Isle of Wight Festival 2025: Day One with The Corrs, The Lathums and Sting
Day one of the Isle of Wight Festival 2025 arrived beneath clear skies and a gentle coastal breeze, the sort of atmosphere that makes a field feel like home, for all 53,000 in attendance. From shimmering nostalgia to modern indie bite and a masterclass in legacy, the festival’s Friday lineup moved with intention and heart.
The Corrs stepped onto the main stage as if slipping into a cherished memory. Opening with the lush Only When I Sleep and the sparkle of Give Me a Reason, their voices – Andrea’s crystal-clear, Sharon and Caroline’s harmonies – held the audience in a tender embrace. Forgiven, Not Forgotten and Summer Sunshine lifted us, but it was What Can I Do that brought that familiar tug at the heart. Haste to the Wedding coaxed smiles and feet into motion, while their stirring take on Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams felt like a mid-slideshow of summer itself. Pearlescent closer Breathless led seamlessly into the jubilant fiddle of Toss the Feathers, leaving Seaclose Park shimmering with nostalgia.
Under the Big Top, The Lathums carved out their space with quiet confidence. No Direction and the emphatic call of Say My Name immediately commanded attention. Knotted Bed of Roses and The Great Escape showed off their knack for crafting indie anthems, jangling yet introspective. Reflections of Lessons Left slowed the pace, giving room for emotion, while I See Your Ghost and killer closer Sad Face Baby left the tent humming with shared sincerity. It’s easy to see why they’re becoming festival favourites.
As dusk settled, Sting returned like an old friend, voice steady and presence profound. His set journeyed from the electric opening of Message in a Bottle to the gentle sway of solo favourites like Fields of Gold, Shape of My Heart and Desert Rose. Iconic Police-era anthems Walking on the Moon, So Lonely, Every Breath You Take and the encore, Roxanne, retained that effortless swagger, while closing cut Fragile left a hush in its wake. Sting’s performance felt less like a showcase and more like a generous conversation with the crowd.
Friday’s performances proved that the Isle of Wight Festival is as much about resonance as it is revelry. The Corrs painted the air with elegance; The Lathums grounded us in earnest, rising emotion; and Sting closed the day with a set that leaned not on spectacle but on prolonged, quiet power. It was a mellow blaze of melodies, acting as a gentle reminder that the festival’s true magic lies in its moments of connection, echoing long after the music fades.
Kirst Hubbard
Photos: Virginie Viche
For further information and future events, visit the Isle of Wight Festival 2025’s website here.
Watch the video for Roxanne here:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
RSS