Wickham Festival News

Fantastic finale for Wickham Festival

It was the perfect end to a perfect weekend as the best ever Wickham Festival came to a fantastic finale.

With record crowds, glorious weather and a bill of top artists, organisers were quick to hail the four-day fiesta as their best yet.

It proved so successful that hundreds of fans have already booked for next year’s event (Aug 3-6) taking advantage of a £60 discount on a weekend ticket. Continue reading “Fantastic finale for Wickham Festival”

Roger Taylor of Queen joins Fish, Madeline Bell and Toyah Willcox on stage at Wickham Festival

It was a Kind of Magic as Roger Taylor of Queen brought the third day of the Wickham Festival to a fantastic finish.

The rock legend provided guest vocals for the SAS Band at the end of a rousing set which saw Toyah Willcox, Fish and Madeline Bell perform their own and others’ hits.

There was also a guest slot from Bill Oddie who had earlier given an enlightening talk on behalf of the League Against Cruel Sports. Continue reading “Roger Taylor of Queen joins Fish, Madeline Bell and Toyah Willcox on stage at Wickham Festival”

Tony Hadley and Eddi Reader get Wickham Festival off to great start

It was True Gold as Tony Hadley kicked off the Wickham Festival in style last night.

The Spandau Ballet frontman wowed a crowd of around 5,000 with a sensational set of old favourites and new material in an electric atmosphere under the Big Top.

He gave the fans exactly what they wanted in a memorable 90-minute gig which included Through the Barricades as well as True and Gold. Continue reading “Tony Hadley and Eddi Reader get Wickham Festival off to great start”

Introducing the headline acts for “The Quay West Cave”

We’re incredibly excited about the acts appearing in the all new “Quay West Cave” over the weekend.  Not least because this is the place to see the very best local artists and the wealth of talented musicians we have right here on our doorstep.  Wickham Festival has always been about supporting local artists and promoting our part of the world.  We’ve just added some profiles to tempt you over to this stage, so head on over!

Continue reading “Introducing the headline acts for “The Quay West Cave””

Bill Oddie to give talk at Wickham Festival for the League Against Cruel Sports

Bill Oddie will be making a special guest appearance at this week’s award-winning Wickham Festival.

The television entertainer and renowned conservationist will be giving a talk on behalf of the League against Cruel Sports at three o’clock on Saturday afternoon.

The comedian, actor and author, who shot to prominence with the Goodies in the 1970’s, will be delivering a serious message in his own inimitable style as part of the Festival’s link with the charity.

Having written and sung a string of comic hit songs for the Goodies including the Funky Gibbon, there is also a strong chance that the 75-year-old may perform with the SAS Band later that evening. Continue reading “Bill Oddie to give talk at Wickham Festival for the League Against Cruel Sports”

Madeline Bell and Fish promise special SAS Band slot at Wickham Festival

The SAS Band hope to crown their headline appearance at the Wickham Festival with a special tribute to the music stars who have died in 2016.

Already this year fans have mourned the passing of David Bowie, Prince and Maurice White from Earth, Wind and Fire among others.

Spike’s All Star Band is made up of varying big name artists who play their own and other musicians’ hits for a great party atmosphere and Madeline Bell, who will be appearing with them on August 6, is planning a fitting send-off. Continue reading “Madeline Bell and Fish promise special SAS Band slot at Wickham Festival”

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  • Facebook Posts

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    Ireland's John McSherry, one of the finest Uilleann pipers in the world today, is newly confirmed for this year's Wickham Festival. John will appear on Sat. 3rd Aug. accompanied by Brendan Quinn & Francis McIlduff. johnmcsherry.com/#bio www.youtube.com/watch?v=5khv0CbyKH0 ... See MoreSee Less

    23 hours ago

    6 CommentsComment on Facebook

    Day & Weekend tickets now onsale via www.wickhamfestival.co.uk/tickets

    Can I ask, Should we have received our tickets yet? Thanks 🎶

    Oh yesss 👌👌👌👌👌👍

    Oh WOW!

    My kind of music

    A wonderful addition to the festival. Thank you

    View more comments

    Were very sorry to hear that Steve Harley has died.  He appeared many times at Wickham, usually with his own band but also with Spike Edneys SAS Band.  He always gave a great show and was always a pleasure to work with.  Were so sad to hear of his passing and extend our deepest sympathies to his family.

    We're very sorry to hear that Steve Harley has died. He appeared many times at Wickham, usually with his own band but also with Spike Edney's SAS Band. He always gave a great show and was always a pleasure to work with. We're so sad to hear of his passing and extend our deepest sympathies to his family. ... See MoreSee Less

    2 weeks ago

    58 CommentsComment on Facebook

    Here's a backstage interview which Steve gave to our Festival Press Officer Graham Hiley in 2018. It's a great interview. Do give it a listen. www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJh3FjE2Vro

    Very sad to hear this. Loved seeing him at Wickham.

    Heartbreaking news; Steve’s music has been ( and will remain) very much a part of our lives. Our thoughts are with his family. RIP Steve, you will be missed ♥️

    We saw him at Wickham he was brilliant despite having to sit for the performance as he had leg or hip problems! Didn't affect the energy of his set! Sad loss!

    Always great to see - will be missed

    Very sad news. I’m glad we saw him a couple of times in recent years at Wickham. A great performer. Sadly missed

    So so sad about the passing away of Steve Harley. A fantastic performer, wonderful wordsmith, funny, endearing and talked to the audience like we were in his front room.. saw him several times, but very fond memories of his sets at Wickham. So glad I got to see him many times. Xxxxx ❤️ ❤️

    Noooo! He was so lovely. RIP you came up and made me smile.

    So sorry 😔 He stirred such emotion when I saw him at Wickham, a true and great artist ❤️

    Very sad - we loved seeing him at Wickham Music Festival :(

    So sad to hear this news. I saw him at Wickham in 2015, a great artist and performer. Deepest sympathies to his loved ones 💛

    We were there at his last Wickham gig and also a more recent intimate theatre gig nearer to home, just last year. Very different but loved both. A brilliant performer and a very nice guy. Will be sadly missed. 😢

    Heartbreaking news.

    Devastated! One of my all time favourites. RIP Steve.😪

    So sad, he was brilliant there a few years ago, one of the very best highlights of the festival 💔

    Still hear “make me smile” almost daily on the radio. Such a brilliant uplifting song and his voice was amazing. Sad sad loss to the music industry. RIP Steve

    Very sad loss Peter ..Great music

    It's truly heartbreaking. He was wonderful and will be greatly missed

    Oh how sad. My younger years sounds which I loved . 🙏💕

    Thanks for sharing.Very sad news.Yes very sad. Back in the 1990s he headlined several of our Heineken (freebie) Big Top festivals.Always great to work with backstage and a real crowd- pleaser.

    Sad news. Great forever songs to remember him by. Condolences to his family and friends.x

    Very sad 😢 loved seeing his shows - a joy! Cx

    Legend I hope he’s being a rebel in spirit and makes the spirits smile ❤️🥺

    Lucky enough to see him twice at Wickham (once with his band and once with the SAS Band). A sad day :(

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    Our Twitter Feed

    Steve Harley was an audience favourite at Wickham Festival, and a delight to work with. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

    Steve Harley: Cockney Rebel singer dies at 73

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68590846

    The Saw Doctors would like to say a Big Thanks to everybody who has bought or streamed ‘All We Love’ today —the new single is Number 3 in Ireland and No. 23 in the UK. Here’s the link to buy or stream ‘All We Love’   
    https://orcd.co/allwelove

    Wonderfully evocative and typically catchy song from our old friends @sawdoctors ready for #StPatricksDay
    Would love to hear them do this at #wickhamfesival one day. Great stuff!

    Our new line-up inc. Curtis Stigers with a few more artists inc. Jerry Douglas to add. We hope to unveil last confirmed artists inc. one more headliner soon. Day & Tier 4 Weekend tickets selling fast. Save £50 on every 4-day weekend ticket. Book now. http://www.wickhamfestival.co.uk

    We're delighted to announce that 16-times GRAMMY Award winner Jerry Douglas, one of the world's finest dobro & lap steel guitar players, will be at this year's Wickham Music Festival on Sat. 3rd Aug. Day & Weekend tickets selling fast!

    After announcing the great American singer Curtis Stigers for the Wickham Music Festival yesterday we'll be announcing another great American musician this evening (Tuesday). A clue. He's a 14-times Grammy Award winner. Any guesses?