Then on Friday morning the fun begins usually around noon-ish, when the smaller tents open and start their days activities.
The Wickerman is different than most of the other music festivals in several ways.
First, the festival hasn't been overtaken by the corporations. You don't see the the blatant and irritating commercialism seen at all the others. It has managed to maintain a counter culture feel to it. You can't help but feel like you have stepped through time and into Woodstock.
Second, the music. Because The Wickerman Festival hasn't been taken over by those huge commercial corporations with record labels that just want to push their own artists, you get an amazing and diverse selection of very talented musical artists that deserve a chance to be heard and maybe even signed.
Third, the audience. This was the most diverse group of people I have ever seen assembled; all were interesting and eclectic and a few were rather astonishing. They ranged in age from six months (riding on his daddy's back) to 75 years old. The organisers of this festival have gone out of their way to make sure it is family friendly and handicapped accessible (as much as you can make a giant field accessible). Children twelve years and under were admitted free and there were children's tents and activities all weekend. And families could camp in the “Quiet Family Camping” area. Perfect for people who didn't want to dance until dawn but instead put the wee ones down early and sit out in the cooling air looking at the waning sun with a nice glass of wine and listening to the music across the rolling green hills of the Scottish countryside.
The Children's Activities
The children's activities included the usual fare: bouncy castle, face painting, and games. But it also included some interesting drama and music concerts just for them. One of these was the of the story of the lonely “Wicker Man”, a puppet character and story created just for the Wickerman Festival by puppeteer Graham Moffat of Dragonfly Dreaming. This delightful tale walks you through Bella the Butterfly's search for other butterfly friends only to find that the Wicker Man has taken them and put them in his belly. But the Wicker Man isn't really a bad guy — just a lonely one — and he eventually shares his friends with Bella. This is a good example of the lovely whimsical feel that all the child/family events had.
Article comments
1 - Snarkattack
I would have been there in spirit form were it possible. You capture the feel of these shindigs so well - there's nothing quite like the seediness of partying hard for 2 days straight with people you hardly know and great music. Oh, to be there!
You made it to the VIP area, eh? Nice!
2 - duane
What, no human sacrifices? Party ... ha!
3 - Snarkattack
duane - perhaps that's why they had to clear off so early at the end, sneak in all those sacrifices. They can't do it during the festivities now, can they?
4 - A.L. Harper
Snarkattack - Thank you very much! I was indeed an amazing time. I have never had that much fun at a music festival before. The atmosphere was so laid back. And I got press passes so I was in the VIP area and didn't have to walk a mile to get to the fun.
Duane - Human sacrifices? I guess it depends on what is being sacrificed. *wink*
5 - emma
You're right about Big Strides! They're great live I saw them at Glastonbury last year. can't wait to see them again.
6 - Snarkattack
A.L. - boy am I jealous! Nah, it's good :)
Though after reading Stewart Home's '69 Things To Do With a Dead Princess', I'm more inclined to believe the whole human sacrifice thing. I can't recall whether or not he's Scottish, but that book is set in Scotland. I do recommend it if you come across it.
7 - A.L. Harper
Emma - They have new album out in September. Check out the MP3 of their new song on their site.
Snarkattack - I have not heard of that book but I will look for it. Glad your jealous! *smile*
8 - Scott Butki
Great review
9 - A.L. Harper
Thanks Scott!
10 - Anna Creech
Hm. Sounds a bit like a Brit version of Burning Man.
11 - A.L. Harper
Oh no it much more fun than that. It's not about self reliance or self expression at all. It's about getting pished, shagging strangers and maybe listening to a little music while your doing it.
Actually you maybe right - that is how the Brits express themselves
12 - Chuckstah
I've been to all the Wickerman festivals so far, apart fom last year when I broke my leg the week before(!).
It's definately getting noticably bigger each year, but as the review says still has a counterculture feel to it.
Music wise, the highlight for me was the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, mad as ever 'n tight as hell, with a real character standing in for Alex,(r.i.p.). System 7 and New Model Army both did sterling sets and there was some great stuff in the other stages/tents.
I think it was only the festival site that had to be vacated by mid-day, as we left about then and there was still hundreds of people and tents in the campsite.
Anyone going next year should remember to bring some warm clothing. After a scorching day on saturday, after dark it was freeeeezing!
13 - A.L. Harper
Hey Chuckstah - I know you! It was freezing Saturday night and it blew a gale and pissed. But I thought it was refreshing after the intense heat of Saturday. But it put Jim off! Thank God.