – but spaces are limited so don’t miss out!

Kick off Ventnor Fringe in style!

Combining Eastern and African influences, Flamingods are international psych explorers who will be bringing their unique sound to a special opening night concert in the Fringe Village’s Big Top, which will be returning to its clifftop position overlooking the sea.

Their 2019 release ‘Levitation’ released on Moshi Moshi Records was inspired largely by the disco, funk and psychedelic sounds coming out of the Middle East and South Asia in the 70s. The album channels these influences through a vision soaked in mysticism, positivity and sun-drenched imagery. The band head to the Isle of Wight ahead of a new album slated for release in Autumn 2023.

In a special collaboration with Ventnor Exchange and Progressive Artists this event will be ‘Pay What You Want’ offering you a chance to choose your own ticket price from as little as £5! What are you waiting for?

BOOK TICKETS

Watch / Listen

Watch / Listen

Rouse Ltd Audience Choice Award: Vote For Your Favourite Show!

1000 667 Ventnor Fringe

Who should win this year’s Rouse Ltd Audience Choice Award? You decide!

Over 200 artists have taken part in Ventnor Fringe this year, but only one can be crowned the audiences favourite! So if you’ve seen an act or show this year that you think deserves particular special mention this is your chance to show your support. 

How does it help the artists? 

Thanks to the kind support of Island based financial advisers Rouse Ltd the winner of the public vote gets their hands on a handcrafted trophy and a £500 cash prize to help support their work. The winner is also able to use the accolade to help promote ongoing tours of their work so it really does make a difference. 

The award was launched in 2021 following conversations with Rouse LTD who were keen to support artists at the festival. CEO Ben Rouse explained  “Home-grown events have the potential to become major attractions and if we get the opportunity to support a sound idea then we welcome that. The Island has long been known for its creativity and Rouse Ltd is keen to help nurture and develop that.”

Ready to vote?

Each email address/name has one vote and you can pick any show, free or ticketed, from this year’s Ventnor Fringe as a worthy winner. Voting opens on the last day of the festival, Sunday 31st July, and is open for 3 weeks, closing on Sunday 21st August at midnight.  

 

VOTING OPEN SUNDAY 31st JULY 

Fringe Top Tips: What Are Fringe Fridays?

1000 667 Ventnor Fringe

Every year we get asked about the possibility of having a single ticket that gets you into multiple events. Introducing our solution…Fringe Fridays

Fringe Fridays, taking place on (you guessed it) both Fridays of the Fringe, are mini music festivals in their own right, with a single ticket getting you access to The Big Top area in the Fringe Village for the whole day. 

On both days the live music kicks off at 2pm, running right through into the evening and you can come and go as you please. In this article we take a closer look at the line up.

Not interested in the gigs? Fear not, the rest of Ventnor Fringe will be running as normal on these days, with many other shows and events also on offer.

The Big Moon

We’re quite literally over the moon to announce none other than The Big Moon will be headlining our first Fringe Friday event! Nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize for their 2017 debut ‘Love in the 4th Dimension’ before returning in early 2020 with the massive ‘Walking Like We Do’ in which band members Juliette Jackson, Soph Nathan, Celia Archer and Fern Ford provided an even more assured follow up. Lead single ‘Your Light’, about finding solace in relationships during chaotic times, has amassed over 15million streams on Spotify alone.

With impeccable timing the band have just returned to the soundwaves with new single ‘Wide Eyes’ and a new album, charting the experience of pregnancy and having a child, slated for this Autumn.  

Tonstartssbandht

American psychedelic noise rock duo formed of Edwin and Andy White (long time guitarist in Mac Demarco’s band) who we’ve been very excited about for some time! Travelling all the way from Florida for a European tour taking in some of the continents finest capital cities and…Ventnor. Yep, we’re absolutely stoked they are making the detour to visit the Isle of Wight before their London show.

Blood Wizard

An artist who straddles genres to create a sound uniquely their own, Blood Wizard’s brand of ‘Wonky Folk’ blends components of classic folk with avant-garde to create an environment to which his distinctive character can wander freely. Drawing similarities to the narrative led by murmurings of Kurt Vile as well as the unpredictability of Crack Cloud, it’s less about fitting in for Burns and more about developing a world, where the mystique and sheer eccentricity of Blood Wizard can be fully let loose.

Anchorsong

Originally from Tokyo, and now based in London, Anchorsong AKA Masaaki Yoshida is a highly-fêted producer, and solo live act, renowned for crafting immersive and rhythmic releases. He has supported artists such as Bonobo, Portico Quartet, DJ Krush, Daedelus, Jaga Jazzist, and performed at prestigious venues including Queen Elizabeth Hall and Camden Roundhouse in London.

Goat Girl

Another act we’ve wanted to bring to the Island for years, Goat Girl is one of the most exciting and energetic new bands around. The South London based quartet released their second album ‘On All Fours’ in 2021, firmly establishing them as a force to be reckoned with, with their post-punk sounds recognised alongside peers like Fontaines D.C. They share the barbed ferocity of Fat White Family, but also explore interesting electronic elements. The melancholy dance-punk of Sad Cowboy has a synth breakdown that recalls Caribou’s ‘Can’t Do Without You’

CHAMPS

One of the Island’s most successful music exports and long time supporters of Ventnor Fringe CHAMPS have been busy working on their much anticipated fourth album, slated for a release later in the year, and will be previewing new songs at the festival!

Formed by brothers Mike and Dave Champion it’s been nearly three years since The Hard Interchange and we can’t hear to see what they’ve been working on. 

Luca Wilding

With his incredibly distinctive vocals, a rare mix of the soulful and the operatic, we’ve been hooked ever since Luca performed an intimate show at Ventnor Exchange. Inspired by singers like Leonard Cohen and having recorded his debut album at the prestigious Chale Abbey Studio down the road this should be a really special performance. 

Greg Foat

Greg Foat is one of the UK’s leading jazz pianists, composers and music producers. He’s worked with a diverse selection of musicians including Bob Lind, Moses Boyd, Curtis Lundy, Rita Ora, Wendy James, Questlove and The Kooks.

A prolific musician, in recent years he’s recorded for Jazzman Records, Athens Of The North and Strut. Despite living on the Island it’s his first (and long overdue!) Ventnor Fringe performance. 

Win Free Tickets For World Fringe Day!

2000 1333 Ventnor Fringe

Today is World Fringe Day, a global celebration of everything that’s great about fringe festivals!

The very first ‘fringe’ festival began in Edinburgh in 1947, so called because artists who where not invited to perform at the newly created Edinburgh International Festival decided to perform anyway in venues and spaces around the city, and these events where referred to as ‘on the fringes’ of the main festival.

This homegrown, DIY ethos led to the creation of a much more democratic type of event, often called an ‘open access’ festival. In simple terms it just means anyone can perform at a fringe festival!

Today the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the largest arts festival in the world, selling over 3 million tickets in 2019, pre-COVID. For comparison Glastonbury sold around 130,000 tickets this year, although Edinburgh does take place over a whole month.

A worldwide movement

The success of the Edinburgh Fringe over the past 75 years has inspired similar movements around the world, and there are now over 200 fringe festivals that take place annually across six continents, from huge events like Australia’s Adelaide Fringe and Fringe World in Perth, to small versions like the Azores Fringe, on the tiny Portuguese Islands.

In the UK longer running examples include Brighton Fringe and Buxton Fringe, while outside the anglosphere they often take on a different name with events like Avignon’s Off Festival run along similar lines to a fringe festival.

Our own Ventnor Fringe began back in 2010 and like the Edinburgh movement that inspired it was created in a very homegrown way, set up by local teenagers as an alternative to the much larger events like the Isle of Wight Festival and Bestival, with a model in which anyone can apply to take part, whatever their level of experience and in any creative discipline.

This ethos ensures Fringes offer a unique atmosphere and environment because they do not represent any one promoter or committees tastes or views, but instead provide a platform for creativity in all its forms to experiment, innovate and entertain.

We’re very proud to be part of a completely uncoordinated but worldwide movement of grassroots led arts festivals, which share similar values around making creativity accessible to all, and providing a platform for many different voices and ideas.

Win All Your Tickets To The Fringe!

To celebrate World Fringe Day we’re launching a special prize. Everyone who purchases tickets to any events at this year’s Ventnor Fringe by midnight tonight will be entered into a draw to have all of their tickets paid for. We’ll be selecting three baskets at random to refund the entire cost of tickets in that transaction!

To be in with a chance of winning you need to purchase tickets by midnight tonight (Monday 11th July) If you’re booking tickets to multiple events remember to create a basket and pay for all of your events in one transaction to be in with a chance of having the entire amount refunded. Good luck!

What are you waiting for? Take a look at this year’s events here 

Fringe Top Tips: All You Need To Know About The Fringe Village

2000 1333 Ventnor Fringe

The Fringe Village, what is it? Where is it? How do you get in? Here is everything you need to know about the main hub of Ventnor Fringe.

During the Fringe venues appear right across Ventnor, and pop up performances take place in all sorts of spaces, but knowing exactly where to go can be tricky to decide, so this year we’re launching the Fringe Village as a central hub of action where you can always be guaranteed to find things to do.

The Fringe Village is located in Ventnor Park, about 15 mins walk from the town centre, and is an expanded version of what was tested in 2021. It includes all of the main parts of the park, as well as neighbouring Flowersbrook, the name of a field next to it. In this article we explore more about what you can expect to find in the Fringe Village.

Venues

The Fringe Village is home to several of the festival’s main venues, where ticketed shows from this year’s programme are held. In the main section of the park is The Magpie, a beautiful black and white circus tent which also hosts a wide range of comedy and cabaret performances. Also in this area is The Nest, a smaller venue which hosts some of the best emerging acts in a beautiful Indian tent. On Friday and Saturday nights it also hosts a Silent Disco!

5 minutes walk away in the Flowersbrook field is The Big Top, new for 2022 and the biggest venue at the festival. Here you can see the largest shows and on weekends the seats are removed to host live gigs with amazing bands including The Big Moon, Goat Girl and local heroes like CHAMPS and Plastic Mermaids.

Craft Beer & Cocktails

There’s no chance of going thirsty with three bars in the Fringe Village, serving up the south west’s finest craft beer from Bristol based Wiper & True, a truly independent brewery we’re over the moon to be working with. For gin fans we’re excited to be collaborating once again with the Isle of Wight Distillery, bringing their famous Mermaid Gin and Sea Salt Vodka made right here on the Island.

Parkside Bar is located right in the middle of the park, next to the Bandstand, with the new Big Top Bar located in neighbouring Flowersbrook field.

Cocktail fans meanwhile should head to The Noble Steed, where a dedicated bar team will be mixing up the perfect Espresso Martini, Negroni or Bloody Mary among other favourite tipples.

Street Food

Feeling peckish? The Fringe Village is home to a selection of the Island’s finest street food offerings. From Gastronomy’s Bao Buns, to fusion fries and burgers from Stripped and artisan coffee from Drew’s Brews. Evolving throughout the 10 days of the festival with different traders be sure to visit on multiple days to see what’s on offer!

The Bandstand

Discover free live music every afternoon from midday on the Bandstand, as well as buskers, roaming performances, games and installations around the park. It’s a great space to soak up the atmosphere or have a picnic on a sunny afternoon.

Workshops 

From ukulele to DJ lessons, sewing to drawing, discover different workshops running every afternoon in The Nest. Most are free, with a few up to £5 to take part with sessions aimed at adults and children of all ages.

For the early birds there is also yoga, qigong or meditation sessions running most mornings from 10am. We recommend booking for these in advance as spaces are limited.

Makers Market

On Sunday 24th and Sunday 31st July from 10am-4pm The Big Top will be hosting a new Maker’s Market, bringing together more than 30 artisans and craftspeople under one big roof with live buskers, DJ’s and fresh coffee all on hand. The perfect place to while away a Sunday afternoon whatever the weather!

Information Point / Box Office Tent

In need of some advice or last minute tickets? The Fringe Village has a dedicated Box Office Tent located right next to the main entrance from Park Avenue. Open from 11am – 10pm daily our team of amazing volunteers are on hand to help answer any questions you may have! You can also bag yourself some nifty Fringe merch from here!

Practical Information

Events in the Fringe Village begin at 10am most days, with the Box Office Tent open from 11am and the bars and main venues from midday. The last spaces close at midnight each evening.

It’s completely free to enter the Fringe Village, watch events on the Bandstand, visit the Markets or take part in many of the workshops. Ticketed shows in the main venues can be purchased in advance online or if available on the day from the Box Office Tent.

If you’d like to support the Fringe look out for our contactless donation points where you can use a card to make a £3 donation. Your support is vital in helping make this area possible and keeping it free to enter. This year we are being charged over £7,000 by the Councils for permissions and use of the site, and as with so many things costs like fuel has risen considerably, more than doubling so every little helps!

You can find accessibility information here

Fringe Top Tips: Group Discounts

1500 1000 Ventnor Fringe

Want to grab yourself a bargain? Team up with family or friends and you can make some big savings on tickets at the Fringe.

We know that rising prices are a challenge for everyone right now, so today we wanted to take a look at a great way you can save money by booking tickets together with family or friends to access some pretty decent discounts to some of the biggest shows at this year’s Fringe.

Here is a rundown of some of the deals on offer.

Fringe Fridays 

Thank God It’s Friday! Celebrate the end of the week at this brand new event. Fringe Fridays are Ventnor Fringe’s very own mini music festivals. Two full days of live music in our stunning new cliff top venue at Flowersbrook, with a carefully curated line up by Ventnor Exchange.

Headliners are the Mercury Prize Nominated The Big Moon on 22nd July with the epic Goat Girl taking the reigns on the 29th July.

Tickets are £35 or £60 if booking both days together, but team up as a group of 6 and you can get this down to £25pp

 Book Tickets

Joe Plumb: Born To Be The Weather Wizard

Winner of the Rouse Audience Choice Award in 2021, Joe Plumb is back with an all new show which explores what makes a local celebrity. You can hear him talk more about the show in the ‘How To Fringe’ Podcast.

Tickets are £12 each but go with 3 friends and they cost a very pre-inflation £10!

BOOK TICKETS

Paul Zerdin: Hands Free

One of the best known ventriloquists around and winner of America’s Got Talent, Paul Zerdin will be bringing his latest smash-hit show to Ventnor for the first time. Sam, Albert, Baby, Roger the bodyguard and an urban fox have all survived the lockdowns and are back on the stage, so get ready to be involved!

There are various group discounts available on this show which can get you more than 25% off.

BOOK TICKETS

The Good Times Show

A massive highlight of 2021 ‘Lets Circus’ follow up last year’s completely sold out run of ‘The Greatest Showpeople’ with ‘The Good Times Show’ which brings together artists from Japan, Australia and the UK in their intimate Big Top, The Magpie.


Unmistakably circus, this comedy driven variety show is a genuine all-ages experience. Expect acrobatics, aerial, comedy, unicycling and a gigantic red balloon! It’s the perfect family treat and a brilliant introduction to the Fringe for those who haven’t been before. Standard tickets are £18 but a group of 6 works out at just over £13 each!

BOOK TICKETS

Hotel Paradiso 

An irresistibly colourful, loud and fun show for all the family by Lost in Translation, one of the UK’s leading contemporary circus companies and Guinness World Record holders!

With thrillingly spectacular circus skills, physical comedy, theatrical storytelling and slapstick, Hotel Paradiso sees the staff family tackle the scheming banker as he tries to possess the Hotel Paradiso. Full of hijinks and impeccable clowning, Lost in Translation will treat audiences to heart-stopping aerial, stunning floor acrobatics and extraordinary juggling.

Pull together the whole family or a group of mates and save £5 each, enough for a free pre-show drink!

BOOK TICKETS

DEAL OF THE FRINGE: The Geneva Convention of Human F**ks

You place your order and sit down in one of the cubicles. The girl you’ve ordered comes over, delivers the coffee and then ducks under the table to get to business.’

Three blokes decide to do an epic grand tour of Europe to sample all the forbidden and exploited delights that the continent has to offer.

Performed entirely by women, The Geneva Convention of Human F**ks follows Liam, Peter and Michael on their travels as they revise what they think is right and wrong, challenge their friendship to breaking point and question their relationship as men to women.

A show created by ‘Yet To Be’ who produce thought provoking, new and original ensemble performance work for theatre.

Head together as a group of 4 and get a massive 58% off by booking the ‘mates rates’ ticket. Bargain!

BOOK TICKETS

Ventnor Fringe: Fastest Selling Shows

1483 1483 Ventnor Fringe

It’s early days, but there are some tickets that don’t hang about for long. Here is our rundown of the fastest selling shows so far!

For this list, we’re looking at the shows which have sold the highest proportion of their available tickets, instead of highest total number of tickets, as venue sizes vary greatly and this is a more important indicator of which will sell out first! If any of these events take your fancy, best book in advance!

Rob Auton – The Crowd Show

A firm favourite with audiences at Ventnor Exchange, this is Rob’s first time visiting the Island for the Fringe where he’ll be performing ‘The Crowd Show’

Named the ‘Brian Cox of Comedy’ by the Guardian, Rob has written eight hit Edinburgh Fringe shows, which have led to nationwide tours and television/radio appearances.

In 2020, Rob started ‘The Rob Auton Daily Podcast’ which won a gold award for Best Daily Podcast at the British Podcast Awards.

BOOK TICKETS

Simon Brodkin (Work In Progress)

International prankster and creator of Lee Nelson, Simon Brodkin is heading to Ventnor Fringe for the first time with new material that he’ll be sharing at the Festival.

Famous for his infamous pranks to public figures such as Sepp Blatter, Donald Trump and Theresa May, he’s since been touring his highly praised stand up show around the country and we can’t wait to see his new work in progress.

Book Tickets

Lou Sanders – One Word: Wow

Consistently a critic’s and audience favourite, Lou’s previous celebrated show ‘Say Hello To Your New Step Mummy’ was selected as a top show to see in The Times, The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The I Newspaper, The Evening Standard, The Mirror, Time Out, and Joe.co.uk. It played to sold-out audiences every day of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2019, with extra dates added to meet overwhelming demand for tickets, as well as across the UK with a sold-out run at London’s Soho Theatre.

On TV, Lou is the co-host of Dave’s Unforgivable which was recently crowned Best Entertainment Programme at the Broadcast Digital Awards 2021, while she has featured on The Late Late Show with James Corden (CBS) & starred in the Emmy nominated and BAFTA winning comedy game show Taskmaster.

BOOK TICKETS

Le Gateau Chocolat & Jonny Woo: A Night At The Musicals

Dubbed the “Ebony and Ivory of drag” by the Australian press, Olivier winning star of La Clique & La Soirée; Le Gateau Chocolat and Queen of the Alternative Drag scene, Jonny Woo head to the Isle of Wight for a special performance of their award winning joint show!

Hilarious hijinks and shady shenanigans abound as they ‘Les Misérmassacre’ all the musicals you know and love A NIGHT AT THE MUSICALS is a tortured love letter to the glorious genre of musical theatre. From Gypsy to Grease, Annie to Lion King – no show is safe!

BOOK TICKETS

Andy Roberts In Concert

Andy’s roots are in the 1970s British folk revival, citing singer songwriters Roy Harper and Michael Chapman as major influences. Early years busking in Europe broadened his palette to include blues, rock, ragtime and chanson. You can still find him street performing occasionally, and in pubs, clubs and festivals.

This concert, performed in the intimate setting of Ventnor Arts Club, will focus on the most original tunes from the 2020 album ‘Philosophical’ alongside favourites from the substantial back catalogue, “The Rowan Tree” and one or two new ones. Expect intricate fingerstyle guitar work with soaring vocals and anthemic refrains. Not to be repeated this year, so don’t miss it!

BOOK TICKETS

Pick of The Fringe

Want to take a punt on some new comedians but can’t decide what to see? Double Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee and Ventnor Fringe veteran Ahir Shah (Live at the Apollo, The Mash Report, BBC 2) returns to host a night of top comedy from across the festival. With a different line up each night, you can even go more than once!

BOOK TICKETS

Luke Kempner – Macho Macho Man

Star of Spitting Image, Steph’s Packed Lunch and with over 10 million views of his online videos, Luke Kempner is one of the UK’s hottest mimics and stand-up comics. With a hilariously razor sharp roster of contemporary impressions, Luke has become a household name and is bringing his highly anticipated brand-new show, Macho Macho Man on the road.

Luke tries to work out what masculinity really means with the help of Louis Theroux, the cast of Downton Abbey and even Jürgen Klopp.

Don’t miss this remarkable one-man show from one of Britain’s most exciting, new comedy talents.

BOOK TICKETS

Ventnor Fringe: More Shows Added!

2048 1365 Ventnor Fringe

The Big Moon, Goat Girl, Victoria Scone and House of Burlesque Among New Acts For Ventnor Fringe!

With less than 10 weeks to go until Ventnor Fringe returns, bringing the Island’s southernmost town to life with gigs, comedy and performances, a wave of new shows and events have been added to the programme.

Returning for its 12th edition from 22nd – 31st July, Ventnor Fringe takes its inspiration from the famous Edinburgh Fringe, a giant melting pot of cultural activity, including previews of new material from artists at all stages of their career. Performances take place in venues which are created across the town.

For music fans ‘Fringe Fridays’ will present a new opportunity to see a whole roster of new bands over the course of a single day with headliners The Big Moon and Goat Girl leading a line up that also includes Island favourites CHAMPS, the ‘Wonky Folk’ sounds of Blood Wizard, which has drawn similarities to the narrative led by murmurings of Kurt Vile, and American psychedelic noise rock duo Tonstartssbandht, formed of Edwin and Andy White, long time guitarist in Mac Demarco’s band.

The Big Moon were nominated for the Mercury Prize for their 2017 debut ‘Love in the 4th Dimension’ before returning in early 2020 with the massive ‘Walking Like We Do’ in which band members Juliette Jackson, Soph Nathan, Celia Archer and Fern Ford provided an even more assured follow up. Lead single ‘Your Light’, about finding solace in relationships during chaotic times, has amassed over 15million streams on Spotify alone.

London based quartet Goat Girl released their second album ‘On All Fours’ in 2021, firmly establishing them as a force to be reckoned with, with their post-punk sounds recognised alongside peers like Fontaines D.C. They share the barbed ferocity of Fat White Family, but also explore interesting electronic elements. The melancholy dance-punk of Sad Cowboy has a synth breakdown that recalls Caribou’s ‘Can’t Do Without You’

Elsewhere the UK’s top satirical showgirls House of Burlesque will be ruffling some feathers with an evening of fierce and fabulous entertainment. UK Burlesque royalty Tempest Rose, Lolo Brow and guests promise a night of the risqué, raucous and rhinestoned going right back to the subversive roots of British Burlesque. Unapologetically innovative, HOB has redefined burlesque for the 21st Century, with over 10 years of sell out shows and numerous tv appearances.

Other highlights added today include Victoria Scone, best known for competing on the third series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK where she was the first cisgender female contestant on any series of the Drag Race franchise. Alongside a much anticipated solo show she’ll be hosting proceedings at the Big Fringe Variety Show which will showcase some of the best cabaret from across the festival, following it’s sell out popularity last year when the event was hosted by fellow RuPau’ls contestant Joe Black. 

From circus to comedy, theatre to poetry new additions to the programme are now being added regularly at vfringe.co.uk with some events already close to selling out. Audience members looking for advice or recommendations can also visit the festival box office at Ventnor Exchange (open 7 days a week from 11am) or by calling (01983) 716767.