By Graham Hiley.
It was a day of mix and match as the 2024 Wickham Festival got off to a fantastic start.
Phil Odgers began with John Kettle playing songs by Phil Ochs from their new album Far Rockaway and then closed the night with the Men The Couldn’t Hang, whose guitarist Paul Simmonds is married to Naomi Bedford and played with her Ramshackle Band while John Kettle went across to the other stage where his wife Virginia was performing. Got it?
But it worked so well as they all revelled in the chance to play different styles of music, giving the opening day a freshness despite the close sultry weather.
The songs of tragic singer Phil Ochs were something very different for the Wickham faithful who lapped it up, not least because the politics are as relevant today as they were when the protest songs were written in the Sixties.
Meaningful, melodic and beautifully delivered, the set was a clever contrast to the swaggering stagecraft of the Men who have kept their power and passion despite the untimely death of Cush whose guitar is a permanent and poignant fixture on stage.
Swill even managed to fit in two trips to the merchandise tent and a few beers before the band headed north for a festival in Blackpool.
“But for that, I would have been back at Wickham for a couple of days just to chill and enjoy the atmosphere and the fantastic line-up,” said Swill.
“It really is my favourite festival. The Men are celebrating our 40th anniversary this year and during that time I have lost count of the number of shows we have done for Peter Chegwyn.
“We keep coming back because the events are so good with a fantastic atmosphere. We absolutely love playing here and it is great to see the crowds clearly love having us too.”
Meanwhile, on the other main stage the evening was closed by Fleetwood Collective, back by popular demand following their triumph here 12 months ago.
It made for a great opening day on the new site which is looking a winner. Flatter and firmer, it felt more spacious – once everyone had learned the new lay-out.
And with three more days of top quality music, late-night comedy, food and drink plus the usual stalls and children’s activities, the festival looks set to be a big success.
Friday night sees Suzi Quatro headlining and banging out her vast catalogue of hits with Seth Lakeman topping the bill on the other stage.
Don’t miss 17-year-old Irish singer Muireann Bradley who is already selling out shows following her stunning performance on Jools Holland’s New Year’s Eve show.
Day tickets are available online or at the ticket office for all three remaining days with the Levellers, Ferocious Dog and Skipinnish starring on Saturday while Curtis Stigers, Tony Christie and Manran close the event on Sunday. wickhamfestival.co.uk/tickets/
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