The Strokes Will Headline 2010 Isle Of Wight Festival

Fresh off their 2001 debut Is This It being named Album of the Decade by NME, The Strokes are set for a big comeback in 2010 with news of their first gig since 2006.

The band will play the Saturday night headline slot at the Isle of Wight Festival, which runs June 11-13 at Seaclose Park, Newport. Jay-Z, for the record, is the co-headliner and will play opening night. The third day’s headliner have not been named, but other festival acts have been announced, including special guests Blondie, Pink, Orbital and Squeeze.

Said festival promoter John Giddings:

“Ever since I heard the first Strokes album, I’ve wanted them for the Isle of Wight. Jay-Z and Pink are two of the best live acts I have ever seen and the Blondie hits speak for themselves. I can’t wait!”

The 2010 edition of the IOW will mark the ninth year the legendary festival has been held on the island since Giddings brought the 3-day event back in 2002.

In its heyday (one could argue) the 1969 IOW featured the likes of Bob Dylan, Richie Havens, The Band, The Moody Blues and The Who, while the ’70 line-up featured memorable performances from Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Miles Davis, Sly and the Family Stone and The Doors.

Over the past eight years the big name performances have included the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, The Who, R.E.M and The Police. Music fans making the journey to the show next year will find the return of the Big Top stage; the 5,000 capacity stage hosts a special show with Squeeze on Thursday, then becomes a second stage when the festival begins.

Strokes’ lead singer Julian Casablancas recently released his first solo album, Phrazes for the Young, but it looks like he and his Strokes band mates are ready to get back in the game in 2010. No other tour dates have been announced yet, but it’s likely they will play more shows post-IOW.

55,000-plus music fans are expected to attend the 2010 Isle of Wight festival, which runs at Seaclose park, Newport, between June 11-13. Tickets go on sale this Friday.

What do you think about The Strokes headlining the Isle of Wight with Jay-Z?