Thursday 4th February

Florence and the Machine and La Roux have been added to the line-up of the Isle of Wight Festival.

The event takes place between Friday 11th and Sunday 13th June and Jay-Z has already been confirmed as the headliner on the Friday.

It is thought Florence will play the Main Stage sometime before the American rapper’s set, with La Roux appearing in the Big Top on the Saturday.

The Strokes, Biffy Clyro, Friendly Fires and Doves will also be playing.

Download festival director John Probyn has revealed that flags will be banned from the main arena of the Donnington Park site this year.

On the festival’s online forum, Probyn explained that the move has been inspired by protests from fans.

“Due to an overwhelming number of complaints from people and now we have had chance to view the footage from previous years and can see what everyone means (and not see the acts onstage!), we will be banning flags on sticks in the main arena.

“Hope you all understand that this is to ensure that everyone can enjoy what’s onstage.”

When asked how the ban would be enforced, Probyn responded: “[Fans] will be stopped at the entrance to the arena and anyone who breaks the rule will be ejected from the festival.”

AC/DC, Them Crooked Vultures and Deftones are among the acts performing at this year’s event.

Finally, The Strokes have begun work on their new album.

The band are recording with producer Joe Ciccarelli, who has also worked with U2, Beck and Bjork.

The album will be their first release since 2006’s ‘First Impressions of Earth’.