As temperatures across the country soar, one of Scotland’s most loved music and arts festivals is also heating up! The Wickerman Festival has announced that even more acts - from reggae to rock – are set to grace its stages this July.
The Wickerman Festival takes place on 20th & 21st July at a picturesque site near Dundrennan, Dumfries & Galloway
New to the main Summerisle stage are hotly tipped Scottish indie act Finding Albert, whose recently released ‘Life and Times’ EP was produced by Dumfries born Calvin Harris. Compered by BBC Introducing DJ Ally McCrae, the Summerisle stage will also host Scottish Album of the Year Award nominees, guitar pop four piece Bwani Junction and Edinburgh drum’n’brass street ensemble The Horndog Brass Band, whose New Orleans style blend of swing, funk and hip-hop is set to be a sure-fire hit with one of the UK’s friendliest festival crowds.
The Scooter tent bill is also enhanced with additions in the form of Scottish four piece Root System, returning to Wickerman by popular demand, high energy ska favourites Big Fat Panda and much loved classic punk from tribute act The Counterfeit Clash.
The Acoustic Village, home to chilled out folk, indie and shoegaze, has also revealed its much anticipated line up: featuring Artmagic, a new collaboration between Suede guitarist Richard Oakes and songwriter and producer Sean McGhee, and profoundly talented Carrbridge songstress Rachel Sermanni.
Joining Rachel Sermanni on Friday 20 July will be Liverpool’s Stephen Langstaff, Ayrshire troubadour Tragic O Hara, singer David Cowan and the ceilidh influenced The Moonzie All Stars. The Hang Project, evolving artist Hailey Beavis, and local talents Zoe Bestel, trio Novante, Sarah Ade, Jono and Inge will also entertain festival goers.
Taking to the Acoustic Village stage with Artmagic on Saturday 21st July are The Darcy Da Silva Band, psychedelic influenced singer songwriter Duncan Maitland, contemporary folk/pop artist Alan Frew and Scottish/Japanese singer songwriter Jamie Uchima aka Nursing Deva, who brings an experimental note to proceedings. Also performing across the weekend are Dumbartonshire five piece Have Mercy Las Vegas, The Cats, Kevin Gore, Dumfries Community Choir, Calum Gilligan, eighties folk act Caught on the Hop, haunting singer songwriter Beck Goldsmith and Wickerman regular, harpist Martyn Wheeler.
The music for one of the festival’s most loved features, The Axis Reggae Tent, has also been confirmed, with DJ sets from Dr. Huxtable, Mikey Don, Bigga Shakatone, Wassie One, Big Toes Hifi, Apache HiFi, Scratchy, Emjay, Mr. P, Steve Tauntra, Sister Gad and Tony Roots taking place over two days.
As an impromptu treat for festival goers, Walkabout band Blowjangles will be taking fans by surprise, with spontaneous performances over the weekend including a mixture of ska, reggae, jazz at various locations. Opening with a mighty musical bang on Thursday night, The Greenman Inn will get campers instantly in the festival swing with popular ceilidh band rhythmnreel and DJ Jason Dupuy, who will also be playing on Friday 20th July. At the Ho Down Wendy House Glasgow’s footstomping Inishowen Ceilidh Band join rockabilly and bluegrass maestros The Chihuahuas, with Davy Cowan & The Hose Beast also putting in an appearance. On top of all that Headphone Disco will keep the crowds dancing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday!
Festival Coordinator Helen Chalmers commented: “We’re delighted to announce this raft of new additions which crosses so many genres of music. Renowned artists will come from all corners of the world to perform at Wickerman - and there’s a sense amongst the festival team that it’s going to be very special year! We can’t wait to see the first campers arriving on our beautiful festival site.”
MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Monumental New York pop stars Scissor Sisters and Scottish pop legends Texas are the main stage headliners, joined by Britpop icons Cast, Dundee rockers The View, folk rock heroes Levellers and singer/songwriter Newton Faulkner, to name just a few. On Saturday, after the spectacular Wickerman burning, there will also be a DJ set from Mike Skinner.
With ten live music stages in total music fans can switch between punk and ska performances from legendary acts including The Blockheads and Bad Manners at the Scooter Tent, innovative Scottish talent including Human Don’t Be Angry and United Fruit at the Solus Tent and top DJS and dance acts such as Steve Lawler and Darren Emerson in Bass Camp.
A celebration of art and entertainment on site activities will include a fun fair, fire walking, music and dance workshops, grass sledging, Segway hire, wood carving demonstrations and the 7stanes mountain bike display team. The welcoming atmosphere and dedicated children’s area have also earnt it a reputation of one of the UK’s most family friendly events.
Published on 26 May 2012 by Wayne Feltham
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