Wickham Festival News

Wickham Festival Day 1 – review

The Show Must Go On… Never was that saying more apt than on the opening day of the 2021 Wickham Festival.

After 18 months of struggle and uncertainty over Covid, organisers managed to get the event despite major problems caused by the weather.

Toyah with the SAS Band

With water getting into the stage electrics, the main stage was deemed unsafe to use forcing a hasty re-jig of the running order.

All the headline acts were still able to perform and turned in superb sets to delight the fans who had battled the elements to enjoy a return of live music.

Organiser Peter Chegwyn said: “Nothing was going to stop us! We worked so hard to get this festival on and then the Great British weather intervened.

“Of course, Covid was a huge challenge. We had to re-design the whole site and put in a lot of extra measures – including having an outdoor main stage.

“The rain was a big problem which we were not able to resolve in time so we were unable to use the main stage but we had contingency plans in place.

“Thankfully we were able to amend the running order and move acts around so that all the headliners still performed. All of them completely understood and were very accommodating and very professional in the way they adapted.

Tankus the Henge

“And that showed in their performances. They all turned in superb sets for the fans – and they were all genuinely delighted to be back playing live again, especially to such a receptive audience as ours.

“For instance I know this was the first live gig Nine Below Zero had played since March of last year and you could see how much it meant to them to be back on stage. It is so good to be able to watch live music once more.

“People have been desperate to get out and see bands for so long and I think they accepted that things were always going to be a bit different and that it was better than having no festival at all.”

Many other events have already been cancelled including Cropredy which means Fairport Convention will now headline here on Sunday.

Graham Gouldman of 10CC

Wickham gambled and managed to get it on despite the challenges of the pandemic and the weather.

Chegwyn added: “This really is the festival that would not die. So many others have not gone ahead after such a tough time. We have all faced real challenges and the events industry has been brought to its knees.

“Live music in particular has really struggled and that’s why it was so important to get Wickham on. Events like this need people to support them so we are very grateful to all those who have backed us.

“I can’t deny it has been a real slog to get this on because we have faced problems which I have never encountered before in 30 years of running festivals. But I am so pleased we are up and running.”

Tom Robinson

The melodic voice of Kitty MacFarlane opened the event on the Quay West Stage followed by Tim Edey with Rachel Croft starting things off in the Big Top where Tidelines then kicked the party into top gear with a rousing set.

The indefatigable John Otway, approaching his 5000th gig, brought his usual mayhem to the Quay West marquee followed by a superb set from Nine Below Zero sounding as fresh as ever despite the enforced lay-off.

Dennis Greaves of Nine Below Zero

They were a tough act to follow but Wickham favourites Tankus the Henge delivered their usual high-octane show to delight the crowd.

Over in the Big Top the Peatbog Faeries were on top form followed by the SAS Band with a glittering array of top names delivering their big hits including Roachford, Tom Robinson, Steve Harley, Madeline Bell, Graham Gouldman and the evergreen Toyah.

It provided a perfect party finale to a difficult opening day with fans delighted just to be able to enjoy live music once again.

 

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

    21 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 :)

    The line up is looking so good!

    Had legit no idea who he was last time but dad said id like him so i went and listened. Laughed so hard my ribs hurt cant wait for round 2

    Please, I beg you, don't put Tankus and John on different stages at the same time ;)

    How about Hawkwind great festival band.

    *Tankus* the Henge!

    Brilliant, I look forward to seeing him.

    Madder Mill Molly I think there'll be a few of us at this one πŸ™‚

    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

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

    Is he bringing Wild Willy Barrett? 😳😳😳

    oh joy, rock royalty

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

    Colin Foster

    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

    Track Dogs said they hadn't heard yet - but were up for performing again. Is that possible?

    Sonia Adams Mell Gardner Andy Hawkins Colin Lacey Paul Ratcliffe

    Steve Rossi

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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

    34 CommentsComment on Facebook

    We can not wait, we love Wickham Music Festival xxxxx

    Great so far! Please get Tide Lines back!

    Excellent!

    Excellent 🀘🀘

    Brilliant 😍

    Brilliant festival Wickham Music Festival

    Brilliant band! 😊

    Can we have the SAS band and Alabama 3 back please πŸ™

    Yes! Yes! Yes!

    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

    Can’t wait to volunteer again 😊

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

    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 πŸ™‚

    Happy days!

    Can’t wait

    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 πŸ˜ƒ

    Yessss, excellent, one of my favourites😁

    Great craic are those 3 Daft Monkeys.

    If Saw Doctors make it a hat trick , I'll be as happy as a pig at a wet Wickham festival.

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

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