The Electric Swing Circus is a live 6-piece fusion of classy 20’s swing and stomping electro beats. Drawing influence from 1920’s swing and jazz, the explosive sound of the Electric Swing Circus reverberates back through time, re-inventing the genre of electro-swing for an ever expanding, multi-generational audience.

The ESC’s sound is an exciting combination of vintage samples, gypsy-jazz guitar, electric double bass, keys, live drums, dirty synths and electro beats. Fronted by a powerful female double-act, with extensive variety of vocal styles, the ESC delivers a consistently dazzling show.

The band are active in the electro-swing scene, running their own annual festival, Swingamajig, and regular club night, Hot Club de Swing, as well as curating acts for events and stages across Europe.

The band first formed in 2011, and have since toured 4 continents, playing major festivals and headline shows all over the world. They’ve released two genre defining albums on Ragtime Records: ‘Electric Swing Circus’ and ‘It Flew By’ and have recently dropped their brand new EP ‘Connected/Invisible Man’.

Ladies and Gentlemen, hold onto your hats. The circus is coming to town!

With well over 2M views on YouTube we’re sure hoping they perform Valentine…

The band members are:

• Laura O – Vocals
• Vicki Olivia – Vocals
• Chandra Walker – Drums/Keys
• Tom Hyland – Guitar & Vocals
• Rashad Gregory – Samples, MPC & Synths
• Patrick Wreford – Bass Guitar/Double Bass & Bass Synth
• Bridge Williams – Sound

The Electric Swing Circus are also the team behind The Swingamajig Festival in Birmingham, which they headline each year.  It is regarded as one of the main Vintage Remix / Electro Swing events in the world … so be sure to check it out for something very different.

The Electric Swing Circus’s sound is a powerful combination of vintage samples, electro beats, gypsy-jazz guitar, electric double bass, keys, live drums and dirty synths. Fronted by an engaging female double-act, who perform an extensive variety of vocal styles, the Electric Swing Circus delivers a consistently dazzling show.

“Sure-fire festival favourites, the ESC excel in the live arena. Their energy and infectious enthusiasm can win over the toughest of crowds. As close to a guaranteed good time as you’re ever likely to find.”
Nick Hollywood – Founder White Mink Black Cotton

“The ESC pulled one of the largest crowds we’ve ever seen at the Shambala main stage and they surely hold the record for the most audience members jumping in unison! Their sound is huge, their energy is infectious and the show unique – a real no brainer for bookers and festivals across the world.”
John Walsh – Director Shambala Festival

“The Electric Swing Circus have become an annual fixture at the Twinwood Festival. They deliver an exciting and vibrant sound that hits the spot every time. The arena is always packed with an adoring crowd who would definitely lynch me if I didn’t have them back every year !”
David Wooding – Director of Twinwood Events Limited

We welcome back Alistair Russell as one of our comperes for Wickham Festival 2024.

Singing and playing folk music since his teens, and over thirty years a professional musician and sound engineer, Alistair sings songs mainly from his family homeland Scotland, its neighbour Ireland, self-penned songs inspired by his world-wide travelling with Battlefield Band, and any other song that takes his fancy.

Alistair grew up in the North-East of England, with Scottish parents who had a rich fund of songs of their own—music hall favourites, Harry Lauder songs, sentimental ballads and stage Irish songs which his father brought back from working on contract.

The sixties’ beat boom saw Alistair and a few like-minded school friends exploring folk music. By the late seventies, his band was playing extensively throughout NE England, with frequent forays into Germany and Poland. In 1978, he teamed up full-time with Tom Napper, and they released their first album, “Tripping Upstairs”. The next four years saw Tom take his leave, and Alistair set out on a solo career. His album “Getting to the Border” (with a star-studded guest musician list) was released.

Then came that rare thing in the world of folk music—the “big break”. Alistair joined Scotland’s legendary Battlefield Band. The next thirteen years were a whirlwind of touring—one million miles of it!

Nine Battlefield albums and two videos later, Alistair jumped off the global tour bus to “recharge the batteries”. His spell in Battlefield had not only developed his playing, singing and songwriting skills, but his role as “front man” in the band had honed the skill of relaxed communication which is so vital to putting the music across.

He didn’t remain idle for long. Knowledge gained on the road and in the recording studio got him jobs in management (Chris Sherburn and Denny Bartley), album production and CD recording (over 60 commercial projects released), tour management (Magnetic Music),  stringed instrument setup and sales (The Music Room), stage management,compering and live sound engineering at major UK festivals (CV Audio and freelance), and tuition DVD production (Mrs Casey Music).

Alistair Russell has recently written a book! It’s a light-hearted look at life on the road as a travelling musician & sound engineer. It’s received rave reviews from the critics and copies can be ordered online here:

https://www.alistairrussell.co.uk/shop/

Fisherman’s Friends are a male singing group from Port Isaac, Cornwall, who sing sea shanties. They have been performing locally since 1995, and signed a record deal with Universal Music in March 2010. Whilst essentially an a cappella group, their studio recordings now often include traditional simple instrumentation.

There’s no gang leader, no choir master and no holds barred in the singing of The Fisherman’s Friends. And fisherman’s friends they truly are – each and every member of this unique group are or have been fishermen, lifeboatmen and coastguards (as well as builders, artisans, hoteliers, and shop keepers) in Port Isaac. They’ve known each other since childhood and learnt their powerful brand of Cornish harmony singing at the local Methodist chapel – now the pottery of Fisherman’s Friend Billy Hawkwins (baritone), where the group get together with a crate of ale and a good deal of bonhomie to rehearse their repertoire and try out new songs.

English folk music has enjoyed a renaissance in the last decade, especially in the west country, with the likes of Seth Lakeman, Jackie Oates and Show of Hands achieving widespread acclaim. Now, with their new album of favourite Shanties due for release on April 26, The Fisherman’s Friends have landed themselves quite a catch.

Daniel Eagle, a singer / songwriter originally from the South of Hampshire, tours and plays many shows round the UK.

His music style is compared to a male version of the likes of Lucy Spraggan, Kate Nash and Lilly Allen.  Daniel’s writing and inspiration comes from everyday life and the people around him who he either loves or respects.

Merry Hell have firmly become a Wickham favourite, last performing in 2021.  We’re not sure we could manage 3 years without pleading them to return.  They’re fantastic musicians that always get the crowd dancing! What’s more, for a 2023 Virginia Kettle will be performing a solo set at 13.15 – 14.00 before taking to the stage with the band at 15.15 – 16.15.

Merry Hell are a band founded on the ever evolving Folk tradition – music made by the people and shared by the people. Though their hearts and souls are tuned to the songs which came before them, they bring you new words and music forged from their own experiences, from the lows and the loves of theirs lives. Their art is energy and their hope is unity. Their pleasure is to please, let the audience be the acid test and let the music speak for itself!

During 2014, Merry Hell played over twenty festivals, including a highlight support slot to Richard Thompson at Towersey, undertook its first national tour in Spring, a further tour in October, plus a ten date acoustic jaunt around the folk clubs and arts centres of Northern Britain.  In March, 2015 they released their third album, The Ghost In Our House and Other Stories.

In 2017 they proposed an alternative National Anthem – Come On, England!  The single was released on 1st August 2017 and taken from their album Bloodlines. Words and music by Bob Kettle.

What are Skerryvore? They’re like no one else. Epic of melody, intimate of feeling and plugged into the roots of Scotland but blasting out to the world.

Three time winners of Scotland’s ‘Live Act of the Year’ award, Skerryvore have evolved from their humble beginnings to become one of the country’s leading forces in a thriving live music scene. At the forefront of a movement that has reinvented and reignited a traditional Scottish scene for a modern, multicultural audience, the band have brought their high energy performances to audiences across the globe. From their early days in Scottish West Coast halls and bars, to festival crowds in the USA, Canada, Australia and throughout the UK and Europe, Skerryvore’s wide range of influences and talent produce a musically expansive, immersive yet intimate set that excites and captivates audiences.

With a mix of bagpipes, fiddles, accordions, and whistles, alongside guitar and vocals, underpinned by driving bass, drums and keys, Skerryvore represent the best in contemporary Scottish traditional music. Their 6 studio albums demonstrate the wide range of influences the individual musicians bring to the mix – a unique fusion of folk, trad, pop and rock.

Their latest studio album ‘tempus’, due for release on April 28, is already making waves in the UK music scene, with the first three single releases – You & I, Together Again & Everything You Need – all having been consecutively chosen to feature on the BBC Radio 2 new music playlist.

To celebrate the release of the new album, Skerryvore will be bringing the Tempus Tour to audiences across the UK, Europe and USA.

“Skerryvore have crafted a world beating fusion, which takes pride in their heritage and above all else is a pure joy to listen to.”
Folk Radio UK

“A spectacular mix of traditional Scottish folk music and the most diverse rock elements.”
Süddeutsche Zeitung, GERMANY

“The highest rated show we have ever had on our post-concert surveys… people LOVED the show.”
Anchorage Concert Association, ALASKA

“Such a fresh, real, new sound… I love it”
Jeremy Vine, BBC Radio 2 UK

Edward II will be returning to the festival scene in 2023. This is a band that has incredible on-stage talent and energy that has to be enjoyed live. If you’ve got energy to burn and brought your dancing shoes … who doesn’t love some reggae beats with a twist.

Originally known by the neat title of Edward the Second and the Red Hot Polkas, Edward II reformed some 10 years after originally disbanding. With their unique mix of English folk, world music and reggae, they are a great live act who will bring the crowd to their feet.

Edward II, the English roots band that uniquely blend the rhythms of the Caribbean with traditional songs from the British Isles, have been secretly working on a totally new project and will be back in 2017. Temporarily turning away from the rural songs of the middle England Morris teams, this time around the band has been delving deep into a repertoire of songs born of the industrial revolution, specifically of their hometown, Manchester.

Still upbeat, and with rock-steady rhythms, blazing horns, fabulous harmonies, and fiery melodeon melodies, this will be a new set mixed with some of the old favourites and a familiar sound for the faithful.

For the 2023 festival season Steve Knightley and Phil Beer are returning to the duo format that launched their stellar careers over thirty years ago. Audiences will be treated to the usual ‘Show of Hands’ classics like ‘Cousin Jack’, rousing festival anthems, instrumental virtuosity and stunning harmonies from two masters of their craft.

Formerly the Beautiful South, this new incarnation of the band is as popular as ever going down a storm at Wickham Festival in 2015, 2018, and 2021.

With 15 million sales and a string of top 20 hits in their repertoire, you are guaranteed to be singing along to such tunes as Rotterdam, Don’t Marry Her, Perfect 10, Song For Whoever, Old Redeyes and the band’s UK Number 1 A Little Time.

When great British pop institution, The Beautiful South split in 2007, some members of the band didn’t feel ready to hang up their microphones or instruments just yet…

Two years later, singers Dave Hemingway and Alison Wheeler, alongside life long members Damon Butcher (keys), Gaz Birtles (sax) and Tony Robinson (trumpet), came out of retirement and formed the 9 piece band, The South.

And so The South embarked on their journey. Celebrating the Beautiful South legacy and great songs of their own, the band continues performing the classic songs including: A Little Time – the number one single, Perfect 10, Rotterdam, Old Red Eyes, Good as Gold, Don’t Marry Her. All performed again live, these songs span an impressive 20 year career starting way back in 1989!

Fast forward to 2017 and its all change. Dave Hemingway has announced his retirement from the live music scene, Damon Butcher now resides in Ireland thereby leaving the band and Tony Robinson has moved on to pastures new.

It was time for The South to regroup and have a rethink. With the support from their amazing fans, they were encouraged to strive onwards. Right under their nose was an obvious choice. Up stepped long time sax player Gaz Birtles to take centre stage and take over the male vocal duties. As well as performing with The Beautiful South and within The South, Gaz has also had success in his own right as a singer songwriter. Quite handy he should also know the back catalogue of Beautiful South songs too!

Also welcomed into the fold, comes the amazing keyboard player – Andy Price, with years of experience playing along side Ska legend Laurel Aitken, Blues guitar maestro, Ainsley Lister. Happy Mondays’ Bez. The Drifters. Jersey Budd

We are also excited to welcome to the band the new sax player Su Robinson. Su has had a wealth of live experience with such legends as Prince Buster, The Specials’ Horace Panters band, Uptown Ska Collective as well as sitting in with The South on the few occasions Gaz Birtles couldn’t make it.

Long time trumpet replacement for Tony Robinson, Gareth John, is now established as a permanent fixture. His past glories include working alongside members of the Happy Mondays, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, The Specials, Vintage Trouble and many more.

With the new reshuffle complete, The South are a full team again and raring to go! Their live show promises to continue to celebrate and perform the classic Beautiful South songs along with songs from The South’s debut album ‘Sweet Refrains’ and maybe even new material in the future too.

Come on! Let’s Carry On… Regardless!

The South are:

Alison Wheeler (Vocals), Gaz Birtles (Vocals), Phil Barton (Guitars), Steve Nutter (Bass), Dave Anderson (Drums), Karl Brown (Percussion), Gareth John (Trumpet), Su Robinson (Sax), Andy Price (Keys).