The Wickham Festival got off to a sublime start with an eclectic mix of music.
The opening day programme reflected the diversity on offer at this popular long-running event in the heart of Hampshire.
With sunshine all the way in the run-up, the gates opened on time in stark contrast to the delay caused by the threat of lightning a year ago.
That forced traditional opener Alistair Russell to cancel his set but he was back with a bang this time round to set the tone with a slick show.
He was followed by Hannah Sanders and Ben Savage whose vocals blended seamlessly to entrance the crowd with a series of melodic songs on their Wickham debut.
It made for a smooth opening to the evening but the tempo was quickly raised by Pronghorn, the self-proclaimed Kings of Cowpunk who rattled through a rowdy rockabilly rollercoaster.
Their mix of country and punk had the crowd stomping their approval and roaring for more before the opening night was closed in style by the Red Hot Chilli Pipers who take being “a covers band” to a whole new level.
They have created a complete genre all of their own belting out songs against the thumping backdrop of bagpipes which add a totally new dimension.
Few would have imagined how Coldplay’s Fix You could possibly work with bagpipes – but it does. And it sounded fantastic. Similarly, Robbie Williams probably never envisaged that sort of backing on Let Me Entertain You.
The 75-minute set went down a storm and set the tone for the rest of the weekend as the festival picks up even more pace.
Friday (July 31) sees two very different but top quality acts in the Big Top with renowned guitarist Tommy Emmanuel playing one of only three shows in the UK.
He is followed by the ever-popular Dhol Foundation whose thumping drumbeats are as compelling as they are deafening! In the Little Top, Hejira play the music of Joni Mitchell followed by Mec Lir and Gaz Brookfield & the Company of Thieves.
Saturday sees the Saw Doctors return by public demand with Ferocious Dog making an emotional final appearance at Wickham before they call it a day in November.
The Festival will be brought to a close on Sunday by the smooth sound of legendary singer-songwriter Curtis Stigers followed by the Proclaimers.
Day and weekend tickets are available at the Box Office on site or online www.wickhamfestival.co.uk/tickets
