Wickham Festival News

Day 2 – review

What a difference a year makes as Boo Hewerdine finally got his moment in the spotlight.

Twelve months ago he was booked to open the Wickham Festival but a 24-hour deluge meant the gates were opened just over an hour late.

Boo Hewerdine got to play to a much bigger crowd this year

Hewerdine literally played his entire set to just one man with fans finally allowed into the arena just as he was finishing the last song.

He was invited back for a Friday tea-time slot to show festival-goers just what they had missed first time around.

This time he drew a full-sized crowd who loved his magical mix of folk and rock which set the tempo for another great evening of entertainment.

Martyn Joseph’s soulful set and then the beautiful voice of Kate Rusby kept the fans entranced before Show of Hands rounded off the evening with a trademark powerhouse performance.

Steve Knightley produced a rousing end to the evening with Show of Hands

Music-lovers faced a tough choice however. The expanded second stage can now accommodate some hugely popular acts and Skipinnish went down a storm on the Village Stage.

They were followed by internet sensation Jonathan Pie who drew a big crowd to the comedy stage for his hilarious yet thought-provoking rant.

Jonathan Pie barely paused for breath during his hilarious rant

Barely pausing for breath in 40 minutes, the spoof political reporter delivered an incredible fast-paced series of sharp observations on politics and modern life, hitting his target time after time.

Saturday promises to be another wonderful day of entertainment with John Illsley of Dire Straits and Tom Robinson preceding headliners Squeeze who will be a big draw while the ever-popular Ferocious Dog top the bill on the Village Stage.

Another golden day at the Wickham Festival

With more unbroken sunshine forecast, a big crowd is expected to sample the wide choice of food, real ales and ciders and beers as well as the many stalls and free children’s entertainment. Day tickets are on sale on site with children Under 10 admitted free and those aged 10-16 getting half-price. Parking is free and plentiful.

Another big crowd is expected on Saturday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A beautiful sunset provides the perfect backdrop to these Morris dancers
Jumping for joy at Wickham
There is plenty of fun for children of all ages
Kate Rusby’s beautiful voice had the crowd entranced
Wickham Festival was bathed in a glorious sunset

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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

    15 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 👌👌👌👌👌👍

    My kind of music

    Oh WOW!

    A wonderful addition to the festival. Thank you

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    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?