The 2025 Wickham Festival has been hailed as the best yet after surviving an opening day scare.
Organisers were almost forced to cancel or delay the main acts as thunderstorms threatened to force them to close the site on the opening Thursday.
There were dozens of lightning strikes in the region but the electrical storm steered just clear of the picturesque venue near Fareham enabling the sell-out crowd to enjoy a full four-day event.
Organiser Peter Chegwyn said: “We were all anxiously checking weather apps as the lightning edged near but thankfully it veered away just in time.
“We were able to open the site on time but unfortunately we had to keep fans out of the Big Top as a safety precaution even though it was pouring with rain.
“The crowd were very understanding as we explained the risk of lightning hitting the structure and they all waited patiently despite the atrocious weather while our crew worked tirelessly to enable the show to go on.
“Remarkably, Judie Tzuke came on stage just three minutes late and from then on, the festival went without a hitch and it ended up being our best event yet.
“And it fully justified last year’s move across the road to a fully grassed site. On the Thursday we had four ferocious downpours – including one just as the Bootleg Beatles launched into Here Comes the Sun!
“But despite the huge amount of rain, the site held up brilliantly. It drained and dried well so there was not a hint of mud which meant fans could relax and enjoy a fantastic set of artists.”
The event was a huge success with weekend and camping tickets selling out for the first time as Wickham continues to defy the odds.
In the wake of the pandemic, dozens of festivals have been forced to close while the renowned Cambridge Folk Festival was unable to run this year.
Chegwyn added: “We may have picked up a few people from Cambridge and Weyfest, neither of which went ahead. I’m sure they will have enjoyed our event and hopefully will be back next year.
“Since Covid it has been really hard for all festivals and we are no exception. Our costs have gone up by 40% in just three years and some of our costs have doubled.
“Many festivals have cancelled this year but we managed to go ahead and we are really grateful to all our regulars as well as those joining us for the first time.
“Other festivals have struggled to sell out even after downsizing. It is a tough world out there and people only have a limited amount of money. Some will pay £200 to see the likes of Oasis which does not leave much spare cash for festivals.
“We believe we offer incredibly good value with four days of music for £160 if people book now. Fans can enjoy great acts up close in a relaxed and chilled atmosphere and even get to meet many of them.
“The quality of the artists this year has been outstanding with a good mix of folk, nostalgia and music for a younger demographic too. There hasn’t been a single act I have regretted booking.
“It really has been our best festival yet, not just because it sold out but because it all went so well. The feedback has been exceptionally positive and I really am very proud of it.
“I get a real buzz from seeing all the smiling faces and having punters and artists coming up to me to say how much they have enjoyed it.
“And hundreds have already booked for next year. They don’t know the exact line-up but they know it will be top quality and that our unique chilled atmosphere will remain the same – and that is our big selling point.”
The festival finished on a high with the penultimate ever UK show by longtime favourites Oysterband who are retiring as a touring band. Lead singer John Jones said: “We couldn’t quit without playing Wickham one last time.
“It has always been one of our very favourite festivals with a fantastic atmosphere. I don’t know how Peter Chegwyn does it but he always puts on an amazing event.”
The 2026 Wickham Festival will run from July 30 to August 2 and fans can buy a weekend adult ticket for £160 until August 11, a saving of £100. Tickets available at www.wickhamfestival.co.uk/tickets
