THE BRACKNALL: BRINGING BRITISH ROCK ‘N’ ROLL TO THIS FEELING’S ISLE OF WIGHT STAGE

The Isle of Wight Festival has long been a staple of British music culture, boasting legendary performances and historic moments. Among its stages, This Feeling has carved out a space where grassroots talent thrives.
For a decade now, This Feeling has been at the forefront of championing emerging artists, providing a vital platform for bands that keep guitar music alive. Their stage has become a proving ground for acts on the rise, offering exposure, support, and a chance to connect with audiences who truly appreciate raw, unfiltered rock ‘n’ roll. As This Feeling celebrates its 10th year at the Isle of Wight Festival, it continues to be a place where new music shines.
One of the bands stepping onto the stage this year is The Bracknall, a four-piece from Essex with a passion for bringing back that classic, electrifying British rock ‘n’ roll spirit. Ahead of their performance, Northern Exposure caught up with the lads to chat about their journey, the influence of This Feeling, and their plans for the future.
How does it feel to be playing on the This Feeling stage, especially during such a milestone year for the festival?
Mega. This Feeling is known for spotting the next wave of great bands, and that’s why we’re up there.
How has This Feeling influenced your journey as a band?
They’ve been brilliant for us. They love proper guitar music, and thank god someone is flying that flag.
Can you describe your band’s journey, who you are, where you come from, and what you stand for?
We’re four lads from Essex playing real British rock ‘n’ roll. We want to bring back those anthemic guitar tunes, big choruses, arms in the air, and proper energy. We’re just doing our bit to make that happen.
Have you been to the Isle of Wight Festival before? If so, what memories stand out? If not, what are you most looking forward to experiencing?
Never been before, but we’ve seen Hendrix and The Who play there in old footage, and we’ve always wanted to be part of it.
What does playing This Feeling mean for your music and your connection with audiences?
It’s exactly the kind of audience you want, people who care about keeping guitar music alive. We can’t wait to bring them a proper dose of it.
Which bands or artists are you most excited to see at the festival this year?
There are loads of great bands playing This Feeling. We’ve shared the stage with The Slates before, and they’re solid lads, so we’re looking forward to catching them again.
How does preparing for a festival set differ from getting ready for a regular gig?
Festival sets are shorter, so the biggest challenge is picking the right tunes. We love them all, so cutting the set down feels like deciding which of your kids gets left behind!
What’s coming up next for you after the festival, new music, tours, or any major plans on the horizon?
Busy year ahead, with more festivals, supporting The Enemy, and gearing up for a massive 2026.
Finally, which other band are you most looking forward to watching and why?
Loads of great acts, but James and Supergrass are the big ones for us. And The Corrs, it’s gonna go off.
With their no-nonsense approach to rock ‘n’ roll, The Bracknall are set to make a big impression at This Feeling’s Isle of Wight stage. As they gear up for a huge year ahead, this performance marks just another step in their unstoppable journey. They play at 21:50pm on Saturday, 21st June.

Photo: Matt Hookings