By Nick Turner

Last updated 11:43, Monday, 28 July 2008

Review: Wickerman Festival, East Kirkcarswell Farm, Dumfries and Galloway, July 25th and 26th
Featuring Gary Numan, KT Tunstall, Neville Staple, Fangs and Birds vs Planes
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Gary Numan at the Wickerman Festival. Picture by Gem Smith

Many rock stars Gary Numan’s age are content to spend their time cashing in on their greatest hits, endlessly bashing out their signature tunes on reunion tours.

But not our Gary, he’s forsaking all easy options – promoting his own music, clocking up his 45th album and powering on to the stage here at the Wickerman with a set that takes no prisoners and unashamedly concentrates on his newest material.

It’s a gamble that pays off and wins over the two main elements of this audience. The young crowd are swept along by the thunderous sound that Numan sends bouncing around the Galloway hills and there are still one or two treats for the dads looking for a nostalgia trip as they wheel around toddlers they’ve dressed in Sex Pistol t-shirts (I kid you not).

Numan is enjoying himself too and rather suits his dyed black hair and heavy eye-liner as struts about, posturing at the front of the stage or grabbing a guitar to bring some extra oomph to the proceedings.

When we do get to his classic ‘Cars’ three songs in to the set it’s dominated not by that seering synth sound of 1979, but a heavy, industrial guitar sound that characterises Numan’s recent music.

 The crowd loved it, the kids loved it and Gary said he was flattered by the reception when he returned for his four song encore.

Elsewhere at the Wickerman there was plenty on offer for old punks and ska fans.

In fact I heard three different versions of ‘Gangsters’ in one evening. The best of course came from ex-Speical Neville Staple who packed out the Scooter tent with his recreation of the 2 Tone sound.

KT Tunstall brought some class to the proceedings, but despite her shiny silver dress there might have been some of her fans who were unable to see the songstress as a thick fog descended on the Wickerman site.

“So this is what happens when you have a smoking ban,” she quipped.

The fog made the burning of nine metre Wickerman figure at the end of the festival all the more spooky. The crowd that gathered around the giant figure couldn’t actually see it until the flames engulfed him and pierced the gloom.

It was a memorable end to a great festival which was stuffed full of good music where ever you turned.

With eight stages punters were spoilt for choice and indeed at some points you could hear four different bands or DJs coming at you and demanding your attention.

I was glad I followed my ear to the tent where Glasgow band Fangs performed. They’ve yet to clinch a record deal, but that can’t be far off as they’re picking up fans wherever they take their glam punk meets the Ting Tings sound.

Carlisle band Birds vs Planes (you may know them as Stars of Track and Field, but they’ve changed their name – keep up!) pulled in a decent crowd too. On a sunny festival afternoon with distractions at every turn you have to work hard for your audience and to keep them enthralled.

Birds vs Planes did just that and finished the gig with a bunch of new fans who queued up for the chance of a CD. There was virtually nobody in the World Music (an odd place to be, but I guess they are English) when the set started, but lead singer Jeni’s powerful vocals and catchy tunes such as Shock Tactics and Put Down That Flag turned this gig into another successful step on the road to bigger things.