JULY 24th-25th

Dunrennan

Galloway

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Friday

This was my first ever Wickerman experience and was going in with an open mind… which was immediately warmed as I arrived at the campsite to the sounds of giggles and good vibes and plenty of nonsense… but only the good kind. Having had a few transport hiccups on the way to the festival I arrived at the site late on Friday just as darkness took over, feeling a bit disorientated in the rolling Galloway hills I headed to the main stage with The Waterboys  just kicking off as we arrived.

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They opened proceedings with Fisherman Blues; the crowed were chilled with an air of fun swaying around to the sound of the band. There was enough space for dancers to dance, children to run around as couples and families wrapped up in blankets having a cuddle on the hill in front of the main stage. The feel of the festival was leaning far more towards a family orientated one than I first expected which made for an enjoyable and relaxed start to my late night festival experience.

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As the night went on we searched for some bouncy beats to dance to which did not take long; the Outdoor Terrace was all lit up in green lights, reminiscent of a particular Amsterdam coffee shop with a Plastic Man remix pumpin’ oot the bass bins. The small, but well up for it crowd were having a blast to the infectious techno streaming from the wee green van… it was impossible not to stop for a stomp… so we did!

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After a few spins on the waltzers and the scariest fun fair rides I could find, it was straight to the Skiddle Dance Tent to chuck some shapes. The children had gone to bed and the big kids were definitely out to play. Eddie Halliwell’s set was in full swing and the tunes were cheesy as expected but the crowd’s enthusiasm had me dancing for more (tongue firmly in cheek) but laughs were defiantly had.  I was also greeted in the tent by a punch straight in the stomach, which luckily was due to a ladies over-excitement to the tunes and some dangerous dance moves. It was all ended in cuddles so no harm there! HAHA.

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Saturday

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Saturday morning was spent with whisky hot chocolates, tunes, new pals and campsite chat….which meant that it was a later start than expected. That being said, walking into the festival site was perfect timing as I could hear the sweet voice of Beth Foracre from the acoustic tent which lured me in and gave me a big an audio cuddle. Her songs were relaxed and her short stories were heart-warming. This set me up perfectly for more second day festival antics!

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It was great to see Supa & Da Kryptonites on the main stage, by the way : they’d won a competition to play there and shows how the Wicker Man is an unpretentious festival thats all about good music & fun. They played a banging set of which their singer, Jay Supa, said;

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Yeah…so that was funkin mental! Thankyou to Wickerman, Sunday Herald, XFM, Kerr, The Pit Ingrid crew and everyone who showed up for our shows. This weekend was suink else! So i’m casually chatting to Squeeze who i tell to hang on one second as Stereo MC’s bop off stage because i want to thank them for their energy……Lulu then casually waltzs’ past heading to her dressing room….l gave her the nod wink emoticon aha….that was just friday. We then get told we got a dressing room of our own from early doors Saturday. ‘Hope you don’t mind being sandwiched between Jimmy Cliff, Nenah Cherry and Example’ says Artist Liason. I wasn’t too happy and if any of you know me I was quick to complain and explain we needed space for our creative well being….haha yeah right!
Funk about. Then after we play, we head for lunch. Tom ODell stops me in my tracks to say how much he enjoyed our set. I swear you couldn’t make it up.

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Catching the end of Be Charlotte in the XFM Solus tent was disappointing, only because I wanted to hear more. The place was packed to the flaps. Her final tune which I believe was “Go back to the start” was quality, leaving the keen crowd eager for more.

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The evening sun was shining down as Jimmy Cliff rocked up on the main stage, kicking off with his classic, up-lifting beats which suited the elements perfectly. The Cool Runnings classic “I can see clearly now” could not have been more fitting for this setting. Cliff danced like he was having the time of his life and gave himself a few on stage cuddles… well if you can’t cuddle yerself, who can you cuddle?! He spoke fondly of his starring role in ‘The harder they come the harder they fall,’ which led into his hit from the film “you can get it if you really want” his cover of Cat Stevens “Wild World” and “Under the sun moon and stars”  kept the revellers engaged, singing along and feeling the reggae mood.

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Feeling a bit peckish I looked for some tasty grub… the Hippy Chippy hit the spot with some of the tastiest chips I’ve ever munched on… a veritable variety of flavours with homemade chutneys and relish for all yer condiment needs. YUM. There were plenty of food vans with tasty snacks of goulash and crispy polenta and pulled pork if sloppy burgers aint your thang. The village shop sorted you out for any essentials without leaving you feeling robbed which is a nice touch.

When Jimmy finished the sun left as well, the air was cool for the rest of the evening. At midnight when the Phoenix Wickerman was doused in flames it gave the air an eerie, yet enjoyable warmth. An impressive display of fireworks exploded onto the site which faded out leaving everyone ready to party on until the light hours of the morning.

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Reviewer : Robyn Draper