Following on from the success of the inaugural 2005 event, The second Wychwood Music Festival will be held over the weekend of 2-4 June 2006 at Cheltenham Racecourse and is already proud to boast an impressive line up of artists including Mercury Nominees, Awards for World Music Winners, Folk Awards Nominees, the most hotly tipped new Indie artists and classic festival bands that is sure to make it one of the most talked about events of the year, again
After enjoying the festival last year, I wanted to know from Graeme (the organiser) how this year would compare, “This year, the festival has a fully fledge third stage which will showcase local bands and also have a whole lots of comedy and late night acoustic. We want to keep the festival village going as late as possible for those who want the entertainment. With this in mind, Club Wychwood will be in the big top this year – last year the club was packed, so we have the extra space and we’ll have The Silent Disco in there from Glastonbury until the early hours.
“Lots more real ale this year, and we are continuing to programme Wychwood with a broad vibrant and class set of musicians, from across the musical spectrum… I’ve just heard also that we’ll have a fire show to rival Glastonbury, so it’s going to be an intense and joyous festival opener to the season this year!”
Wychwood delivers a unique intimate line-up of music and events, which at its’ heart has a message that music is a common language that can unite us all. Based on the ancient Wychwood Forest Fayres which ran until the 1850s and which at its peak, could attract 40,000 people to sing, dance and make merry. The tradition was cut short when the landowner cleared the area, selling the oaks to the Navy, to make ships for colonisation.
Wychwood is a festival with no boundaries, where cutting-edge contemporary music mixes seamlessly with folk traditions, and world music beats rub shoulders with experimental jazz; where mainstream artists mix with local ones and boundaries between audience and performers blur. And to this Solar Powered Cinema, over 80 workshops for all ages, great beer and real ales, global food and bazaar, and a healing garden full off masseurs waiting to ease away your stresses, and you have the ultimate festival just up the road, offering a fantastic experience for all ages at unbelievably reasonable price!
The strong and diverse line-up ranges from hotly tipped newcomers Guillemots and The Feeling to the formidably talented violinist Sophie Solomon and Mercury Music Prize nominees Seth Lakeman and Polar Bear to established names such as Billy Bragg, Dreadzone, Gilles Peterson, Eliza Carthy and The Saw Doctors.
Wychwood is a festival with a conscience. Ethical issues are at the core the festivals ethos and strong associations with NGOs including Oxfam, Greenpeace, Amnesty International and Friends of the Earth all of whom will be benefit directly from the festival.
See the line up for this year’s festival on Fly, proud media sponsor.
Or visit the Wychwood Festival website for updated listings and general information: www.wychwoodfestival.com
Ticket Info:
Weekend and Day Tickets are now on sale. Under 11s are free, Camping is free, Concessions are available for 12-18 year olds, Students, OAPs, Unwaged, Disabled customers.
Friday Full Price £25, Concession £20
Saturday Full Price £45, Concession £35
Sunday Full Price £35, Concession £25
Weekend Full Price £85, Concession £70- £25
Tickets available from Cheltenham Box Office on 01242 227979 or from the Wychwood website
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