It isn’t often that we get the opportunity to impress our sons aged 20 and 22 on with how cool and hip we are but they were impressed that we had seen Calvin Harris at the Isle of Man Bay Festival.  It was a mesmerising, high energy performance that had everyone on their feet, jumping in the air and waving their arms.  Calvin aims to make dance tunes, that don’t sound like ‘dance tunes’.  It works – people who ‘hate’ dance music go for this guy in a big way. The contemporary, tongue in cheek way in which he delivers together with an ultra polished performance was a highlight of the festival for me.

Calvin Harris’s performance was just one of many memorable acts brought to our small island this weekend other highlights for me include The Feeling and Lemar and (showing my age here) one of my old favourites Spandau Ballet.

 Perhaps we can forgive ‘The Feeling’ for calling the Isle of Man the Isle of Wight (very quickly apologised for) as the festival did seem ‘big and grown up’ and just as good as the more famous just across the Solent. 

The Valhalla tent which houses the festival has dominated the landscape of the Isle of Man for the last week.  An incredible structure close up it epitomises the sheer hard work and determination that has gone into bringing this festival to the Isle of Man.  I spoke with Jamie Irving on Thursday before it all started and his energy and enthusiasm after 18 months of endeavour to bring this show to the island was inspiring to see.

This event has not just been about the music, it is about bringing the people of the island together to produce something truly spectacular and memorable.  There were people of all ages at the festival – small children to senior citizens and all having a great time. Jamie Irving told me that where ever possible local companies had been used - a much needed boost for the islands economy.

Jamie told me that they hope that the festival can become an annual event – a welcome addition to what the Isle of Man has to offer to residents and tourists.  It is not seen that the festival will emulate Glastonbury or indeed the Isle of Wight but be the best ‘boutique’ style festival of its kind.

It has been a memorable weekend. We slightly older rockers are going to opt out of this evening.  Our ear drums have had a bashing and we need to put our feet up but I know everyone who goes along is going to have an amazing time.

Long may the Isle of Man Festival and thank you so much to Jonathan and Jamie Irving and everyone involved for giving us and everyone who attended the privilege of attending at magical and inspiring event that will not be quickly forgotten.