Flicker of Sun Ignites Wickerman Fun
Written by author on July 20, 2012
If Scots have been waiting for the start of summer, the sun picked a perfect moment to finally shine…in time to cast a warm sunny glow across the first day of this year’s Wickerman Festival. By mid afternoon on Friday (20th July), the expected fifteen thousand-strong festival crowd was winding its way to the picturesque farm site in Dumfries and Galloway, bringing a relaxed mix of music fans, families and festival revellers from across the UK who were definitely in the mood for a party. The main Summerisle stage kicked into action at noon with local indie band and Wickerman competition winners Sean Vs The Robots, followed by one of this year’s hot breakthrough acts, the Edinburgh quartet Bwani Junction who began to whip up the Wicker-masses with their lively indie sounds. American singer-songwriter Jenny O brought a change of pace, with a set of laid back folk-pop sounds that went down well with the sun-drenched main stage crowd. As ever, the festival party is taking place under the watchful eye of the famous ‘Wickerman’ statue, who this year strikes a torch-holding pose in tribute to this summer’s Olympian celebrations. With the majority of the festival crowd camping, groups of friends and families with children of all ages were enjoying the sunshine on the festival campsite, which this year includes a luxury camping space of tipis and yurts. Festival spirits were kept high with a great range of Wickerman entertainment on offer – from Segway driving and grass sledging to children’s arts and crafts and a headphone disco. Festival Co-ordinator Helen Chalmers said: ‘We have had the most amazing start to the Wickerman Festival this year, with a combination of beautiful sunshine, a pristine site and a great mix of music and atmosphere waiting for music fans as they arrive. ‘The performances across the stages so far have been fantastic, from the acoustic village to the Scooter tent to our main stage, and we are now looking forward to heading into our first evening with Bis, Cast, Levellers and finally Scissor Sisters all set to wow the Wickerman crowd’. Headliners Scissor Sisters added: ‘We’re looking forward to having a kiki with our Scottish fans and can guarantee that they’re in for a colourful show!’.
