Wizard Festival – at New Deer – Aberdeen shire, Scotland – August 28-29 2009

The Wizard festival started in 2007 for only 2000 people. Now in its third year it has gone from strength to strength and now attracts over 4000 punters. A short drive from Aberdeen, Wizard provides a much needed festival in the North East of Scotland. Most festival goers are local to Grampian and there is definitely a community spirit about the whole weekend, attracting all ages from little toddlers to teenagers to middle aged and pensioners. OK so there weren't as many pensioners being represented but there were a few!

On arrival we were ushered into an already muddy car park. It was refreshing to go to a festival with free parking. With wellies at the ready we set off to the camping area to pitch up. Tents were evenly spaced with lots of room around them but this did make it harder for late arrivals to find a spot to pitch if they were in a big group.

The weather on the Friday had been particularly bad and apparently it was touch and go for a while as to whether the festival would go ahead. Luckily the rain cleared up and the festival opened to punters at around 6pm. Unfortunately this did mean that a few bands (including King Voodoo) lost their slots to play.

This year there were four stages as opposed to just three last year. The Voodoo stage was the main tent, Freedom was a dance tent, Banshee an acoustic and blues tent and in the evening the ‘Wee Wizards’ tent became the Sunset stage.

As well as the music stages there was plenty to do including a bar, fun fair, stalls, kids area, bucking bronco and seating areas to chill in.

The Friday kicked off with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers who went down a storm. Bagpipes with attitude in a rock style. Ewan Macgregor has had them play for him and they are asked to play all over the world.

The Beat played their usual set including “Ranking full stop” which got people skanking and filled the main tent, Roger and his son Ranking junior put a lot of energy into the show.

I managed to catch some of Son’s O the Soil when they played the Sunset Stage filling in for someone else. I was told this was different to their normal sound as they don't normally play an acoustic set. Their sound was lovely, mellow and lively in one, with excellent musical talent. I unfortunately missed their Saturday spot but I heard that they were fantastic.

Idlewild proved they were still going strong as they belted out hits and got the crowd jumping. Even though I didn't really know their music I found it a great gig and all were smiling. Though I couldn't help thinking that the lead singer looked like a character from Lost!

Headlining on Friday were the Levellers and the crowd packed into the Voodoo tent. We were right down the front and even though fans were jumping around going wild there was still a friendly atmosphere to the gig. The Levellers played a fantastic set, full of energy and banter. The classics came out like ‘One Way’ and ‘Beautiful Day’.

The bands finished up at midnight and punters either went home or headed to the campsite. Despite the pouring rain the campsite was buzzing with people chatting and enjoying the atmosphere. The wind picked up and tried to blow a few people away, but come morning everyone was still raring to go!

Kicking off the main stage on Saturday were Celtallica. This was a group of mostly teenagers who showed off their talents with a Celtic style covering some rock songs.

One of my favourite ska bands, Bombskare, played on the main stage Saturday afternoon. Even though they has just driven over from Ullapool and were playing another gig in Inverness that night, the 10 piece band gave it their all and were unbelievable lively. Punters were dancing away and feeding off the band’s energy.

The Cuban Brothers really had the crowd going in the early evening with their usual comedy capers and fantastic breakdancing. It seems that they are a hit with teenagers as the front of the crowd were all excitable youths loving the show. Looking further back there were people of many ages enjoying it too with what looked like shocked but amused grins on their faces! If you haven't seen the Cuban Brothers before you might be confused by the description of them – a rapping, stripping, breakdancing ensemble! They are very good at what they do with gasps of amazement and guffaws of laughter a common occurrence. I'm sure they were many people’s highlights of the weekend!

Counterfeit Cash filled the little Banshee stage and we joined in the fun from just outside of it. Their sound was great and very much like the original Cash and his band.

Classic Punk rockers the Buzzcocks went down well with all ages. Pete Shelley was quite laid back bur Steve Diggle was running about all over playing his guitar like true rock star. The band were on form and the crowd sang along to “ever fallen in Love” and finished with their classic “orgasm addict” then Steve threw his guitar to side of the stage for his roadie to catch and then banged the microphone to the ground.

Set list was:
Boredom - Fast cars - I don't mind - Autonomy - Get your own - Whatever happened to - Sixteen again - Girl from the chain store - Sick city - Mad mad Judy - Why can't I touch it - I don't know what to do - You say you don't  love me - Noise annoys - Breakdown - Love you more - Promises - What do I get - Harmony in my head - Oh shit - Ever fallen in love - Orgasm addict

Headlining the Saturday night were the Charlatans. Not a favourite of mine I went along anyway to check them out. Unfortunately they weren't great, and even my die hard Charlatan fan friend didn't think much of them! However the crowd stayed for the show and I heard quite a few people saying they enjoyed it so it may just have been us. In my opinion they just seemed a little slow compared to some of the lively acts from the afternoon. Also over the weekend Bruce Watson (of the skids) played a duet with his son and LA band Proud Mary and many more.

 

 

Words by Dod and Sally M

-Photos; Dod M.-
Big Wheel Overseas Correspondent

 

More photos of the event can be seen HERE

 
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