Wickham Festival News

Record crowds expected at Wickham Festival

Record numbers of fans are expected to flock to this year’s Wickham Festival.

With headliners including the Proclaimers, 10CC, Wilko Johnson and Billy Bragg, ticket sales have risen sharply ahead of the August 6-9 event.

The capacity of the picturesque site has been extended to 7,000 following the success of last year’s sell-out show by James Blunt.

And the signs are that the final two days of this year’s event will attract a full house to the small Hampshire village with a big reputation for attracting top-name artists.

Crowds flock to the Wickham Festival
Crowds flock to the Wickham Festival

Organiser Peter Chegwyn said: “We have always had a capacity of 5,000 until last year when we were granted an extension to cater for the unprecedented demand.

“The site coped comfortably with the extra numbers so we have stuck at that limit this year and I am delighted to say the final two days look like they might sell out completely.

“We are up on numbers overall year on year, partly down to the good weather and largely because we have a very strong line-up over all four days.

“At the moment I would say we are expecting between 20,000 and 25,000 visitors over the weekend including a potential sell-out on the Saturday and Sunday.

“Our ‘glamping’ has already sold out but we have plenty of camping places still available at just £25 for the whole weekend. It means people can enjoy the music and have a few drinks and enjoy the top quality catering in a relaxed atmosphere.”

Fans will be coming from as far as the USA, Canada and Australia for this annual event with such a special and informal feel allowing children to roam freely and safely enjoying their own entertainment.

They can watch a range of family films at the Groovy Movie solar-powered cinema or enjoy a wide range of family entertainment including: cartoon cinema, storytelling, puppet theatre and make ‘n’ take crafts tent.

In addition there is a digital funfair, playbus, laser arena, bouncy castles and children’s entertainers – and all are free once people are in the festival arena!

Wickham Festival from the air
Wickham Festival from the air

Chegwyn added: “With more than 80 artists on three stages plus a host of other family entertainment for all ages and a wide range of craft and food stalls, there is something for everyone.

“But probably our greatest selling point and the thing which brings people back year after year, is the unique atmosphere and family feel.

“The great thing about Wickham is that we never get any trouble at the Festival. We attract an audience from all over Britain and abroad, people who just want to enjoy top-quality live music in a lovely rural setting.

“If the sun shines people sit outside but even when it rains we have two huge circus-style ‘Big Tops’ so people can still enjoy the music without getting wet.

“Wickham offers the best of both worlds with lots of entertainment for all ages, a family-friendly Festival that’s not too big, a wonderful day or weekend Festival experience for all who attend

“We have great camping facilities and the picturesque village is less than10 minutes walk for those who want to stock up on supplies or enjoy afternoon tea or a cooked breakfast.

“We have plenty of parking on site, good toilets and showers plus nappy-changing areas – and a fantastic line-up this year with the main stage protected by a big top to keep fans dry so they don’t need to worry about the weather.”

This year’s line-up also includes Andy Fairweather-Low, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, Seth Lakeman, The South (formerly the Beautiful South) and the Tom Robinson Band making a rare festival appearance.

The Wickham Festival was recently featured in the top eight festivals in the Guardian. Tickets are available at www.ticketsouth.co.uk Day tickets start at just £35 with under-16s being half-price and under-10s free. Camping tickets are priced at £25 per tent or caravan for the whole weekend. Tickets can be booked by phone on 023 8071 1818, via The Mayflower in Southampton, the Ferneham Hall in Fareham, or in person from Wickham Wine Bar in The Square, Wickham.

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  • Facebook Posts

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    Ireland's John McSherry, one of the finest Uilleann pipers in the world today, is newly confirmed for this year's Wickham Festival. John will appear on Sat. 3rd Aug. accompanied by Brendan Quinn & Francis McIlduff. johnmcsherry.com/#bio www.youtube.com/watch?v=5khv0CbyKH0 ... See MoreSee Less

    2 days ago

    7 CommentsComment on Facebook

    Day & Weekend tickets now onsale via www.wickhamfestival.co.uk/tickets

    Can I ask, Should we have received our tickets yet? Thanks 🎶

    A wonderful addition to the festival. Thank you

    Chuuuunes!

    Oh yesss 👌👌👌👌👌👍

    Oh WOW!

    My kind of music

    View more comments

    Were very sorry to hear that Steve Harley has died.  He appeared many times at Wickham, usually with his own band but also with Spike Edneys SAS Band.  He always gave a great show and was always a pleasure to work with.  Were so sad to hear of his passing and extend our deepest sympathies to his family.

    We're very sorry to hear that Steve Harley has died. He appeared many times at Wickham, usually with his own band but also with Spike Edney's SAS Band. He always gave a great show and was always a pleasure to work with. We're so sad to hear of his passing and extend our deepest sympathies to his family. ... See MoreSee Less

    2 weeks ago

    58 CommentsComment on Facebook

    Here's a backstage interview which Steve gave to our Festival Press Officer Graham Hiley in 2018. It's a great interview. Do give it a listen. www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJh3FjE2Vro

    Very sad to hear this. Loved seeing him at Wickham.

    Heartbreaking news; Steve’s music has been ( and will remain) very much a part of our lives. Our thoughts are with his family. RIP Steve, you will be missed ♥️

    We saw him at Wickham he was brilliant despite having to sit for the performance as he had leg or hip problems! Didn't affect the energy of his set! Sad loss!

    Always great to see - will be missed

    Very sad news. I’m glad we saw him a couple of times in recent years at Wickham. A great performer. Sadly missed

    So so sad about the passing away of Steve Harley. A fantastic performer, wonderful wordsmith, funny, endearing and talked to the audience like we were in his front room.. saw him several times, but very fond memories of his sets at Wickham. So glad I got to see him many times. Xxxxx ❤️ ❤️

    Noooo! He was so lovely. RIP you came up and made me smile.

    So sorry 😔 He stirred such emotion when I saw him at Wickham, a true and great artist ❤️

    Very sad - we loved seeing him at Wickham Music Festival :(

    So sad to hear this news. I saw him at Wickham in 2015, a great artist and performer. Deepest sympathies to his loved ones 💛

    We were there at his last Wickham gig and also a more recent intimate theatre gig nearer to home, just last year. Very different but loved both. A brilliant performer and a very nice guy. Will be sadly missed. 😢

    Heartbreaking news.

    Devastated! One of my all time favourites. RIP Steve.😪

    So sad, he was brilliant there a few years ago, one of the very best highlights of the festival 💔

    Still hear “make me smile” almost daily on the radio. Such a brilliant uplifting song and his voice was amazing. Sad sad loss to the music industry. RIP Steve

    Very sad loss Peter ..Great music

    It's truly heartbreaking. He was wonderful and will be greatly missed

    Oh how sad. My younger years sounds which I loved . 🙏💕

    Thanks for sharing.Very sad news.Yes very sad. Back in the 1990s he headlined several of our Heineken (freebie) Big Top festivals.Always great to work with backstage and a real crowd- pleaser.

    Sad news. Great forever songs to remember him by. Condolences to his family and friends.x

    Very sad 😢 loved seeing his shows - a joy! Cx

    Legend I hope he’s being a rebel in spirit and makes the spirits smile ❤️🥺

    Lucky enough to see him twice at Wickham (once with his band and once with the SAS Band). A sad day :(

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    Our Twitter Feed

    Steve Harley was an audience favourite at Wickham Festival, and a delight to work with. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

    Steve Harley: Cockney Rebel singer dies at 73

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68590846

    The Saw Doctors would like to say a Big Thanks to everybody who has bought or streamed ‘All We Love’ today —the new single is Number 3 in Ireland and No. 23 in the UK. Here’s the link to buy or stream ‘All We Love’   
    https://orcd.co/allwelove

    Wonderfully evocative and typically catchy song from our old friends @sawdoctors ready for #StPatricksDay
    Would love to hear them do this at #wickhamfesival one day. Great stuff!

    Our new line-up inc. Curtis Stigers with a few more artists inc. Jerry Douglas to add. We hope to unveil last confirmed artists inc. one more headliner soon. Day & Tier 4 Weekend tickets selling fast. Save £50 on every 4-day weekend ticket. Book now. http://www.wickhamfestival.co.uk

    We're delighted to announce that 16-times GRAMMY Award winner Jerry Douglas, one of the world's finest dobro & lap steel guitar players, will be at this year's Wickham Music Festival on Sat. 3rd Aug. Day & Weekend tickets selling fast!

    After announcing the great American singer Curtis Stigers for the Wickham Music Festival yesterday we'll be announcing another great American musician this evening (Tuesday). A clue. He's a 14-times Grammy Award winner. Any guesses?