Wickham Festival News

Pronghorn

The undisputed kings of cowpunk, Pronghorn, will be at the Wickham Festival on Thursday 30th July. They last appeared at Wickham in 2017 so a return visit is long overdue.

In 1992 when grunge was what every self respecting alternative music fan was into, a group of friends who decided to go against the grain formed a band that the likes of Dorset and the world had never seen. 20 odd years ago they started off by busking outside Debenhams in Bournemouth and then played their first gig at the Brunswick Hotel in Charminster. It was after that gig they received their first ever review too- on collection of their gear the following morning, they discovered the landlord’s dog had left a rather large message by the drum kit.

The band was put together from the ashes of skiffle outfit  ‘Hoedown at Hanks’. a Cult tribute band ‘ Blue Rain’ and local upstarts ‘the Crunchy Tractors and quickly went onto busking outside more salubrious locations, Amsterdam Central Station, Copenhagen Homeless Hostels and Cherbourg docks to name but a few. As the band’s sound evolved with a mash of punk, country and rockabilly which brought together the band’s very own genre “Cowpunk”, proper gigs soon followed and then the festivals came calling.

The line up has seen many changes over the years but the founder members, Toni Viagra and Lamma are still there, along with newbies(!) Ffi, Krusty, Gypo, Aussie Mike and Andy Law- who’ve only done the last fifteen years or so.

Alistair Goodwin Band

The Alistair Goodwin Band will be performing on Saturday 1st August.  The band members are as follows:

  • Alistair Goodwin – Guitar, Vocal
  • Nigel Rippon – Cello
  • Age Gould – Cajon
  • Nigel Davies-Patrick – Bass

Nominally acoustic but with a well-honed electrifying edge, Alistair’s enormously dynamic writing and delivery ranges from hard-driven energy to heart-breaking pin-dropping passages. With a band entirely focussed on making the absolute most of his skills, prepare to witness them frequently bringing tears to the eyes of his captivated audience.

“This band has been stunning large festival audiences for years with their seemingly ‘out of nowhere’ performances of instantly loveable, heartbreaking original compositions. The dedication of those ‘in the know’ is fervent. The awe of those who discover them by chance is consistent.”

Their driven bluesy-folk-rock sound will leave you thinking of a distinctly rootsy brew of distilled Nick Drake, Jackie Leven and early Led-Zep. Leave that in an appropriately fire-branded, whisky-seasoned barrel to mature for several decades, and you won’t be too far off the mark. Who doesn’t want to be there when that gets cracked open?

We are delighted that the full band line up, the Alistair Goodwin Band, are performing. However Alistair frequently performs as a solo artist. To illustrate the diversity, the video below is from a solo performance.

Since first picking up a guitar at the age of three the instrument has held a lifelong fascination for Alistair. His love of acoustic music has led him to play with an extremely wide range of musicians from street performers to the classically trained.

“Powerful vocals and mastery of the guitar make this guy a must see.”

“A unique and wholly original talent and after having seen him play live on a number of occasions, including a session on the programme, I’m very happy to confirm that.”

“If you’re a fan of acoustic music that’s firmly rooted in the Troubadour tradition then you’ll enjoy Alistair’s music.”

Phil Jackson, BBC Introducing

Described as gutsy driven acoustic roots, Alistair’s live performances blend melody, rhythm and vocal talent into a heartfelt and heady brew. Recent performances include radio exposure on the South Coast’s Spirit FM, live interviews and performances on the BBC’s Radio Solent and for Portsmouth and Southampton Television. His frequent live performances at venues across London and the south coast of England continue to build an impressively awed and loyal following in his musical wake.

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers

We are delighted to announce that our Thursday headliners will be The Red Hot Chilli Pipers who last appeared at Wickham way back in 2018.  They are without a doubt are the most famous bagpipe band on the planet ever!

Bagpipes with attitude, drums with a Scottish accent and a show that leaves people with warm hearts and smiles on their faces. RHCP, known for their unique fusion of traditional bagpipe music and modern rock and pop are going “Back to Roots”, which is also the title of their new album which was released in early 2025.

Dubbed the “Kings of Bagrock,” they blend powerful bagpipes with, vocals, electric guitars, drums, and keyboards to create high-energy performances that captivate audiences worldwide.

Formed in 2002, the group gained international fame after winning the hugely successful BBC talent show When Will I Be Famous? in 2007. Their innovative covers of iconic rock and pop tracks, such as Journey´s “Don´t Stop believing” and Coldplay’s “Clocks,” have earned them critical acclaim, several awards, and a loyal fan base.

RHCP have collected together an impressive group of musicians, dancers and singers from Scotland and further afield, many holding World Championship titles and all exceptional performers with impressive credentials and qualifications.

Some facts and figures about the Red Hot Chilli Pipers:

  • Gold disc for over 100,000 uk sales of their first album – `Backrock to the Masses
  • To date, The Red Hot Chilli Piper have performed live to over 1.5 million people
  • Triple platinum status for the album and DVD – `Blast Live`
  • Awarded twice for `Best Live Act in Scotland`
  • Nearly 6 million views on Youtube of their viral cover version of the Avici track `Wake me up`
  • Nearly 20 million views on Youtube of their performance of “Leave a Light On” feat. Tom Walker
  • Sell out gigs and tours in USA, UK, China,Australia,Germany,Switzerland and Australia
  • Winner of the BBC TV prime time talent show `When Will I be Famous` hosted by Graham Norton

the-red-hot-chilli-pipers-logo

The Chillis have never been more in demand for their infectious style of feel good music which appeals right across the age range to people all over the world. They have a pool of the very best musicians from Scotland and across the globe – many holding World Champion titles and all serious players with impressive credentials and qualifications.

There has never been anything quite like The Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Wherever you are you are sure to have felt the Chilli heat. It’s time now to come closer to the fire.

The Young ‘Uns

The Young’uns’ live shows are renowned roller coaster rides. With heart-on-the-sleeve storytelling, beautiful lyrics, warm harmonies and relentless repartee, Sean Cooney, Michael Hughes and David Eagle (the award-winning stand-up comedian) write and sing folk songs for today.

Born from empathy, crafted with care, fired by hope, and shared with joy, The Young’uns’ songs have been described as ‘a heartfelt secular hymnary for these troubled times and a rallying call for humanity’ (The Scotsman). They have led the band to three BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards (including Best Album in 2018 for Strangers) and the creation of the acclaimed international theatre show The Ballad of Johnny Longstaff (based upon their 2019 album of the same name).

Nearly twenty years after accidentally stumbling into the alien world of their local folk club as drunken teenagers, (and gaining their cureless name in the process) these three thirtysomething friends from Stockton and Hartlepool have never lost the joy of that first night of singing together. Whether performing at Glastonbury Festival, writing a song about pigs with a group of school children, or presenting a programme on Radio 4, Sean Cooney, Michael Hughes and David Eagle are just the same.

The Dhol Foundation

Back by popular demand, The Dhol Foundation will headline Friday with their first full band set at Wickham since 2022. The Band will also perform a late night DJ Set after The Saw Doctors on Saturday night and host a Bhangra Dance Workshop on Saturday morning. On both Friday & Saturday nights the Band will have their dancers with them to lead the crowd.

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 2026.  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’,

The Proclaimers

We’re delighted to announce that The Proclaimers will headline the Sunday night (2nd August) at the 2026 Wickham Festival. They last appeared at Wickham in 2019 so they are long overdue a return visit having had to cancel in 2023 due to Charlie losing his voice the week before.  2026 will see The Proclaimers return with a new album recorded in the spring and back out live from early summer.

2022 had seen The Proclaimers release their 12th studio album to immense acclaim. Dentures Out saw them record again at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales with producer Dave Eringa.

The fire and ire of Craig and Charlie Reid remain righteously undimmed. Dentures Out is a record of the times, for the times, the twins at their political, observational, satirical and fist-punchingly tuneful best with guest guitarist James Dean Bradfield playing on a couple of tracks.

On their most political album since Sunshine On Leith, in the lyrical firing line are: the weaponising of nostalgia for electoral capital, porcine press barons, the comforting but distracting illusion of destiny, the hysterical bubble of modern life.

They kicked of a 14-month World tour in June 2022 followed by a series of summer festivals and regional concerts. October to December saw The Proclaimers embark upon their biggest and most successful sell out 35 date UK & Ireland tour.

2023 then saw The Proclaimers touring Australia and New Zealand followed by summer shows and festivals in the UK. 96 shows in total to over 500,0000 people.

Strikingly individual, twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid emerged 31 years ago with their debut album This Is The Story and Top 3 single ‘Letter from America’. Since then their enduring appeal across generations has have over the years seen them enjoy huge success across the globe.

The Proclaimers songs are timeless, capturing a gamut of human emotions, written with poignancy, emotional honesty, political fire and wit. Their songs feature at weddings, funerals and everything in-between and there is one song, an early
celebration of falling head over heels in love that is known the world over and has become a staggering global anthem. There are many others that have gained great popularity in different parts of the planet and then there is a wide cross section of sublime songs embraced by a multitude that has kept up with The Proclaimers studio albums, compilation collections and extensive touring over three decades.

2018 had seen their ‘Angry Cyclist’ album released to immense acclaim, becoming their 8th UK, Top 40 album debuting in the UK Official Album charts at 17 and at number 3 in the UK Official Independent Album Charts.

The Proclaimers “Angry Cyclist World Tour” began in July 2018 and ended in September 2019, 111 shows in 14 countries to over 400,0000 people. The tour began in Stroud, England and ended at The Hydro in Glasgow. The tour included
their biggest ever tours of Scotland, England, Canada, New Zealand and Australia and notably in June 2019, The Proclaimers opened The Pyramid Stage for their 7th appearance at Glastonbury. The Proclaimers July 2019 Edinburgh Castle concert sold out in just under 10 minutes with Castle Concerts reporting this as the fastest sell out in their 25-year history. A second show at Edinburgh Castle was added, this show also sold out within 24 hours, which Castle Concerts reporting as never before seen demand.

Strikingly individual, twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid emerged 34 years ago with their debut album This Is The Story and Top 3 single ‘Letter from America’. Since then their enduring appeal across generations has have over the years seen them enjoy huge success across the globe.

The Proclaimers songs are timeless, capturing a gamut of human emotions, written with poignancy, emotional honesty, political fire and wit. Their songs feature at weddings, funerals and everything in-between and there is one song, an early
celebration of falling head over heels in love that is known the world over and has become a staggering global anthem. There are many others that have gained great popularity in different parts of the planet and then there is a wide cross section of sublime songs embraced by a multitude that has kept up with The Proclaimers studio albums, compilation collections and extensive touring over three decades.

The Proclaimers have carved out a niche for themselves in the netherworld where pop, folk, new wave and punk collide. In the process, they have enjoyed Gold and Platinum singles and albums in UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

They have even inspired a musical, the play and film Sunshine on Leith. The movie was the fifth highest grossing Independent UK film of 2013. The stage version of the musical continues to be performed regularly to sell out crowds by productions throughout the UK and Ireland.

On BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island discs, David Tennant describes his first track by The Proclaimers –I could have chosen any and every track from this band, probably my favourite band of all time. They write the most spectacular songs, big hearted, uncynical passionate songs.

Earlier this year after Coldplay had performed Sunshine on Leith on BBC’s The Piano Room, Chris Martin saidThere is a whole other world of music behind that song that I’ve just been discovering, and they’re a wonderful, wonderful band. Now we live in the age of coolness doesn’t mean anything, just quality and soul. The Proclaimers make more sense than ever.

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    Thank you to all of you who've already booked weekend season tickets for next year's Wickham Festival.
    Prices were due to rise by now but many people have been away at other festivals or on holiday so we've extended the deadline for Tier 1 Earlybird tickets to the end of August.

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    You can win a guitar signed by @tommyemmanuel @sawdoctors @The_Proclaimers Curtis Stigers and many more. At the same time you will be helping a really worthwhile music therapy for children's charity George's Rockstars
    Tickets cost just £2 https://www.wickhamfestival.co.uk/win-a-signed-guitar-and-help-georges-rock-stars-charity/

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