Customer reviews of The Wickerman Festival 2009
| Average Rating: | Music | Venue | Prices | Atmosphere |
| 75% |  |  |  | |
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 Sam00 Offline Points:73 Posts: 3 | Best Wickerman so far!! Overall rating: First things first, this year was by-far the best that I have been to (Been going for the last 4 years) and The Zutons and The Human League were amazing! I dont really like their music but they were awesome live! 10/10. | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
Posted 25th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 christc150til tmotor Offline Points:14 Posts: 1 | Fri/Sat Band allocation Overall rating:  No disrespect to the Zutons but Iwas a bit disapointed the best bands were all on Fri. So much so that I came home Sat ! | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 25th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
wildnufc4ever 2008 Offline Points:14 Posts: 1 | dannie aitchison Overall rating: excellant weekend enjoyed magic numbers and utah saints headphone disco was amazing there till is closed bring atomshere was good very little trouble with people overall a other great wickerman probely the best bring on wickerman 2010 | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
Jawzyjawz Offline Points:18 Posts: 1 | My Wickerman 2009 Overall rating: Idlewild, The Magic Numbers, The Human League were fantastic on friday night. I loved how the woman from Magic Numbers watched Idlewild's full set from the side! The Zutons were a weak headliner compared to previous years (KT Tunstll, Proclaimers)However, upcoming band Kid British (who were moved from the main stage to the Scooter tent) were phenominal, their new album should hopefuly sell very well. Utah Saints brought the biggest crowed back to the main stage after the burning of the Wickerman (compared to other years). The dance tents were rather weak compared to the Eden Zone of previous years, loved the tank outside and the cosmetics. Hot Chip set filled out the Skiddle Tent which everyone loved. Headphone Disco was open on the Thursday night which was great, sadly I didn't go to the Accoutic Village this year (would have loved to have seen the comedians). All in all a fantastic weekend! | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
maza Offline Points:14 Posts: 1 | an amazing fun, friendly festival. Overall rating:  this was only my second time at the wickerman, and my husbands first, we both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and now wish we had got weekend tickets and not just the sat ones, all the stalls were amazing with friendly, chatty, and helpful staff. the Zutons were totally fantastic as were all the others, we wandered round all the tents and there was something there for everyone. one thing that was different from when i was there 4 years ago was that no alcohol was allowed in the arena area! rather dissapointed by the bag searches and getting turned away from the entrance, just another way to make even more money from joe public just out to have a good time!! all in all a great time was had by us both, not sure if we'll be back due to how expensive the drink was though!! | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
nikolahol1 Offline Points:14 Posts: 1 | Cant wait for next year! Overall rating: Was more dissapointed by not being able to take drinks into the area and how come some people still managed it! felt a little intimidated by the bag searches as i dont think anyone was there to cause problems anyway without a doubt will be there next year and already cant wait seems so far away though! Food and drink very xpensive but made our own by taking bbqs and out own drinks etc. would drf recommend to everyone! even the rain in the weekend didnt put a downer on things! roll on next year! xx | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
RareSoulBoy Offline Points:14 Posts: 1 | Crackin' Overall rating: Tremendous after a two year break and weren't we lucky with the weather (until this morning that is - blimey, I thought it was Winter all of a sudden). Agree with the other posters on here about the bag searching nonsense which is a bit off considering a drink costs £3.20 in the Arena (we spent 'hunners'). Human League were as good as ever as were most of the last few bands on each night but for me Dreadzone busted it. Berry Tweed & The Chasers in the Scooter tent yesterday should also get a mention as should the Scottish "SkaPunk" band who were on in the Solus tent at around 6(ish) on Saturday - they were awesome (does anyone know the name of the band?) | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
poddey Offline Points:94 Posts: 2 : 2 | Pod Overall rating: Yet again another fantastic weekend. Have to say fri was better than sat. Human League were awesome (never thought i would i say that) disappointed that Kid British were moved without being properly informed( So we missed them and really wanted to see them). Scooter tent was the best i have seen, Don,t really understand why the dance tent/Base camp was right next to the "quite" camp site. All in all a cool time and will be back next year. | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 charlesthebea r Offline Points:62 Posts: 5 | Wickery fun Overall rating: Went to Wickerman after Latitude the weekend before, with Fiona (10) and John (8). More friendly (hey, more Scottish people, so of course more friendly), all prices lower, louder, later, more space, more relaxing and (yes) more sunshine (all day Saturday). Less ballet, less braying posh boarding school types, less bankers. You're never gonna get the best bands at a smaller festival, but that is just what you accept for all the good stuff. best bits:- me - Sweet Billy Pilgrim, Fiona and John the music bus and the cycling. | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
Tammie28 Offline Points:12 Posts: 1 | Wickerchick Overall rating: This was the 8th year of the Wickerman & my 5th year going....Friday was defo better than Saturday which was extremely busy but the whole weekend was amazing! Human League & The Dangleberries were my clear favourites, along with Bad Manners - wasn't especially impressed with Dreadzone or Zutons but it's different strokes for different folks which is what makes the Wickerman the best festival around!! For anyone that hasn't been before..make sure you get your tickets early for next year as it'll sell out quickly!! Loved the Acoustic Village - especially Michael (?) & his harp 'Prozac'!! and the silent disco was a fab idea with great staff. It was a shame that we couldn't bring drinks into the festival but the beer tent was brilliantly staffed & never ran out all weekend. Great to see local businesses benefitting from the festival too....bring on next year!!! :) | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
ricardowales Offline Points:18 Posts: 1 | First but not last Wickerman Overall rating: First time and really impressed with venue and the atmos, O'Death on Friday p.m. brought the afternoon alive, The Human League, Dreadzone and Utah Saints stole the show. The Z's a bit weak for headlining. Kid friendly, our 8 & 7 and loved it. No alcohol should be reviewed but limit the amount taken in, stewards on the whole v good but need to sort out the parking farce for some areas, we wern't given one at the enterance for our area and then were not allowed in a drove around and around for 45 mins, poor start but all uphill from then on. | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
sammi15 Offline Points:34 Posts: 1 | Magic!!! Overall rating: Magical weekend with fairy dust all over it. Totally loved it as did my adolescent daughters. So chilled out but crazy if you fancy. Something for everyone and superbly run, the portaloos were clean (in festival terms) all weekend. Atmosphere amazing, a happy happy place with happy happy people, can't wait for next year. | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
follyqueen Offline Points:22 Posts: 1 | First timer Overall rating: Bought a Saturday ticket only without knowing line up and wish I'd done whole weekend. Shame The Zutons were on at the same time as Bad Manners and watched half and half. Didn't experience the bag search. Beautiful weather (except this morning) and beautiful people. | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
howiewylie Offline Points:34 Posts: 1 | Great days, noisy nights Overall rating: Turned up Friday evening around 7pm and was told that the 'quiet campsite' was full which was a disappointing as we were there with our two kids (10 and 7) and could have done with a good night's sleep. Maybe there could be some way of reserving quiet camping for families when you actually buy the ticket. So ended up in the general area which turned out to be very noisy (actually due to cars and trucks driving past our tent as soon as the Raeggae tent stopped). Saturday night was better tough. We were lucky with our neighbours. But in the end it's a festival and everyone got the right to party on the general campsite I guess... Apart from that and the beer/food prices ist was brilliant! Friday night great with the Human League headlining, Saturday a bit weak on the main stage. Scooter Tent (Berry Tweed and the Chasers, rock on!)and Acoustic Village were brilliant. Had shower passes but they seemed to be oversubscribed, never used them as the queues were too long on Saturday but toilet passes well worth the money. All in all we loved it and will be back next year! | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
ohsojoolia Offline Points:32 Posts: 10 | Loved it! Overall rating: My first time at the Wickerman and the perfect festival experience! (Apart from the monsoon this morning and a flooded tent...!) The people were amazingly friendly and there were so many young children enjoying themselves too. Had some lovely chats in the shower queue and some random chats in the beer tent. Extremely pleased I bought a pass for the proper toilets (too posh to p!ss in a portaloo haha) but they were such a long walk from the beer tent area. I went specifically to see Billy Bragg who didn't disappoint, and enjoyed Zion Train too before...ummm... kind of missing any of the other bands on Friday which I was kicking myself about on Saturday morning... However, Saturday's music was brilliant - a chilled vibe in the sun before getting groovy to Candi Staton, going bonkers to Dreadzone, jumping around to Bad Manners, watching the burning and fireworks, then LOVING what the Utah Saints did to start their set. I wished there had been more happening after that and I couldn't find the cinema! The dance tents weren't quite crazy enough when I had a wander in, so it was a relatively early night, but that definitely helped this morning! Oh and the litter pickers were doing an amazing job, but I can't believe the mess that some people left today by their tents - you slobs!!! All in all, the perfect size of festival for me. | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
yoshidoll Offline Points:44 Posts: 1 | poor sat line up Overall rating: just back after a brillant weekend.great people and great music. only bad thing is i will have to wait 363 days to the next. i agree with the other comments that fridays line up out shown saturdays by a long way. so next year lets have two realy great friday saturday line ups. | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 haw Offline Points:235 Posts: 1 | Amazing Weekend Overall rating: The Wickerman was amazing this year, i'd never heard of human league but stil went 2 watch them & they were good, i also seen utah saints, when u hear them u just have 2 dance. the zutons were also pretty good. i never seen much more proformances but i wish i did, my mission for next year is see as many as possible the only thing wrong with it this year was the dance tents, get the old 1s back, they were sooo much better! & who needs a headphone disco? its rly pointless,well thats what i think. other than that the hole weekend was amazing. but i spose it depends on th company as wel as the bands etc. | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
MutleyRules Offline Points:60 Posts: 2 | Really Enjoyed This Years!!!! Overall rating: Me the wife and the bairn....(12 year old daughter)....really enjoyed this Years Wickerman!!!! Best bands....Human League, Danglberries, Kid British, The Mooncats, Dreadzone and Billy Bragg. We weren't happy about the no alcohol rule especially seeing the prices for Beer and having to get tokens. But can't wait for next years....just review the no alcohol rule....please!!!! | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
MutleyRules Offline Points:60 Posts: 2 | PS.... Overall rating: Gutted that Kid British got moved to the Scooter Tent....they deserved a bigger audience!!!! | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 jockandcarol Offline Points:14 Posts: 2 | Rain- sunshine-happiness Overall rating: Wickerman Festival 09 review Well this years festival was a great experience- from start to finish we had a BLAST ! We left on Thursday so we had an extra day to get set up and grab a good pitch on the quiet camping site which was meant to be noise free . We soon realized that all that separated us from the festival and a large fun fair ride , was a three foot high dry stone wall and a wire fence ! As soon as the ride started up on the Thursday night and went on and on and on until 2am We knew sleep in the quiet camping area would be ZERO . So grab yourself some beers and sit in the tent while the cloud loom overhead Relax ! We met Sid Ambrose ( festival organizer ) who as it turns out id met many years before So he instantly upgraded us two to VIP wrist bands which was nice cos these bands allow us to use the showers and flushing toilets !! whoo !LUXURY ! Sid is a really genuine nice guy who obviously works very hard to make the festival work , his team have decided at Wickerman to allow the site to stay open over night too , which is superb ..unless of course your in the quiet camping area ! The noise from the dance tent and low bass sounds from the speakers made our insides move at time but once we got slightly drunk we managed to grab some sleep, but not a lot seeing how the rain swept in overnight and was torrential ! SO onto the first daybreak at Wickerman an overcast windy day which was annoying but it was not raining at least ,so we head out into the site to check it out . The site itself is not that big compared to other festivals but thats what makes this one special as its still small enough to be enjoyed before the money grabbing tightwads and advertisers get their grip on it ! I cant see the Wickerman getting too big as a festival cos the folks who run it are really decent people - Sid Ambrose proved that to us on the first day . There are loads of wooden crates splashed all over the site so no one needs to throw rubbish anywhere else other than the bins and to our amazement people were filling the bins up , which were them emptied and taken to a nearby state of the art recycling centre where they recycle 90% of the waste so only 10% goes into land fill so considering the site produces around 45 tons of waste over the two days thats a great achievement getting the people on site to use the bins and stick to the recycle idea. The site is very tidy indeed with people visibly working hard to keep it that way so walking around feels great , NO litter makes walking about the site a better experience indeed. We decide to check out the stages and then have another top up back to the tent to check the line up for Friday. NOW heres where it gets weird cos we ended up chatting to people we either know , or people who know us and we enjoy this so much that we miss some bands early in the day so the first band we see is Bombscare a ten piece Ska outfit from Edinburgh . These guys can play really good , so the feet are tapping nicely to these guys Next up for us is Root System ..another excellent band from Fife , infact they live up the road from us ! we have a skank to them before heading around the site again . We see Paul North and his brother Carl plus some other friends of ours ,so chatting begins and so does the drinking of spirits YEAHHhh . We decided to check out some other bands but not too watch the whole set ,so loads more walking and mingling with the people is in order . The main stage is buzzing with sounds from bands id never heard before thats another good thing about this festival , its not commercial ,the line up is great cos theres bands on here we wouldnt be able to see at other festivals- so we sit and take in a few more bands. The reggae tent is pounding out some laid back reggae and the place is jumping as is the dance tent . Time to head back for the UKSubs ! the subs were ace again , Charlie looked in good health and was enjoying the large crowd ---I was loving it until I pulled a muscle in my calf as I tried to jump around the Subs OUCH ! The subs done a blinding set with none other than Paul Slack on lead bass ! It kind of goes pear shaped for me here cos im drunk and in agony the Dickies are up next and all that jumping around makes me really weak and tired sadly we miss the Dickies but were told they done a superb high energy set like only they could I was sad I missed them Saturday begins with full sunshine , a glorious day for festivaling .. so out the tent I go only to find myself limping the pulled muscle is really sore. OFF around site to losen up at 10am find some food and relax a bit to try and shift the hangover . We sat at the main stage and watched some of the early bands ..were told some bands havent turned up or pulled out so they stick different bands in their place ,and one band we hear playing in the background is Counterfeit Clash , so the scooter tent is busy once again. Goldblade are due to come on soon so we head up to watch John Robb and Co at work .. they do the usual 100% full on set and the crowd goes mental . Up next for us is Dreadzone on the main stage who we love ,so its a treat to simply walk to the front of the stage and wait five minutes for Dreadzone to appear ..they take the stage and blow everyone away with an awesome set , the place is jumping and everyone at the main stage were certainly treated to a great live band . NOW we missed Penetration , cos we seen Dreadzone instead so I cant comment of how good they were, but we head back to the Scooter tent for Bad Manners erm Sid ! your gonna need a bigger tent fella ! It seems the tent is at capacity with another 200 people standing to the right and around the same standing to the left entrance to the tent ,all trying to get in or at least see Bad Manners ,but the tent is simply too small for the amount of people wanting to get in. Theres no pushing or shoving by people they simply stand patiently as Bad Manners takes the stage . We didnt see them but we heard them and they were on top form ,everyone was skanking inside the tent and us lot outside were also joining in ,making damn sure we enjoyed them too . a bigger tent maybe for next year depending on who is playing in the scooter tent might be needed tho. This is a breif review of the festival I couldnt go into everything that was good ..cos it was all good ! id be here for days writing this, buit the cross section of music , from punk rock to Ska to dance etc the Wickerman truly is an alternative festival with far more on offer than the usual crap festivals like T In The Park ( Yawwnnn ) If the reader of this review is thinking about making the trip to Wickerman next year then please go along and support the festival , you wont be dissapointed . Roll on 2010! | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
IanTav Offline Points:58 Posts: 2 | Wonderful world, beautiful people! Overall rating: Absolutely BRILLIANT! it was our 1st time at Wickerman and loved every minute! hey, apart from missing Kid British, who were moved, but ya can't please all the people all the time and Candi Staton was timetabled for the main stage by the time Kid British turned up! and she's been around longer i guess! well she was brill so we're happy. Everybody was soooo friendly! wouldna have missed the Zutons for anything! nor the Human League!I could go on!!! Wow and the site was well clean and tidy - imnpressive! Aah! the alcohol ban...hmmm get the point, but in this recession especially (ok its a poor excuse) we really need to bring in Morrisons special offers! Still no one really grumbled, did they? I didn't really want to click'yes' for the last question - I don't want Wickerman to become too big like the other festivals cos i'm selfish! We'll def be back in 2010! PS £5 for a programme - weren't offered any A4 version! | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 knobby1968 Offline Points:26 Posts: 1 | Is the Wickerman loosing it's Family Edge? Overall rating: So this was year 4 for me and year 3 for my fiancee and our 10 and 12 year olds. Line up was fantastic, its a shame Phil kaye swerved his saturday obligation but there you go! I payed an extra £5 on arrival so we could set up in the QUIET CAMPING AREA. When this area bordered the EDEN zone it wasn't so difficult to get the kids off to sleep to GOA TRANCE. This year we found our selves having to lash ourselves to our inflatable air beds as BASS CAMP was waging audio warfare into the dawn chorus!!! As a first generation cheesey quaver, I really love the bass and the HOT CHIP set was truly epic . . . but can't they move bass camp to the noisy caping area? | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
Jaybone Offline Points:80 Posts: 7 | 3rd year in... Overall rating: 3rd year going. Great time as ever but we seemed to be down a couple of tents this year... Chillout tent in the dance zone anyone? Rowan World Music tent? Second main stage (can't be certain that was there last year but it was definitely there in 07). Without the chillout tent we had to get all the way back to our tent in the camping ground to be able to get a sit down and have a brew mid-stomp. Also thought the 1 entrance 1 exit was a bit silly - to get to the down and dirty from Bass Camp was a right schlep! Would have been good to have the top gate open as an exit. On the music front, a lot of excellent highlights. Utah Saints was a surprise latecomer to grab the top spot as my top set of the weekend! Made me think that possibly what's needed is big dance acts on the main stage. 2 years ago Orb & Eat Static headlined the main stage and it was ace. So more dance acts on the main stage please :) Caught a late show in the Acoustic Village at 1am Sunday morning, seemed to take forever to set up but was worth the wait. William someone and the Wheel - Excellent. Where was Kid British..? I read above that they'd been moved to the Scooter tent but we had no idea! They were on our definite 'to see' list but when we went to the main stage there was some woman singing away. Figured that they had cancelled and we've been slagging them all night! lol. Gutted to have missed that :( All in all a barrel of fun with a few minor disappointments. May go to Global Gathering or Big Chill next year for a change. | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 MrGreen Offline Points:62 Posts: 1 | Good tunes poor pricing Overall rating: This was my first time at Wickerman - I usually go to Glastonbury but this year I decided to do a few festivals. We came with the kids - 9, 11 and 16. It cost us £345 which was reasonable, but when you add food at £25 a pop for the 5 of us and then having to buy beer from the expensive beer tent at £3.20 a pint I was left with a sour taste from the festival. If you're laying out so much money on tickets and food you should be able to bring your own beers in!! They wouldnt even allow juice bottles for the kids which is a bit pathetic. Making sure the beer tent earns plenty of money goes against the very anti commercialism that the festival spirit is supposed to be about. I think it was run by Brothers, who also have a pitch at Glasto - they don't mind you bringing your own drinks in there though. We camped in the 'family camping' area which we thought would allow us to get to sleep at a reasonable time. I'm not an old fart by any means - in fact I'm ususlly the last to drop, but having three kids in tow who need some kip I was dissapointed by the rowdy bunch of disrespectful muppets who had a generator and loud music blaring till gone 4am!! everyone else was quiet but this one group spoiled it. The kids couldn't get to sleep even with ear plugs in, and I was talking to 3 other families near us who were also not happy about it. Some people just don't get the whole festival spirit and respect thing. It might have been useful to have security patrolling and stopping this sort of thing, seeing as it clearly states 'no generators or amplified systems'. It tainted an otherwise excellent festival and could put me off returning. So much for 'family camping' The scenery and setting was just amazing, the bands were awesome - especially Candi Staton and Dreadzone. I thought the Zutons could have been better. The fireworks were just brilliant too. The loos were kept clean and even stocked up with bog rolls!! | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
tlbno1 Offline Points:102 Posts: 5 | tlbno1 Overall rating: First time at Wicker and first festival for my missus! Also took no2 son and his pal, and all of us enjoyed almost everything, even stuff your'e not into is worth a listen and some polite applause :) In no paticular order of "jumping around on the spot-abilty" were; Zion Train Human League More from Jim (twice) UK Subs (not a single swear word - that i noticed - fair play) Counterfiet Clash Bad Manners Billy Bragg (more a sitting thing) Burn the negative Idlewild Utah Saints and finish everynight in the Headphone Disco!!! If we had a gripe, and I know you shouldn't expect much sleep, but maybe swapping the Acoustic Tent with The Bass Camp would keep the noise over by the young folks in their field, and a little less noise for us slightly older persons??? Prices? Well £3.20 for a pint isn't over the top but a little less would go a long way. Maybe that would stop people bringing their own, which shouldn't be a problem anyway? Food was also on the "ok we're on holiday type thing, but could easily be on the cheaper side", and I'm sure the traders will still survive! However, all in all we had a great time and hope to be back next year :) | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
marieryan77 Offline Points:12 Posts: 1 | 2010 Overall rating: This was my first time at this festival and will definately be returning in 2010, regardless to which bands are playing, i'll be there. | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
lornat Offline Points:74 Posts: 1 | Ray and Lorna Overall rating: Our first time at Wickerman and the place is awesome! Spent Friday and Saturday there and enjoyed both days for music. Like most people missed Kid British but did hear some great new bands like Pearl and the Puppets!Have enjoyed Leeds festival but Wickerman is special - a bit wacky, really friendly atmosphere. didn't camp but was grateful for Down and Dirty - loos were kept clean and well supplied - well done! Only improvement - use the mike to tell us wot is going on with band changes!! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
JudyB Offline Points:24 Posts: 1 | Wonky Wickerman! Overall rating: Well, cooking and sleeping at a 90 degree angle in a campervan which we were directed to park on a HUGE SLOPE was interesting....why put the vans on what looks like a ski run??? And why give me a ticket for an adult, in the 'no kids no tents' bit so I could be an old fart in peace, and then fill it with.... tents and kids? And the quiet field was next to the Bass Tent... now I see, thats how it works! Queueing for the unlimited use loo and showers meant... unlimited length queues, but worth it for the few times I could get to the 'posh' loos - that is, the times that my bladder didnt explode before I got to the toilet door. So many people had the posh rights, why didnt they put more of them about the place? The non posh loos were good enough, and well looked after - a first for any festival I've been to! The music was fantastic, and well arranged, I saw everything I wanted to, did everything I wanted. Bar tokens should be sold in the acoustic tent too, as they must be exhausted telling people to walk all the way across the big field and back again for the privilege of paying £3.20 for a beer. Humph! On that note - why cant we take our own drink, if in plastic bottles? I understood that to be the case before I went and had the shock of finding out the beer police had the monopoly on where and what I drank! People being sent back out of the arena because they committed the henious crime of having Aldi beer. The Shame! Moaning apart, it was a great weekend and the people were great - Burnsathon, the odd tents, the merchandisers, and the place was full of stewards helping you find what was what (when they werent directing you to the side of Everest to park, making you wait for a pee, or taking away your beer) Fabulous! Cant wait for next year.....crampons and nappies to the ready.... | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
tdag Offline Points:83 Posts: 3 : 5 | totto Overall rating: Fantastic weekend (as usual) Steward's no help (as usual) People just walked straight into our VIP area, while we had trouble even with our wrist bands. Food prices still too high Don't even start on alchohol... (Let us bring it in plastic containers) One steward wanted to open our water bottles!! Fifth time at the festival,some things get better,some get worse (won't stop coming tho..) Music balance is very good,the scooter tent rules.It may need to be larger soon. Great family atmosphere,my mates kids (11 +13) loved the freedom. H.League were a surprise,but the Dickies were the band of the weekend.Great shows from Goldblade and UK Subs too. (Saw both these bands at Loch Lomond in '78) Made me feel very old.... I know things must move on,but i miss the old wooden stage.Please don't lose the feel of "wickerman". And the fireworks were amazing! C-Ya next year. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
leed65 Offline Points:34 Posts: 1 | Our First Visit to Wickerman Overall rating: I haven't been to a festival of a sorts since the late 80s as a student and really went off the idea, but this weekend - armed with my wife and 2 kids 9 and 12 - really got me back into watching outdoor live music. The atmosphere was great, relaxed and lots of fun. Arrived Thursday afternoon and were so glad that we went for the quiet camping area as it had more space than the other camping area which resembled a refugee camp. Pros - Weather and Location - gorgeous both Variety of music and acts - different styles of music, poetry and comedy! The Human League were so good and it brought all my school days back and all those songs I'd forgotten I knew! Food - good variety and prices were what you get at any outdoor venue D and D toilets and showers - worth the money - regularly cleaned and hot Family friendly and wacky atmosphere Stewards were all helpful and friendly Lack of litter Cons - Queues for the showers although if you waited till early afternoon there wasn't any Location of the quiet camping area - couldn't believe when it eventually stopped at 5.15 am AND it was now light! Not even ear plugs could block out the boom boom boom! Agree about bar tokens needing to be near the acoustic tent as well The wait in between sets - there seemed to be a correlation between the longest time to set up and the anti-climax of the performance (eg the Zutons and Lo Fi Lungi Escaped at the end of Saturday evening as didn't fancy the queues on Sunday morning and plus the kids were dead to the world by midnight and really didn't fancy another boom boom boom night! Would definitely return and will bring friends too! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
gordomay Offline Points:128 Posts: 2 | Goes past too fast Overall rating: Really fantastic festival once again, would like to see family camping or similar as we were in ordinary camp but mental all night long passing 6 am easily cant complain they were having a great time! Friends were in quiet camp and felt ripped off as it was so near dance tent. The booze police were also crazed as they checked my daughters fruit shoot! try please to get a grip, we were also told not to use our little stove as it was gas. Never happened like this previous years, Anywho the music etc absolutely amazing thats what its all about.Missed Kid British as they were moved to scooter tent. highlights for us were The Dickies,The Bum Clocks excellent! Pearl and the Puppets, Hello Pirates which I hope more people got a chance to see as they were relly good. The Zutons before the burning of the Wickerman rounded off a brilliant time. met some truly gentle folk and our kids got the experience they wait every year for. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
laggingjohn Offline Points:16 Posts: 1 | First timer review Overall rating: My first Wickerman experience and I really enjoyed. From lounging about the main stage during the day, to chillin out in the acoustic village. Loved the headphone disco to end the night. Food was a bit pricey, but the variety was great. As for the drinks £3.20 isn't bad, though could of been lower. And using the tokens ment that you had to que up twice. Congrats on the number of bar staff though. The fireworks during the burning of the wickerman was a nice surprise aswell. Having to que for over 1 hour for the D'n'D showers wasn't good. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
AndyFFFFFFFFF FFFFFFFFF Offline Points:12 Posts: 1 | brilliant Overall rating: Brilliant | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 KEH Offline Points:225 Posts: 62 : 1 | Fab Weekend Overall rating: 3rd year with Matt (8), Luke (4) and hubbie (45). We all had a great time. Seemed alot more organised this year and the stewards were much better briefed. We did not seem to get hasseled by bag checks and all the staff we met were very friendly particulary the guy on the scooter tent during the Bad Manners set who was dead kind to my little lad when he got upset because some a***hole threw a pint over him whilst having a tantrum because he could not get in. I must say this was the only bit of hassle we witnessed all weekend though. Its just a really relaxed festival. Music was great - I enjoyed the Magic Numbers, Bad Manners and Kid British the most.Matt loved the Human league and Kid British, hubbie the Human league, Candi Staton and Kid British and Luke loved Aiken Drum in the kids tent. Next year can we have more showeres and nice toilets a bit nearer to the quiet camping area - its a bit of a treck for those of us with kids (most of whom will want the clean toilets). The Wickerman looked awesome this year - well done those weavers! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
AnnShai Offline Points:18 Posts: 2 | Wickerman top class Overall rating: Well it was my 6th wickerman and yes i was devestated to see the amazingly beautiful and original wooden stage had been replaced by the ordinary run of the mill boring metal one!!!!!!! Uct whit can ye dae? I was one of the lucky ones who knew kid british had been moved and they explained that they had been caught in traffic and had arrived too late for their original time. So hats off to the organisers for getting them a slot in the scooter tent at such short notice. Fans weren't disappointed. I was lucky enough to catch all the bands I wanted all the big band provided great shows but my band ot the weekend were WE WERE PROMISED JET PACK a young bunch of lads who played their socks off in the solus tent on the friday night. One other thought is we shouldn't brag too much about how wonderful this festival is as it is getting bigger and bigger every year 28,000 this year. So come on people keep it to ourselves and close friends and family look what happend to T in the Park and Glastonbury I remember when they were wee festivals before the big commercials got their paws into them!!! Anyway top weekend , top variety of music, amazing family atmosphere and luckily good weather to boot. Keep it up wickerman but not too much ;) | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
hills Offline Points:20 Posts: 1 | where was eden Overall rating: Great weekend some really good bands and a good mix. Where was the chill out tent,(i think it was called eden) from last year? Why put the bass zone next to the quiet and disabled camping, surely it would make sense to swap it with the acoustic tent in future. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
goatboyuk69 Offline Points:26 Posts: 1 | Good Times again Overall rating: I've been to every Wickerman since it started back in 2001. Back then I'd never heard any of the bands, the highlight was watching the eponymous film on a TV in a tent whilst numerous stoned nutters lay around passing joints to all and sundry. Happy days. The current version is a rather different beast however and the Health and Safety "make some money" ethos, which the organisers are clearly aware of given the rather defensive posters all over the site explaining where your ticket money went, is concerning. The ticket price is a bargain. No-ones arguing with that. Forcing you to pointlessly buy tokens in one queue then queue again so you can have a drink,though, is absurd. Let people bring in their own food and drink - Brothers will still make their money. The D n D tickets ended up being a waste of money as their weren't enough showers to make the scheme viable. I wonder how many passes went un-used? The 5 people in my party all gave up on the queues after an hour. Thats £60 for nothing. I had a great time as usual but there are some problems these days. The campsites need reviewed. I paid £25 extra to get into the Campervan section. Why? What advantage did I get? I also requested the family section of the Campervan section. There wasn't one despite assurances so spent considerable time listening to the guy next to us playing dreadful crap at earsplitting volume all night. Music - strangely sequenced so that everything good was on the Friday with the Saturday feeling like a bit of an add-on. Zutons? Headliners? Am I dreaming? Sorry to be so critical but I'm a long term Wickerman attendee who's persuaded a lot of people to go. I love the idea of the festival but I'm worried by an increasing sense of commercialisation, bag searches, strange band booking and scheduling decisions and a sense that the wee hippy "free festival" vibe I loves so much seems to be vanishing. I had a great time overall, but the wonderful sense of freedom and happiness I remember from previous years isnt as apparent as it used to be. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 elannesse Offline Points:16 Posts: 2 | Knackered but happy :) Overall rating: What a fantastic weekend! This was my first time at Wickerman. Just the right size, just the right mix of very friendly atmosphere with lovely crazy people! Zion Train rocked!!! They could have easily headlined (they were that good), they had the entire place jumping but I felt they were on too early! So, dear organisers, can we invite them again next year on a later time slot? Loved Dreadzone, The Magic Numbers, Billy Bragg, The Dangleberries (I'm officially a fan now), Counterfeit Clash (the tent was jam-packed yet people moved over and made room for us, so lovely!) and totally surprising and fun More From Jim (I think that's what they were called, the mega-energetic ska band in the Solus tent, fantastic!). I wasn't personally too fussed about Human League, not my thing and the Zutons put on a good performance but I did think I prefer listening to them through my stereo than live on stage, maybe I was just too tired by then from all the dancing to Dreadzone! :))Of the lesser bands, it's a shame not too many people were there for The Common Empire, totally loveable group of guys who were on first thing on Friday on main stage, they made us giggle and had a decent sound. Candi Staton was a lovely change of pace on a sunny afternoon. The Scooter tent was always good everytime I went in there. The dance tents were just too close to each other though, unless you were right inside with lots of people, it was hard to get into the music with other sounds coming from the other tents and actually I think the sound in the Solus tent suffered because of its proximity to the dance tents. The toilets and the showers were worth every penny. I hope next year more of these are added as the queues for the showers were getting silly after 8am, and more 'proper' toilets are definitely needed around the main arena as well. Overall, I had lots and lots of fun talking to the friendly food people (nice choice of food too), the merchants and dancing with and chatting to random, wonderful people. I will definitely come back next year with a better tent! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
Piercy Offline Points:22 Posts: 1 | Quiet Camping ???? Overall rating: 1st time at this festival paid for quiet camping only to find the dance tent keeping us awake till 5am, other problem was having to walk to the other camp site to wait an hour for a shower, on the plus side some really good bands but felt the Saturday selection disapointing compared to friday apart from bad manners and utah saints, missed most of kid british as didn't know they had been moved. But il see the lineup next year an probably return. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
craigma Offline Points:64 Posts: 2 | Scousers save the day! Overall rating: First time and had an amazing weekend. Echo comments about the shower passes both of ours went unused but other than that we had a great time. Not many festivals you can see Tommy Sheridan, Bad Manners, Candi Staton and the Uk Subs. Best band of the weekend for me were the Little Eskimos, closely followed by We Were Promised Jetpacks. Even getting soaked at 7 am taking down the tent and getting to the car to find out I had left my lights on all weekend didn't spoil it. Thanks to the two scousers who tried to help with a bump start and the one who let me borrow his phone to the call the AA if your reading this I am eternally grateful, as opposed to Dumfries and Galloways finest who merely shrugged their shoulders. ACAB! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 shirl1 Offline Points:82 Posts: 2 | SHIRL Overall rating: GOOD FESTIVAL DISSAPOINTED PAID FOR FAMILY CAMPING BUT GOT DIRECTED TO GENERAL AREA THAT SAW US PERCHED ON A HILL! THINK MAIN AREA WAS A BIT SPREAD OUT,, PROBABLY WOULD GO AGAIN | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
KiityV Offline Points:22 Posts: 1 | Not The Best Ever Overall rating: This was, I believe, my 7th or 8th Wickerman and overall it was ok. The music was pretty good (we were lucky enough to hunt down kid british but they should have announced the change in time and venue more at the main stage (or at least on the programme boards)) The weather wasnt bad There wasnt an overwhelming number of police stegging around The Wickerman burning was brilliant However, The beer tent was overpriced and the token thing was just stupid Not being allowed to take booze into the arena was balls (i even got my bottle of water taken off me cos it was open...hello dehydration) As a result I refused to buy booze in there so sobered up pretty quick and kept getting sleepy Then to get to the tent had to walk all the way out the stupid exit gate and up the hill :( I will continue to come as the ticket price isnt bad and its local for me but I think they should relax the security a bit (once i counted 8 security people at the entrance gate...intimidating) and let us take our booze in! PS I miss the wood stage and the chill out zone! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 26th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
robertcat Offline Points:14 Posts: 1 | My5th WM. Overall rating: Friendly atmosphere. Clean site. Great choice of food. The layout could do with a reshuffle. I felt sorry for those in camper vans parked on what looked like a 45degree slope. The base camp and wherever that deeeeep booming bass was coming from 'till 5am shouldn't be anywhere near the quiet campsite (or any campsite). Who's idea was that? Can't bring your own booze in then have to stand in line twice (tokens) to be ripped off. C'mon, please. If people want that they go to T in the Park. The neds and the rip off merchants put me off going there. Please don't go down the same route Wickerman. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
mrpict Offline Points:18 Posts: 1 | Wickerman 2009, pros and cons. Overall rating: This was my third time at the Wickerman.Its normally the only festival I go to now,but this years some things were not as good. Only one stage, which meant a wait between bands.Can,t take your own beer in, whats that all about. Not as many toilets as last time.Bar tokens??? Less stalls. Bass till 5, next to camping.Champagne and rum bar with extorsionate prices? city centre london maybe, but in a field in Scotland, come on, wots that gotta do with festivals? But on the plus side, Good bands. Toilets cleaned regulary. Site clean.Constant supply of pear cider. Food good. Friendly. Good burning. location, (there,s none better). Good acoustic set up. Weather fantastic. Prices no prob, only to be expected.Price for ticket.Urinal areas, good idea. More thinks to do, i.e. golfing, mountain biking. Exit from site on sunday better. All in all a good weekend I just feel that commerciality is creeping in, and the things that make this festival different to others are starting to dissappear. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
robbsjah Offline Points:16 Posts: 1 | babylon rule dem Overall rating: got full interogation from babylon before we got into the campsite,dem a search the whole car and find nothing,festival layout was all wrong as the axis tent was on a slope.the secuity was unhelpfull (i think they thought it was a football match rather than a festival).drink tokens are a total rip-off as i still had 10 left only to be told they are non-rufundable,all in all what started as something for music fans to enjoy is slowly turning comercial and falling to bits. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
debsphilip Offline Points:142 Posts: 1 | debs philip Overall rating: First year at the wickerman and had a good time - Next year bass tent would be better placed where acoustic village was - No sleep for 3 days for us and the kids! Line up pretty good but Zutons were weak. Yoga lady was lovely and was a great addition to the festival - as was acoustic village. dnd passes sounded like a great idea but had to queue an hour and a half for a shower!! Really need to increase the amount for next year. However, posh loos were well worth the money. Scottish people were lovely and so was atmosphere (we're fr0m Yorkshire). Met up with our friends which was a real bonus but would have liked to take our own drinks into main arena. Went to V Fest last year and hated the commercialism and level of drugs- enjoyed Wicker much more - Hope it stays smaller scale though! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
gretnapat Offline Points:14 Posts: 1 | Wickervirgin Overall rating: I'd been to a few festivals before but this was my first time at Wickerman. This despite the fact it's the most local to me and my friends go every year! Why has it taken me so long?! Thoroughly enjoyed the weekend. The weather was great on Saturday, the atmosphere was really friendly and it was remarkably cleaner than any other festival. There weren't that many bands that I was dying to see (I'm not really a ska fan) but I did still enjoy quite a few. I'm a massive fan of Idlewild so it was great to see them and they seemed to quite enjoy Wickerman. Thought the Zutons were pretty impressove and pretty impressed with the festival. It was good to see local band More From Jim get a great reception BOTH times they played too. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
jansmith33 Offline Points:34 Posts: 1 | JanPan Overall rating: This was our second time to the Wickerman (first was 2007) I was very excited to return as or last time was fab, have to agree about the location of the Bass tent, it as felt like I was there all night and I was in the quiet camping! And moving the down n dirty so far from the quiet camping, not a good idea, kiddies can't hold it that long! On the postive music was good we loved the Zutons and the selection of yummy foods best cheese toastie ever! Kids had lots to do and see but missed the festival circus and did have to pay for kite making and play area, the long greedy arm of the commerical world has a hold of the Wickerman. And we say let go! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
woollysandiso n Offline Points:42 Posts: 2 | overall weekend Overall rating: Arrived Thurssday at 4pm and directed to General Campervan field which was over-run either by lots of children or extremely small people. Was quite near the bottom of the field on a SLOPE! also told by marshals hat a toilet block would appear at bottom which it didn't. Hail to my 'en-suite' bucket, don't leave home without one. Beer tokens...utter waste of time, as echoed by TITP comment....why queue twice? I hate TITP and will never go back there after enjoying 4 years at Wickerman......however, the comercial crap is beginning to creep in and that's never a good thing. Price is ridiculous.....it's a festival in Dumfries and not a London club! Really enjoyed the Human League and stumbled acroos Torrents hich was 2 highlights for me. Not so keen on the Saturday although Utah Saints pulled a few good ones out the bag. Definitely misseed the cill out/Eden tent as 2 tents of pumping dance a bit much...even for me who loves that kind of stuff. Will definitely come back but hope to park the van on a slightly more even bit of ground and that more tents again....also where was the Side-winder?? | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
xanatos Offline Points:34 Posts: 1 | Good Music, shame about the drinks policy Overall rating: I've been going for the past few years, and this is the first time they've not allowed alcohol onto the site. The ticket price was already higher this year than in the past, plus having to buy drinks on site hyped up the entire cost altogether. The music was very good though. However, on the Friday, there were problems, I felt with the sound due to interference from sounds from the other tents. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
k_flower Offline Points:14 Posts: 1 | Excellent! Overall rating: First time at the Wickerman and I will definitely be back. After many years at T in the Park and Glastonbury I decided this year to go to the smaller festivals instead - fed up with the number of drunken neds at T. Was not disappointed - lovely atmosphere, perfect setting (but I am biased as I am from Galloway!), fantastic people, great music and the burning of the Wickerman and fireworks was the perfect end to the Saturday night. I only hope that it doesn't become the commercialised monster that T has become. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
minktoast Offline Points:12 Posts: 3 | Wickertastic (almost)! Overall rating: Had a fantastic time - many thanks to all the organisers. Positives: - Great music (highlights = Candi Staton, Utah Saints, Zion Train, Some excellent late night house from Sonny Wharton - sorry to all those who were kept awake by it!) - Brilliant people and atmosphere - quiet campsite felt safe and friendly - good toilets (male urinals great idea) - clean site (punters even using the bins and great wickerpickers!) - great sound systems especially on the main stage - good acoustic area Negatives: - Even though I was one of the ones still in the Skiddle tent at 5am on Sat I agree with all the comments that it was too near the quiet campsite. One tip I learnt from a festival in Germany was where they lined up all the sound systems and stages and tents so that they were all in a line and all speakers pointing in the same direction. There was no sound bleed and it was really quick to walk from each stage / tent. This also made for more transition of people between areas. Wickerman site easily has enough room to try this arrangement - go on give it a go! Lesson to learn - it's not the distance between sound systems - it's the direction you point them - point them all the same way! - As said many times above: Commercialism creeping in. Keep the freedom and people will keep on coming. Clamp down like a police state and you'll have soulless empty festival. Overall: 4 out of 5 - a brilliant weekend and thanks so much to all those who put it on. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
Phyl Offline Points:34 Posts: 1 | Fantastic Weekend!! Overall rating: Fantastic weekend from start (Thursday) to finish! My first time there. Went with my mate Lynn (both aging rockers!)Met a great crowd of people, young and old! Hi to Nicky (Michael Fish!), Gail, Ryan (Irene!), Bruce - your music was fab and your company even better! Hopefully bump into you next year guys. Showers were great but queues unbelievable! Definitely need far more or sell less tickets! Post loos were great but needed more cleaning up from time to time and better water supply as water ran out a couple of times. Music was fab, people so friendly. Definitely be back Phyl & Lynn | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
gazlil Offline Points:38 Posts: 1 | wickerman 2009 Overall rating: came last year with my 4 year old daughter who insisted we came back again this year & we brought along her mum for her 1st festival. we all had a great time enjoying everything we did and watched. really enjoyed more from jim (twice) candy, billy bragg & the burning, fireworks then utah saints was an awesome finale. will be back worth the 210 mile trip! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 craig72 Offline Points:95 Posts: 2 | defo be back next year :) :) Overall rating: First year here after 14 yrs of TITP due to the fact the kids love music and want to experience the atmosphere of festivals(their 2nd festival) definately not disappointed, safe, friendly place to bring them. ..........Although I bought D&D passes the boys toilets were terrible my son used the normal toilets as there were no queues and seemed to be cleaned more. Kids are reformed people after seeing counterfeit clash. We are coming back next year but with ALL our friends ....sorry if we hit anyone in the campsite with our frisbee but we will practise for next year :) :) :) :) | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 oscarwilde198 4 Offline Points:90 Posts: 1 | mike and shaun shap lads on tour Overall rating: First time at the wickerman so was a leap of faith for the both of us. From getting there on thursday until leaving on sun morning had a cracking time atmosphere from the start was brilliant the band in the beer tent were a good start to the event got every one in the right mood for the weekend. Mainly spent most of our time in the scooter tent as aging punks but really enjoyed some of the acts on the main stage especially when you can get so close to the stage (try doing that 5 mins before the act starts at glasto or T! Only downside was the price of the drink but on the plus the token system works well with no massive waits to get served at the bar and plenty of barstaff working. A few more showers wouldnt go amiss had a decent wait for them in the morning even when i was there before 8 in the morning! Plenty of varity music wise something for everyone where else can you watch goldblade to full on mental for an hour then just walk outside and chill out listening to Candi staton great! Overall a great weekend helped by decent weather, Great site, Great atmosphere, Great people and especially great music we will definatly be coming next year Cheers Mike and Shaun | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
frictionburnz Offline Points:14 Posts: 1 | Not how a festival should be. Overall rating: The event would have been a complete success if it was not for the corporate style of leeching every last penny out of those attending. i.e. your there and you have no other choice. My main bug bare in particular was the enforcement of no no drinks policy. The manner in which the 'officials' invasively searched every paying customer upon entry to the event to ensure that they were carrying no alcohol of any kind. This then forced attenders to go to the sole token office on the whole site to buy drinks tokens before continuing on to buy beverages from one of the three inadequate bars around the compound. For me the atmosphere was quite utterly destroyed and i quite honestly would not want to go again. A shame really, since the idea was good. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
weeredjen Offline Points:52 Posts: 1 | don't get any bigger, you're lovely the way you are!! Overall rating: Wickerman gets better every year, but I don't think it should get any bigger. The size of the festival adds to it's charm and security. Great for adults and kids. This year's bands were brill, especially the Utah Saints. Everyone dancing in the early hours was brlliant. I hope heaven is like wickerman! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 sherpie Offline Points:114 Posts: 3 | Best (ish) so far Overall rating: Whilst i really enjoyed this years wickerman i have to say that the atmosphere for some of the small bands was completely destroyed by the over zealous banning of taking alcohol into the venue. More people were spending their time in the campsite than adding to the atmosphere while the smaller bands were playing. GET THIS SORTED OUT. there has never been a ban like this in all the years i have been attending (& its been a few!!) so why start now, are you not making enough money? is the bars complaining? let the people know? put the price of the ticket up if you must but PLEASE drop this stupid ban NOW. I possibly like most of the other people on here like to take some drinks in, I never take a huge amount because they get warm and then i hit the bars, still spend a fortune as it is expensive (£3.20 for a can of beer is a rip off!!) but in the current economic climate maybe you have made a massive mistake here? get it back the way it was. On the plus side i thought the music this year was excellent, Bad Manners and the Utah Saints without doubt my highlights. Maybe next year as well, you could invite some other cover bands along because the Counterfiet Clash were also great. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 CheeckySparkl e Offline Points:75 Posts: 15 | Wickerman 09 Overall rating: Hey This was my 2nd year at the wickerman Thouroughly enjoyed it but have to say my first yr was my best yr.2008 What we all missed this yr was the Pimms bus but we were told it had broken down, also, the amazing decor of the the mushroom chill out tent. With all the chairs and tables made out of trees and the decor was just beautiful. Wasnt to amuzed by the burning of the wickerman as we got verbaly abused for standing up and drink thrown at us, not happy. The burning of the wickerman last yr even though u couldn't see it because of the fog was amazing, emotional and really good atmosphere, with the whole antisapation of the fire walkers up to the wickerman the count down and the cheers and clapping. All and all had a good wickerman. Is there any lost property? As my friend Danni lost her digital camera and we all know how devestating that is because of all the pictures. Pictures on her camera are from when she went to Milasia and Great wall of china and also us lot at the Wickerman, if anyone has found it can you please get in contact with me thank you. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
fluffgirl Offline Points:24 Posts: 1 | Wicker-fantastic Overall rating: This was our 1st Wickerman and 1st festival. We took our son (2) & my god-daughter (4), this was her 3rd Wickerman. We paid the £5 for the quiet camping area, not realising how close the dance tents were. We just had to keep the kids up until they were exhausted, so they would sleep through the noise. It took us a little while longer. I think it was a bit stupid having the Bass tent so close to the family area. On the whole though, the campsite was great. The posh toliets and showers could have been a little closer though. Was a bit far for a desperate 4 year old to make it, We only got to use them once, so was a waste of £6. The showers were great and clean. The queues were ridiculous, so there should have been more of them or less tickets sold. I waited to use them in the evening, when I could just walk in with no hanging around. The actual arena was brilliant, apart from the layout, which could have done with a little more thought put into it. It would have been much better to have the acoustic village and perhaps the kids area where the dance tents were. There was a good variety of food, though a little expensive, it was an acceptable cost for what there was. The shops were amazing. Especially ExecutiveLizard.. My son loved it in there, we had to buy him 2 dinosaurs & a penguin. The lady loved him so much, she gave him a free pack of bubbles.. On the whole, we had a great time. The burning & fireworks were amazing. Will definitely be going back next year.. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
drusilla_273 Offline Points:36 Posts: 1 | wickerman 2009 Overall rating: been going since 2004. this was my 2nd year in the quiet camp (right at top of hill under the coloured trees) there was a few ppl around me complaining about the noise from dance tents but if they have ever slept down in the jungle they would know that you hear the doof doof doof all night anyway only u have the pleasure of ppl falling into your tent! one advantage of the quiet camp location (in response to some of the above posts)is that if you take kids as i have done the last 2 hence now go to quiet camp is that when they get tired at night and you need go back to tent you can sit outside tent or at the trees and still hear the main stage and see the light displays in a fashion. also in day if you need to keep poppin back an forth for toilet and food stops for them you aint miles away fae the amusement and fun. perhaps it needs to be clarified for the festival virgins that quiet means less crowded as opposed to QUIET SHHHHHHHH it quite hard to find a quiet shhhhh spot at a festival really! music was good and the security was slightly better organised this year as last year was a bit disorganised compared to previous years. the village wasnt as impressive this year-----have the decent stalls been put off by the ever inflating costs of getting a stall? also in previous years ppl have been able to take plastic bottles into arena and this year was a bit of a crack down yet for some reason some people were getting in with bottles of buck fast ion the original glass packages while others werent even allowed in with sealed bottles of water!!!!which is a wee bit annoyin one rule should be one rule not diff cos u look to scarey to challenge!!! all in all though a great weekend and still good value for money..... | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
IDA870150 Offline Points:14 Posts: 1 | First + Last Overall rating: My first outing to this,and being local decided had to at least attend once, so been there done that got the t shirt etc. Booked early, weekend pass with VIP upgrade, which only got cleaner toilets and showers. Took caravan, but why £25 when tents were free, just take up same amount of room, also no generator policy was a joke, no one obviously policed this rule. Food stalls excellent, but could probably have done with more bar areas. Music a mixed bag, but enjoyed Dangleberries, Candi Staton and Human League. All in all i will not be rushing back, but then thats only my view. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 hemdudes Offline Points:69 Posts: 2 | Best weekend for years! Overall rating: First time at Wickerman, and first festival for 15 years - had got really fed up with poor organisation, disgusting toilets, plod aggro and d*ckheads spoiling the fun! This was different, though - recommended by Jenny and James from Perth, when we met them in Turkey in May (we love you guys!) - couldn't believe how friendly everyone was (especially to sassenachs like us!). Their mates were really cool too, made us feel incredibly welcome and shared everything with us (in true festival style that I thought had disappeared). You Scots sure know how to party - never seen so much booze, don't know how you keep going (well I do, but you're all really sound even when you're out of it!). Didn't like the drink ban - this should be a choice thing, not a 'no option' - but apart from that, no complaints at all. Can't understand the fuss about tokens - bit heavy price wise, but the system worked brilliantly in my view. Got there Friday evening, had lots before we went on site, then queued for less than a minute for 16 tokens. Never waited more than one minute for a drink, with there being no cash / change, and the bar staff were ace. Total time spent waiting for 8 rounds - less than 9 minutes! Bonus! I've spent that long waiting for ONE drink at some places! Food excellent as well... we need to remember the people who run these bars / food outlets etc have transport and set-up costs, temporary power and franchise charges, then need to make enough in two days to cover that and make a small profit - not unreasonable really, specially as they're working their butts off non-stop while you party! Can understand the gripes re 'quiet' camping next to Bass Camp - didn't affect us though, down the bottom of campervan field. Sorry about the noise in early hours of Saturday - think that might have been us! Didn't want the party to end after that amazing sunrise! Good job we didn't get Sunday's weather on Saturday... Music mostly good - Human League was trip down memory lane and Utah Saints were BIG surprise. Sorry, never did like Bad Manners! Site and whole atmosphere was fantastic. Really safe environment for kids to wander about without having to be 'looked after' every minute of the day - big plus for parents, that. Fancy dress award to the 'KISS' boys on Saturday - great effort, lads! Congratulations to everyone involved! Loved every minute of it, despite nearly 6 hour drive to get there! Defo back next year - with as many mates as we can muster! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
epocalypse Offline Points:36 Posts: 2 | Ruined by the Little Hitlers in Security Overall rating: This was our fourth outing to Wickerman as a family. And this year was shaping up to be one of the best despite becoming more commercial. The music was excellent, Billy Bragg, Isa & the Filthy Tongues, The Zutons and more all been worth checking out. A pity not to make it to the accoustic village this year. A very enjoyable weekend with old friends. Even the bass beats shaking the quiet camping till 5am couldn't spoil things. The weekend was spoilt unfortunately by heavy handed security on the gate. Firstly was the checking of my six month pregnant wife for alcohol which upset me more than her and then the security who watched me leave the arena to take my six year old daughter to the toilet carrying a pint and then not letting me back in with the same pint. Officious jobsworth bastards. It's not like they were even doing their job right considering the number of cans and bottles littering the arena. I was expected to pour out the pint to get back to my family. Apparently despite having a 6 year old in tow, a pocketful of drinks vouchers and a full pint (on exit and entry) they accused me of going back to my tent to fill up my cardboard cup with illicit booze. :( We've never felt the need to bring booze into the arena even when it was allowed, we're not heavy drinkers and this little Eva Braun and her utter idiot of a supervisor ruined Wickerman for me. We'll not be back unless there are some changes in policy. I'd also take this opportunity to apologise to the poor Red Cross volunteer who offered my children SPF 15 sunscreen. You caught me in a bad mood after dealing with the Security Nazis. But SPF 15? | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 clay Offline Points:54 Posts: 2 | Brilliant Overall rating: The music was brilliant really enjoyed myself yet again but I feel their weren't as many toilets as usual and the down & dirty were too far from main arena. Pain in the ass having to buy tickets for beer and then queueing again to purchase the beer and it was a bit pricey. But overall I thought it was fantastic. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
Jaybo23 Offline Points:58 Posts: 3 | Wickerman noobie Overall rating: The last festival I was at was in 1979 when I saw Scorpions/Motorhead/Peter Gabriel etc. at Reading. I enjoyed the experience so much that I decided to go to another one... 30 years later... (discuss) It was my better half's idea and we travelled the 70 miles to Dundrennan with the kids (13 + 11) and pitched on the Thursday night for a full-on festival funtime. We will be bringing a wheelbarrow next time. I agree with all the comments regarding the siting of the Bass Camp, otherwise, our experience of the Quiet Camping area was that the other residents were pretty, er, quiet. I wholeheartedly agree with every comment deriding the alcohol situation; the historical argument of health and safety reasons all but evaporates if you ban glass containers (fair enough), and the lightweight materials which todays cans are made of are of little significant risk; so where does that leave us? with nowt but RAMPANT COMMERCIALISM The laidback, free-festival style and reputation of The Wickerman was one of the things which attracted us to it; three twenty for the privilege of drinking fizzy beer from a paper cup in a field in south-west Scotland is literally taking the piss; as is four twenty for a veggie burger (delicious though it was). Heres a suggestion for food traders: why not offer a family-size 4 for the price of 3 deal or similar, you might actually end up selling more. When you add up the cost of four sets of food and drinks it has the effect of making me keep my hands in my pockets and head back to the camping area to cook up some more pasta a no-sale, no-win situation for everyone. Did anyone else noticed the cost of the Stargate ride went from three-fifty on Thursday night to four quid on Saturday still, thats show-folks for ya, what else can you expect? Glad we only paid for one DnD shoere pass and one toilet pass on the mistaken assumption that the unlimited use meant we could use them as a family by the sounds of the other comments, they werent worth it point to note for those who can live without a shower for a weekend. - Various other minor groans and gripes not worth the craic have been deleted since I was beginning to bore myself, never mind you. Positives: space to breathe; happy faces; friendly people; sunshine; the fact that this truly is a festival with a dual purpose to have a good time and listen to good music; great atmosphere; good time, good time, good time, good time, good time, good time, good time, good time, good time, good time, good time, good time, good time, good time (John Calvert, The Ingrid Pit Word Stage) Recommendations for the Wickerman: Stay just as sweet as you are; in fact go back a year or two and regain some lost innocence. Free earplugs for every festival goer (for sleeping purposes only) Highlights of the weekend for me (in no obvious order): Andy Fleming on Friday on The Ingrid Pit Word Stage Andy Fleming on Saturday on The Ingrid Pit Word Stage Mark Thomson on Saturday on The Ingrid Pit Word Stage Emma Gillespie in the Acoustic Tent Billy Bragg first time Ive seen him live. (Fantastic Billy, even though youre pissing in the wind; Sky TV, cheap booze and fags ensure the People continue to sleepwalk towards oblivion.) Bronto Skylight in the Solus Tent we only saw their last number but they sounded great Mr Kil in the Solus Tent destined for big things. Burning of the Wickerman More from Jim in the Scooter Tent Other half loved The Dangleberries, The Zutons and Candi Staton, The Counterfeit Clash Planning (and saving) for 2010 starts now (I clicked 'No' to 'Would you recommend' 'cos I'm a selfish git) | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 DrJimmy Offline Points:22 Posts: 15 | Wicker-tastic Overall rating: Well, thats's my 4th Wickerman over and i gotta say, it was the badgers nadgers - great people, great tunes (reggae 'specially), great weather (till Hurricane Summerisle wreaked havoc on us all on Sunday morning! Being from Greenock i'm more than used to rain, but blimey, that was a downpour! Had that happened on the Saturday morn the atmposphere woulda been altogether different i'm sure. Every year i've been the weather has been outstanding (always on the Saturday). I've never had sunburned ankles till now haha. Perfect weather to sit suitably drunk on a hill listening to Candi Staton then over to the reggae tent for some summery dub grooves. It doesn't get any better. Only two real gripes.. we got there on Thursday night, my mate droves us into Kudbright early on Friday morn to get what seamed liked a years supply of Stella. However, as we re-entered the campsite, the Police pulled us aside. We got out the car, as we weew 'told', stood in a line (reminded me of the Shawshank Redemption, thought we were about to get de-loused. Sniffer dog did its rounds, found nothing, yet PC Pain-in-the-arse STILL found it necessary to take our names and addresses. Why?! So he could run back to base and do a check?! We're from Greenock, it gets a bad press, but come on, to say i was annoyed at that is putting it mildly. (for the record, said PC couldn't spell ''Greenock''.) Hmmmmm! Point two - queue for beer tokens, then queue again for the beer. I'm sure i know why this is the case now but there MUST be an eaiser way, surely? All in all though, we had a blast as always, met some fantastic friends and families. Keep up the good work, till next year :-) Stay cool | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
maglou Offline Points:28 Posts: 1 | Great weekend Overall rating: Had a great time yet again this was my 5th year!Agree with most negative comments,although i was in the camping area thought it was a rip off for the caravans&campers payin an extra £25 on top of already steep priced ticket.The beer token was a pain would be better if you were able to take some of your own drink into the main arena. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
JoanneG29 Offline Points:109 Posts: 2 : 3 | crass1984 Overall rating: This is the 1st wickerman for my husband and I. We are regular T goers but have been getting more and more sick of the huge crowds and ned culture there. We went to Connect last year and really enjoyed the smaller festival vibe so thought we would give Wickerman a go this year even though it is nearly a 3 hour drive for us! We loved it and will be back next year. I think a lot of the reviewers on this site don't know a good thing when they have it - when ever at either gigs or other festivals are you allowed to bring in your own alcohol? The prices were not that bad - and at least you can get a variety of drinks. Campsite was very well organised and so clean the pickers were brilliant! Like a lot of people did the DnD passes, toilets were great but agree about the showers need more for next year or sell less passes. Only needed to use these while in the campsite as main arena toilets were surprisingly clean I was a bit worried at first as there did not seem to be a lot of them but had no problems or massive Qs. The music was great my husband is an aging punk and I am an old raver so UK Subs, Candi Staten, Penetration and Utah Saints on the same line up was amazing - we both enjoyed all of the bands we saw. The atmosphere was great, really chilled and so easy to get from stage to stage - really enjoyed the acoustic area made our way there every now and then just to have a rest and decide who was next on our list. My personal highlight was looking around the main stage at about 1am and still seeing everyone dancing have a blast! Utah Saints were immense! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
janethughes Offline Points:14 Posts: 1 | Janet Overall rating: I thought £3.20 for a pint was a fairly standard festival price - but it was terribly weak beer/cider! I should have been well away after 5 pints but I might as well have been drinking tea! VIP parking and camping did not exist? Didn't even look for a shower. Bass tent went on too late - surely 2 not 5 was late enough? Main stage really did need a class headliner - Human League? C'mon! Get somebody BIG! Acoustic tent was nice. UK SUBs were good - and The Dickies. O'Death were interesting. I would not buy an early ticket again though - it's not worth the so called upgrade - and I would not buy again before I had seen the line up - which was not out Nov 2008. Still, had we not gone we would have been sorry not to have experienced the festival and the area - we took a cottage for a week in near by Gelston and made it into a mountain biking holiday. Fantastic week in South West Scotland! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
geminibab3 Offline Points:10 Posts: 1 | Disapointing! Overall rating: This was my third time at the Wickerman and I have to say it will be my last... The people were incredible as always but the festival just wasn't what it was in previous years, the stalls seemed scaled down, half the site seemed empty and it just wasn't the same. My biggest complaint has to be the bass camp about 50 yards away from our tent, being so loud and going on till 5am. Not sure where the thought was when the organizers were doing the plans of the event but they obviously did no think it through, or they parked their brains at the door!!! also trying to listen to Billy Bragg over the top of the noise coming form bass camp was impossible!! I didn't have a problem with the security, I dont drink so wasn't trying to get drink in, but I did see other people being searched and treated quite rudely. I cannot understand though how so many people got through with cans as they were left lying around everywhere!!! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
D_Gray Offline Points:14 Posts: 1 | Would love to go again Overall rating: I had an absolutely fantastic time - definitely worth the 6 and a half hour car journey to get there! It just seemed that Wickerman is a little bit different from otehr festivals - the only act that I really wanted to see was Billy Bragg (who didn't disappoint) so the rest of the music was often pleasantly surprising - the Dangleberries in particular, but bands such as the Diwan Samba group in the main acoustic tent were great fun to go and see. But the best thing about this festival was the atmosphere - everyone was friendly and helpful (massive thanks to our neighbours who not only put up our tent when we were failing miserably but also gave us steak sandwiches when they decided instant noodles didn't constitute a proper meal!). I was told by some people before I went not to take anything that I wanted to bring back home with me, as this is standard festival advice, but I felt as if I could have handed out my house keys, bank info and passport to any passer-by without anything being taken. Prices were OK - £80 for the weekend was terrific value and the merchandise wasn't too bad either. I'd definitely go again - as long as I can once again find someone who is prepared to drive me all the way from my native Milton Keynes! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
ewen Offline Points:46 Posts: 1 | Brilliant as Ever Overall rating: That was my 5th year at the Wickerman and it was as good as ever, however, there were a one artist ( I now think that I use that word loosley )namely Billy Bragg who was total bollocks. Billy if you read this, I like yer music and made a point of seeing you, but cut the waffle and sing--thats what you were there for. One small point for the proprietors of the venue,you took £5 a head for useing the showers and to my utter dismay there were only 18 showers between I would estimate 10,000 people who paid to use them, thats £50,000. You could have a few more shower units available and still make a shilling or two and cut down on the queues of as many as 200 at a time waiting to use them. Moaning over. Now for some positive points,The Human League were great for old new romantics ( if there is such a thing) The Zutons,Dreadzone,Magic Numbers on the mainstage were awesome. One surprise appearance was the excellent Counterfeit Clash in the Scooter tent who filled in at short notice. The gear and two of the band just made it due to unforseen puncture problems on the M74,but they did and performed well despite Rab McCahill almost suffering heart failure due to the wee delay in his bandmates showing up. Oh and Mr Skiddle, I didnt get round to comming for my T shirt so as we agreed when I met you and yer staff,you can e-mail it too me. Extra large please. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 badjax3 Offline Points:24 Posts: 1 | Awesome Event! Overall rating: 1st time at the event, & first time my daughter (Buwy, 8) has ever been to a proper festival.. got to say the event was awesome! I was a bit dubious about going, as i find going anywhere with my ex kinda dubious, she did get the tickets tho, & as we managed to lose her mostly: 'twas all good! Spent the afternoons in the kids area making kites & then flying them, & wandering around taking a look at various bands. Really great site, & such a friendly atmosphere! As the lil' one is not really into watching bands we set up sign-signals in case she wanted to bail out: she was happy to sit at the back for the entire Hot Chip set tho, & specially wanted to see the Bum Clocks (i suspect due to the name.. ) Musical highlights: Zion Train, Amphetameanies Hot Chip, Penetration, Bad Manners & Utah Saints! Bad Manners & Utah Saints were stormingly good! Was friggin great getting to see a load of oldskool style punk & ska acts. The campsite itself was pretty well set up, toilets amazingly clean, & the lil' one & her mum reported the showers were brilliant too! A long way from the old festy toilets i remember from 15-20 year ago! I can see how folks in the quiet field would be peeved, that Skiddle showcase tent in Basscamp was booooming! Security & policing seemed balanced, they were about, but not being asshats. The no alcohol rule seemed a bit petty & as for the beer.. sheesh.. did it really have alcohol in? >. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
nigandjen Offline Points:20 Posts: 1 | Wickerfun Overall rating: First time at this festival and very enjoyable with four adults and six kidz in our party. Regulars at Wychwood so good to compare. Cracking setting and line-up was good if not heart-stopping. Very friendly and had a great vibe about it. Billy Bragg is always the same so you kinda got to expect it from him. Agree with others about Bass Camp - an absolute pain in the arse til 5am and so close to the camping area. Fine to party til 5am but not to affect others who really wanna sleep - just move it. Could do with some of those plastic wash/up troughs outside toilets and at water points - really simple but makes things a tad more civilised. Didn't like the £2 each kid into the play area plus £3 to make a kite or have their face painted - smacked of penny-pinching on top of the admission price. Had a great time overall - would return - if you moved that soddin Bass Camp! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
defacer Offline Points:28 Posts: 1 | B+ Overall rating: Ill start with the positives: Atmosphere super-better than last time I came and was good then.PLEASE though lovely Scottish people with really broad accents remember us English find it really difficult to understand you!! Urinals/toilets - generally pretty good, and stops us blokes weeing on the seats in the dark, just on our feet now. I also had a really fascinating discussion while waiting for me missus on how women take soooo long to let it go. They of course blame the queues! Wickerman burn - good idea to do it from behind (oo er). Got great photos. And good fireworks. Negatives: Entrance police - still dont see the point in it except for dealers. Booze ban - I can understand it but a pain. Too many bands sounding like The Clash (sorry never liked em). Champagne moment - coming out of Phil Kay to four lashed up blokes asking awkward questions about Rabbie Burns to the lass who knew nothing on the RB stage. If it werent for the Human League Id have stayed. BTW the blonde lass in the HL is still tip top!! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
GallusBesom Offline Points:22 Posts: 1 | First but not our last Wickerman experience Overall rating: We had a great time and really enjoyed the family friendly vibe. Thought the line up was great and just right for this size of festival. One wee gripe re up and coming bands - those that play covers shouldnt be allowed. There are plenty bands doing their own music who should be given a stage before those that have only 3 or 4 of their own tracks to play. Musical highlights - Idlewild, Bumclocks, Ampetemeanies, Mr Kil, the Xcerts, Dreadzone, Billy Bragg, and the wonderfully awesome O'Death. More like them would be great - there are loads of smaller on the road all the time American/Canadian indie bands looking for venues. Three gripes - first, the cost add ons. I'd rather pay my extra for quiet camping, for the kids zone, for a programme etc all upfront rather than eating into the budget I'd set ourselves. Only brought cash no cards so things got a bit tight. Second, the no booze rule - this is not what the website said in advance of the festival. It said no bottles would be allowed not that all booze would be banned. Again stretched our budget as had not planned for it. And it did seem ironically that the zealous security were deployed at the quiet camping entrance where mostly families and older folks less likely to be getting trollied and abusing the situation. And pain to find lots of people managing to get round the ban entering from other points. Third, the bloody base camp so close to quiet camping. No point insisting on quiet after 11pm if the dance tents keeping you awake til 5am. Poor site planning. Wouldn't it have been more sensible to site the acoustic village and kids area up there given thats where most kids were staying anyway and put the dance stuff away down the bottom of the site where least likely to annoy anyone? But apart from that, we had a great time - 5 year old's first experience of a festival and we will definitely be back. Don't get any bigger Wickerman and keep the laid back friendly vibe. Boutique festivals are definitely the future. And as a Galloway native great to see something like this happening in my home patch. A great boost for the local economy and another great arts event putting the area on the map. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
flowerpot Offline Points:16 Posts: 1 | Some observations Overall rating: A great festival once again. Best music in the Solus tent. I always enjoy 'people watching' and was hugely entertained by a large extended family sitting near to us on the grass, which included a disabled gentleman with a mobility scooter. They must have been inspired by Andy (Little Britain) as the scooter was being used to transport forbidden beverages hidden in the shopping basket attachment, the said gentleman hopping on and off the scooter with no trouble at all and making frequent trips to the car or campsite to replenish their stock of cans. Presumably the same security that searched our 9 year old didn't bother to pull up the 'disabled' gent. Nice one! The Zutons didn't do it for me, but there was so much good stuff here and there if you made the effort to keep touring round the tents, that what was going on on the main stage didn't matter. I live near the festival site and look forward to it every year. It's always a cracking good weekend. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
kevkelly01 Offline Points:16 Posts: 1 | Are Ryanair now running Wickerman ? Overall rating: Looks like the organisers have been on the phone to Mr O'Leary about how to screw us by stealth! 6 quid for a posh bog, 6 quid for a posh shower, 5? quid for a programme on a string ... Did anybody actually use a posh shower/bog? As everone says, the queues were enormous - once I found out where it was. When you add it all up - is £170 for TITP that expensive, considering the much much higher atandard of bands at TITP? Then there's the beer nazis on the gate, who enjoyed their work far too much. I'm sure I saw a few with elecric cattle prods :) All in all though, a good weekend with great weather. Must work on a cunning plan to outfox the beer nazis next year. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
sarahmarie Offline Points:12 Posts: 1 | whickerman festival Overall rating: Had brilliant time - well organised, clean for a festival and loved the burning of the whicker man. Uncle Billy was as good as ever and the mixture of music really good. Best bit tho was spending time with my sis. Worst bit being accused by security of smuggling in whisky -it was diet coke honest ! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 27th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
legylass Offline Points:164 Posts: 1 | FAT FARMER hope your next jobby is a hedgehog Overall rating: Loved the weekend although I had a slight arguement with the fat farmer who 'Owns the Land' After being told by the stewards that we could no longer take the kids up to the Wickerman on the Saturday as they were preparing for the fire, for health and safety reasons we were just about to walk away when the FAT FARMER brought a band along and waved his magic stick and they were allowed in. On challenging this descision the FAT FARMER told me that he wasn't prepared to let the 10 expectant children up the hill at the same time as the band as he had the power and although we had payed for our tickets, quote "Life isn't fair kids". Music was great and the Funk bus was a treat. Atmosphere and people fantastic as usual The no drink rule was over police and to be quite frank I found it insulting having my nappy bag checked evey time I left the campsite.I personally don't drink but I don't see why people who do can't take a moderate amount of there own drink in plastic containers. They would still by from the bar when their drink was done or too warm. Kids loved it although £2 into the kidzone was reasonable did we then have to pay £3 for kite making and face painting. I think if we don't watch out the Wickerman could fast turn into TITP, seemed much more commercial than in previous years. And although I love going to TITP with friends the Wickerman is our family festival. With prices creeping up every year people aren't going to want to come with kids as the cost just keeps getting higher. And why was the base camp next to the family camping? Who ever came up with that layout should have tried sleeping in that area till 5am!! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 28th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
paul12121 Offline Points:24 Posts: 2 | all about the people Overall rating: This was my second year at wickerman and I'd gladly recommend it over overrated festivals such as T in the park, however I'm worried about the direction the festival's headed. Security generally nice but sealed bottles being disallowed, seriously? It's understandable that there is a safety risk when bringing bottles and cans into the arena but it struck me as much more of a money-making scheme, considering the amount of praise given to the atmosphere of the festival its unlikely anybody's going to set out to hurt someone. Music was a step up from last year but please keep it as it is, with a few main draws as the festival seems to have become more commercialised. Kid British and We Were Promised Jetpacks amazing! atmosphere in some of the dance tents etc was ruined by a lack of people as people were more happy to stay in the campsite and drink their own booze than be fleeced in the arena. the general arena felt more empty than last year, with less attractions and stalls as well as the eden tent being missing(or hidden?) Don't complain about posh toilets and showers, get some baby wipes and don't have such high expectations! The idea of it being posh is the fact that there is a price tag on it and its likely people wont want to pay for it, therefore meaning the toilets are cleaner as less people are using them. however, thank you all those who did pay for DnD passes as it meant the portaloos weren't too bad in comparison to most other festivals. Police and security generally non-imposing in the arena and campsite which was great, keep it that way please. Also, please make it a three day festival!! I'll be back, just call me Ishmael;) | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 28th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
paul12121 Offline Points:24 Posts: 2 | one more thing... Overall rating: Also, Complaining about lack of sleep?! Get a grip, some of you expect way too much! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 28th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
johnhannah999 Offline Points:55 Posts: 1 | Great, but still room for improvement . . . Overall rating: The Uppers: My second year and definitely one of my favourite festivals. Great location, happy vibe, not too big and fairly ned-free. Thursday night entertainment - a great idea, keep it simple . . . loved the ceilidh band . . oh, and a dance tent for the kids. Cover bands . . . yes definitely, as long as the quality is there, cover artistes Candy Staton and the Counterfeit Clash were superb (I do realise she had a couple of hits of her own). Great line up - loved all the main stage performers with one exception, which brings me nicely to the downers. The Downers: Ah yes, my one exception . . . I've got a great merchandising idea, Billy Bragg Punchbags or if that's too violent, Billy Bragg Balloons . . . This over opinionated guy really got the crowds back up (and mine). The poetry event was neatly hidden away and subsequently far too quiet, a shame. I suspect the acoustic village suffered similarly. Perhaps a bit more attention to a corporate signage syatem. The choke points at the main entrance and exit are a worry. If you get a rush of panicky people, you'll have a problem and probable injuries evacuating the area through the wee gates. No reply required, please take note though! The 'drinks police' - I agree with your policies on glass bottles and alcohol, but like many other review moaners, I brought sealed plastic fruit juice bottles and had to discard them at the gate. "A bridge too far" Mr Farmer? . . . and finally. I don't like rum 'n angustouri bitters, could we have the Marguerita Slush Puppy Bar back next year as I will definitely be there and would really appreciate the tequila. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 28th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
GEMMELL Offline Points:73 Posts: 4 | our weekend Overall rating: where was the security for the campervan/caravan area? generators? fireworks? plus, why can't there be more toilets in the campervan site? Booze restriction is just pathetic, what harm is anyone doing by taking in a small amount in a plastic bottle, everyone would still buy some in there anyway! Stalls were pathetic this year, too many hats and sunglasses stalls, what happened to the wickerman crafts that took me ages to look round last year?! What has happened to the dance tents? last year there were three large dance tents plus the skiddle tent and this year there was only one large dance tent!! Also, where were the firedancers at the wickerman burning? I told all of my friends all about last year and I felt totaly stupid when two guys came out and set fire to the wickermans toes! hello, what happened to the build up? On the up side, Utah saints were superb,as was dreadzone and zion train. Will I be here next year? I will have to think about it as it seems to be heading down the t in the p road of squeezing as much cash out of everyone as they possibly can, still had a good weekend but enjoyed it so much better last year! think I will go to the eden festival to get the original wickerman feel back again cos that is where the eden camp chillout zone is going! see you all there! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 28th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
theafghanhoun d Offline Points:26 Posts: 2 | Quiet Camping? Environmental Health? Overall rating: Good music this year, great to see some poetry and free yoga. Please have a clear plan and instructions to support a genuine quiet camping area next year. The quiet camping had two problems (noisy kids playing at all hours late at night and early morning) and an incredibly loud base coming from the loudest tent in the festival (which was too close by- it shook the ground I was trying to sleep on and I might as well have been in the music tent, my earplugs did little to mitigate the problem) These problems could have been mitigated/avoided by better planning and management. Thought the details of timings of the line up should have been available for free, rather than the elaborate £5 product, (though it was a good product, but a lot of your target customers are on tight budgets) | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 28th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
theafghanhoun d Offline Points:26 Posts: 2 | kid british and other changes to the line up Overall rating: Er, how did other people know that kid british was moved to a different tent? I never knew about this. Can't wickerman publicise changes to line up/ venues/ delays better? I did pay a fiver for details of the line up, but still didn't know what was going on?! You could put these on a screen in the main area? | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 28th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
osheasbigadve nture Offline Points:88 Posts: 21 | not long till next year Overall rating: been coming since first wickerman,and havent had a bad time yet.missed the chill out tent and eden zone this year.there also seemed to be a lot less going on in the site or maybe it was the lack of alcohol we were allowed to bring in with us.At least allow plastic containers.zion train ,dreadzone and the utah saints were excellent and special mention to the counterfeit clash who put on a storming set.next time you take lennys van dont forget a spare tyre. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 28th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
roryroo Offline Points:18 Posts: 1 | Not perfect but still great Overall rating: 2nd wickerman, went last year and had a blast. Big eighties and old skool dance fan so i was delighted with the line up! Utah Saints were the best by miles! Agree with all the comments below about the drink policy - I know people who worked T in the park this year and even at that you were allowed to bring in drink in plastic bottles for your own use and it's the most commercial festival out there! Also heard that security were tasting people's drinks - ridiculous and unsafe / unhygienic. We paid £1.50 each for 2 bottles of coke, then decided to go to the D&D toilets (Mrs is pregnant, they're a bit roomier). Hadn't finished the coke and had to chuck it to get back in to the arena! The cider was REALLY weak in the arena - you expect to pay rip off prices at a festival but i would have got more of a buzz from Appeltiser. Lay out of the arena was rubbish - headphone disco last year was packed as it was well located, you hardly knew it was there this year. Maybe swap the dance tent with the headphone disco - sure this would be more popular with the family campers! Burning of the wickerman was much better this year - no faffing about with bagpipes etc, get that bad boy burning quick and back to the partying. Fireworks were a nice touch too. Maybe better to have it look more like the one from the film too - a bit more atmospheric. Overall - well kept environment, safe, pleasant atmosphere, good music and good laugh. Crap layout and drink policy. We'll go back. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 28th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
mmunro Offline Points:48 Posts: 1 | Shhh! its our secret..... Overall rating: As an 'ex camper' of T in the Park due to the ned fest, threatning aura and money grabbing stinking dump that the campsite has become I really enjoyed the warm safe happy atmosphere of the Wickerman. Kids going free is just fantastic and infuses the festival with a safe family feel. The toilets were luxury compared to my experiences and the security was more like a service than a force! Me an my man loved the dance tents, they were fantastic and the main stage bands from early evening on were brilliant! Loved the Magic Numbers, Dreadzone and the Utah Saints, they were awesome (forgive the Americanism) but they were!! The stalls were a bit samey though, selling cheap looking hats and sunglasses, I would have expected a lot more hand made, artistic and ethnic stalls. It took me just 5 mins to realise I wasn't interested in them. Pity because I was looking forward to a serious browse. I thought the symbollic burning of the Wickerman was cool but a wee bit of an anti climax, I don't know what I expected, a little more drama maybe! The Wickerman its self was an amazing structure. Very impressive and imposing, i loved it. well done the artists who created him. On the way to the festival we got lost (well not lost but weren't sure if we were going in the right direction from the main road through Kirkcubright). My husband was very frustrated at first because we thought, why are there not more directions on the road? but in retrospect, we are grateful because we decided the Wickerman doesn't want to be any bigger or exposed, it wants to keep its safe happy ethos. So I think it should continue to be road signed like a fete, not a festival. Well done. And with this I saw the Wickerman himself symbolizing someone standing surveying their map, thinking 'where the hell is it?'. This search also appling to life whether it be a map or a book. Very cool!! Definately going back next year. Loved the camping, loved the arena and the bands, loved the spring rolls from Taste of Thialand, loved the ethos, thank you for a really great weekend, and that goes to ma pals too x | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 28th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
corisid Offline Points:54 Posts: 1 | Just can't get enough!! Overall rating: This was my 4th Wickerman experience and it did not dissapoint!! It has got to be the friendliest festival by far. The music was brilliant and the scenery as spectacular as ever. I swear it gets better every year!! There were even fireworks with added oo's and aa's!! I missed out last year and I'm still gutted about it cos I went to a different festival instead and it was absolute pants in comparison. My only quibble was where were the druids?? I was looking forward to the fire ceremony. Anyway, Bring on 2010!!! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 28th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
guppie Offline Points:24 Posts: 6 | Fun fun fun Overall rating: Our first Wickerman-what an experience! we got used to the noise from the bass camp after the first night and quite frankly that was our only,very minor, grouch. Thought the peeve wasn't too pricey as I drink red wine and didn't think the mark up was too bad on site. Even if we'd been allowed to take booze into arena we couldnt have carried it to site-took 1 lift, 2 trains and the happy bus to get there! Still amazed at how friendly everyone was and how safe it felt. Food was great, especially the stovies! enjoyed all the acts we saw but the high point for us was esperi in the acoustic tent on Saturday- unusual and awesome!All in all one of the best weekends we've had in years, if we win the lottery we'll be back 2010! | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 28th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
dkemp Offline Points:22 Posts: 1 | Good Weekend Overall rating: First time at Wickerman and I enjoyed it alot. I agree with earlier comments about the location of some things not being the right way round (silent disco/quiet camping/5.00am dance tents) but generally it was 90-95% spot on. Food pricey but of a sufficient standard to not a major problem. Drink policy silly. Overall the quality of music was good not outstanding but this isn't TITP. I liked the Solus Tent best. Grateful for the good weather which made the weekend in my opinion. I'd vote to keep it at 2 days - it's just perfect - 3 days would add to the overall cost for many and you'd change the demographic. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 28th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
lorimal Offline Points:20 Posts: 3 | wicked festie!! Overall rating: Third year at the wickerman had fab time, fri night was the best enjoyed human league! Brilliant atmosphere although not happy about alcohol ban into main arena! Hence we spent more time sitting in camping area!! Didn't bother with D'n'D wristbands as with a family of 3 it gets expensive and a strip wash in tent was just as good no queuing for showers. The portoloos were kept very clean!! My son did want to get wrist band for the showers but when he went on saturday morning to get one they were sold out!! Loved the wickerman burning and the fireworks!!! Definitely back next year. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 28th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
NannyP Offline Points:110 Posts: 1 | Good as Ever Overall rating: This was our fourth Wickerman and as usual it lived up to our expectations. Only fault is that there were too many band clashes - due to too many really good bands!!!! Highlight for us was The Xcerts/Bad Manner/Isa & Filthy Tongues. Have been to many other festivals and none let you take your own drink into the arena - obviously previously spoilt at Wickerman by being allowed to. Prices were average for any concert/festival and tokens solve a lot of problems with queuing (if you had been at Oasis at Murrayfield you know what I mean!!). We'll be back next year - can't wait. Thanks to comment from D-Gray - we were your neighbours - it was great to meet you and Anna. Hope to see you next year. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 28th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
elsiew Offline Points:110 Posts: 5 | blast of a time Overall rating: well what can I say we all had a bravo time again this year 3rd year in a row,I agree with some of the comments mind u dance tent needs to be moved with the silient tent.also dissapointed with having to pay £2 to get my 3 kids into the childrens area then pay to do other things inside it soon mounts up. enough moaning loved the dangle berries/human league/uta saints food not too pricey. but overall we will be back next year as the kids already askin. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 28th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
nuckleuz Offline Points:22 Posts: 1 | Wickerman Virgins Overall rating: This was our first year at the Wickerman Festival, We usually attend Rockness & Belladrum. This festival we have to say was very good lots of things to do and see, the music line up was ace, we especially enjoyed, Kid British, Human league, The Zutons, The Kadeebies, Dreadzone, Magic Numbers most of the bands that we seen, only disappointment was the Casiokids cancelling (line up wise) & i thought the actual burning of the Wickerman was a bit of a let down too. all in all thought it was Excellent festival though. suggestion is to get a Electronic board to keep people up to date with Changes to line up somewhere, security staff very unhelpfull. Will be returning again though | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 28th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
spuggy1970 Offline Points:24 Posts: 2 | My 4th Wicker.....Best yet but....... Overall rating: This was a great wicker...great weather and everyone so friendly,chilled and having a great time...Disappointments 1. however were the alcohol-ban hitlers..I have always only taken bout 4 cans and small plastic wine in for the day..I have always bout my fair share at the bar as well.This was clearly to make you spend more money in the bars...The reason we love it so much here is it is not like the Glastonbury of today..Over commercial and a rip-off.. 2.Where was the cool tent with the log seats and log tables.PLEASE PLEASE bring this back.It was a great place to chill to some sound beat music... 3. outdoor tyres were cool but please dont paint them next year.Lots of paint covered trousers:(... | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 28th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
spuggy1970 Offline Points:24 Posts: 2 | 4th Wicker continued.... Overall rating: also the only really gripe was the security bloke who told us we could have 3 inch gas stove but werent allowed a 5 inch one even though they were selling them in the venue...Sort youre facts out and stop thinking you are god cos you have a flourescent tanktop on!!!!!!! anyway your boss Chris sorted it out for us... | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 28th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
DavidHubbard Offline Points:42 Posts: 2 | Wickerman 3 (for me) Overall rating: Same comments as many others regarding the very enthusiastic searching for alcohol - even to the extent of sniffing a bottle of water. This was my 3rd Wickerman on the trot and I think there was some searching of bags for booze last year, but this year there had clearly been an instruction to get tough. Very much at odds with the rest of the atmosphere of the festival and I add my plea - please reconsider for the future. I think even major cricket venues let you take a reasonable amount of booze into the ground - is Wickerman so much different? The more noisy/lively tents did seem to be a bit close to the campsite but after a few ciders you don't notice so much!! Less toilets than last year (?) but kept clean and the urinals help make sure us guys don't take up loos too much. Not so many people this year - or was that because people were staying in campsite for longer? Musical highlights - Human League, Dangleberries, Zion Train and the fiddler and banjoist from O'Death. I enjoyed Billy Bragg and his reminder of what's going on although my 19 year old son hated him!! Young people nowadays!!! I only wish the timings could have been better so that I didn't have to decide between seeing the Zutons and Bad Manners. And what's happened to Captain Jack - I used to love his intros of the bands? Booze tokens - not a great problem but the non-refundable bit is a bit much. Word is that the land has been sold and Wickerman will be in Dumfies next year. Anyone know if this is true? And will this mean higher prices and even more draconian security? Still, a great weekend and will be back all the way from Suffolk again. | ||||||||||||||
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| Posted 28th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
sawmillsheila Offline Points:22 Posts: 1 | being searched for booze a step too far Overall rating: Have been several years in a row - and the "security" has just got sillier and sillier :( I draw the line at having my bag searched several times a day - especially when the aim of this is to *suposedly* boost the bar profits. Will not be back... Other gripes and praise much as expressed by others. Acoustic tent - brilliant as usual,also loved Phil Kay, fabulously chilled on Saturday morning....shame about the bagsearches and the overpowering volume of the dance tent. | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 29th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 wickermanxxx Offline Points:122 Posts: 101 | Another Superb Weekend Overall rating: Each year it changes a little, some for the better some for the worse. Some previous changes remain while others are dumped. I liked the fireworks but would have liked to have a lone piper playing through the display. Cool Wickerman this year, I think Robert Burns would have loved the event! More toddlers this year which was great to see but the drink police were a pain and meant that I had far too much of my prebought drink to take back home. I simply can't afford to buy EVERY drink inside! Great to see the sausage stall back again - lovely people, proper tea, coffee, hot choc etc. and the sausages were the best ever! Everybody chould buy atleast one a day!!! The Scooter tent was, in my opinion, the best place for Kid British. Those who were there experienced a wonderful atmosphere that would simply not be possible on the main stage. Personally I thought Utah Saints could have interacted with the crowd alot more than the odd glimpse upwards - maybe they would have been better in the Skiddle Arena. After the likes of the Orb, Eat Static and the likes their "show" was a little weak (although we all loved it). Overall I think Dreadzone won the day for me - the way the crowd was worked was a pleasure to watch and participate in. I was surprised that the Zutons were not their usual chatty selves. Technically you could not fault them but I got the feeling that they were a little too distant. Having seen them live before I know how great they can be when at their very best. Human League were the big surprise for me. I am an old sod who never really got over the split so I was chuffed to pieces to hear a couple of the old classics performed so well. I even have to admit that I also enjoyed them with the girls singing ;-) The Sound System - WOW, WOW , WOW and WOW again. The decision to go with this sound system made the festival for me this year. True High Fidelity with a MASSIVE punch that cut through the air far beyond much more powerful systems (RMS wise). The main advantage of this sound system was that the high quality sound was consistent with no dead zones (ie areas where you could only hear certain frequencies). So everyone got perfect sound wherever they stood, sat or danced. One thing that always gets me at Wickerman is the protection of the kids. Great to see many wearing ear protectors but the standout moments for me were when the kids were allowed to take over the whole front row against the barries while the "adults" stood a few steps back with a clear space behind the kids. The toilets were better maintained this year but I still paid the extra for the D 'n' D as, at times, it is well, well worth it. So pleased to see the return of the "unlimited" showers. Even though we only used them twice each (so saving little cash) the idea that another would not cost us more was nice! Security/Policing - Police were as cool as ever and when I asked a couple if there had been any trouble reported they said none other than the usual lost items. They then proceeded to "hard sell" the Wickerman festival to me. Even though I have long been converted it was wonderful to hear our police rave about how great the festival is and why I should come every year and tell my friends! Security was, marginally, better this year with staff as friendly as ever. The only problem being the searches which actually caused me some minor discomfort having to remove my backpack to open it then close it to put it back on. We had a problem getting off the site this year (car trouble) and every now and again somebody would come over. We were expecting them to tell us to get shifted but it was always to ask us if we had had a good time and was there anything they could do to help us. Leaving later than usual allowed us to see the true miracle of the wicker pickers - they really do clean up 100%. Overall the camping site seemed a little more messy than usual though the disabled and quiet camping seemed cleaner. Why do people insist on just dropping their rubbish within yards of a bin? I saw a group of lads drop their rubbish 3ft from a bin! I know I have written alot but I could go on and on even more. Role on Wickerman 2010 :-) Thanks guys you did yourselves proud again this year. | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 29th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
IanHC Offline Points:10 Posts: 1 | SECURITY POLICY FOR TAKING DRINK INTO ARENA A JOKE Overall rating: Wickerman Festival goer for many years. First time I am considering not coming again because of ridiculas policy on not taking cans / wine etc into arena area.. To have security smell and taste drinks in plastic bottles is ( well words fail me ) even the youngsters could not take in plastic bottles of Coke. Our party in total 12 Adults 4 Teenagers, in Camper vans and Caravans. We spent a lot more time this year in camp site area and drank / ate in the sun shine. We would normally spend quite a lot of money in the Beer Tents and Food Outlets, whilst taking into arena area small quantities of our own booze, thus spending all day in Arena area. Financially the Arena area lost a few £100.00 quid in spend from our group by well over policing on drink. Other families we met and new also had the same view as our party ( spent a lot less in the Arena area. I notice from other comments in this review other people have the same thoughts. We are all going to the EDEN FESTIVAL especially the Chill out Zone ( where was it this year ) you have no problem with your own drink at this Festival. If drink restriction is in force again next year 2010, this party of 12 Plus others we no will not be going to the Wicker Man Festival. Would I recommend Wicker Man Festival ( YES ) WITH WARNING OF YOU CANNOT TAKE DRINK INTO ARENA. ( A put off straight away ). Other wise great 4 days out. **WOULD LIKE A REPLY TO MY THOUGHTS FROM THE POWERS THAT BE. Ian + 11 others. | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 29th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 suzyxcx Offline Points:32 Posts: 2 | No sleep till 5am then up at 7.30am with kids!! Quiet camping! Your having a laugh Overall rating: great festival but could not sleep with the dance tent! the dance tent should be moved as far away as possible from the quiet camping so the quiet campers can sleep! please please please change the lay out and get more showers or sell less tickets for them! | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 29th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
TIMARK Offline Points:28 Posts: 1 | Thanks for a great festival! Overall rating: Thought there was a HUGE improvement to the loos this year. Am disabled and the last three years we have been the loos were too awful to bear! This year they at least got emptied - what happens to folk that they leave such a mess in the loos and dumping their rubbish anywhere? They surely don't behave like that in their own homes??? Felt sorry for the WickerPickers as they had some truly horrible things to clean up - well done to them! The festival was fantastic - Scooter and Solus tents being favourites! Saw loads of brilliant bands. Not much of a drinker, but agree with the other comments that this year the rule of no drinks a bit over the top, especially since the beer tent was so expensive! Bet their sales were down this year! Would like to see a few TeePees in the disabled area - they are too far away for anyone with a disability - would definitely book a TeePee if they were closer! Thanks to all the organisers and workers at this event - you should be proud of the fabby weekend festival. Well Done! | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 30th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
CB Offline Points:22 Posts: 1 | Wickerman 09 Overall rating: First time to the Wickerman this year and I thought it was great. However, last year apparently there was many more showers and this year I was very disapointed with the LACK of showers. We waited roughly 2 hours to get one. Also, not being able to take drinks into the arena was not very good. The drinks at the bars were a fortune as well as £14 for 5 ice-creams. Prices were scandalous. Furthermore, I would go back next year as I did really enjoy most of it. C | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 30th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
andrea2112 Offline Points:120 Posts: 2 | A VERY DISAPPOINTED WICKERMAN FAN Overall rating: This was our second time at the Wickerman and I must say it was very disappointing compared to last year, not being able to take your own drink cans in and children's bottles being taken off them if opened was nothing short of appalling.We always spent money in the arena regardless of taking in some drink cans but found our selves spending more time on the camp site. What really annoyed me was the amount of people drinking out of GLASS bottles around the site and nothing was done to stop them but if you had an open PLASTIC bottle of coke on entering the site it was taken off you. Come on wickerman!! there was 18 in our group last year and 21 this year,most of our group have been to the festival since it began, if the alcohol policy is the same next year we will be looking at other festivals for 2010. The quiet camping area was another BIG disappointment surely placing a music tent that had music blasting out of it until 5am must have been someones idea of a joke!! not one that was very amusing. The showers were another sore point, two hours in a queue, 18 showers for how many festival goers you really have to think about putting in more showers. The flushing toilets were great but surely there could have been some placed nearer the main area they really were well out of the way, if you were watching bands on the main stage by the time you went to the toilet and back you basically missed the whole set. why offer these services and site them out of the way, is it just another way to rip off festival goers!! GET RID OF THE NO ALCOHOL POLICY! MOVE THE MUSIC TENT AWAY FROM THE QUIET CAMPING! AND ADD MORE SHOWERS. | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 30th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
scottishwhisp er Offline Points:12 Posts: 1 | festival virgin Overall rating: This was my first wickerman festival, and festival in general and it was awesome.....but was it worth the money....no. camping site was good, loved how ppl jst randomly came over and spoke,and it was a brill atmosphere, everyone was so friendly, *cough* even the neds/chavs which was very random, i ad a brill time and pleased i never tripped over ny tent wires,but i did fall dancing...and no1 laughed at me, woot woot, only things bad bout the camping was the reggae tent going on till the early morning, ugh, and i was so relieved that the toilets were cleaned every morning, (but i still brought baby wipes). it sucked that some of them werent put near the campsitre entrance from the arena as had to walk all the way up again just to use em. seen, is it pearl and the puppets? she was ace, totally reccommend, and she stopped b4 a song 2 point to a guy jst wearing a bowtie and a pouch.... funny stuff my mate is a sound engineer on the main stage this year so i got a bk stage pass which was even more awesome, i got to see dreadzone which i rly liked, they were awesome, zutons were good to, drummer had his eyes closed during most his drumming, (i shall put up pics of bksatge) and i left bkstage to see wickerman burn, so prettiful,and when headn back to campsite me n 2 of gd mates heard utah saints come on and headed 4 the mainstage where i got 2 see em dance madly, so much fun, got elbowed and got apurple bruise to show, lol. sucked they didnt let ny1 in booze, even plastic bootles, even tho the icecream vans were selling em, so me n sum mates my snuck in lil plastic bottles o booze, and bribed stewards wiv cans o beer to let us through the campsite entrance to get 2 arena :-). i rly enjoyed maself, but i dnt fink it was worth the money.but ill def be bk next year. | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 30th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 dnacowboy Offline Points:44 Posts: 5 | Feckin A! Overall rating: The guy out of Dreadzone is a fucking star! And Rab McCahill did a no bad job n aw....apart fae that, its aw been said before....only saw about 4 bands (who cares aboot the bands at festivals anyway) hud a hilarious game of fitba at various points and despite the prices/beer in the arena sitch I'll be back....AND a met, ahem, the love of my life, at Billy Bragg, I think, we canny remember....its aw good! (apart fae the bad bits) | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 30th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 clashrab Offline Points:20 Posts: 20 | Wickerman 09 review Overall rating: This was my 7th Wickerman festival. I think that means I've only missed one which was the very first. For me it is the best festival in Scotland by a mile and I have to say it gets better every year. Saturday nights line up of Dreadzone and the Zutons was as close as damn it to a perfect line up for me. Both bands are among the best to come out of Britain in the last 20 years and to see them back to back was a delight. The Magic Numbers on Friday night were surprisingly enjoyable and the Human League were a treat. They are a British sensation and undoubtably pioneers in British synth pop. Phil Okea's baldy napper and the birds dodgy dancing, dodgy singing and dodgier outfits just added to the party. Let's face it, if Glastonbury can role out the old codgers like Springstein (and at one point I thought that Neil Young was going to do a Spinal Tap style re-union with Cosby, Stills and Nash)the Wickerman can role out the Human League any time. For those people worried about the lack of showers this year, they should consider in future going to the swimming pool in Kirkubright. I've done this several times and the pool staff are always very accomodating. Moreover, a few festival goers over the years have had the same idea and I'm sure the staff of the pool are happy with the income that the festival generates for them. Otherwise, just get into the spirit of the mud ad dirt:) Will I be back next year? ABSOLUTELY YES. | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 30th Jul 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 cannaewait Offline Points:48 Posts: 3 | Bass Camp Volume??? Overall rating: Did the volume in the dance tents get turned down on the Saturday?? Friday was banging in the Bass Camp, but on the Saturday it wasn't.. I think a few corners getting cut regards toilets and where was the usual chill out tent? Far too strict regards taking a few cans in to the arena. The beer was awful and the token thing is a money making scam, because so many don't get used.. Take a pause and a think before doing the same for next year.. | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 1st Aug 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
 bikerbabe500 Offline Points:22 Posts: 1 | Fandiddlyastic!! Overall rating: Well, this was my 1st WM and I had a ball! The campsite was fab, we paid for DnD toilet passes, but I only used them once or twice as the general loo's were so clean and had loo roll in them. The magic numbers were amazing, as was Danny Rampling who we danced to for hours, barefoot and in the mud! We heard a few other bands too, all fabulous. The atmosphere was so friendly, I didn't see any trouble at all, and even my friends mobile which he lost was returned to him the next day! As with other reviews I found the beer policy far too strong. We spent longer than we would have back at the campsite drinking to save money, and even strapped 8 cans of cider to my mate with gaffer tape under his panda suit one day. My only other gripe was the litter left by some campers, people right next to bin's too, disgusting. I had the best time, and can't wait to get my tickets for 2010!! | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 2nd Aug 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
specialk1410 Offline Points:40 Posts: 2 | wot a laff Overall rating: What a laff i had this year.... on how to pull the wool over the "alcohol police's eyes"!! The bands were great, especially UK Subs and Bad Manners. Danny Rampling was awesome. The DnD toilets were in general clean except on the Sat morning when seemingly the two guys who were "guarding" them fell asleep and they quite quickly desended into Porta Loo Land (minging). Never went to the beer tent so can't comment on the "great token rip off" but missed my margarita slush puppy !! Wickerman number 6 this was for me....i feel it's slowly changing and not for the better re: getting as much money out of us poor working class people. Think the guys who run the Eden Tent need to be invited back next year as there wasn't the same vibe....who really wants a tank sitting in the middle of a festival arena. a bit inappropriate me thinks. | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 2nd Aug 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
clivedon Offline Points:16 Posts: 1 | rules Overall rating:  if rules are made and you buy your ticket that means you have to put up with them [e.g. that pesky no-alcohol rule] having said that the organizers should make some effort at enforcing ALL their own rules like the ones on litter ,generators, respect for sleeping people and fires. | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 2nd Aug 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
reaspielyahoo com Offline Points:12 Posts: 1 | mrs Overall rating: My first Festival and what a great one it was! Loved the music, Bad Manners what a scream!! Human League; still going strong; the Zutons and so many more... just fantastic. Loved just drifting from venue to venue! Food stalls: very good choice, yummy good but a bit too pricy! Beer token; please find a better solution! Camping: so peaceful until the Reggae tent started up and never stopped till 5am...earplugs saved my hearing but the earth never stopped jumping, why has it to be soooooo loud and right next to the quiet camping area?? I also enjoyed the morning Yoga classes taught by Brenda from ChillOut Scotland and I am looking forward to Fire-walking next year which unfortunately could not take place due to strong winds! The drumming workshops with Craig Winterburn and his dedicated teachers from Manchester were great! All in all a fantastic event and I will be back for more! Thank you to all the friendly and dedicated staff, and the litter pickers. | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 3rd Aug 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
marymoden Offline Points:83 Posts: 1 : 1 | Was the no alcohol rule really necessary ? Overall rating: This is my 3rd wicker man and I agree with many other reviews as I thought the line up this year was amazing. I never fail to be moved by the atmosphere and I generally have a smile permanently fixed on my face throughout the festival. However I cannot underestimate the disapoinment at the no alcohol rule. I have been to big festivals in the past and chose wickerman over these for its relaxed rules and easy going atmosphere. We were in a group of 8 adults and 2 children and were disgusted to be stopped and searched - my unopened bottle of coke (for the kids) opened up as the security staff did not believe me and nothing short of a humuliating incident when my cousin and her 9 year old were sent away by a power crazed security man, for trying to bring in a couple of cans of beer! What right do people have to do this? We feel so strongly about this that we are considering going to a different festival next year. Wicker man organisers please take note as I fear you are in danger of ruining this fabulous festival! My brother was also left with un-returnable tokens at the end of the night as there was no warning that the bar was closing! I dont want to sound negative !!!! but this is the concensus of all of our group. Yours Hopefully for 2010 | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 23rd Aug 2009 [(1) like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
Claire_DeAnge lis Offline Points:38 Posts: 1 | Wickerman is the new T in the Park!! Overall rating: My first time at this festival and had a great time. The atmosphere was really friendly and much more chilled than T in the park. I loved that it was quite small scale compared to some of the bigger festivals where you have to walk miles to get from the car park to the venue. Was really reasonably priced for tickets and for food etc inside. And the choice of food was also great. Will be back next year! | ||||||||||||||
Related event: The Wickerman Festival 2009 at Wickerman Festival Site, Dundrennan | |||||||||||||||
| Posted 25th Aug 2009 [ like] [report] [quote] | |||||||||||||||
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