Festival season is so close I can almost smell the inside of my tent. Veteran festival goers will probably have already smugly purchased early bird tickets but it's not too late to make summer 2024 a festival of music, comedy and more.
Take Wychwood Festival, due to transform Cheltenham Racecourse for its 18th year into a cornucopia of fun for all the family (under 10's go free!) from May 31 to June 2. Celebrate this meaningful milestone partying with the likes of Texas, Ocean Colour Scene, the Hoosiers, Big Country and Stereo MC and Dexys. Throw in great comedy, a literary lineup and workshops for all ages and you will see why this festival has earned a badge, sash and special cake for longevity.
Here are all the deets:
Texas, one of the UK’s most loved bands, will headline Saturday 1st June. Led by front woman Sharleen Spiteri they have produced ten studio albums selling over 40 millions records worldwide and last year released The Very Best Of 1989 - 2023 ahead of their triumphant Glastonbury Pyramid Stage 2023 performance.
Hugely popular, enduring indie favourites, Ocean Colour Scene will headline Sunday 3rd June. They lit up the Britpop party in the mid-90’s chalking up three Top 5 albums and seventeen Top 40 singles including the immortal ‘The River Boat Song’.
Joining Ocean Colour Scene on Sunday, Seasick Steve returns to the UK. Probably best known for conjuring up a primitive blues sound with a variety of ‘cigar box‘ instruments and diddly-bows. And celebrating 35 years of pure joy and over 8 million records sold, Lightning Seeds will take the Sunday sunset slot.
Also performing, The Bootleg Beatles, the world's premier Beatles tribute band will transform Wychwood’s revellers back to the 1960’s. Described as “less a tribute – more of a reincarnation”
Today Wychwood can also reveal the biggest musical offering in their second stage ‘The Garden’, bringing the hottest new talent and old favourites from across the country, it’s the place to discover the headliners of tomorrow. Including Yorkshire’s post-punk six-piece Deadletter, Dutch indie band Pip Blom and Welsh psych-rock band CVC and Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard.
Local nature-loving band, Stornoway formed in Oxford in 2005, will headline The Garden on Friday Night with legendary bassist Peter Hook & The Light returning to Wychwood to headline the stage on Saturday night. Celebrating over four decades of the continuing influence of Joy Division and New Order, Peter will no doubt bring one of the festival’s biggest sing-alongs. Plus, hot off the back of 2023’s Top 10 selling album The Feminine Divine, Kevin Rowland’s Dexy’s (formerly Dexy’s Midnight Runners) will close the Sunday night in style.
Also appearing across the weekend, Sussex Ivor Novello winner’s The Feeling, multi-platinum selling pop band The Hoosiers, Sunderland Punk quartet The Futureheads, Scottish powerhouse Callum Beattie and fan favourites Thrill Collins and Mr Motivator will be back for the ultimate main stage Saturday morning workout .
Wychwood can also reveal their fantastic late night comedy line-up for 2024. Jason Neale, Mark Cram, Ester Manito, Andrew White on Friday 31st May. Cerys Nelmes, Burt Williamson, Kate Martin, Roger Monkhouse and headliner, the wonderful Marcus Brigstocke on Saturday 1st June and Chris Brooker, Martin Mor, Pierre Novellie, Alex Kealy and Scott Bennett on Sunday 2nd June.
2024 sees the second year return of the much loved Howlin’ Pete's venue which houses some of the biggest parties and activities across the weekend. Including the return of the ever popular Barrioke feat Shaun Williamson, NOASIS, Junior Jungle, Hip Hop Karaoke and The Daniel Wakeford Experience.
Wychwood will present more than 100 activities and workshops for families of all ages across the weekend. First wave of announcements include Taskmaster Education brought to you by the team behind Channel 4’s BAFTA winning show of the same name taking elements of the show and uses them to inspire, engage and teach children and young people. Magic Workshops, Squiggles and Doodles with Illustrator Gemma Hastilow, Laughter Yoga, Circus Workshops with Solo Circus, Ola Samba Bateria, Glamba Funky Junk Drumming Workshop, Street Performers, Open Mics and Buskers.
Iain Game, Festival Director of Wychwood Festival, said: “Wychwood continues to go from strength to strength and we’re over the moon Texas will be with us on the Saturday night, this is huge for us. Anyone who has been before knows there’s still so much to share with you all and we’re counting the days until we’re all reunited at Cheltenham Racecourse!”
Now on a new and improved site at Cheltenham Racecourse, Wychwood continues to prove itself as the UK’s premier Family Festival with continuous year on year growth. Early Bird, Tier 1 and Tier 2 tickets have already sold out. Tier 3 tickets start at just £149.50 + bf for Adults and £74.50 for children aged 10 - 15. Children under 10 go free.