WITH some of the brightest up-and-coming acts on the bill often outshining the big names, Wickerman Festival’s sun-drenched site welcomed fans to its 13th year celebration of music and Scotland in style. And overlooking a weekend of outstanding performances was the 40 ft wicker statue, which provided the closing day finale as it burned under a cover of explosive fireworks.
FRIDAY
Atom Tree create a huge and at times euphoric sound all from a sparse and minimal set up. The three-piece, consisting of percussion, vocals and keys/synths offer some sweeping, electronic instrumentals as well as backing Julie Knox’s haunting vocals some seamless beats. The band’s Wickerman performance could be the band’s best yet.
Bringing big riffs and heavy rock to the fore are Glasgow outfit Tijuana Bibles, who played to a packed Solus Tent. Hints of Lez Zeppelin season their sound, especially in their single ‘Toledo’ which has an ‘in your face’ energy about it. The four-piece are fronted by Tony Costello who prowls around the stage looking every inch the classic rock star. But what’s most fantastic about this band is their ability to individually own the stage; each member a master of their craft.
Martha Reeves is now in her 70’s but the legend of Motown is still going strong. Her group, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas appropriately opened their set with their first ever hit single ‘Heatwave’, and followed it up with all their classics including ‘Nowhere to Run’ and ‘Dancing in the Street’. Her voice wobbled a little at times, but she made up for it with the high energy performance.
Alabama 3 may well be one of the most entertaining live acts around, with a fusion of styles all centred on the theme of fun. Their set on the main stage had the festival bouncing to tunes including ‘woke up this morning’ and ‘Hello…I’m Johnny Cash’.
Young Fathers are fresh from winning the SAY award this year, but more impressive is their live performance. It’s as intense a show as you’re ever likely to see, with heavy bass electronics, hip hop and something akin to world music all thrown in. Their headline set in the Solus Tent on Friday was definitely a highlight of the festival and a great booking for the stage.
SATURDAY
One of the up-coming bands on the British music scene are LIFE, who have a sound that blends post-punk, indie and pop. Their single ‘Money’ was a high point, but they would perhaps have been better suited to one of the smaller tents rather than the main stage, where the energy would have been better confined.
The brilliantly named Victorian Trout Conspiracy had the packed out Scooter Tent trying out their best dance moves. Their high energy sound includes ska, pop, rock, funk and probably a few other genres too, and proved a huge hit with the lively audience.
Baby Strange overcame technical difficulties at the start to deliver a strong set on the main stage. Their aggressive, foot-stomping sound was intertwined by accessible chorus’ and some moments of slower thoughtfulness, and a cracking cover of Peter, Bjorn and John’s ‘Young Folks’.
A nice surprise of the Weekend was Pale Honey, a three-piece from Stockholm. They played the GoNorth tent to a good crowd and sound a little Warpaint or The XX mixed with more up-beat indie.
The Amazing Snakeheads fucking hate you, and that’s why you love them. It’s punk on steroids; carnal, feral, primitive and raw. Singer and guitarist Dale Barclay spits out obscenities whilst throwing around his manic stare, infecting the audience with a desire for destruction. And like a lady of the night, emerging from the back of the stage was female singer Laura St Jude. With legs for days, St Jude was dressed in a tight black dress and sung along for three songs mid-set.
Her departure from the stage allowed fans to regain focus on the new line-up; the connection between Barclay and bassist Andrew Pattie setting the stage alight. Their performance in the Solus Tent a true highlight of the weekend.
Emerging from the crowd flag in tow, Louie from Glasgow’s Hector Bizerk led the crowd into an organised frenzy with a dynamic live show to be proud of. Louie spat rhymes from the band’s first two albums keeping the crowd entertained with crowd dives whilst drummer Audrey Tait kept the beat tight with a smile that lit up the tent. Artist Red Peril documented the occasion with a live art show where she painted a Hector Wickerman on stage during the band’s performance. Each track merged seamlessly into another, Hector Bizerk showing they know how to put on a performance. Highlights came from ‘Columbus’ and ‘Welcome to Nowhere’, going out on a high closing the set with ‘Party at A & E’ from the 2013 album ‘Nobody Seen Nothing’.
Look out for Tenement TV’s backstage sessions at Wickerman including Alabama 3, Prides, Model Aeroplanes, Scary People and more.
