Wickerman at its Sunshine Best as Texas
Lead Fans to Fiery Festival Finale
Sharleen Spitteri led the 15,000 strong Wickerman audience in one of the festival’s biggest sing-alongs last night before fans were treated to the spectacular burning of the 40 foot Wickerman against a night sky sparkling with fireworks.
The sultry Scottish songstress had the crowd in a frenzy from the first bars of opener ‘Halo’, and continued through a stunning set of classic Texas tunes, ending with an encore of Elvis favourite ‘Suspicious Minds’ to the delight of her festival following. Elsewhere a capacity crowd revelled in a raucous set from Bad Manners, who brought the festival’s Scooter tent bill to a thundering close.
Two days of warm hazy sunshine over the beautiful Dumfries and Galloway countryside created the perfect setting for some of the finest festival performances in Wickerman’s 11 year history. Summerisle acts didn’t disappoint with Friday’s bill of Bis, Cast and Levellers, closed by a thrilling, high octane disco-pop set from Scissor Sisters – one of the first global acts to headline the festival – which is already the stuff of Wicker-history.
On Saturday it was the turn of Scotland’s finest, with Kassidy, The View and finally Texas taking their turn on the stage to a rousing reception from their home crowd, before the party continued with a late-night DJ set from Mike Skinner.
Elsewhere across the festival’s other stages, Human Don’t Be Angry (Malcolm Middleton) gave a phenomenal performance, topping off a bill of grassroots talent in the Solus tent. Artmagic, a collaboration between ex-suede guitarist Richard Oakes and producer Sean McGhee, was highlight of the Acoustic Village programme packed with performances, while leading DJ Darren Emerson got the Bass Camp crowd going.
Festival spirits were further raised by a mass of additional entertainments and attractions – from the hair-raising reverse bungee to mountain biking, grass sledging and a whole programme of fun, games and adventures for Wicker-kids.
Festival Coordinator, Helen Chalmers congratulated artists, organisers and festival-goers alike for playing their part in delivering one of the best events in the festival’s history. ‘Every part of the festival plan has come together brilliantly this year, and we have been hugely fortunate to enjoy unbroken sunshine throughout. We have a lot to celebrate with our Wickerman artists putting on a brilliant show across all our stages, with must-see performance for every type of music fan, from pop, rock, funk and indie – and of course our punk and ska line up for the Scooter Tent faithful.
‘Our site team have reported a friendly and peaceful two days, and we want to say a huge thank you to the thousands of people who work so hard behind the scenes and give so much energy and enthusiasm to the festival. And of course to the Wickerman audience, who have made our 2012 event such a relaxed, enjoyable and memorable festival party.’
The next Wickerman Festival will take place on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th July 2013.
