Inspirational Islanders

Opened in 2017, Strings Bar & Venue is a 300-capacity live music and performing arts venue situated in Newport. Having collectively realised there wasn’t a dedicated live venue on the Isle of Wight for musicians, co-founders Claydon Connor and Ian Davison established Strings Bar & Venue. The venue is now pivotal to the Isle of Wight music scene, helping emerging local artists such as Wet Leg, Lauran Hibberd and Beth Brookfield showcase their talents as well as hosting a wide variety of bands, DJs and comedians. “I’m originally from Manchester, but moved here when I was quite young. We used...

Born and raised on the Isle of Wight, singer-songwriter Ben Stubbs learnt to play the guitar at a young age, honing his singing skills at Medina High School. His original songs combine pop, rock and country and are heavily influenced by great songwriters like Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and John Mayer. Ben’s debut album was released in May 2023 and has attracted global attention from the music press. Along with his band, Ben regularly performs at venues and events across the South Coast and beyond. “There’s something really special about the Island. Something that encourages you to relax. A sense...

Singer and composer Mike Christie began his professional career at the age of 8 as a chorister before appearing in the movie Four Weddings and a Funeral. In 2004, he auditioned as a member of vocal group G4 on the X Factor. The band celebrate their 20th anniversary this year with a new studio album out on 12 April, followed by an extensive UK tour – which includes the 5 June at Medina Theatre. In 2018 Mike Christie launched Wight Proms, the annual outdoor proms festival in Cowes which celebrates comedy, musical theatre, opera and classical music, and includes free...

Isle of Wight born and bred, Rowan Lathey trained in musical theatre and has worked for Spotlight (IOW) theatre company for much of her professional career. This Christmas, she will reprise the role of Rapunzel for the third time at Shanklin Theatre. When not on stage, out walking, or in her greenhouse, Rowan teaches for Spotlight’s stage schools and is a tutor at First Act, a theatre group for adults with additional needs. “The Isle of Wight will always be my home. It holds my family and friends here. I’m very aware I’m incredibly lucky to be able to work...

Italian-born Anna Sacchini is the co-owner of Michelangelo Restaurant in Ryde. Having mastered the sitar while under the tutelage of Ravi Shankar in the 1980s, she began learning the harp when she moved to the Isle of Wight. Inspired by the Harp Festival in Dinan, Brittany, Anna joined forces with friend and music promoter Vic King to set up their own. The popular Harp on Wight Festival is now in its 10th year. “I chose to come and live on the Isle of Wight as I wanted to live close to nature. The Island has a stunning natural beauty and...

Drag Idol UK 2022 semi-finalist, QUIVERS, is a stand-up comedian, songstress, host, DJ and general buffoon. Rumoured to be the Isle of Wight’s best-kept regret, their often sold-out live shows include music, comedy, puppetry and storytelling, as well as some outrageous self-constructed costumes. “I adore living on the Isle of Wight – you can drive for twenty minutes and feel like you’re in a completely different place. It’s wonderful when you need to switch off from the day to day, to be able to quickly switch to enjoying your surroundings. Work-wise, the Island is somewhat of a microcosm of different...