Wickham Festival News

Ferocious Dog

Ferocious Dog will be performing at Wickham Festival 2026 on Saturday 1st August.  They’ve been hailed as “a representation of our gut feeling, savage and merciless” and at the same time, called “folk in the grand tradition of it being the peoples sound.” Ferocious Dog, however are all those things.

2026 will be the final year of Ferocious Dog… but of course not before one last stop along the way at a certain field with us in Hampshire. They are not bowing out quietly!!! Let’s tear it up together one last time together in 2026.

Ferocious Dog has emerged as a prominent figure in the music world, renowned for their dynamic and authentic folk-punk sound that echoes the essence of Nottinghamshire. The band is celebrated for their narrative-driven lyrics that adeptly address social, political, and personal issues, striking a chord with their audience.

The journey began in 2011 with the release of their debut single “Ferocious Dog,” laying the foundation for a diverse and profound discography. Their first album, released in 2013, highlighted their dedication to storytelling, a hallmark of their musical identity.

“Ferocious dog are a very socially conscious band and their music and lyrics are designed not only to make you smile and sing along but also to make you feel something.”
Folk-Metal.NL.

Over the years, Ferocious Dog has expanded their repertoire significantly. Projects like “Ferocious Dog 3 Piece Acoustic” in 2014 and the acoustic version of “From Without” in 2017 showcased their ability to strip their music back to its core while retaining its impactful message.

Their albums, including “From Without” (2015) and “Red” (2017), have further established the band’s status in the folk-punk genre, blending poignant lyrics with engaging melodies and capturing a growing international fanbase.

The band’s commitment to exploring current issues was evident in their 2019 album “Fake News & Propaganda,” which ventured into introspective and critical territory, reflecting on complex societal themes.

In 2021, “The Hope” marked a significant milestone, highlighting the band’s expanding audience and the wide-reaching appeal of their music with its chart success.

“9/10 Earning a reputation as the UK’s most exciting Folk Punk band for good reason”
Vive Le Rock·

Their singles, such as “Hell Hounds,” “The Landscape Artist,” and the collaboration “Psychedelic Spin” with Dr. Peacock, have contributed to their evolving narrative, each revealing different facets of their artistic journey.

Ferocious Dog has established themselves as much more than a conventional band. They serve as a powerful voice for stories that are often untold or overlooked, embodying a spirit of resilience and insight. As the band continues to evolve, their unwavering dedication to producing music that is not just entertaining but also empowering and enlightening shines through. They express sincere gratitude to everyone who has contributed to their journey and warmly invite fans to join them as they continue to make their mark in the music world.

“This is serious social commentary with superb tunes and Dan Booth’s sublime violin takes the listener on a rollercoaster of emotion”
W.D Emsley

“Without doubt Ferocious Dog are one of the best bands on the UK folk punk circuit as they brought Rock City to life with their stomping, energetic sound. Not only are they one of the most hardworking bands around, but as their fans will testify, they are also one of the most approachable”
Nottingham Post. Kevin Cooper

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.

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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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