Wickham Festival News

Day 1 – review

Here comes the Sun! Headliner Steve Harley could not have picked a better opening song as he closed the opening night of the 2018 Wickham Festival.

After last year’s downpour on the eve of the event, the weather was perfect this time around.

Not the muddy start that welcomed you last year.

The festival got under way in glorious sunshine – with three more days forecast. And the Cockney Rebel frontman picked up on the mood.

Despite nursing a broken hip, Harley produced a high-energy set which had the crowd singing along to his string of hits finishing, of course, with Come Up and See Me Make Me Smile.

Steve Harley produced a rousing finale

It was a rousing finale to a fantastic first day with Imar and then the South picking up the tempo after Les Barker’s hugely entertaining poetry readings.

Imar got the Valley Stage fans dancing with their infectious blend of celtic tunes before the South dipped into their huge catalogue of hits to delight the crowd.

The South had the crowd dancing

Meanwhile the Village Stage – now extended to become a second main stage – was rocking to Mad Dog Mcrea followed by the pulsating beat of the ever-popular Dhol Foundation.

After all that excitement, many were not ready to turn in and headed to the Quay West Cave for the late-night comedy which is proving a big success once again.

Friday’s comedy set will be held on the Village Stage as it features internet sensation Jonathan Pie who is sure to draw a big crowd.

Jonathan Pie has become an internet sensation

 

The music gets under way at noon building up to headline sets by Show of Hands (Valley Stage) and Skipinnish (Village Stage) with Kate Rusby, Martyn Joseph and Boo Hewerdine providing quality support among many others.

Day and weekend tickets are still available at the box office. Parking is free and plentiful and with top quality food and drink, arts and craft stalls and a host of free activities for children (Under 10’s admitted free, 10-16 half-price) the Wickham Festival is the perfect place for a fun weekend.

 

Take the chance to try body painting!
A heavenly vision
There is plenty of entertainment as you walk round the site

Archives by year

  • 2025 (1)
  • 2024 (17)
  • 2023 (13)
  • 2022 (13)
  • 2021 (20)
  • 2020 (12)
  • 2019 (25)
  • 2018 (25)
  • 2017 (27)
  • 2016 (23)
  • 2015 (19)
  • 2014 (2)
  • Facebook Posts

    Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
    A touch of bluegrass!  The Thumping Tommys will make their Wickham Festival debut on Saturday 2nd August.  https://www.facebook.com/thethumpingtommys  Day & Weekend tickets now onsale via www.wickhamfestival.co.uk

    A touch of bluegrass! The Thumping Tommys will make their Wickham Festival debut on Saturday 2nd August. www.facebook.com/thethumpingtommys Day & Weekend tickets now onsale via www.wickhamfestival.co.uk ... See MoreSee Less

    2 days ago

    8 CommentsComment on Facebook

    Fantastic

    Would love to have Kiefer Sutherland back with his band. They were brilliant.

    Don't know them, but they sound spot on Wickham Music Festival. Love a bit of Bluegrass 🎶🪕🎻🎶

    View more comments

    Another artist confirmed.  The ever-popular Phil Beer will be appearing solo at Wickham on Sun. 3rd Aug. as well as joining with Reg Meuross, Marion Fleetwood & Geraint Watkins to perform Fire and Dust: A Woody Guthrie Story.  Day & weekend tickets now on-sale via www.wickhamfestival.co.uk/tickets

    Another artist confirmed. The ever-popular Phil Beer will be appearing solo at Wickham on Sun. 3rd Aug. as well as joining with Reg Meuross, Marion Fleetwood & Geraint Watkins to perform 'Fire and Dust: A Woody Guthrie Story'. Day & weekend tickets now on-sale via www.wickhamfestival.co.uk/tickets ... See MoreSee Less

    3 days ago

    12 CommentsComment on Facebook

    Looking forward to the Woody Guthrie set

    That's the icing on the Wickham cake!

    Always such a fantastic lineup there…but also wow what a great photo!

    View more comments

    Our Twitter Feed

    The ever-popular Phil Beer will be appearing solo at #WickhamFestival on Sun. 3rd Aug. as well as joining with Reg Meuross, Marion Fleetwood & Geraint Watkins to perform 'Fire and Dust: A Woody Guthrie Story'

    Huzzah for @festivalwickham and Saturday 2nd August and another mighty HUZZAH for it is a particular favourite of ours, do thoroughly deserving of thrice Huzzah! http://Www.wickhamfestival.co.uk for tickets!! See you there. Is there time for one more Huzzah?

    We've updated the 'Line-Up' pages of our website to show who's playing (so far!) on which day. You can also view artist biogs & videos by clicking on artist photos.

    The wonderful singer-songwriter @NewtonFaulkner will make his #WickhamFestival debut on Friday, 1st Aug. Same day as @Fishy_Friends, @TaliskMusic, @FlookQuartet and many others.

    Another band confirmed! Legendary Geordie folk-rockers @lindisfarneband will headline the opening night of #WickhamFestival on Thursday 31 July.

    More artists confirmed! @IanProwse and Amsterdam will be at this year's #WickhamFestival on Sunday 3rd August. Ian toured with Elvis Costello last year and is touring with Levellers this Spring.