Welsh rockers Feeder opened the ISLE OF WIGHT Festival on Friday (June 22, 2012), except, er, they weren't actually playing to anybody. More than 50,000 are still travelling to the festival as bad weather causes chaos around the site, reports the Associated Press.
This year's event is being headlined by Pearl Jam, Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen, though hundreds of revellers were forced to sleep in their cars on Thursday after traffic became gridlocked and the site turned into a mud bath. A light fell down in the main stage area on Friday - pushing things back even further - though Feeder eventually wandered out onto the stage to play to an empty field. After their first song, the unhappy campers began making their way in the direction of the music, with the lead singer saying, "Hurry up, they're coming in!" Ferry companies suspended their services on Thursday and about 600 people were stranded as heavy rain fell, waterlogging the car parks at Seaclose Park. Police directed many of those looking for shelter to Newport Football Club, with a spokesman saying, "There is a ferry service for foot passengers and this will be the easiest route. We are sorry for any disruptions caused". The organiser of the Isle of Wight festival has already confirmed that those returning their tickets will be entitled to a full refund.
The entertainment actually began on Thursday night - for those who had managed to reach the site - though the Big Top stage had to be evacuated because of heavy wind and rain. However, it did re-open again for headliners PRIMAL SCREAM.