Wickerman festival: Waterboys among headliners

The Wickerman festival is held at East Kirkcarswell farm near Dundrennan. Picture: Robert Perry

It will be opened on Friday July 24 with a performance by folk rock band The Waterboys featuring songs from their 30-year career.

Brit and Ivor Novello award winner Odell will headline on the Saturday with Example and DJ Wire also performing.

More acts will be confirmed later, organisers said.

Mike Scott, frontman with The Waterboys. Picture: TSPL

The festival takes place at East Kirkcarswell Farm in Dumfries and Galloway, where the classic 1973 Wicker Man film was made.

This year’s event will be the first without co-founder Jamie Gilroy, who died late last year at his home on the farm where the festival is staged.

Now entering its 14th consecutive year, there will be nine stages with a mixture of musical genres, alternative acts and up-and-coming talent.

It culminates with the burning of a 40ft wickerman in front of the crowds.

Grainne Braithwaite, founder of organisers Synergy Concerts, said: “We are massively excited to announce Wickerman’s 2015 headliners, both The Waterboys and Tom Odell give amazing live performances and it’s this combination of talent and showmanship which we believe will really unite the crowds.

“Wickerman has built its reputation as a festival which offers a truly eclectic line-up and for this reason we are thrilled to be joining the team.

“Our aim this year is to book the best emerging and established artists to make Wickerman ‘the’ must attend for music lovers.

“We are really looking forward to announcing a diverse line-up of brilliant acts over the coming months.”