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.  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 £60 for the day or £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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    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.