Hard and fast or soft and smooth? That was the choice on Day Three of the Wickham Festival which offered something for everyone.
Those who like their music raw and raucous were spoiled on Stage 1 with the Undertones and Ferocious Dog either side of the Dhol Foundation with the Levellers closing.
Those who prefer a slightly more easy-going evening of traditional folk could enjoy Spiers and Boden followed by perennial favourites Show of Hands and then Breabach.
The former Bellowhead duo had the Big Top dancing to their infectious beat before Steve Knightley and Phil Beer took it up a notch.
The undoubted highlight was their rendition of Knightley’s Song for Wickham, unveiled little more than 24 hours earlier. The crowd took on the role of the backing choir for a moment that will live long in the memory.
Breabach brought the evening to a rousing close with a wonderfully melodic exhibition of instrumental prowess.
Over on the other main stage, the party was in full swing thanks to early pace-setters the Undertones who blasted out all their hits with their trademark passion.
Then came the ever-popular Dhol Foundation with their deafening drums producing a hurricane of noise amid a swirl of colour, a sensory experience never to be missed.
They were an almost impossible act to follow but Ferocious Dog managed it with a blistering set of fast folk with a slight punk twist.
Lead singer Ken Bonsall had the crowd in the palm of his hand even persuading them all to sit for a slow section ready to leap up suddenly on his command – something of a gamble given the demographic! Click here to view the result!
That was followed by the equally vibrant set from the Levellers who ensured there was no rest with their usual high-powered performance.
Sunday’s highlights include headliners Gilbert O’Sullivan on one stage and the Waterboys on the other, preceded by what is sure to be an emotional set from the Men They Couldn’t Hang playing Wickham for the first time since the sudden death of one of their lead singers Cush.
Fellow frontman Swill Odgers said: “Wickham has always been very dear to our hearts and it will feel very strange playing here without Cush because he loved this festival. We will have his guitar on stage with us and he will be here in spirit.”
Tickets are still available online or at the ticket office, cash only. Please only buy from our website or in person as there are scammers selling the same ticket multiple times.
Fans can also book for next year before they leave to receive a saving of up to £100 on the cost of 2023 weekend season tickets. Ask for details at the ticket office.
