CELEBRATED Irish rockers The Saw Doctors will celebrate 30 years of touring the UK with an exclusive headline set at Wickham Festival this summer.

The concert, on August 4, will be the band's first UK gig in five years and their sole festival appearance of 2022.

The announcement completes a line-up packed with perennial favourites including the Waterboys who close the event on Sunday, August 7.

ALSO READ: Squeeze to play Southampton's 02 Guildhall in November

The four-day festival kicks off on Thursday August 3 with 10CC, Los Pacaminos with Paul Young, Chris Difford from Squeeze, Oyster Band and Grace Petrie.

In addition to the Saw Doctors, Friday features Martha Wainwright, Rumer, Spooky Men’s Chorale and Skinny Lister.

Saturday will deliver high-octane shows from the Levellers, Ferocious Dog, the Undertones, the Dhol Foundation and Show of Hands while Sunday also features Gilbert O’Sullivan and the Men They Couldn’t Hang.

Daily Echo:

Lead singer Davy Carton said: “We are very excited to be coming back to Wickham. It is an event which is very close to our hearts – we love playing there.

“The atmosphere is very special and the crowd are always amazing. We are aiming to give them a real party. It is going to be a great night, the sort where I almost wish I was in the crowd!”

Over the years, The Saw Doctors have built up a reputation as an unmissable live band. Famed for their unrelenting energy, their live show is still performed with as much passion and fervour as their legendary small-town gigs 30 years ago in Ireland.

Daily Echo:

The band recently announced four big UK shows in the run-up to Christmas but Wickham fans will get an exclusive preview.

Organiser Peter Chegwyn said: “We are delighted they are swapping their beloved N17 for the M27 to play the Wickham Festival.

“The Saw Doctors are long-standing favourites here. It is a huge deal for us to get them and we are thrilled they agreed. I know other festivals wanted them but I like to think they chose us because of our unique atmosphere and the fact they always get such a good reception."

Daily Echo:

Tickets and details from wickhamfestival.co.uk

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