The legendary singer / songwriter / musician Van Morrison is to headline this year’s Wickham Festival. He’ll be appearing with his full band on Saturday 8th August performing classic hits such as Brown Eyed Girl, Moondance, Jackie Wilson Said, and Gloria.  Van Morrison has just sold-out six nights at the London Palladium.

We’re really excited to have a genuine musical legend coming to Wickham this summer!  He recently celebrated 50 years since the release of the iconic Astral Weeks album in 1968 and is currently on a worldwide sold-out tour.  Morrison has under his belt a vast accolade of awards including a knighthood, a Brit, an OBE, an Ivor Novello, six Grammys, and an entry into The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

Wickham Festival is shaping up to be some party to celebrate our 15th birthday.  We’re delighted to announce The SAS All-Star Band for our opening night on Thursday 6th August featuring many of the stars who’ve appeared at Wickham over the years including Spike Edney (Queen) with guest vocalists Graham Gouldman (10cc), Steve Harley (Cockney Rebel), Tom Robinson, Toyah, Madeline Bell (Blue Mink) and an all-star band. Wow … they’re sure to perform many of their most popular songs so this is an opening night not to be missed!

And there’s more …. The Waterboys are confirmed as the headliner for Sunday 9th August.  The Waterboys have consistently blended tightness, inspiration and improvisation to reach heights of performance few other acts can compete with. The 2020 version of the band features the established core of Mike Scott (vocals, guitar, piano), Steve Wickham (electric fiddle), Memphis keyboard great “Brother” Paul Brown, ace British drummer Ralph Salmins and funky Irish bassman Aongus Ralston.

Fancy a little luxury?

In other news backstage VIP Passes are now on sale, price just £80 for the full 4-day weekend. The VIP Passes give access to the Backstage VIP Areas behind both main stages with VIP marquees, comfy covered seating, additional outdoor seating, exclusive side-of-stage viewing areas, backstage bars & a coffee bar, free laptop & mobile phone charging, and, most important … luxury loos!

VIP Passes can be purchased on our Tickets page. Please note you require a day or weekend Festival ticket in addition to an add-on VIP Pass. If you’ve already purchased day or weekend Festival tickets you can still purchase an add-on VIP Pass and treat yourself to a little luxury.

Also available are luxury Glamping tents which sleep between 2 & 6  people. The cost of a Glamping ticket includes entry to the Backstage VIP Areas all weekend. Details and booking is available at http://www.festivalglamping.com/wickham-festival.

Introducing our new area … “The Social”

The Social will be a great new area this summer with a mix of acoustic music, storytelling, comedy, spoken word and late-night entertainment.  As it proved so popular in 2019 it’s likely we’ll have The Silent Disco here late night as it’s a bigger and better venue than the smaller storytelling tent that we used last year.  Although the main music stages will finish at 11pm, we’re licensed for public entertainment until 1am.  All late night entertainment (including The Magic Teapot) can continue until then.  We’re hoping this will be a cosy place to socialise and chill late into the night.

If you’ve yet to buy your weekend season tickets for this year’s Festival, you can still save £30 on every 4-day adult weekend ticket if you buy now. Please note prices rise at the end of March. At the equivalent of just £40 a day, weekend season tickets represent great value.