Wychwood

10CC UNVEILED AS WYCHWOOD FESTIVAL’S SATURDAY HEADLINER

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Wychwood Saturday headliners and English rockers, 10cc, marked 40 years in 2012 since the release of their hit first single "Donna". A band with a remarkable career, selling in excess of 30 million albums around the world with their sophisticated sound that has impressed crowds since the 70's, this performance is one not to be missed. London Based electro swing duo The Correspondents make a welcome appearance. The band have featured in Rob Da Bank's BBC Radio 1 Electro Swing Special, as well as appearing in The Telegraph's "Top 10 highlights from Glastonbury" two years in a row. 

The Selecter also take to the main stage, known for their racial diversity in the mid 70's, the band bring their powerful lyrics and passionate music to Wychwood Festival in 2016. Hip-hop and electronic dance group Stereo MC's made themselves a household name worldwide with their transatlantic top 20 hit single"Connected"  and are also confirmed for Saturday's main stage. 

Smashing Blouse continue to add to their impressive line-up with the most exciting rising talents in the Big Top, welcoming futuristic British electronic-soul duo Honne. Guitar-shredding South London band InHeaven will also play, bringing an updated post punk template for a new generation.  

Wychwood's Hobgoblin Stage has also announced its latest acts. Friday will see Jonny Payne & The Thunder, strong melodies from Hannah Scott as well as new-comers Whyte Lytes. Saturday will feature a nod to the darker side of 80's electro with Zurich, bluesy garage band Little Brother Eli and The Great Western Tears. Sunday welcomes indie-pop band Narratones, sibling trio Emmay, improv jam sessions from The Knights of Mentis and finally singer-songwriter Duotone who has written for the likes of multi-platinum artist Birdy. 

Wychwood continues to offer great value for money – adult weekend tickets are priced at just £135, concessions at £110, 10-15 year olds at £65, 5-9 year olds at £25 and under 5 year olds go free with an adult. Day tickets are also now on sale, starting at £45 for an adult ticket. Full ticket price breakdown can be found below and as always with Wychwood Festival tickets, all are inclusive, with no additional booking fees and no hidden extras to pay on site Wychwood .

WYCHWOOD FESTIVAL 2016 MUSIC PROGRAMME
10cc / The Waterboys / Bill Biley/ Idlewild/ Kate Rusby /  Peter Hook & The Light
Craig Charles / The Selector /  Ms. Dynamite / Justin Fletcher, CBeebies Supestar / From The Jam
Matt Berry & The Maypoles / The Correspondents/ Keston Kobblers Club / Tiger Club
Haelos / Honne/ InHeaven /  Folk On /Hunter & The Bear / Cash + David / Ooks Of Hazard / Rag n' Bone / Anteros / Thrill Collins /Jonny Payne & The Thunder / Hannah Scott / Whyte Lytes / Zurich
The Great Western Trees / Little Brother Eli / Narratones  / Duotones /
The Tuesday Syndicate / The Knights of Mentis / Emmay

 

WYCHWOOD FESTIVAL PREVIOUS PRESS QUOTES
“Laid-back family festival in a lovely location." Sunday Times
"Britain's most popular family festival." Sunday Mirror
"The best festival for families." The Independent
"Goes the extra mile for children." The Times

 

Wychwood, Beer, Cheer and Bubbles.

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This is the 9th Wychwood festival to take place, which is a tragedy for me as it means I have missed 8 years of this fun filled, family friendly, yet modest event, that gently launches you into the summer festival period.  Set in the grounds of Cheltenham race course and overlooked by the Cotswold Hills, this venue is used to horseplay of a four-legged nature, but with neigh a nag in sight, Prestbury Park comes alive with a wide spectrum of characters.

The first days sound track set the pace for what would shape up to be quite the eclectic mix.  Early evening The Beat proved how they secured their rightful place high up the Ska tree. With Rankin Roger & Son getting the crowd stomping to the ever popular Ska beats. Toploader followed with their breezy, sing a long songs, that keep the crowd on a high.  Friday night headliners Soul II Soul with their blend of R&B, Soul and Electronica, surprised many who thought them a one song band (Back to life). With each song played you couldn’t help regret not paying more attention 25 years ago. But better late than never!! They exit the stage, leaving the crowd craving for more.

Saturday sees the music shift to a broader range. Unfortunately the delectable Kate Nash pulls out poorly. The Wedding Present are a crowd pleaser as they work through some of their phenomenal body of work. A French twist next from festival favourites The Caravan Palace, who’s zany Gypsy Jazz, Electro swing, is a sight and sound to behold, a big band wall of music fronted by the mesmerising stage presence that is Zoé Colotis a must see. The night’s headliners are 80’s Electro New Wave sensation The Human League and with a catalogue of hits, the crowd were on their feet from the opening “Mirror Man” to the ever popular “Don’t You Want Me” ending another great night with “Together in Electric Dreams”. The set and backdrop pay homage to the futuristic approach of the 80’s, that seem just as futuristic and relevant today, Little wonder so many artists since, have voiced this Flamboyant and eccentric group as an influence.

Sunday becomes a field of laughter with the humorous yet skilful take on classical and popular songs by the Ukele Orchestra of Great Britain.  Smiles a plenty but with admiration from this musically talented troop.  The laughter continues as Bill Bailey and his side splitting comedy take over.  Nobody being prepared for the music, jokes and insanity of this middle-aged madman. This massive force could have easily have been the finale for the main stage, but the organisers decided to bring the evening to a close by treating an appreciative crowd to the Dub Powerhouse that is Dreadzone.  This reggae tinged set was the perfect end to a fabulous weekend, having the crowd bounce and groove out the evening.

 A couple of standout performances on the smaller but no lesser stages included Becky Rose, with her one gal, synth based beats and Craig Charles funk and soul show, where the crowd were whipped up in to a frenzy to match that of the energetic, multi-talented showman.

When the main attractions have finished and the majority of the crowd have turned in for the night, one stage is determined to party on regardless. As I approach the big top tent with strobes escaping from the entrance I can’t help but think that there is something missing?   Upon entry I am handed a pair of wireless headphones and as I walk on through to a sea of crazy revellers it is apparent that I have entered a nut house.  This is the silent disco, a room full of clubbers and two DJ’s but no music through the loud speakers.  I put the headphones on and find myself instantly condemned to the madhouse as I flick between the two DJ’s and adjust my dancing style accordingly.

Music for all genres means that young or old you will at some point find your dancing shoes and at the very least discover new and exciting sounds.  There are over 100 workshops to choose from, complimented with cuisine from the four corners of the world.

A lasting memory of the festival will be that of a  man releasing  another wave of bubbles they glisten like the northern lights as they pass over the light filled stage.  Wychwood really captures the essence of what a festival is about with a great energy and atmosphere.