
Out of the thousands of hopefuls that entered the Isle of Wight Festival New Blood Competition, only a handful now remain in the Quarter-Finals. These artists are some of the most exciting and promising acts on the scene and will all be competing for a coveted slot at Isle of Wight Festival 2026! So make your voice heard and support your favourite act for their chance to perform at Isle of Wight Festival!
Southern Heights
Formed at college in 2023, Southern Heights are a young, emerging 5-piece progressive indie rock band from South Essex. The band consists of vocalists and rhythm guitarists Cameron Doran and Liam Conway, lead guitarist Charlie Branch, bassist George Wells and drummer Ben Hasler. When creating music, they draw on diverse elements across many genres to capture an original, distinctive sound that intrigues their audience. Their shows are packed full of raw energy, electric stage presence and a roaring sound you won’t want to forget. They’ve built a strong social media presence, with fans and followers calling for their unique sound to be shared everywhere, for everyone to listen.
Harry Owers
Blending Elements of soulful guitar and intimate lyricism, Harry Owers is a guitarist and singer-songwriter based in Leeds but born in the south of England. Growing up, he fell in love with listening to all kinds of music in his dad’s car on the way to football training. Thanks to his dad’s eclectic tunes, he developed a love for music and the guitar. Owers is joined by a talented band of friends made during his time at Leeds Conservatoire: Owen Moriarty on keys, Luke Harrison on bass, and Miles Pavon on drums. With his band, Owers weaves influences from iconic artists like Tom Misch, Paul McCartney, and Will Paquin into a signature sound that’s both contemporary and timeless.
Polly.
Polly is a London-based alternative rock artist. Her music lives in the darker, heavier corner of alternative rock, but it doesn’t sit neatly inside genre brackets. It blends distorted guitars, dark pop, and electronica with an unconventional songwriting approach, drawing on a broad range of influences. As an artist, she embraces the darkest sides of being human, shaping them into ironic, abstract lyrical imagery. Polly. usually tells people her music sounds the way she looks – dark, uncertain, but undeniable. It’s heavy yet intimate, androgynous and very cinematic. Backed by a tight, instinctive band, the project transforms the songs into intense, immersive performances.
The High Life
The High Life is a high-energy rock’n’roll band from Oxfordshire, on a mission to bring raw, unapologetic rock back to the mainstream. With a sound that’s both rebellious and infectious, their music is about living life to the fullest, making every moment count. The High Life isn’t just playing music – they’re reviving a movement. The band’s style is a throwback to the golden era of rock, drawing on a range of genre influences. With their debut EP out now, “Until The Wheels Fall Off”, The High Life is ready to take the world by storm. This is just the beginning of their journey to reclaim rock’n’roll’s rightful place at the forefront of the mainstream, and they’re not stopping until they get there.
Southy
Southy is a 22-year-old rapper/singer from South East London. Combining melodic rap with summer sounds to deliver a laid-back yet upbeat vibe on stage, Southy represents the sounds of London and the people who need a voice in the world. Performing at festivals and venues across the UK and Europe, he reaches a diverse audience and connects with other artists to create new sounds.
Please note – all tickets purchased are for the event as a whole, not for any individual artist. Refunds are only issued if the event is cancelled, not if an individual artist cancels.