Wickham festival’s most exciting line-up yet Sophie Merritt gives her low-down on this year’s festival Wickham Festival goers may have been caught in a
The former Army captain, who was born just outside of
downpour this weekend, but their spirits were not dampened
Hampshire said: “It felt like coming home and it was a
as the event played host to its most exciting line-up yet.
fantastic atmosphere. The crowd were amazing.”
Thursday saw international superstar James Blunt headline
“After playing some huge arenas on the Moon Landing tour,
the 7,000 capacity festival, proving to be an explosive start to
it was really nice to play a smaller, more intimate concert and
the 4-day family event.
to get close to the fans. I loved it.”
Clad in an astronaut jumpsuit, the pop star took to the main stage as crowds bulged out of the big top. Having just returned from the European leg of his Moon Landing world tour, Blunt admitted it was a highlight to play to those who, he said, have supported him from the beginning.
included The Lightning Seeds, Steve Earl & The Dukes and Bellowhead, with a huge variety of other musicians appearing on the second and acoustic stages. But the festival didn’t only have music to offer – quirky stalls selling clothing, accessories and other oddities lined the
The singer wowed the audience with his set comprising of top hits including Goodbye My Lover and the lead single from 2013’s Moon Landing – Bonfire Heart. And if that wasn’t exciting enough for the crowd, his impromptu stage dive and crowd surfing session definitely did the trick. Of course though, the biggest reaction of the night came when Blunt played his 2005 smash hit, You’re Beautiful, spurring everyone watching to sing along at the top of their lungs.
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Other acts to grace the main stage over the weekend
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field, with an arcade, face painting, laser quest and film tent for the younger audience. Wickham Festival prides itself on being the most familyfriendly festival in Hampshire, and despite the weather, the success of this year’s instalment is undeniable. Sophie Merritt, reporting from the festival