Wickerman Festival Fires Up with British Sea Power
Indie Rockers Join Summerisle Line Up as Festival Countdown Begins
Lowland Links Tent adds more local acts and an opera surprise!
With music fans counting the hours until this year’s spectacular Wickerman Festival, organisers have announced a few final treats in the line-up before the masses descend to Dundrennan on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th July.
Enigmatic indie rockers British Sea Power, once described by The Sunday Times as ‘The best band in Britain’, have stormed into the Summerisle’s Saturday bill, joining Del Amitri and The Feeling amongst many others for what is set to be a day of truly memorable live music.
The Brighton-based six piece, who count David Bowie and Jarvis Cocker amongst their loyal fan base, will bring their sweeping, visceral guitar sounds and legendary eccentric stage antics to the already brilliant main stage line up.
It’s over a decade since British Sea Power launched their debut album, ‘The Decline of British Sea Power’ to huge critical acclaim. Their indie credentials have not waned, and last year’s 2013 album ‘Machineries of Joy’ was hailed as a creative high for the band – with BBC 6Music listeners recently placing their track ‘Remember me’ at number nine in the stations’ stop 100 tracks of all time, slotted between Radiohead and Johnny Cash.
There are also new Saturday additions to the Lowland Links tent, staged by Wickerman Festival as part of Year of Homecoming to showcase the culture of the Dumfries and Galloway area. The rousing sounds of the Creetown Silver Band, a brass band that dates back to 1880 hailing from the local village of Creetown, will join the line up as will Nicola Black, a native of Dumfries and Galloway and the festival’s very own Acoustic Village Manager, who will take her turn in the spotlight on Saturday evening.
There will also be a special treat for music fans when Dumfriesshire Cellist, Alex McQuiston, is joined by top opera singers from the International Musicians Platform to perform a selection of best-loved opera classics – from Nessun Dorma to Tonight from Westside Story for the Wickerman audience.
Finally, the dazzling Eletricat Samba will whip the Wickerman crowd into a full-on Brazilian frenzy, performing briefly on the Summerisle Stage on Saturday before heading out into the arena for some carnival fun with the crowds.
Festival Coordinator Helen Chalmers commented: ‘With just a few days to go until we open the gates to this year’s Wickerman Festival, news that British Sea Power are joining the bill is set to send a huge wave of excitement amongst music fans. Not only are they one of the most enduring indie bands in the UK, but they put on a show that we know will be another great festival highlight amongst the many we have in store across our stages.
‘Adding a few more very diverse and unexpected artists to the bill, including some great traditional brass band music, a bit of classical opera and a blast of Brazilian Samba is what Wickerman fans love about this festival. There really is something for everyone to enjoy. So if you haven’t got your Wickerman tickets yet, there are still a few left and we’d urge music fans not to miss out on what promises to be another amazing two days of brilliant music and entertainment on site.’
Wickerman Festival 2014
Friday 25th & Saturday 26th July 2014 / www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk
East Kirkcarswell Farm, Dundrennan, Dumfries & Galloway
Tickets can be purchased from
http://wickerman.skiddletickets.com/
The Wickerman Festival
Wickerman is one of the UK’s best-loved independent music festivals and is now entering its 13th consecutive year. With ten stages featuring an eclectic and exciting mix of leading artists, alternative acts and up-and-coming talent, the two day summer party caters for all musical tastes.
It is one of the friendliest festivals in Scotland and with hundreds of music-loving families in attendance each year, there’s a host of cool kids entertainment and activities on offer. The festival site is a working farm in picturesque Dumfries and Galloway; its rolling hills, lush forests and fresh country air make for a refreshing vibe. It is also where the classic 1973 Wicker Man film was made – the inspiration for the festival’s name.
The Wickerman site is a wonderland for adults and children alike with a cinema, fun fair, circus entertainment, grass sledging, mountain biking and array of arts and craft activities scattered throughout its fields. High quality yurts, tipis and cloud houses and spacious campsites complete the magical festival experience.
Every year the festival stages an unforgettable finale, as thousands of fans flock to watch a towering 40ft Wickerman be spectacularly set alight.
Dumfries and Galloway Council has recently adopted a Major Festivals and Events Strategy, which is believed to be unique in Scotland, which will support and part-fund the sustainable growth of major and iconic festivals which take place in the region such as the Wickerman Festival, the Wigtown Book Festival, Spring Fling, World Championship ice hockey, the Scottish Rally and many more international quality festivals and events.
Homecoming Scotland 2014
The Wickerman Festival forms part of Homecoming Scotland’s 2014 Events Programme. This year, Scotland will welcome the world in the Year of Homecoming 2014 – providing a year-long programme of events alongside the Ryder Cup and Commonwealth Games.
The Year of Homecoming Scotland will run from 31 December 2013 to 31 December 2014 throughout the length and breadth of the country. Visitors from around the world are invited to join in a celebration of the nation’s food and drink, active pursuits, cultural heritage, nature and ancestral heritage. Homecoming Scotland 2014 is a Scottish Government initiative being led by EventScotland and VisitScotland, supported by numerous partners. To find out more visit www.homecomingscotland.com
