THE count down is on to the iconic Isle of Wight Festival - the UK’s first major music event of the summer which runs from Thursday, June 8 to Sunday June 11.

Rod Stewart, Arcade Fire, David Guetta and Run DMC headline this year’s event which will be the 16th festival since it was successfully relaunched in 2002.

Other names include The Pretenders, The Kooks, Imelda May, Razorlight, Alison Moyet, David Guetta, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, Bastille, and the Kaiser Chiefs.

Curator John Giddings said: “This makes it one of the best line ups we have ever had. Roll on June!”

Here we catch up with Alison Moyet about her visit:

DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-PERFORMANCE RITUALS?

I won’t meet with anyone outside of my tour party before a gig. 40 minutes before going on Sean my backing singer comes in and we warm up with scales. 20 minutes before John my MD comes in with a guitar and we all sing together for larks and have a shot of Sambuca.

ANY FAVOURITE FESTIVAL MEMORIES?

I’m not a collector of things or career memories. It’s all about the moment and the moment is instinctive and all consuming. When it’s gone, it’s gone.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST ABOUT THE ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL?

Isle of Wight is a legend even from my youth. It feels weighty being invited to play there. I anticipate the fear in the unpredictability of festival sets.

The exchange between band and audience that rewards each other with an energy that by nature is specific only to that day, that weather, that mood.

Isle of Wight is a beautiful and inclusive festival. A broad live-music loving audience that is still looking for surprise as much as the expected.

It feels like an honest live experience and not merely some nostalgia picnic.

That for an artist is always going to be something to celebrate. I know I loved it last time. I fully expect to be thrilled by it again.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOUR SET?

A mixture of new material and old and personal live set favourites that feel good to play.

Expect an electronic set that bridges grooves and grim and impulse. Expect me to stop and start again if I am not feeling it.

Expect to effect the mood. Don’t expect a costume change.

WHAT DO YOU ASK FOR ON YOUR RIDER?

Sambuca. Gin and slimline. Cheese sandwich and apples and herbal tea.

Lemons, honey and ginger and where possible a TV that turns on. Not a deal breaker.

For more information, see isleofwightfestival.com