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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  • Facebook Posts

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    A touch of bluegrass!  The Thumping Tommys will make their Wickham Festival debut on Saturday 2nd August.  https://www.facebook.com/thethumpingtommys  Day & Weekend tickets now onsale via www.wickhamfestival.co.uk

    A touch of bluegrass! The Thumping Tommys will make their Wickham Festival debut on Saturday 2nd August. www.facebook.com/thethumpingtommys Day & Weekend tickets now onsale via www.wickhamfestival.co.uk ... See MoreSee Less

    5 days ago

    9 CommentsComment on Facebook

    I don't know the Thumping Tommys, but have just come out of a Hayseed Dixie gig and was blown away. If you could catch them on tour one year I think a Wickham audience would be too.

    Fantastic

    Would love to have Kiefer Sutherland back with his band. They were brilliant.

    View more comments

    Our Twitter Feed

    The ever-popular Phil Beer will be appearing solo at #WickhamFestival on Sun. 3rd Aug. as well as joining with Reg Meuross, Marion Fleetwood & Geraint Watkins to perform 'Fire and Dust: A Woody Guthrie Story'

    Huzzah for @festivalwickham and Saturday 2nd August and another mighty HUZZAH for it is a particular favourite of ours, do thoroughly deserving of thrice Huzzah! http://Www.wickhamfestival.co.uk for tickets!! See you there. Is there time for one more Huzzah?

    We've updated the 'Line-Up' pages of our website to show who's playing (so far!) on which day. You can also view artist biogs & videos by clicking on artist photos.

    The wonderful singer-songwriter @NewtonFaulkner will make his #WickhamFestival debut on Friday, 1st Aug. Same day as @Fishy_Friends, @TaliskMusic, @FlookQuartet and many others.

    Another band confirmed! Legendary Geordie folk-rockers @lindisfarneband will headline the opening night of #WickhamFestival on Thursday 31 July.

    More artists confirmed! @IanProwse and Amsterdam will be at this year's #WickhamFestival on Sunday 3rd August. Ian toured with Elvis Costello last year and is touring with Levellers this Spring.