From Craig Douglas To Wet Leg — Isle Of Wight Music Trailblazers And The Bands Who Could Be Next

Friday, 8 April 2022 06:00

By Dominic Kureen @WriteOnDom

The long-anticipated release of Wet Leg's self-titled debut album has arrived today (Friday).

Hopes are high that the Isle of Wight duo can smash their way into the UK charts after almost a year of snowballing momentum.

Having exploded on the scene last summer, the Rhian Teasdale/Hester Chambers fronted group have subsequently appeared on Later... With Jools Holland, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and The Late Late Show with James Corden.

After recently completing their sold-out US tour and currently in the midst of another sold out series — this time across the UK — Wet Leg will be hoping their faultless build-up translates to a lofty chart position.

A couple of other Island bands have previously burrowed into global consciousness: The Bees in the mid-noughties and — most notably — 1980s icons Level 42.

The latter reached their pinnacle with a brace of album releases, Running in the Family (1987) and Staring at the Sun (1988) peaking at number two in the UK album charts as they managed no less than six top-ten UK releases.

Level 42 frontman, Mark King, told Isle of Wight Radio:

“Wet Leg have done so well to break through in such testing times for music, and there’s a genuine feeling of pride locally that once again the Isle of Wight gets a look in on the world stage.

"I really hope Rhian and Hester enjoy the ride, and keep inspiring the young musicians we have here because they will look at what Wet Leg have achieved and think ‘I can do this too.’"

Tim Parkin, a founding member of The Bees, spoke of the band's rise to national prominence:

"It was all a bit of a blur for us really, an exciting time but I always got weirded out by famous people chatting with us, and hearing our music on the radio for the first time was crazy.

"I like Wet Leg, it's great that they are having success and flying the flag for the Island."

Perhaps sliding under the radar of Island musicians to make the leap to national stardom is Craig Douglas.

The English pop-singer, born in Newport, was popular in the late 1950s and early 1960s, securing our only ever UK number one single with "Only Sixteen" in 1959.

In addition, he managed half a dozen further top-10 singles and in 1960 released a self-titled album which peaked at number 17 in the UK.

Craig told Isle of Wight Radio:

"It was a bit strange — I was 17 and hadn't ever been to London when I won a talent competition in Newport and went across expecting to stay for two weeks, but here we are more than 60 years later!

"I've been very lucky to go around the world and perform on shows with bands like The Beatles.

"I wish Wet Leg a lot of luck — carry on doing what you're doing!"

Who could be the next big breakthrough act from the Isle of Wight?

Coach Party

Hotly tipped foursome known for their infectious songs, witty lyrics and stoic expressions.

Already confirmed for this summer's Victorious Festival, the band's following continues to swell with a short UK tour on the horizon.

JoJo and The Teeth

Female-fronted quintet known for their dark and moody forward driving sound, intimately rooted in good old fashioned guitar rock and roll.

The captivating JoJo brings energy and an intangible vibrancy to the stage, and the Canuck-Wight fused five-some are set to release debut single "Don't Get Too Heavy" in the next few weeks.

Grade 2

Hailing from Ryde, Grade 2's music has been described as "Upbeat stripped back punk’n’roll with a bit of yobbo thrown in."

Childhood friends Sid Ryan (vocals, bass), Jacob Hull (drums) and Jack Chatfield (guitar, vocals) formed the band in their early teens and will spend this summer touring Europe.

From Craig Douglas To Wet Leg — Isle Of Wight Music Trailblazers And The Bands Who Could Be Next

Who could be the next big breakthrough act from the Isle of Wight?

Coach Party

JoJo and The Teeth

Grade 2

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