THE first headline acts for the Isle of Arts Festival 2015 have been confirmed.

The funny, witty and irreverent Gyles Brandreth will open the festival with a trademark dynamic performance on Friday, May 1.

As a former MP and Government Whip turned broadcaster and author, Gyles has a wide range of anecdotes up his sleeve so his audience may never be quite sure where the evening will lead but they can be sure of one thing – they will be entertained.

On Saturday, May 2, one of the UK’s best-loved cellists comes to Ventnor.

In An Evening With Julian Lloyd Webber, film clips, anecdotes and stories are combined with breath-taking live music from Julian, accompanied on stage by his wife and fellow cellist Jiaxin Lloyd Webber and pianist Pam Chowan.

On Sunday, May 3, the stage will be set for a fantastic evening of Chicago Blues with the arrival of “Mud” Morganfield and his band. Mud, eldest son of Blues legend Muddy Waters, is touring Europe in 2015 celebrating the centenary of his father’s birth.

Now in its fifth year, Isle of Arts will be another wonderful opportunity to see great performers, get hands-on with various art forms in workshops and classes, and for all ages to be entertained by a variety of events spanning literature, music, comedy, drama, film and visual arts.

This year’s headline events will take place in the newly re-opened Ventnor Winter Gardens, while other events will take place in various venues across the town centre.

A limited number of reduced price early-bird tickets are available for each of the above shows from and more headline acts will be added in the coming weeks.