Bob Dylan is to release an unpublished, previously unheard composition to celebrate the 50th anniversary since his iconic appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival.

In 1969, Dylan famously opted against performing at New York’s Woodstock Festival in favour of playing live to 150,000 people at the Isle of Wight event, joining a line-up of The Who, The Moody Blues, Julie Felix, The Nice, Tom Paxton and more.

Now, as the Million Dollar Bash Festival prepares to honour the former Isle of Wight event, Dylan has prepared a previously unheard composition that will be exclusively played for the first time on Saturday, 31st August. Given the significant anniversary, Dylan is said to have reached out to Million Dollar Bash’s curator, Ashley Hutchings, to pass on a special poem which will be read out live on stage.

“I got some very touching and personal messages from Bob, much of which must remain personal, but I can say he has passed to me a special poem, fittingly something he wrote about 50 years ago, for me to pass on to fans when we play at Million Dollar Bash,” Hutchings said.

“This is going to be a great celebration. I will read out Bob’s poem, a composition that is previously unpublished and unheard. I am looking forward to it.”

Hutchings added: “I am thoroughly enjoying the rehearsals and I’m buoyed to get these messages from Bob and, of course, we have a great bill to honour the rest of the music styles and influences on offer back in the day. We also have some great new talents to showcase.”