Must see: Isle of Wight Festival, Seaclose Park, Newport

All-American heroes head into the great Wight open

Roots rage: Bruce Springsteen brings his 'Wrecking Ball' to the Isle of Wight Festival (EPA)

Glastonbury is on pause in 2012, so this friendly festival has stepped into the breach and drummed up some tidy coups – perhaps the best since Keith Richards fell out of a tree and hit its stage in 2007.

First up is Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, back in the UK for the first time since 1999. His recent material may not be up to snuff but Petty is made of timeless pop-rock classicism – just the ticket for enveloping a festival crowd in the breezy cheer of hits you forgot you knew.

Armed with a vigorous back catalogue and a righteous new album is Bruce Springsteen, back on UK festival duty after slaying 2009's Glasto, while Seattle-reared war-horses Pearl Jam complete an "American trilogy" of veteran headliners.

Noel Gallagher, Biffy Clyro and – a band with a knack for making big gigs feel snugger than a cosy night down at your local – Elbow represent for this side of the Atlantic, while Crystal Castles, Lana Del Rey, Magnetic Man and Best Coast tag along for a walk on the Wight site.

(0844 499 9955; ticketzone.co.uk) Fri to 24 Jun