Danny & the Champions of the World, a heartland rock and soul band, will make their Wickham Festival debut on Friday 1st August. Formed in London during the summer of 2007 by Danny George Wilson, the band have since released seven studio albums and two live albums.  In 2016, they dominated the inaugural UK Americana Awards, winning UK Artist of the Year, UK Album of the Year for What Kind of Love and UK Song of the Year for Clear Water. Danny is instrumental in the London movement “Neckerchief Rock” alongside Radio London DJ Robert Elms, they regularly put on events at local pubs and venues.

“A fabulously creative and engaging 40 minutes of a band at their peak and a songwriter reaching new heights of communication”
9/10 AmericanaUK

“An absolutely fantastic album – a contender for Record Of The Year”
Robert Elms (BBC Radio London)

“The people arrived out of nowhere and they danced and sang along all night…they blew us away. It was without doubt a night to remember, impossible to forget. It was beyond what any rock and roll band should rightfully expect”
Danny George Wilson

Widely regarded amongst his peers as one of the most innovative pipers, Leonard’s track record of both solo and collaborations reflects the importance of the recording. Leonard was described by The Irish American News as“an important musician”. 

Kevin Burke states : My visits to the West of Ireland over recent years have brought me into regular contact with Leonard since he moved to Sligo in 2015 .  We have spent many hours together enjoying each other’s music and I’m thrilled at the release of this solo CD. I have been aware of it since it’s inception so it’s a delight to finally hear it in its entirety. He has assembled a great team of players to accompany him on the various tracks and his decision to engage fellow piper, flautist and multi instrumentalist, Michael McGoldrick as his producer was an inspired choice. Leonard and Michael’s combination of unusual accompaniments ,interesting tunes and warm, rich sounds have resulted in a superior, recording, comfortable and self confident, while expressing the joys of both piping and traditional music.

Leonard’s recently collaborated with Sottish piping legend Allan MacDonald in a band with traditional music greats, Iain MacFarlaine, Finlay MacDonald and Ali Hutton. A sold out performance at last year’s Celtic Connections in Glasgow which was described as “an evening of wonderful, memorable music imbued with a sense of joy and amusement”. Folk Radio UK.

Leonard also collaborator with Daoiri Farrell, and 2024 is a busy year for Leonard with performances in Festivals in Germany including Rudolstat World Music Festival, the Blas Festival in Scotland and an upcoming performance at the Celtic Colours in Nova Scotia.

With a pure silken voice and lyrics that inspire and captivate, Martha Tilston has developed a successful musical career with a large and loyal following. She has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages and festivals, recorded and released several critically acclaimed albums, gained a nomination for BBC best newcomer, appeared as a guest vocalist for Zero 7, toured internationally and worked with the some of the world’s most inspiring performers including Damien Rice, Nick Harper, Kae Tempest, Roddy Frame (Aztec Camera) and Zero 7.

“She has the power to draw an audience into her world, leaving all those present with a smile, and a few issues to ponder, too”
Time Out 

The past few years have seen Martha venture into the world of film making, gaining nominations for best arts film for The Clifftop Sessions and recently releasing her first feature film (with an accompanying Soundtrack Album) – The Tape – which is garnering much praise and excitement. With her long-time collaborators and musicians Matt Tweed and Matt Kelly, among others they entwine raw vocals, sparkling melodies and thought- provoking lyrics with filmic movements and earthy baselines. To see them live is to connect with longed-for parts of ourselves…
 

“Sharp, original songs that dissect the modern world. She captures both the harshness and enchantment of life”
The Guardian 

Miranda Sykes, the acclaimed singer and bassist with ‘Show of Hands’ is returning to her roots. After a career spanning over 20 years, during which time she has played with many of the top musicians and singers within the folk world, she will be touring as she started out: one woman, one bass, and one guitar. Borrowed Places is a project that draws its inspiration primarily from the songs and landscapes of her native Lincolnshire but seen through the eyes of someone who has lived away for many years. The themes are not specific; the land changes, it grows, it shrinks, it adapts and it resists but most of all it lives and breathes. With her sensational voice, and accompanying herself, Miranda interprets the soul of the land and takes her audience on a journey that resonates with us all, wherever we live and it is one you won’t want to miss.

Chart-topping singer-songwriter Lucy Spraggan will make her Wickham Festival debut on Friday 1st August. Lucy’s unique blend of folk, indie-pop and acoustic sounds paired with powerful and emotive lyrics have captivated audiences worldwide. She recently released new single Other Sides Of The Moon with a new studio album scheduled for later in 2025.

The album will feature brand-new songs, plus some of her favourite tracks of the last 15 years, reworked, providing fans with a perfect mix of old and new Lucy.

She released a striking duet version of her song Sober, on which she collaborated with pop icon and superstar Robbie Williams. The track is about Lucy’s journey on giving up alcohol and stepping into the world of sobriety. At 5 years sober she chose to re-release it with one of her biggest inspirations.

Lucy Spraggan started her journey as an artist when she was very young. In 2012, she entered the X Factor and went onto be the first contestant in history to score a Top 40 single and album before the live shows aired.

She has sold over 150k albums and reached over 150 million streams on Spotify alone. She released her memoir Process last year which was an instant Sunday Times bestseller.

Process: The powerful instant Sunday Times bestseller

A memoir of great power and emotional honesty. To read this book is to be in awe of Spraggan’s strength in writing it.
Elizabeth Day

Lucy’s music has been used many times in popular culture, perhaps most notably her track Why Don’t We Start From Here was used as the soundtrack for the closing scene for Series 3 of the Outlaws.

Lucy has announced an intimate acoustic tour in venues around the UK in March and April 2025 before playing festivals in the Summer, one of which is of course Wickham Festival!  We look forward to welcoming her to our stage.

Newton Faulkner is continually adjusting to a music landscape dominated by flux, he’s moved from the phenomenal success of his debut album ‘Hand Built By Robots’ to the surging triumph of ‘Write It On Your Skin’; from ‘Studio Zoo’ – which was the first album ever to be live streamed online while being recorded, and was also recorded and released in just five weeks – to the sumptuous ‘Human Love’ plus multiple other records over his incredible 15 year career so far. He’s now taking this moment to record his next collection of songs. This time a little more production heavy but still full of powerful vocals and his signature guitar sound weaved through the mix. Newton in the past has often found himself in his home studio working away solo, but not for this next record or in fact this tour. The next phase for Newton is full of collaboration which you can feel in the music to come. Seeing these songs come to life on stage is going to be nothing short of joyous.

Gerry Colvin was born in Barrow-in-Furness.  In the 1970’s Gerry joined pop band ‘The Man Upstairs’. They released three singles and toured with The Smiths.  In the early 1980’s he co-founded and fronted the legendary John Peel favourite skiffle-cowpunk indie outfit ’Terry & Gerry’. This seminal band toured Europe and the USA and appeared on countless Radio and TV shows including “The Tube” and “The Old Grey Whistle Test”. Their five singles and album all reached No.1 in the indie charts. They wrote numerous theme tunes for Central TV and were the subject of a 30 minute documentary by the legendary film maker Norman Hull, which aired on British Television in July 1986. The quirky portrayal of their unique skiffle music and beloved Birmingham can be viewed below.

In 2010 Cherry Red released ‘Let’s Get the Hell Back to Lubbock’, the definitive ‘Terry and Gerry’ compilation

In the early 1990’s Gerry worked in Nashville as a professional songwriter and back in the UK collaborated with Alison Moyet, co-writing on an album project. He also penned numerous TV themes, three musicals, two film scores and wrote and presented for BBC Radio 2. His band ‘Gerry Colvin’s Inexperience’, a fusion of Soul, R and B and Folk-Country, became a firm favourite on the College circuit.

In 1993 Gerry formed the folk-pop band ‘The Atlantics’: they toured extensively including a slot at Glastonbury Festival where Gerry was compere, and appeared on BBC’s ‘Pebble Mill at One’. Colvin’s other major project at this time was film music as vocalist with ‘The National Screen Orchestra’; he also performed as a comedy double act with Hollywood superstar Mackenzie Crook.

In 1995 Gerry co-founded the five piece folk band Colvinquarmby. They released six critically acclaimed albums and were voted best band at the prestigious Fairport Convention Cropredy Festival in 2009. In 2010 they won the Hancock Award for ‘Best Live Folk Act’. In May 2013 Gerry was invited by New York producer and Robert Plant song collaborator Dave Barratt to record ‘Revolution’ for the ‘Beatles complete on ukulele’ album and website.

In 2014 Gerry released a self-penned solo album ‘Jazz Tales of Country Folk’ followed by ‘Six of One half a Dozen of the Other’ in 2016 which features ten brand new original songs.
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In 2015 Gerry reformed ‘Terry and Gerry’ and was invited to support Status Quo on a nationwide tour. Terry and Gerry also appeared at Glastonbury that year following the release of their new EP ‘Dear John’.

As well as his new album Gerry’s book ‘The Rabbits of Zakynthos’ is due to be published later this year.

The Gerry Colvin band were delighted to be invited to appear at Cropredy Festival 2017 to celebrate 50 years of Fairport Convention!! They received a standing ovation!!

The new CD ‘Back and Forth’ was launched at Cropredy and is available from
www.gerrycolvin.com

The Gerry Colvin Band are: Gerry Colvin (guitar) Jerome Davies (double Bass) Trish Power (accordion) Michael Keelan (fiddle) and Lyndon Webb (guitar)

Gerry is immensely proud to be Patron of Wellcombe Radio based in Stratford Upon Avon www.welcomberadio.co.uk/ and Banbury Folk Club, Oxon. www.banburyfolkclub.co.uk/

“Gerry Colvin is a writer of great substance who is able to give us something that has been largely missing in English Music for a long time. His subjects and characters are clearly defined and his songs create strong images and stories which can make us both laugh and cry in the same breath. This man is unique and unforgettable. The songs are brilliant. He should be a household name. Go see him.”
Phil Beer, Show of Hands

We’re delighted to announce that the ever-popular singer-songwriter Steve Knightley of Show of Hands fame will be back at Wickham on Friday 1st August. Steve’s former band-mate, Phil Beer, will also be at Wickham on the Sunday performing a solo set as well as joining Reg Meuross to perform ‘Fire and Dust – A Woody Guthrie Story’.  Whilst we mention SOH, their bassist Miranda Sykes is also at Wickham this year!  All the SOH members have become real crowd favourites at Wickham performing many times in various set ups. So this year looks great for any SOH fan.

Steve was born in Southhampton so can be considered a local! Here he is performing Song for Wickham at Wickham Festival 2022.

Steve Knightley performed his Song For Wickham with a community choir. Commissioned by the Parish Council, the idea for a song for Wickham arose as the village was looking towards a new decade with changes ahead, 2020 also marked the 900th anniversary of St Nicholas Church.

Renowned Westcountry songwriter Steve Knightley announces a ground-breaking nationwide solo tour—the first since the iconic band disbanded. Focused on promoting his latest album, ‘The Winter Yards,’ this tour signifies a profound shift in Knightley’s musical journey. Booked by Midnight Mango, the move is a calculated step for the seasoned artist. The agency stated “We are proud to be involved in the launch of the fresh chapter in the remarkable career of legendary songwriter Steve Knightley.” Notably, the tour includes Knightley’s inaugural performances in Scotland and Ireland, expanding the geographical reach of his musical influence. With a reputation for haunting narrative songs and captivating storytelling, fans can anticipate Knightley’s solo career as a powerful and evocative continuation of his influential legacy in Acoustic music.

Booked for one track ended up on five!
Mick Jagger

Some of the best songs written in the last twenty years.
Mark Radcliffe

The Winter Yards turns the page on the remarkable career of a ground-breaking singer, songwriter and musician who has invigorated the folk roots world for three decades.
Spiral Earth

Having appeared at Wickham in 2018, we’re delighted to welcome back Flook who will be appearing on Friday 1st August.

What began in 1995 as a ground-breaking union of musicians and instruments, has continued as a unique musical offering through one live album, four studio albums and countless outstanding performances. A new recording, Sanju, is due for release in March 2025. After 30 years Flook show no sign of letting-up in their brilliance, their dynamism, or their inventive flair.

The band early on evolved an inimitable trademark sound and hold fast to their rightful reputation as exceptional musical innovators; the whistles and flutes of Brian Finnegan and Sarah Allen, the guitar of Ed Boyd and the bodhran of John Joe Kelly weaving and spinning tunes rooted in tradition over precise acoustic grooves, with a rare blend of fiery technical brilliance, delicate ensemble interaction and a bold, adventurous musical imagination.

There is an ever present abundance of individual virtuosity amongst Flook’s four members, but there is also something wholly unique when this iconic Anglo-Irish band step on stage together, their playing always an intuitive, almost symbiotic, exchange between the various flutes, whistles, frets and skins. An evening and a celebration you don’t want to miss out on.

‘An absolute powerhouse, a flute and whistle-led, eight-legged jig machine. Jigs, reels and waltzes whirl by. Each as glorious as the last, the musicianship as extraordinary, the mood never any less than euphoric’
FATEA Live Review, November 2023

‘Nothing short of transcendent… No other band sound like Flook and the new material has pushed them to new, exhilarating heights’
Songlines, July 2019

‘Never have I seen so many people so completely and utterly spellbound…the most magical of experiences’
The Irish Post

Fisherman’s Friends are a male singing group from Port Isaac, Cornwall, who sing sea shanties. They have been performing locally since 1995, and signed a record deal with Universal Music in March 2010. Whilst essentially an a cappella group, their studio recordings now often include traditional simple instrumentation.

Bound together by lifelong friendship and shared experience for more than 25 years the Fisherman’s Friends have met on the Platt (harbour) in their native Port Isaac to raise money for charity, singing the traditional songs of the sea handed down to them by their forefathers.

In 2010 they signed a major record deal and their album “Port Isaac’s Fisherman’s Friends” went Gold as they became the first traditional folk act to land a UK top ten album. Since then they’ve been the subject of an ITV documentary, released the hit albums One and All (2013), Proper Job (2015) & Sole Mates (2018) and played to hundreds of thousands of fans at home and abroad.

They sang for HM The Queen at her Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012, they were selected to sing for Prince Charles & Camilla during their 2016 tour of Cornwall and were honoured with the Good Tradition Award at the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2011. 2019 saw the release of ‘Fisherman’s Friends’ a movie based on the group’s discovery and signing to a major record label. The film was an immediate hit, taking nearly 10 million at the box office. And this year sees the release of the second movie ‘Fisherman’s Friends One And All’ this autumn.

Other standout performances include the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival, Twickenham Stadium during half-time of England v Australia (an intimate crowd of 81,275!!), Cambridge Folk Festival, Beautiful Days, Sidmouth Folk Week, Looe Music Festival, Costa del Folk in Portugal and the BBC Proms in the Park.

By popular request, Johnny Kalsi and The Dhol Foundation will be back at Wickham on Friday August 1st with a band / dj set plus a Bhangra Dance workshop on Saturday 2nd. Whilst some acts transfer well to TV / on-line viewing, others you can only truely appreciate live when your body shakes … we’re welcoming back The Dhol Foundation.  Over the years they’ve proved a real Wickham favourite so it’s another bhangra bonanza on for 2025.  These guys know how to put on a stunning show … Wickham, you want vibrant enery?  They’re back!!!  We’re not sure any other festival could claim to have a bhangra based house band. 

Established in 1989, The Dhol Foundation began as a small class in slough with only a few friends asking Johnny Kalsi for Dhol drumming lessons. A couple of weeks went by, and those friends bought friends of friends and so on… One class turned into several! Before we knew it we became the first-ever dhol class/academy in the UK, creating a new breed of modern dhol players that became quickly in demand!

With a strong team of dhol players built up, it was time to hit the road! So Johnny Kalsi and The Dhol Foundation began workshops internationally and then tours across the globe, Slowly expanding along the way.

In 2001 TDF released our debut album, ‘Big Drum Small World’ which was another milestone for the British Asian music industry. With backing from Peter Gabriel’s Real World Publishing, the album grabbed mainstream attention and was quickly picked up by Hollywood directors. TDF collaborated with Martin Scorsese on ‘Gangs of New York’. This collaboration was then followed by more silver screen work with the likes of, Ang Lee on ‘Incredible Hulk’ and Sean Macleod Phillips on ‘Sea Monsters 3D’,