Wickham Festival holds drive-in concert with Show of Hands after main event cancelled

Wickham Festival’s four-day event, due to take place on August 6-9, was delayed by a year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

But organisers have defiantly vowed to continue and are now putting on a special event with Britain’s top acoustic music duo Show of Hands.

They will be appearing at Netley’s Royal Victoria Country Park on Friday, August 7 - the day they were due to headline at Wickham Festival.

The concert, presented by Soundlevel Events in association with Wickham Festival, will be a drive-in show with space for 150 cars including up to four people at a cost of £40 per vehicle.

The new format means the event will comply with government rules on social distancing.

Wickham Festival organiser Peter Chegwyn said: ‘We were desperately disappointed that we had to postpone this year’s festival as we really felt we could get it on safely. But we don’t give up easily.

‘We won’t allow ourselves to be beaten by this virus. We know a lot of people are desperate to enjoy live music so we are offering something a bit different.

‘Show of Hands has been one of our most popular acts for many years and would have been headlining our Friday night. It is just now it will be as a two-piece at a different venue and with a rather different atmosphere.

‘It will be completely safe and socially distanced so we are hoping for a big crowd to enjoy what will be a memorable night out. We expect it to be a lot of fun, the kind of event to say: “I was there.”’

Show of Hands frontman Steve Knightley is delighted to be supporting the cause.

He said: ‘The Wickham Festival is a wonderful event and one which has had a very special place in our hearts for many years.

‘We are delighted to help out and I really hope people support it through these tough times.’

Cars can arrive from 6pm and the show starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets can be booked at soundlevel.events/events/2020/aug/drivein21

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