2008 FESTIVAL REVIEWS

 

Subba Cultcha - It’s no surprise that The Wickerman is now regarded by many to be Scotland’s greatest music festival. Even less surprising is the ever growing attendance levels. They come from many of Britain’s far away corners just to be a part of it. What makes it so special to people? It has held onto its original ethos and without losing any of its direction or purpose, continues to outshine the bigger and more commercial UK Festivals. T in the Park may claim the greatest line-ups, boast the highest attendance levels and continually stroke its own ego year after year - but it will NEVER in a thousand years come close to meaning as much to people as The Wickerman does right now! And that is what’s important!

 

 

 

Virtual Festivals - A Day-Glo fairy screams into a mobile then runs off sobbing, tutu wafting forlornly behind her as a gaggle of other fairies have a concerned huddle about it all. Welcome to the Wickerman where everything is just a little bit different.

 

  

Efestivals - The burning was symbolic of everything Wickerman stands for - togetherness, spectacle, and a community spirit pulling everyone is the same hedonistic direction. This was my first time at this festival, and it certainly won't be my last. As I walked away from the dying embers of the burned edifice, it was a genuinely emotional moment. You can forget your lager branded, sugar coated mega-fests, this is what true festivals are about, and this is what they should strive to be.

 

 

 

Daily Music Guide - Wickerman is highly recommended if you are looking for good music, good people and good vibes in one of the most beautiful places in Scotland.

 

 

 

Dumfries & Galloway Standard - Now and again the fog would part to reveal the heads of mythical beasts; brightly coloured head-dresses; twisted leers and a skeleton or two. The hillside burned red-hot and the smell of smoke permeated a scene that could have easily been taken from a horror movie. This was the climax to the 2008 Wickerman Festival.

 

 

 

The Scotsman - A respectful atmosphere prevailed, and even grown men dancing to techno in the campsite at 10am were often doing it alongside their own children. This was a family event which perhaps catered best to those whose wild days are past, yet who want to introduce the next generation gently to the music festival tradition.

 

 

 

News of the World - The Wickerman is a firm favourite with fans thanks to a wide-open music policy that covers everything from chart-busting pop to dance and rock. And, of course it all ends with a 30ft high wicker fella going up in flames. What could be better?

 

 

 

The Ayrshire Post - A 12 year old boy summed up the mood by saying he enjoyed the Wickerman more than his birthday and Christmas put together.

 

 

 

Scotland on Sunday - A favourite on the Scottish festival scene, Wickerman has it all: classic indie, 80s electro-pop, a Hacienda party, up-and-coming talent and, of course, a great big bonfire.

 

 

 

Is This Music - Ah, that time of year again. Time for Scotland’s most laid back and, to be honest, downright fun festival.

 

 

 

Vibe Scotland - Just as July starts heating up, The Wickerman ignites its own Fiery Frolics of 2008. Voted 2007 UK Grassroots Festival of the Year, this summer promises to bring even more outrageousness, frivolousness and all sorts of Scottish madness to the Solway Coast.

 

 

 

World Trip Ventures - Right at the peak of the tourist season (end of July) East Kirkcarswell, near Dundrennan comes alive with the sound of music emanating from the wonderful Wickerman Music Festival. Deep in the heart of Dumfries & Galloway the Wickerman Festival site is surrounded by the most incredible countryside and, usually, benefits by the gorgeous weather of the area.

 

 

 

Times Online - The misfit of Scottish Festivals, the Wickerman is unapologetically unkempt and unshaven. Wickerman offers one of the most diverse selections of music and entertainment for children and young families.

 

 

 

Meat Katie (Traffic Magazine) - The festival I love the most is Wickerman Festival in Scotland. They set a massive Wickerman on fire that represents burning your inhibitions and insecurities.

 

 

 

The Galloway Ranger - Possibly the largest family friendly music festival in Scotland, the Wickerman has gained a reputation for putting on a weekend of free and easy frivolity. 

 

 

 

Scotland on Sunday - Cool, cultish and family friendly.

 

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2007 FESTIVAL REVIEWS

 

Big Issue -  The fact that it’s a psychedelic concoction of cult music, film, arts and crafts, all wrapped up in a family-sympathetic blanket, makes this little festival one of the best you could ever grace.

 

Reverb – 20,000 pissed Scots united in song is a bolder image than even the burning of a 30ft Wicker effigy.

 

Daily Mirror Gig Guide -  It’s got great music, quirky attractions, a fantastic site, a genuinely friendly atmosphere….a “must do” on the summer circuit.

 

The Scotsman -  T in the Park, Indian Summer and Connect may have more starry musical line-ups but do they climax with a 30ft wicker effigy being sacrificed to the gods, as the Wickerman does? They do not. This kind of eccentric charm is key to the appeal...another factor is that it is more family friendly.

 

The Herald – An ethos of fun, fire and freedom and an unbiased selection of live music, a children’s area crammed with activities and some thoroughly attractive craft stalls. Oh and of course the Wickerman himself up in smoke and flames. Fans of the film need not fear – no Edward Woodward lookalike will be inside, turning to toast.

 

Daily Record  (4-star review)  -  Like a green and orange island plonked on top of the planet, the world of the Wickerman Festival surprises many with its weekend of music and fun.

 

Scotland on Sunday -  This one wins our vote for offering something different.

 

Sunday Mail (5-star review) – There was startling variety of music, from reggae to dance to folk and indie.

 

Scot Campus -  The Wickerman Festival likes to think of itself as a festival for those tired of just how commercial and expensive many festivals have become. It is perhaps not the most famous of festivals, but over the years, it has attracted a cult following who simply won’t look at another event.

 

The Scotsman (Review)  -  Wickerman is a much friendlier, more family orientated affair than T in the Park where tripping over motionless bodies in the mud is a persistent nuisance. And its “alternative festival” credentials seem well-intentioned rather than demonstrably radical.

 

The Scotsman (Critique) -  The Proclaimers, Fun Lovin’ Criminals and The Orb are representative of the ragbag line-up for this established small festival in the heart of Wicker Man country. Dancing around in the scud like Britt Ekland is not mandatory.

 

Galloway News – The sun looks set to shine on Scotland’s hottest festival this weekend. The Wickerman is raring to go and looks set to attract festival-goers in their thousands.

 

Sunday Mail (Festival Guide) -  Scotland’s most eclectic festival sees Fun Lovin’ Criminals top a 65 act bill.

 

The Times -  The music festival was established as a family friendly alternative to Glastonbury and T in the Park.

 

Metro –  Next up on Scotland’s long list of summer festivals is this weekend’s Wickerman, the cult movie referencing event in Dumfries and Galloway at which The Orb’s headlining slot tomorrow will likely be the most compelling attraction of all. There’s a characteristically esoteric array of additional highlights across the festival’s two day, 11 stage bill.

 

Big Issue (4-star review) – With a vibe like Glastonbury before they built a wall around the place, Wickerman is now established in its freaked out, everything goes festival niche. The only festival in Scotland where you can see kids, casuals, crusties and a bare chested man in a purple furry coat licking his own nipples all at the same time.