John Giddings (born 1 May 1953 in St Albans, Hertfordshire) is an English music agent and promoter who has run the Isle of Wight Festival since its revival in 2002.
Early career Giddings graduated from Exeter UniversityInterview: John Giddings with a Philosophy & Sociology degree. He worked booking bands at the university as social secretary and later entertainment chairman.The Brits big-hitters, London Evening Standard, 16 February 2004
Solo Music Agency and Promoters After forming Solo, Giddings was employed as the agent responsible for David Bowie's concert at Wembley Stadium"The Man Behind The Music", When Performance Is Everything, Issue 2 Summer 2013, pp. 14-15 followed soon afterwards by a stadium tour with Genesis."Live Music Back On The Road To Wembley", Music Week, 5 June 2007 In 1990 The Rolling Stones took on Giddings as European promoter and the likes of U2, Madonna and Celine Dion were soon added to his roster of clients.
Over the past 30 years Giddings has represented artists such as The Corrs,"Baby Dome reborn as huge screen and shows venue", The Guardian, 30 March 1999 The Police, Lady Gaga, Westlife,"Famous Everywhere Else", Billboard, 21 October 2006 Boyzone, N*E*R*D and Pharrell Williams, Simple Minds and Spandau Ballet.The Soloist, IQ Magazine, Issue 28, March 2010, P36-58
In 2008, Solo Agency & Promotions managed three of the five top-selling concert tours around the world. The Sticky & Sweet Tour by Madonna ranked highest, grossing $281.6 million. The second-highest tour was by Celine Dion, at $236.6 million, and the fifth-highest tour was by The Police, at $120.6 million."Solos stars soar in 2008", Music Week, 17 January 2009, p. 6
In 2009 Giddings was recruited as the global agent and promoter of Universal Music's Formula 1 live music event, F1 Rocks."F1 Rocks Appoints Global Agent, Promoter", Billboard, 22 July 2009
Also in 2009, Billboard named three of Giddings' clients as the top-grossing tours of the previous decade - The Rolling Stones at number 1 with $869m, U2 at number 2 with $844m and Madonna at number 3 with $801m."Top Touring Artists of the Decade", Billboard, 11 December 2009
Isle Of Wight Festival In 2002 the 1971 Isle Of Wight ActIsle of Wight County Council Act 1971, Hansard (which banned events on the island with more than 5000 attendees) was overturned in time for the Queen's Golden JubileeThe Isle Of Wight Festival, Isle Of Wight Tourist Guide and Giddings was recruited to revive the Isle Of Wight FestivalBuy some rock and roll history after the Isle of Wight Festival valued at £12 million, Daily Telegraph, 29 January 2012 - a festival that he first attended as a teenager in 1970."John Giddings: The Music Fan with the Rolodex of a Rock God", GQ Magazine, 14 May 2014
The first Isle of Wight Festival since 1970 was called Rock Island 2002 and it took place on 3 June 2002 with Giddings and Solo acting as promoter rather than organiser. It was headlined by The Charlatans and featured appearances from the likes of Robert Plant, Starsailor and Ash. It was single day festival attended by around 8-10,000 but the event reportedly lost the Isle Of Wight Council around £380,000.Festival safe, but less cash for council, Isle Of Wight County Press, 23 May 2003
Giddings took over the running of the festival from the council in 2003 and, despite losing an estimated £500,000 that year,IOW boss John Giddings speaks to eFestivals, eFestivals, 22 November 2010 the festival has become a multi-day event that currently has an annual attendance of between 50,000 and 60,000 and contributes between £10-15m to the local economy.Agreement for the use of Seaclose Park as part of the Isle Of Wight Music Festival site, 28 July 2009 In this time Giddings has been responsible for booking headliners such as Bruce Springsteen,Ticketmaster meets I.O.W Festival booker John Giddings, 3 February 2014 Pearl Jam, Coldplay, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and David Bowie.
On 5 November 2007, the Isle of Wight Festival was named 'Best Major Festival' at the UK Festival Awards. At the same event Giddings won the award for 'Outstanding Contribution to UK festivals'.
Personal life Giddings has three daughters from his relationship with his first wife (who he met whilst at Exeter University - where he studied Philiosphy and Sociology), and has one stepdaughter resulting from his marriage to his second wife, Caroline who has a daughter from her first marriage.
References
External links Solo Agency Website Isle of Wight Festival Website Isle of Wight Festival YouTube