Wickham Festival fans were treated to real rock royalty on the final day of a fantastic four-day event.
Despite problems with the weather and the mud, the music lifted everyone’s spirits to make it all worthwhile.
After three days of great acts, the final day saw the Zombies make their Wickham bow followed by guitar great Robert Fripp and his wife Toyah before the curtain was brought down in style by Midge Ure.
The Zombies, complete with founder members Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone, belted out their big numbers as well as newer material to build on the momentum from the South.
That was followed by a guitar masterclass from Robert Fripp while the firecracker that is Toyah whirled around the stage going through a wide repertoire of rock classics.
And then came Live Aid co-founder Midge Ure who wowed the crowd with all the old classics to close the festival in style.
The only downside was that the other main stage had equally strong acts leaving fans with tough choices.
While the South went through their big hits, the Electric Swing Circus were in, well, full swing. Their vibrant, energetic set drew a big audience many of whom stuck around for Scottish folk rockers Peat and Diesel.
They delivered a high octane if somewhat incomprehensible set of songs with real power and passion to get the Big Top jumping.
That led seamlessly into a return visit by the equally popular Skerryvore who kept the party going before the Afro Celt Sound System almost blew the canvas off the Big Top.
It meant that many of the problems with the weather were forgotten as fans went home happy… and already looking forward to next year.
