Wickham Festival News

Wickham Festival – Day 2 review

Eddi Reader wowed the crowd with a beautiful rendition of her classic hit “It’s got to be Perfect.”

Day Two might not quite have been perfect – but the fact it was so close spoke volumes for the determination of the organisers.

Eddi Reader

With the main stage still out of action, it mean another hasty re-jig to move artists into the Big Top or the Quay West marquee.

It was a seamless transition with a fantastic atmosphere around the site as the sun shone, the arena dried out and the smiles lit up this picturesque setting.

Organiser Peter Chegwyn said: “We are so proud that we managed to get this festival on despite the adversity. We had to overcome the pandemic, the weather and being let down over the main stage – but cancelling was never an option.

“Covid meant we opted for an open-air main stage and the people providing it have let us down big-time. It is genuinely not our fault. We had a contract for them to finish construction by 5pm on Tuesday and they did not deliver.

“I can sort most problems, even in bad weather. We can put down straw or bring in tractors but I can’t build a stage. So we either had to cancel or adapt – and we went ahead.

Manran

“We have always said the show will go on and this year proves that. We owe it to all our ticket-holders… to all the artists, caterers and traders many of whom have not worked in over a year.

“Most people are just glad we have managed to get the festival on so they can watch live music once again and it is wonderful to see so many smiling faces and to hear so many positive comments.”

Fans are loving the chance to watch live music again

One bonus of shuffling the schedule is that it removed the clash between two hugely popular Friends of the Festival. Originally Show of Hands and the Dhol Foundation were due to be playing at the same time on separate stages.

The new running order not only meant they not only both played the Big Top stage but they were able to team up!

It was a special moment for fans to see Johnny Kalsi and Steve Knightley combine two very different art forms!

And there was another off-the cuff treat as Eddi Reader had an impromptu dance with a roadie during her tribute to Amy Winehouse during her delightful set.

The Dhol Foundation

Over on the Quay West Stage, Peat and Diesel showed why they are forging such a strong reputation with a rousing set followed by Manran who closed the evening in style.

Now fans can look forward to a real treat with rock legend Van Morrison headlining Saturday night at Wickham.

Deacon Blue will close the evening with Nick Lowe and Set Lakeman and many others also providing real treats for the fans.

 

The Main Stage will again be out of action on Saturday. This is the new running order…

BIG TOP
12.00-12.40 Megson
12.50-13.30 Young ‘uns
13.50-14.50 Nick Parker
15.10-16.10 Moya Brennan
16.30-17.45 Seth Lakeman
18.00-19.00 Nick Lowe
19.30-21.00 Van Morrison
21.30-23.00 Deacon Blue

Quay West
12.00-12.45 Chris Ricketts
13.00-13.45 Chris Wood
14.00-14.45 Alistair Goodwin Band
15.00-16.00 Martin Simpson
16.10-16.50 Hattie Hatstar
16.55-17.55 Dhol Foundation (DJ Set)
18.10-18.55 BASH!
19.15-20.00 Sad Palace
20.30-21.30 Eliza Carthy & the Restitute Band
22.00-23.00 Merry Hell

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    Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
    Were very sorry to hear that Steve Harley has died.  He appeared many times at Wickham, usually with his own band but also with Spike Edneys SAS Band.  He always gave a great show and was always a pleasure to work with.  Were so sad to hear of his passing and extend our deepest sympathies to his family.

    We're very sorry to hear that Steve Harley has died. He appeared many times at Wickham, usually with his own band but also with Spike Edney's SAS Band. He always gave a great show and was always a pleasure to work with. We're so sad to hear of his passing and extend our deepest sympathies to his family. ... See MoreSee Less

    2 days ago

    58 CommentsComment on Facebook

    Here's a backstage interview which Steve gave to our Festival Press Officer Graham Hiley in 2018. It's a great interview. Do give it a listen. www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJh3FjE2Vro

    Very sad to hear this. Loved seeing him at Wickham.

    We saw him at Wickham he was brilliant despite having to sit for the performance as he had leg or hip problems! Didn't affect the energy of his set! Sad loss!

    Heartbreaking news; Steve’s music has been ( and will remain) very much a part of our lives. Our thoughts are with his family. RIP Steve, you will be missed ♥️

    Always great to see - will be missed

    Noooo! He was so lovely. RIP you came up and made me smile.

    Very sad news. I’m glad we saw him a couple of times in recent years at Wickham. A great performer. Sadly missed

    Very sad - we loved seeing him at Wickham Music Festival :(

    So sad to hear this news. I saw him at Wickham in 2015, a great artist and performer. Deepest sympathies to his loved ones 💛

    We were there at his last Wickham gig and also a more recent intimate theatre gig nearer to home, just last year. Very different but loved both. A brilliant performer and a very nice guy. Will be sadly missed. 😢

    Heartbreaking news.

    Devastated! One of my all time favourites. RIP Steve.😪

    So sad, he was brilliant there a few years ago, one of the very best highlights of the festival 💔

    Still hear “make me smile” almost daily on the radio. Such a brilliant uplifting song and his voice was amazing. Sad sad loss to the music industry. RIP Steve

    Very sad loss Peter ..Great music

    It's truly heartbreaking. He was wonderful and will be greatly missed

    Oh how sad. My younger years sounds which I loved . 🙏💕

    So sorry 😔 He stirred such emotion when I saw him at Wickham, a true and great artist ❤️

    Thanks for sharing.Very sad news.Yes very sad. Back in the 1990s he headlined several of our Heineken (freebie) Big Top festivals.Always great to work with backstage and a real crowd- pleaser.

    Sad news. Great forever songs to remember him by. Condolences to his family and friends.x

    Very sad 😢 loved seeing his shows - a joy! Cx

    Legend I hope he’s being a rebel in spirit and makes the spirits smile ❤️🥺

    Lucky enough to see him twice at Wickham (once with his band and once with the SAS Band). A sad day :(

    Brilliant live x

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    The Saw Doctors would like to say a Big Thanks to everybody who has bought or streamed ‘All We Love’ today —the new single is Number 3 in Ireland and No. 23 in the UK. Here’s the link to buy or stream ‘All We Love’   
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    Our new line-up inc. Curtis Stigers with a few more artists inc. Jerry Douglas to add. We hope to unveil last confirmed artists inc. one more headliner soon. Day & Tier 4 Weekend tickets selling fast. Save £50 on every 4-day weekend ticket. Book now. http://www.wickhamfestival.co.uk

    We're delighted to announce that 16-times GRAMMY Award winner Jerry Douglas, one of the world's finest dobro & lap steel guitar players, will be at this year's Wickham Music Festival on Sat. 3rd Aug. Day & Weekend tickets selling fast!

    After announcing the great American singer Curtis Stigers for the Wickham Music Festival yesterday we'll be announcing another great American musician this evening (Tuesday). A clue. He's a 14-times Grammy Award winner. Any guesses?

    We're delighted to announce that the great American singer & jazz musician Curtis Stigers will be at this year's Wickham Music Festival on Sunday 4th August.

    Day & weekend tickets now onsale http://www.wickhamfestival.co.uk