With December just around the corner it’s that time of year we like to update our line up pages with the bookings we have confirmed so far for next year’s festival. As always Earlybird prices will be rising on January 1st so we are keen to make many more announcements throughout the approaching festive period.
First off, we are delighted to announce our first headliners will be the chart-topping Proclaimers. 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. Wickham visitors will be amongst the first people to hear their new music alongside their staple of classics. They certainly know how to put on a live show to close our festival on Sunday 2nd August 2026.
Earlier this year Ferocious Dog announced they were calling it a day so 2026 will be the final year of Ferocious Dog! Of course, we had to ensure these Wickham regulars were going to perform for us one last time. They are not bowing out quietly!!! Let’s tear it up together one last time together in 2026.
We are delighted to announce that The John Jones Trio will be joining us. John Jones is best known as the powerful and charismatic singer with Oysterband, veterans of the folk and roots scene since the 1980s. Following a hugely successful and emotional Oysterband farewell tour, the voice and spirit of Oysterband goes on. John Jones with original cello player Ray Cooper (Chopper), now a multi-instrumentalist and solo performer and Al Scott current bassist, guitarist, mandolin player and producer come together in a powerful travelling trio. As well as John’s own songs, expect Oysterband songs co-written by John and some rarely featured live, together with Ray Cooper originals, songs from the Tradition and three voices in harmony.
2026 will also see Wickham Festival debuts for both Mec Lir and Black Water County. Mec Lir are well-known for their tight, lightning-fast playing and huge sound, fusing Celtic trad with unapologetically electro synths and drums. Their live shows are the stuff of legend – and not to be missed!
Black Water County mash their own brew of pop-punk and folk drawing inspiration from bands such as Green Day, Sum 41 and The Offspring. We are sure both these debuts will go down a treat next summer.
