ABI'S BIG JOY OF SAX; Zutons beauty blows festival crowd away.

Byline: LESLEY HAW

WICKERMAN FESTIVAL Dundrennan, July 24 & 25

Fun, frolics and basking in the sunshine made this unspoilt festival one to remember.

Making your way down to the depths Dumfries and Galloway feels like going on a magical mystery tour.

Endless varieties of music,comedy, poetry,cinema and music workshopsleft festival-goers spoilt for choice.

Idlewild played through their back catalogue in fine form, including A Little Discourage plus new song Readers And Writers which has a great grinding bass and a hopeful-sounding tune with hints of The Smiths keeping things darker and more mellow.

The UK Subs lived up to expectation, causing an almighty riot, thrashing out dirty old punk tunes to a crammed,sweaty tent, while Hot Chip DJ set combined superb dance tunes with dark underlying grooves.

Bad Manners also went in for the kill with a wild performance. The tent was bursting at the seams with people wanting to see their old punk favourites causing mayhem.

Pioneers of electronic synth pop,The Human League played a glorious, seamless set of old classics causing a feeling of nostalgia among the crowd, especially Don't You Want Me Baby and Open Your Heart.

Singer Phil Oakey is still every bit the cool, untouchable frontman, even without his trademark long dark hair, while backing singers Susanne Sully and Joanne Catherall sounded true to form.

Their newer tunes were weaker and less catchy but old favourite Together In Electric Dreams embraced the crowd and first single Being Boiled still sounds fresh.

A stunning and radiant Candi Statton captured the old sounds of sleepy deep south America with a rendition of classicsYoung Hearts Run Free and You Got The Love closing an eloquent set. The Zutons, with saxophone player Abi Harding,played a good mix of their jovial indie rock and soul music with Valerie the outstanding crowd pleaser.

After the burning of the Wickerman, which was an effigy of Robert Burns to mark Homecoming, Utah Saints fired through a magnificent set.

They cleverly sampled tunes from The Wickerman film in their own euphoric style then tore through their own takes of The Killers, Simian Mobile Disco, Kate Bush and many other artists.

Their passion and energy fuelled the crowd into a frenzy and closed this great, good natured gem of a festival.

CAPTION(S):

FEST OF REST& Magic Numbers' Romeo and Joanne from Human League SAX APPEAL& The Zutons' Abi wowed the festival crowd at Wickerman