Wickham Festival News

Wickham Festival – Day three review

The Wickham Festival was touched by greatness as Van Morrison showed just why he is one of the biggest names in rock music.

The evergreen icon turned in a supremely slick set to reinforce his status as one of the most talented and influential artists of his generation.

Van Morrison

Polished, professional and powerful, he delivered a superb string of songs including an array of his best-known hits with Brown Eyed Girl a clear favourite with the crowd who gave him a rapturous reception which lasted long after his abrupt departure.

It was a tough act to follow but Deacon Blue managed it with a lively set, topped by their huge hit Real Gone Kid which had the Big Top dancing.

The band were clearly delighted to be back playing live after lockdown and their joy was infectious as they engaged fully with the audience.

It rounded off a super Saturday which saw the dulcet tones of Moya Brennan lead into the usual high quality setlist from Wickham favourite Seth Lakeman.

Deacon Blue

He was followed by another huge name in the music industry as Nick Lowe played a sublime solo set with his backing band unable to travel because of Covid.

Like many artists at Wickham, it was his first gig following lockdown and he confessed to being a little nervous – but you would never have known as he delighted the crowd with some huge hits.

But it was Van the Man most had come to see, making it a tough gig for some excellent artists on the Quay West Stage where Eliza Carthy and the Restitute Band were on top form along with Merry Hell on what was truly a memorable day.

Seth Lakeman
Nick Lowe
Deacon Blue
Van Morrison
Van Morrison

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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

    57 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.

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

    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

    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.

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

    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

    Gutted xx

    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 . 🙏💕

    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

    Saw Steve and the band at Wickham a few years ago and seen him a good few times since. A superb musician and a lovely man, so sad that we'll never see him perform again. Condolences to his family 💙

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

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

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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’   
    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?

    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