ROCK legends Queen brought the curtain down at the spectacular grand finale of the Isle of Wight Festival 2016.
The global superstars ignited the main stage at Seaclose Park – captivating the 60,000-strong crowd in an emotional end to the four-day musical extravaganza.
They belted out some of their timeless hits including “We will Rock You”, “We are the Champions” and the irrepressible “Bohemian Rhapsody” led by American singer Adam Lambert – replacing the late frontman Freddie Mercury – with the crowds singing their hearts out to every word.
They proved the perfect headliners for a weekend marking the Queen’s 90th birthday - in what is the world renowned festival’s 15th year.
And weather came up trumps for the big weekend, staying mostly dry with some stretches of glorious sunshine and the rain arriving on the last night as Ocean Colour Scene played - but clearing up ahead of Queen.
Revellers were also keen to show their love for the Monarch with a 10ft tall stiltwalking Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip welcoming guests to a mass 90th birthday tea party with rows of tables specially laid out in a marquee in the festival’s Octopus Garden.
Ocean Colour Scene played the penultimate main stage gig following 1980s pop rock supergroup Mike and the Mechanics – while rockers Feeder rounded off the weekend’s performances in the Big Top.
On Sunday veteran rock ‘n’ rollers the Who hosted a landmark headlining performance – 46 years after they starred in a milestone 1970 Isle of Wight Festival featuring Jimi Hendrix and The Doors. Anticipation had been building all day and the crowd cheered loudly as evergreen group came on stage led by frontman Roger Daltrey holding aloft a Union Jack mug.
Their classics including “Who are You”, “The Kids are Alright” and the seminal “My Generation” were played.
It followed thousands paying an emotional tribute to the late David Bowie – five months after the iconic rocket man’s death -and 12 years after he had performed on that same stage.
Crowds donned masks bearing the star’s face as Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp and the Corrs’ Andrea Corr performing Bowie’s Starman to the crowd.
All the money raised by the sale of the masks went to Stand Up to Cancer, the festival’s official charity partner.
Later Richard Ashcroft performed a memorable sunset show with the crowd swaying to the harmonious favourite “Bitter Sweet Symphony”.
Eccentric punk lord Iggy Pop whipped the crowd into a frenzy with a storming set prancing around bare-chested and at one point climbing to the front railings to high-five and shake hands with ecstatic fans.
On Friday dance kings Faithless rounded off a spectacular opening day, following the Stereophonics played one of the most memorable sets marking 20 years in the music business.
Status Quo headlined on Thursday after Faithless frontman Maxi Jazz.
Rising stars also played on a collection of smaller stages.
Away from the music was an action-packed programme of entertainment and installations including the incredible Cirque de la Quirk with fire breathers, magicians and performers, plus a countless range of food stalls and fairground rides.
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