Wickham Festival News

Proclaimers cancel due to illness

The Proclaimers have sadly been forced to cancel their show at the Wickham Festival due to illness.

Singer Charlie Reid has lost his voice and has been told to rest by a specialist who has instructed him not to sing this week forcing the band to also cancel their show in Canterbury.

The Proclaimers would have Matthew Bannister walk 500 miles – and 500 more!

He first began to struggle during last weekend’s appearance at Guildford where the popular Scottish band had to cut two numbers and an encore.

He had hoped it would heal in time for Saturday’s headline set but a visit to a specialist has confirmed his fears.

As a result Eric Bibb will now headline Main Stage 1 on Saturday at 9.30 and we are delighted to have secured the ever-popular Dhol Foundation for a DJ set to close Main Stage 2 on Saturday night.

Wickham Festival organiser Peter Chegwyn said: “We are desperately disappointed the Proclaimers have had to cancel but there was no option as they could not go against medical advice.

“Having worked with them several times in the past, I know they are consummate professionals and really nice guys so they would not have backed out unless it was absolutely essential.

Johnny Kalsi and the Dhol Foundation

“We look forward to welcoming them back here in future years but in the mean time we are thrilled the Dhol Foundation have stepped in to save the day thanks to our Festival ambassador Johnny Kalsi. They always go down well so I am sure fans will still enjoy a good night.

“Our Tickets T&Cs allow us to alter the programme when necessary without being liable to refund tickets. That said, we recognise this news will come as a disappointment to anyone who has purchased Saturday day tickets just to see The Proclaimers.

“To help compensate for The Proclaimers cancellation, we would like to offer anyone with a Saturday day ticket the opportunity to also attend the Festival on either Friday or Sunday (as well as Saturday) free-of-charge.

“To accept this offer of an extra day free-of-charge, please go to our Box Office on

The Saw Doctors are Wickham favourites

Friday or Sunday and show your Saturday day ticket to our staff. You will then be given a free wristband for the day of your choice.

“We hope this offer will help compensate for the disappointment of The Proclaimers cancellation.”

Friday sees the Saw Doctors headline while Sunday will be closed by Midge Ure with other acts including the Zombies, Afro Celt Sound System, the South plus Toyah and Robert Fripp.

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    Weve been at The Showmans Show near Newbury today, meeting event suppliers including The Magic Teapot crew, and looking at new infrastructure for Wickham 2025.  Two Magic Teapots anyone?

    We've been at The Showman's Show near Newbury today, meeting event suppliers including The Magic Teapot crew, and looking at new infrastructure for Wickham 2025. Two Magic Teapots anyone? ... See MoreSee Less

    3 weeks ago

    39 CommentsComment on Facebook

    Cant have too many magic teapots - but can traders PLEASE have a local wifi network as some other festivals do, the poor phone/internet signal at the new site was a big problem 🙂

    Two would be good One huge one less so. Magic teapot is an escape

    Would prefer 1 magic teapot and the return of Bunnychow 😀

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    Way back before Covid The Song for Wickham was written by Steve Knightley to celebrate Wickhams 800th anniversary.  Post-Covid Steve & Wickhams Community Choir performed the song at the 2022 Wickham Festival.  Now you can buy the recording which is one of 12 fine tracks on Steves The Winter Yards album.Image attachmentImage attachment

    Way back before Covid The Song for Wickham was written by Steve Knightley to celebrate Wickham's 800th anniversary. Post-Covid Steve & Wickham's Community Choir performed the song at the 2022 Wickham Festival. Now you can buy the recording which is one of 12 fine tracks on Steve's The Winter Yards album. ... See MoreSee Less

    1 month ago

    5 CommentsComment on Facebook

    Oooh yes please Steve and Phil, show of hands next year would be excellent!! 👍

    Wickham Music Festival please please please can we have him/ Show of Hands back next year ? ❤️🎶Lx

    Is he booked for Wickham Music Festival 2025?

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