Wickham Festival News

Wickham Festival 2023 – Day 3

Wickham Festival fans were blown away – but by the music rather than the forecast gales.

Winds of 40mph had been predicted along with thunderstorms and torrential rain and although there were a few heavy showers, the worst of the storm passed us by.

Eric Bibb

That enabled everyone to enjoy a superb programme, the biggest problem being the need to chose between the quality acts on two stages.

Despite the disappointment of the Proclaimers pulling out on Thursday due to sickness, the show went on in style with fans able to shelter and enjoy the music under canvas.

Eric Bibb moved across to Main Stage 1 to sing the blues and delighted the audience with an astonishing display of intricate guitar playing alongside his powerful lyrics, many championing civil rights.

The vacant slot was filled at short notice by the ever-popular Dhol Foundation whose DJ set drew a huge crowd for their usual vibrant, colourful, energetic and deafening set.

The Dhol Foundation

It crowned a great array of entertainment in the second Big Top. The tone was set right from the start with the brilliant Marching Skaletons who went down a storm.

Long-time Wickham favourite Swill Odgers kept the tempo high with a tight set of songs drawn from his extensive back catalogue, both solo and from the Men They Couldn’t Hang.

Edward II and the Trouble Notes both proved extremely popular with the crowd before the Deborah Bonham Band raised the tempo another notch to set up the frenzied finale from Johnny Kalsi and his Dhol Foundation.

It was a tough call to choose between the stages with the other Big Top hosting the legendary Barbara Dickson who showed her voice is as strong as ever as she delighted the crowd with a wonderful set of songs.

Barbara Dickson

After strong sets by Lady Maisery and the dulcet tones of Kathryn Tickell, it was time for the Fisherman’s Friends to do their thing – and brilliantly.

They gave the crowd what they wanted with a selection of well-known shanties and songs interspersed with humour for a real fun set which proved one of the highlights of the weekend.

Organiser Peter Chegwyn said: “Although there were a few gusts of wind and a couple of showers, it was nothing we couldn’t handle. We were lucky to dodge the worst of the storm which was nowhere near as bad as had been forecast.

“I know a lot of events across the region were cancelled and I feel for their organisers. We soldiered on as we always do and were rewarded with a great day of music.

Swill Odgers

“The ground was wet and muddy in places but once fans were in the arena, all our stages were covered so they were able to keep dry and enjoy the fantastic programme.

“Although we were disappointed to lose the Proclaimers on Thursday, we had so many other good acts that by Saturday everyone was just loving the wide range of top quality bands including the Dhol Foundation who stepped in at short notice and proved hugely popular as they always do.”

 

The Marching Skaletons

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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 £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 £70 on 4-day earlybird weekend tickets via www.wickhamfestival.co.uk/tickets if you book before Xmas.

    14 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 :)

    How about Hawkwind great festival band.

    Brilliant, I look forward to seeing him.

    The line up is looking so good!

    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

    Is he bringing Wild Willy Barrett? 😳😳😳

    oh joy, rock royalty

    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

    Sonia Adams Mell Gardner Andy Hawkins Colin Lacey Paul Ratcliffe

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

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

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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

    28 CommentsComment on Facebook

    Great so far! Please get Tide Lines back!

    Excellent!

    Excellent 🤘🤘

    Brilliant 😍

    Brilliant band! 😊

    Can we have the SAS band and Alabama 3 back please 🙏

    Happy days!

    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

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

    Can’t wait to volunteer again 😊

    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 🙂

    Can’t wait

    excellent news three daft monkeys

    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 😃

    Yessss, excellent, one of my favourites😁

    Great craic are those 3 Daft Monkeys.

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

    Fab line up already… add Alabama 3 please!!!! 😎❤️

    Dammit Actb Smith looks like I’ll be missing a great lineup next year. Bet you’re glad you got early tickets now!

    3 Daft Monkeys!! Can't wait

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    Pleased to confirm that The Men They Couldn't Hang will be back at Wickham in 2024 as part of their 40th anniversary celebrations. Always a great live band. ... See MoreSee Less

    Pleased to confirm that The Men They Couldnt Hang will be back at Wickham in 2024 as part of their 40th anniversary celebrations.  Always a great live band.

    30 CommentsComment on Facebook

    Great news!

    Great news!!👏👏👏👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

    I would appreciate Graham Nash again, sadly never got to see him in 2018, but completely understand if he’s out of budget

    Excellent news! My favourite band and my favourite festival!

    Great stuff !!! Thanks !! Pamela Horrigan

    Great news!

    Great live act well done

    Thats just great news !!!!

    Always a good slot!

    🙌

    Fantastic - very much looking forward to seeing them

    Which night are they playing ?

    Great 😊

    YAY - thank you Wickham Music Festival 🥰

    Simon Tremlett ..this year we are going !

    Deirdre Arthur

    Excellent. Have booked for the Shepherd's Bush Gala night and for Barnoldswick but you just can't have too much of a great thing......Must say, it's all going rather well for Wickham 2024, but then we KNEW it would! What delights are to be revealed in the coming days, I wonder...??

    Woo hoo!

    Yay!!!

    Tmtch and tankus? Looking like its going to be a great year so far

    Any more confirmed yet?

    Ooh amazing news.

    Yay. Well happy.

    Steven C Turner

    Nice!

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    Delighted to announce that top Scottish band Skipinnish are newly confirmed for the 2024 Wickham Festival on Sat. 3 Aug. Same day as Tankus the Henge. Lots more artists being announced this week. Earlybird tickets still available via www.wickhamfestival.co.uk/tickets
    www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQCuw59ND78
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    4 CommentsComment on Facebook

    Hurrah. My favourite

    Superb. One of my absolute favourites......Thanks Peter and Team! Starting to drool already.....

    Saw them at the Brook last month and now looking g forward to seeing g them again at Wickham 🥳

    Please consider Robert Plants Saving Grace, his latest project which is very folk based.

    Seen in East London. We've booked Ronnie Lane's band Slim Chance several times. They're great! Have you any photos of other roads named after musicians? ... See MoreSee Less

    Seen in East London.  Weve booked Ronnie Lanes band Slim Chance several times.  Theyre great!  Have you any photos of other roads named after musicians?

    15 CommentsComment on Facebook

    Here's another. Heinz Burt Close in Eastleigh. Named after Heinz, the former bass player of The Tornados (famed for their hit Telstar)

    Not named after me as such, but I’ve dj’d the silent disco the last 2 years for Bug Beats Events at the Wickham Music Festival! 🤣🤣

    There's Charles Watts Way at Hedge end of course

    Hi Pete. Did you see my email. Croft No 5 have reformed!! 😊

    I saw Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance in 1976 in the Roundhouse, Chalk Farm. What a great band.

    Marylebone, London

    As part of the 'other festival' in Pilton you will find a new road Maggies Farm, not a band member but of course from Bobs tune.

    How come? 😉

    OK - I need to get out more! Here’s a little something to fulfil the request!

    Ash Smither

    Can't remember where this was now but great name 🤭

    Of course its Swansea so it may be the Welsh Dylan

    Spotted this in Partinico, Sicily.

    In his home town of Paisley.

    Not a road name, but Billy Bragg Bicycles sign in Gillingham is one I remember from childhood. Obviously not that Billy Bragg!

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