Wickerman Festival

It may be about the family atmosphere and the torching of a massive wicker effigy, and sports headliners like the crowdpleasing Proclaimers and hippy-pleasers The Orb, but Wicker also has some of the finest Scottish bands on show.
With Miss The Occupier’s spiky indie pop, Y’All is Fantasy Island’s dark rock, and Frightened Rabbit’s jangling guitar onslaught, the Solus Tent is like a mini 13th Note. Other attractions include Little Doses - an indie supergroup including former Snow Patrol bassist Mark McClelland - and The Phantom Band whose Krautrocking beats come across much better than on record.
Those venturing outdoors to the main stage find Mancunians I Am Kloot, who snarl less than citymates Oasis and have better, less predictable tunes to boot. Sadly, Hayseed Dixie’s tunes are all banjo-powered cover versions and after their version of Motorhead’s Ace of Spades the joke starts to wear thin.
Festival headliners are all about The Hits, so it’s great to see The Rezillos revisit Top of the Pops, and Fun Lovin’ Criminal Huey works the crowd effortlessly, climaxing with Scooby Snacks.
Under cover again, festival perennials Popup get the packed tent moving, and the dancing doesn’t stop until after the riotous Kazoo Funk Orchestra have brought proceedings to a fitting end.

(a version of this 5 * review originally appeared in the Daily Record)