Wickerman 2013: The Journey Continues....

As we arrive on site on a sunny, humid Monday morning, it struck us that this was not the typical Scottish weather you imagine. Situated on a south facing bay it emerges that Dundrennan has something of its own micro climate, staying warmer and drier than most places.

We arrived at the festival grounds after a dodgy microwaved breakfast (Yeah, microwaved bacon. WHAT!?) to the stunning rolling countryside which is home to the Wickerman. With the festival site looking like a gorgeous blank canvass, its hard to think that in just a few days time this will be crawling with festival goers, international performers, and all manner of shenanigans.

I wander round the site, taking a few photographs for our facebook (check them out here) and hope to get chance to interact with a few of the hardcore Wickerman faithful, taking time out of their day jobs to put together a festival worth remembering.

I immediately head up to check out the Wickerman himself though. I won’t be posting any pictures of him as it’s best to enjoy surprised when you get here! Looking like a pagan god from old testament times, the guys behind the wicker masterpieces have certainly gotten in touch with their dark side this year. It really is a stunning piece of work.

I first bump into the guys running the Acoustic tent. As with all the arenas, tents and stages, all but bare bones and marquees are in place, ready for the organizers to get seriously creative, and from the looks of some of the stuff in the vans and trucks outside the acoustic village, they are going to be doing just that.

I’m greeted by a warm smile and handshake from Wendy, Blackie, and Blue, the three head honcho’s of the tent. ‘We want to show people that there is more to Acoustic music than one man singing into his guitar’ they tell me. Having played in their own band which this year will have a welcome return, their passion for exciting acoustic music has lead them to build a line up which combines stalwarts of the scene with up and coming talent. Hand picked from the Acoustic Village triumvirate, I’m told to look out for William Douglas & the Wheel, Shelagh McDonald, and Simon Atkinson & The Foundrymen’s Apprentice in particular, as they bring their own unique slants on the Acoustic genre.

The VIP Area

As the rest of the day continued, I wandered into the VIP area, awash with leather suites, plants, and a crack team of decorators turning the area behind the main stage into a visual delight. I caught up with Tom who is, from what I make of it, in charge of all the random jobs in the running of the festival. The Oban based handyman is amongst other things in charge of water levels, making sure that we don’t all flake out in the Scottish heat. Battling against rogue caravaners diverting the pipes and freak flooding, Tom’s work is never done as he tirelessly shoots around the festival, fulfilling odd jobs, ensuring that the festival runs as a well oiled ship. Tom is one of the many long time Wickerman collaborators that make up the many parts of the experience. We never see these people as festival goers, but without them, there wouldn’t even be one.

The Skiddle Bus

Everyone I’ve spoken to, from the acoustic villagers to the head of onsite security, all speak of the relaxed chilled out atmosphere that Wickerman breeds. I spoke to Sandy, head of staffing and camping management at Wickerman. His company are responsible for staffing some of the biggest festivals around the country, employing students etc.. people who work for their ticket etc. Speaking of Wickerman though, the amount of space available, the laidback atmosphere, and the smaller but committed team behind the festival have made it a joy for him to work here, acting almost ‘as a wee holiday’, a welcome change from the bigger festivals his team cover.

I’ll be continuing my trips around the festival ground as Skiddle get to grips with festival preparations, and the festival site builds up from the ground into the fully fledged animal that we’ve come to know and love...

For more information and Wickerman tickets head here

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