Wickham Festival News

The Stranglers and Bruce Foxton turn back the clock at Wickham Festival

No more heroes any more? Try telling that to 5,000 fans who rocked to the sound of the Stranglers at Wickham Festival.

It was as though the clock had been turned back 40 years to the explosion of the punk scene as Wickham welcomed two major forces from that golden age.

Baz Warne
Baz Warne gets Wickham rocking

The Stranglers and Bruce Foxton’s From the Jam performed all their big hits at a blistering pace to show they have lost none of their trademark energy.

View highlights of the day here.

Bruce Foxton, one of the founder members of the Jam, made the hairs on the neck stand up with his distinctive bass underlying some of the most iconic anthems of the movement.

Then the Stranglers picked up the pace and brought the second night to a thundering finale with a string of top tunes from Peaches, No More Heroes and Something Better Change to Walk on By, Golden Brown and – fittingly for this festival – Always the Sun.

Bruce Foxton
Bruce Foxton’s bass is as iconic as ever

Before that the crowd enjoyed a wonderful day of music from the likes of veteran Roy Bailey, the lively Slim Chance and the authentic voice of Dublin Lynched who held the fans spellbound with their raw and real material.

The day was kicked off by outstanding newcomers Winters Hill who formed the band while attending this festival as fans four years ago.Β  For them it was a dream come true to play the main stage and if this set was anything to go by they will be higher on the bill in future years. If you missed them, catch them on the Quay West Cave at 7.30 on Sunday evening.

But we are still only halfway through. Still to come are two days of fantastic music in a chilled, family-friendly atmosphere and in probable golden sunshine.

Winters Hill
Winters Hill look to have a big future

On Saturday night X Factor winner Matt Cardle will be guesting for the Trevor Horn Band also featuring Lol Creme of 10CC followed by the SAS Band starring Roger Taylor of Queen, Fish, Madeline Bell and Toyah Willcox. Other top attractions include Chas & Dave and outstanding country star Gretchen Peters with the ever popular Oysterband headlining the wildlife Stage.

Television entertainer, artist, comic and conservationist Bill Oddie will be giving a talk for the League Against Cruel Sports at 3pm before joining the SAS Band on stage.

The Stranglers
The Stranglers performed a powerful set

And Sunday brings folk festival favourites Lindisfarne, Hayseed Dixie, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Steeleye Span among many others so get down to the picturesque Hampshire site for an unforgettable weekend.

Tickets are on sale on the gate at Β£60 for the day or Β£40 after 6pm. Children aged 10-16 are half price and under 10’s are admitted free. There is ample free parking.

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    Newly confirmed. The inimitable John Otway Band will be at Wickham next summer on Sat. 3rd Aug. Same night as Skipinnish & Tanjus the Henge. You can still save Β£70 on 4-day earlybird weekend tickets via www.wickhamfestival.co.uk/tickets if you book before Xmas. ... See MoreSee Less

    Newly confirmed.  The inimitable John Otway Band will be at Wickham next summer on Sat. 3rd Aug.  Same night as Skipinnish & Tanjus the Henge.  You can still save Β£70 on 4-day earlybird weekend tickets via www.wickhamfestival.co.uk/tickets if you book before Xmas.

    21 CommentsComment on Facebook

    Great stuff so far, thank you! Only a handful of acts and I'm already worrying about clashes in stage times ;) Got one of the early EarlyBird tickets and Glamping ...so very happy so far...this'll be my 5th Wickham, you never disappoint :)

    The line up is looking so good!

    Had legit no idea who he was last time but dad said id like him so i went and listened. Laughed so hard my ribs hurt cant wait for round 2

    Please, I beg you, don't put Tankus and John on different stages at the same time ;)

    How about Hawkwind great festival band.

    *Tankus* the Henge!

    Brilliant, I look forward to seeing him.

    Madder Mill Molly I think there'll be a few of us at this one πŸ™‚

    OMG ... this is shaping up to be the best line up ever! Will have Beware of the Flowers as an earworm for the foreseeable future, but that's a price worth paying 😁

    Martin Turners Wishbone Ash, Focus, Turin Brakes, Los Pacaminos, Albert Lee

    Wickham Music Festival Any chance of booking Attila too? And yes, I know I'm being greedy

    Is he bringing Wild Willy Barrett? 😳😳😳

    oh joy, rock royalty

    Wickham Music Festival - thank you again. Any chance of The Devil's Prefects and JollyRoger?

    Colin Foster

    How about the Longest John’s The Longest Johns also Carlos Núñez back again with a brand new album #CelticSea which he’ll be showcasing at Celtic Connections

    Paul Day 😁

    Any chance of getting Doris Brendel. Rick Parfitt Jnr and The RPJ Band. Clive Jackson. Nell Bryden, or even Kim Thompsett

    Track Dogs said they hadn't heard yet - but were up for performing again. Is that possible?

    Sonia Adams Mell Gardner Andy Hawkins Colin Lacey Paul Ratcliffe

    Steve Rossi

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    Newly confirmed. 3 Daft Monkeys will be at our 2024 Wickham Festival on Fri., Aug. 2. Other bands already confirmed inc. Tankus the Henge; Skipinnish; & The Men They Couldn't Hang. More to be announced shortly. www.wickhamfestival.co.uk/tickets ... See MoreSee Less

    Newly confirmed.  3 Daft Monkeys will be at our 2024 Wickham Festival on Fri., Aug. 2. Other bands already confirmed inc. Tankus the Henge; Skipinnish; & The Men They Couldnt Hang.  More to be announced shortly.  www.wickhamfestival.co.uk/tickets

    34 CommentsComment on Facebook

    We can not wait, we love Wickham Music Festival xxxxx

    Great so far! Please get Tide Lines back!

    Excellent!

    Excellent 🀘🀘

    Brilliant 😍

    Brilliant festival Wickham Music Festival

    Brilliant band! 😊

    Can we have the SAS band and Alabama 3 back please πŸ™

    Yes! Yes! Yes!

    Love 3DM first saw them 23 years ago doing a street fair in Evershot, Dorset. Have seen them every year since a great lively band and very Wickham

    Can’t wait to volunteer again 😊

    Awesome!!! Got my ticket months ago, so am so excited!! xx

    This just gets better and better. When are you going to announce the Second Coming of Warren Zevon, who will be headlining on Sunday !!!!!! Four acts announced, albums by three in my collection......That's what makes Wickham such a wonderful festival and the musical highlight of my year......!!

    Yusss!

    Another fantastic band! Thank you πŸ™‚

    Happy days!

    Can’t wait

    I love it when these announcements start. I don't know this band but it gives me a chance to start researching. So looking forward to Wickham Music Festival August 2024. Tickets bought in August 23!

    How long are the Early Bird tickets on for? I'm trying to round up several others but I don't want to miss out while others dither Wickham Music Festival

    So happy that 3 Daft Monkeys Are at Wickham next year. They were awesome at South Petherton earlier this year 😊

    Yay πŸ˜ƒ

    Yessss, excellent, one of my favourites😁

    Great craic are those 3 Daft Monkeys.

    If Saw Doctors make it a hat trick , I'll be as happy as a pig at a wet Wickham festival.

    Megan James Astrid must be thrilled with the line up so far for Wickham! All her favs x

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