Hey StewCat,

I kind of agree with you. This was my 7th Wickerman and it is not the festival that it once was. The bands are getting bigger and the festival goers are getting younger. Where have all the punk rockers and hippys gone? I know they need to make money to keep it going but they are killing all that was good and origional in the early days. I mean £6.20 for a wine and a cider. My Arse! as i said to the bloke behind the bar. That was the last drink i bought over the whole weekend, and if you knew me, that sais it all!

I had a great time with my pals as always and i will def be back next year but i have already been on-line looking for other festivals in the area that still have some roots. Where its all about the festival. Music, dancing and having a good time and not about the money!

Hi all,

This was my 5th wickerman and personally I thought it was excellent. Gary Numan was a suprise hit and the atmosphere was fantastic, we didn't have any of the problems that other people had with security and tents being robbed (if we had I would probably be more than a little p**sed off) as it was our group (4 adults 2 child) all had a great time and it was votede as one of the best Wickermans' so far.

Also I didn't think that the food prices were too bad, I mean a fiver for stovies and the Noddle stall was great - guaranteed to fill you up. Didn't visit the beer tent but did manage one or two Margaritas:)

Hope that you change your mind StewCat and come back next year.

For me there weren't as many bands I particularly wanted to see this year and with KT there were lots of folk at a festival for the first time but the ones I met were great and rather surprised by the atmosphere.

High point for me was Orphan Boy, small crowd in the Scooter tent and a problem with the power supply but when they got going they really did get going - AWESOME

I was really annoyed with the sound problem half way through Gary Numan. I am a sound engineer and knew the cause and headed to the mixing desks but they ignored me as there was a channel of perfect sound between them and the main stage so - as far as they were concerned it was perfect. They must have done some work on it as it seemed much better the next day.

I missed the orb/moon/art installation and the time delay during the main stage changeover was terrible.

In some ways better than last year but in other ways not as good. Yes big acts may bring in a larger crowd but it will change Wickerman. Economics are a nasty thing sometimes.

Is it just me or was the crowd small this year?

Crowd looked much smaller to me. If so then that might send a message about what acts are an attraction. I enjoyed myself, but would have to say that this was more about the company and banter.

Unfortunately on the lead up to the weekend I got the impression that anything uttered that could be construed as negative, no matter how constructive, was viewed with distaste.

Only happy happy thoughts on the lead up to the weekend seemed to be the order of the day.

Well we will see how much has been taken on board in the aftermath of this year.

I've been to every one so far, but do personally feel that the magic is starting to take a battering from consumerism and a balance shift in the acts booked.

I hope they pull back from the commercialisation aspects as there was a definite difference this year! Not all bad but a clear change.

There were over 400 UK festivals this year and plenty having all the latest pop acts I would hate to think that Wickerman is heading in that direction. If they feel they need the money maybe they should do another festival on the site (with a different name) as well as Wickerman?

I've mentioned elsewhere, but there is a very thin line between making a profit and taking the p. How much is too much?

The dropping from two to one main stage realistically means that there were less bands in that area, and I'm not sure that this equates to better bands. Big names. KT? Gary Numan? This isn't what the Wickerman was about for me.

What I always enjoyed was the eclectic mix of bands. More old legends and young up coming bands please is what I'd ask for. Like Stewcat I do think that the Wickerman is starting to lose it's way a bit.

My 6th wickerman and never been disappointed. Felt that this year was one of the best. Main attraction for me is the site it is perfect. Love the fact there is beautiful scenery and plenty of space to enjoy it.

Had a ball this year. Drank and danced and chatted to loads of fantastic people and sang to the point I barely had a voice on monday.

Highlights Neville Staple, Sham 69, Bez, Hugh Cornwell, Dub Pistols, Alabama 3, Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Cuban Brothers and so much more. I also missed so many I wanted to see.

Camped next to fantastic group of people from Airdrie great banter and thanks for the bacon sarnie on sunday. How's Charlie.

this was my first wickerman and i feel i may have left it too late acording to what ive read on here although i would like to say that wickerman has some very unique aspects that for me was part of why i enjoyed myself.

first off the scenery was beautiful, i couldve looked at the hills surrounding the site all day (had it not have nbeen for the mist that came in!)

the people there were all great, there was a feeling that this is where its happening here and now!

as for the acts id say they were good choices for a fest that size.

my tent did get robbed as did a lot of others around us and on saturday morning that caused a bit of an atmosphere but by lunchtime we had all came together and there was a great sence of community.

Ill defo be back next year, took my 5 year old to what was his first fest and he loved it! few of you might have spotted him havin a huge tantrum on saturday!!!! wee shame, he wanted a toy gun that was shit! bought him a lightsabre tho and that cheered him up instantly, great fest for kids.

I just pray and hope that wickerman doesnt turn into the orgy of consumerism that t in the p has become, for instance, at T you werent allowed a stove aparently and next year they will be clamping down on the use of stoves, bbqs and camp cookers meaning you had to pay the exorbitant prices of the food trailers but at wickerman people had huge bbqs and were sitting happily eating while the kids all played.

Im not too bothered about the theft of my weed, to be honest worse couldve happened, i feel bad for the folks who had all their money nicked tho, the thieves are scum and have no idea what true festival spirit is all about!

wickerman is the shizz!

Just a few random thoughts;

wi the exception of scum thieving from you the weekend tis what you make it. Be happy.

Why are so many people surprised to find that tents are held up wi guy ropes that can trip you up?

If a lot of people begin to enjoy your music and buy it does it suddenly become shite?

seems to me you can find friendship, joy, laughter, fun, peace and quiet, riotous times, anything you want and it's all free. Not saying there wasnt rip offs but easily overcome wi a bit of effort.

Come back next year and enjoy, we all will be.

Our 4th in a row and for me the best so far.

Hopefully my sons band will be on the lineup next year, they had the chance of a heat but had to cancell 3 times due to other commitments, check out their myspace

However, weather they make it or not, I am sure my partner and I will be there we just love the place.

For me it has the feel of what I imagine such as Woodstock must have been like, i'm not talking about the amazing lineup, but the feeling you are part of something special, part of something others just don't get. At past wm's, we have always sort of just wandered around the different stages until we find something interesting or see a crowd "going fu****g mental" (a'la Root System) and join in. This year, we did make a point of going to see certain acts and doing the roving in between. Either way, there is a "chill" factor to this even I cannot imagine other festivals matching, I know T cannot match it for atmosphere. I have been to many over the years and have heard tales of all the major festy's and it always seems to be about a particular band headlining or a tremendous lineup (such as T last year for me was amazing) But none of them can do what Wm does and that is make me return year after year without even thinking about the line-up, I just want to be part of that special feeling time and again.

Yes, I had a couple of issues with imbecillic doormen on the gates, I heard the tales and felt like weeping for those who were robbed and felit like getting a possie together when I heard about the guys getting dumped in Dundrennan (beautiful little place btw) but I still wanna be back next year.

The fact I am taking the time to do postings, which I never bother with any more. Especially as I am riddled with a bad cold and a toothe abcess that makes it feel like I have a second head growing from under my jaw can only mean one thing to me. I am a Wickerdude and love it, my good lady is a Wickergal and just loves it.

Basically the Wickerman is something very special and that comes through loud and clear from what so many write in these pages, you all care about it as much as I do and don't want it spoiled. The feeling is mutual. I do hope it doesn't change with too much commercialism as that would be a real shame, having said that, it is up to us, wickerguys & gals to prevent this from happening and keep the spirit alive.

I am sure none of us will disappoint.

Love to all

Sorry, forgot the link http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=444598505 3

Give them a look and a listen

kick....ass

end of

:)

apart from some rude woman who started on my friend

MEAN

We had a blast! the whole weekend was great even if i couldnt party 24/7 as i used to altho i did give it a go. I wasnt impressed by KT but there again i wasnt expecting to, i cant stand that style of twangy pap, and yes i meant pap not pop but i know others enjoyed it so fair game. Thumbsquasher it was a delight meeting you, im sorry i couldnt have stayed longer but me old legs were starting to buckle...The crowd was really smaller compared to last year, you only had to look down to the main stage for acts like Alabama3 who got as big a crowd if not bigger than the headliners, Last year the crowd stretched much further up the hill.......You Skiddle lot with yer techno managed to keep me awake all night! noisy sods!

As i said elsewhere thats my lot for Wickerman for the forseeable future, its been great but im off on a wander next year, theres loadsa others i wanna try that are longer than the two days in D&G but im not saying i wont be back, get a few bands on the mainstage to interest me and id show up...but for now it g,bye and all the best to the folks who have entertained me every year at Wickerman.