Wickerman 2010: Saturday

Day two began waking wearily from again more revelry in the Headphone Disco tent and the fuzzy memory of standing with fists in the air to John Farham’s You’re the Voice, again I faced the impossible task of encouraging my fellow campers to venture into the arena but this time managed to rally up some interest.

First up in the Solus Tent were the quite brilliant Conquering Animal Sound. Having witnessed a short but sweet set from them recently at the Wee Red Bar, I knew they’d nb worth a look at Wickerman. Comprised of a Scandinavian girl and a Scottish boy, they make a beautiful noise together that builds from a gentle beginning to a sometimes cacophonous denouement. Loop pedals and clever keyboard arrangements are all used to great effect and their shy demeanour onstage is endearing and despite Anneke’s vocals being eerily reminiscent of both Björk and Liz Fraser there is something fresh and exciting about this band and they are the perfect musical breakfast to begin the day with.

If the sounds of CAS were the musical equivalent of the early morning sun then United Fruit bring the dark clouds of a thunderstorm, in a good way. I’ve been encouraged by a friend to go and see this band – the only group he’s ever told me to go and see – for some time now. It was a relentless set that barely paused for breath and the assembled crowd were all completely enthralled by what they witnessed. It’s rare you see a band perform with as much energy, enthusiasm and sheer abandon. They’ve been compared to the likes of At the Drive-In and Shellac, both bands of which I know hardly anything about, so all I have to go on at the moment is this 25 minute set and it was bloody brilliant!

A breakdown on the way to the festival meant that it was a rather weary Withered Hand which took to the stage for a substantially shorter set than expected but we were still treated to live favourites Cornflake and No Cigarettes, delivered with the same fragile brilliance that those of us fortunate to have seen a full set are accustomed to. It still somewhat baffles me that this same fellow was once the frontman for Edinburgh noiseniks Peanut, I’m not quite sure what happened to mellow him out so, perhaps the wife and children? Whatever it was, the world is a better place for having his new musical venture in it.

My lengthy stint in the Solus Tent was brought to a close in fine fashion by a band that I had been waiting to see for a couple of years now. By their own admission There Will Be Fireworks tend not to play too often in Glasgow and Edinburgh so my chances have been limited but they were well worth the wait. Falling somewhere between My Latest Novel and Mogwai, there has been a fair bit of noise recently about them and it’s easy to see why, their songs are beautifully crafted and sound lush in this early evening setting. A shout by yours truly for Midfield Maestro is duly accepted, but to be fair I think they were going to play it anyway. It’s the standout song of the set.

So it was back to the Main stage for a band who seem to have been forgotten about, something I cannot fathom, perhaps it was the lukewarm reception for their last album but Sons and Daughters still pack an almighty punch live. For the record, I enjoyed This Gift and thought the criticism was fairly harsh and the songs played from it tonight go some way to quashing the notion that it was a career dip. However, it’s songs like Taste the Last Girl, Rama Lama and of course set closer Johnny Cash that whips the dampened crowd into a frenzy. Just before they finish, a guy grabs me and says ‘I forgot how good they are’ which, given their ovation, seems to be the general consensus.

Next up was a guilty pleasure of mine but a great festival band and an inspired choice in the shape of The Saw Doctors. I have waited a long time to see the Irish folk rockers and despite playing a few too many new numbers which I was unfamiliar with, I could not be disappointed when they played the likes of Tommy Kay, To Win Just Once and finishing off with the anthemic N17 – leaving the crowd wanting more.

The Go Team were only added late in the day to the proceedings due to another band dropping out but it was a welcome addition. To say this band is one of the most energetic live bands I’ve ever seen would be an understatement. Frontwoman Ninja performs like it’s her first and last gig providing a relentless, frenetic set that includes the massive Ladyflash and Bottle Rocket. They also played a few new tracks from a forthcoming new record due for release at the end of the year – enough to suggest they’ll be around for a while to come.

Speaking of bands being around for a while, Britpop godfathers Ocean Colour Scene have managed to ride the wave of nostalgia and retain an impressive fanbase, particularly in Scotland. It’s no surprise then that they are a huge hit tonight with the Wickerman crowd with the back catalogue they have. Obvious choices such as The Riverboat Song and Day We Caught the Train are greeted like old friends, but when the band leave Simon Fowler on stage to perform Robin Hood with just his acoustic guitar, my mind is cast back to Stirling Castle in 98’ and I suddenly feel my age. It’s a great finale to the weekend though and the 40ft Wickerman being torched after a storming cover of Day Tripper is a pretty special sight to behold. Rather than head back to the tent, I head to the Ingrid Pit Word Stage for the real headliners.

Fast becoming cult heroes at the Wickerman, William Douglas and the Wheel have played here for a few years now in this late night slot and they are always a great way to finish the festival – playing a mix of their own songs and the likes of Roadhouse Blues by The Doors, Money by The Beatles and The Seeker by The Who. The crowd have gathered by word of mouth it seems and lap up every second of the set, demanding they return to the stage not once but twice. When the band do call it a day, I leave the arena for the final time, hoarse, physically shattered and a little drunk also but then I wouldn’t have had it any other way – surely the sign of any great festival.