Festival Love: Wickerman

Photo: Wickerman Festival

I've been lucky enough to be involved with Dumfrieshire festival Wickerman for a number of years now, with my annual trips up to the bucolic Scottish lowlands proving a regular summer highlight.

Having first visited back in 2010 to DJ for the Skiddle Dance Tent, the festival certainly left an impression on me, partly because it was only the second festival I'd ever attended, but mostly because I hadn't before experienced anything quite like it.

Often put off by the larger more hectic festivals, I was almost immediately taken aback by Wickerman's supreme air of relaxation. Everyone is there to have a good time, and not at the expense of anyone else (see some of that in the above highlights from last year).

It really is remarkable that a festival of 15,000 up for it revelers can feel so safe. Its strong family friendly atmosphere certainly contributes to this, with tonnes on offer to keep young ones happy, as well as plenty of opportunities for young people and adults looking to cut loose.

Wickerman's line up policy has also contributed to this. The organisers have a penchant for welcoming an interesting selection of acts from past and present. The first time I visited, acid house legends 808 State shared a main stage with Ocean Colour Scene, whilst spoof hip hoppers Goldie Lookin Chain went up against Irish punk gods The Undertones. On paper it doesn't work, but when you're there in that environment, it really does.

It's a booking policy that Wickerman have stuck by, with this year seeing much of the same behaviour, with Dizzee Rascal joining Del Amitri and newly reformed Shed Seven lining up with Martha Reeves and the Vandellas.

And then there's what I'm most looking forward to -  Big Country. I was a huge fan of their Celtic-flavoured power rock as a kid, and can't wait to see them rocking 'Wonderland' in the flesh (above). If you're a fan of the eclectic and the retro, with a firm foothold in the present, Wickerman might just be your bag as well.

The dance line up too for me has been a highlight in the past. Along with DJing with Beats Of Rage for six hours in glorious sunshine on a makeshift outdoor stage last year, the Skiddle Bass Camp and Em-It Tents usually pull out a few surprises that definitely count themselves as essential raving experiences.

Being a techno fiend, Dave Clarke was a highlight at last year's edition along with Justin Robertson (we booked him for Beats of Rage after the strength of his performance), and this year looks just as great - see who is playing here.

For fans of ska and punk there's also the Scooter Tent, which I've only really dipped my toe in, whilst those suffering from hangovers can nurse their spirits back to health in the hippy-vibed Acoustic Village.

The real strength in Wickerman though, as I alluded to earlier, is the crowd it attracts, and now I'm a bit more festival savvy, I can safely say that the punters that descend on Wickerman each year are some of the friendliest I've encountered.

The grand finale of the festival is something special too. I somehow managed to miss the fireworks display and the glorious burning of the 30 foot Wickerman the first time round, which had something to do with the date landing on my birthday and an inability to say no to a few moody shandies.

When I finally got to enjoy it last year though, I was thoroughly impressed. It's a fittingly strange but beautiful ending to a festival that is equally as unique, one that gets better with repeated visits. For those looking for a festival free of attitude, full of good spirit and some decent music, Wickerman is highly recommended. Bring on 2014.

Grab your Wickerman tickets here.

Tickets are no longer available for this event