Wickham Festival News

Wickham Festival – Day Four review

When Peter Chegwyn began organising festivals 30 years ago, Fairport Convention were the first act he booked. So it was fitting they should close this year’s event which has been the most challenging of his career.

The band were only available because their own Cropredy Festival had to be cancelled due to the pandemic so they know better than anyone just how difficult it is to put on such an event – even in normal times.

Fairport Convention

As their sublime set came to a close, they took the chance to urge the crowd to show their appreciation for Peter Chegwyn and his team for getting the festival on despite Covid, the weather and the main stage being unusable.

Their plea produced one of the loudest cheers of the weekend from fans just glad to be able to enjoy live music once more.

Similarly Lindisfarne also took time out of their set to praise all those who worked so hard to deliver one of their favourite festivals against all the odds, stressing it was the perfect place for their first live gig in 18 months.

After the heady heights of the Saturday night star Van Morrison, this was a more chilled day but still packed with quality acts which encompassed the eclectic elements for which the Wickham Festival is renowned.

Beans on Toast with daughter Wren

That was never more evident than on the Quay West Stage which had a remarkable array of diverse artists who somehow came together and really worked as a running order.

There was a hugely popular set from political protest poet and Glastonbury regular Beans on Toast whose songs not only entertained but more importantly gave great food for thought to a highly receptive crowd.

However, he was upstaged by his three-year-old daughter Wren who asked to dance on stage during his act, melting hearts faster than the polar ice cap.

He was followed by the hugely talented American guitarist Stanley Jordan who not only asked to come back after last year’s triumph but flew in via Hungary and Croatia to secure a safe travel corridor. His unique style earned another rousing reception from a packed marquee.

Rod Clements of Lindisfarne

Sadly, Scottish band Skerryvore were unable to travel due to Covid so the Alistair Goodwin Band stepped in with a lively set before Edward II closed the night with a pulsating mix of reggae and roots.

Meanwhile the Big Top had more mainstream music with the South playing live for the first time in 18 months and getting the party going with a string of hits beautifully delivered by Alison Wheeler alongside Gaz Birtles.

Lindisfarne were also making their first return to the stage following the easing of lockdown and they kept the momentum going with a lively set capped, of course, by Fog on the Tyne and Meet Me on the Corner.

Folk icons Fairport Convention closed the evening and the event with a crowd-pleasing set for the festival’s more traditional audience – and then, sadly, it was all over for another year.

Alison Wheeler of the South
Beans on Toast
Wickham Festival organiser Peter Chegwyn

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    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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    Our Twitter Feed

    Steve Harley was an audience favourite at Wickham Festival, and a delight to work with. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

    Steve Harley: Cockney Rebel singer dies at 73

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68590846

    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’   
    https://orcd.co/allwelove

    Wonderfully evocative and typically catchy song from our old friends @sawdoctors ready for #StPatricksDay
    Would love to hear them do this at #wickhamfesival one day. Great stuff!

    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?