Following a very successful event last weekend at our Utilifest Project partners, Wildfire Festival in Scotland, organiser Dave Ritchie has made a start on planning for 2016. He has asked music fans to vote for which bands they would like to see next year:
“Yeah, bonkers as we are, the Wildfire Festival team, will be getting together in the next couple of days to draw up our wish list for 2016. We have 2 polls running, one asking who you would like to come back from this year – set with all the artists names. The other, you can add whoever you like and asking who you would like to headline. Keep it real, we are not Download :). #wildfirerocks“
To take part in the poll, head to this location.
Band applications for next year will be accepted from 1st August, not before, at this email address – wewanttoplay@wildfirefestival.co.uk.
Dave also expressed the following thoughts looking back over the weekend, on Wildfire’s official Facebook page:
“Good morning, Dave here! Sorry I have been a bit quiet, but there is always a lot to be done at the wind down and close of the event and it takes a few days before I can get back home and to reality. I am overwhelmed by the love, support and positive feedback. In 2012 there was no “plan” no long term vision, but genuinely for the first time I see a great and strong future for Wildfire Festival. Once more, some things, I think were done really well and others we need to improve on. I have already spent sometime with the estate managers and we have further plans to develop the site and infrastructure. The cost to stage the event is still not met by the income and I may need to tweak that and look at pricing, however I will always try and make this one of the best value events in the UK. I now have very clear plans and next year has to be a game changer, so expect some amazing bands and headline acts. I do not however want to lose the superb family friendly atmosphere, the camaradarie and the general feeling of space and safety. There are so many people that mucked in over the weekend and I will take time to thank them personally and individually but first and foremost I need to thank YOU for attending and making this, the fourth festival and first Wildfire, something very special. Unique is an over used word, but I know what we have here is unique. It was great to meet so many people that I now consider friends and also to meet so many new people that will no doubt become friends. I thank you for the way you respected the site in general and a few issues in the campsite aside, I believe it all went off extremely well. I know we were a bit undone on Sunday as we awoke to a monsoon and AC/DC rumbled into town, but who cares, every woman man and child at Wildfire was excellent. I thought the bands were excellent, great to deal with, professional and just wow! Performers indeed. Today I start planning Wildfire 2 and I am genuinely delighted to be offsite 2 days sooner than 2014, that shows that our planning worked a bit better. I could not do this without the close and loving support of my family, the team, you and of course the bands, so once more, thank you. Expect a number of posts from me as I bring some stuff to light and check out our new YouTube Channel too as we bring you footage, updates and interviews. I am now off to work on securing some top bands for next year, but I already know, that it will be difficult to top the quality we had on show this year. I just wish more people would open their minds to new music and new artists as this year we had some truly stunning acts. That is what Wildfire is all about, hopefully helping you find your “next” favourite band. You are awesome, the bands are amazing and yes, Wildfire Festival is here to stay. Peace and Love and thank you, Dave.”