DESPITE the tragic death of its founder Jamie Gilroy, this year’s Wickerman Festival will go ahead as planned on Friday with an eclectic line-up that promises to preserve the event’s reputation as “Scotland’s alternative music festival”.

Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, pop rebel Neneh Cherry, rap pioneers Sugarhill Gang, Lulu and Squeeze will be among the many acts performing over the two days at Gilroy Farm in Dumfries and Galloway. The diverse bill also features Stereo MCs, Julian Cope, The Sonics, John Cooper Clark, The Waterboys, Tal National, Admiral Fallow, Example and Tom Odell.

When the event began in 2001 it was attended by just 2,000 people but has grown so popular that it now attracts 12,000 revellers.

This year, many of them will wear flamboyant waistcoats in tribute to Gilroy’s signature look.

The 66-year-old Wickerman director was found dead at his farm near Dundrennan last December with serious head injuries. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Following his death, his daughter Jenny Camm admitted that she and her mother Patsy, a Conservative councillor, had discussed whether they should continue with the festival.

However, she said: “Having had such huge support from not only the Wickerman team, but also from the many loyal festival-goers, mum and I decided to continue.

“Dad was extremely proud of how Wickerman has grown from a small grassroots event into a real staple and much-loved festival on the Scottish circuit.

“As a tribute to dad and to continue his legacy, we will continue to host Wickerman for future generations to enjoy and we’re really looking forward to welcoming fans to the farm this summer.”

BABYLON’S BURNING

As usual, the festival will reach a climax on Saturday at midnight with the burning of a huge effigy, a 30ft Wickerman built by local craftsmen.

It is a tradition that has been part of the festival since the start, as the inspiration for the event was the classic 1973 British horror film The Wicker Man, starring Edward Woodward and Christopher Lee, which was filmed in Dumfries and Galloway.

The festival’s former artistic director Sid Ambrose, who was working with the Stewartry Music Initiative at the time, took the idea for the festival to Gilroy and it was agreed that it could be held in a 120-acre natural amphitheatre on the farm.

Family-friendly and with music to suit most tastes, the festival now has several stages and a children’s area, workshops, a cinema and crafts.

Children under 12 are admitted free and while there is a small charge for the children’s area, the money raised goes towards the education of James Okeyo, an African orphan who has been sponsored by the festival since 2011. Storytelling sessions, singalongs, art workshops and puppet shows are just some of the highlights that will keep children entertained.

New features for 2015 include the Wee Green Cinema and a Karaoke Taxi, so wannabe performers can belt out a few classics. Adrenalin junkies can enjoy a high-speed, bird’s eye view of the site by riding Europe’s first mobile zip wire, while photo enthusiasts can capture Wickerman memories in a new campervan photo booth.

Other entertainment includes Granny Turismo, a granny shopping trolley dance display team; Australian performance troupe Icarus, with their giant kangaroo stilt act; the 7stanes display team, who offer mountain bike taster sessions; a headphone disco; a climbing wall; glass sledging; bouncy castles; fairground rides; laser quest; segway riding; and a circus. Yoga, qigong sessions and relaxing treatments are also on offer.

DANCE AND TRANCE

The main attraction, of course, is the music and this year there will be a new contemporary music stage featuring new and established artists from the UK and beyond.

On Friday, The Waterboys headline the main stage, following hot on the heels of Squeeze, Lulu, Stereo MCs and Julian Cope. Friday headliners at other stages include New York indie pop group The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, DJ Eddie Halliwell and The Vaselines. On Saturday, Example and DJ Wire headline on the main stage, while The BMX Bandits headline the Phoenix Stage and The Sonics wrap up the evening on the Scooter Tent.

Earlier at the same stage on Saturday will be SLUG, a new band fronted by former Field Music bassist Ian Black and collaborative duo Aidan Moffat and Bill Wells, whose 2012 album Everything’s Getting Older scooped the inaugural Scottish Album of the Year Award (SAY). Another award-winning act set to grace the stage is this year’s recently announced SAY winner Kathryn Joseph.

BBC 6 Music regulars Miaoux Miaoux, London singer-songwriter Anna B Savage, newly signed act Face and alternative project Man of Moon – whose sound is inspired by She Keeps Bees, Pink Floyd and Jeff Buckley – are also on the bill.

Former Coral guitarist Bill Ryder-Jones is certain to be another festival highlight, as his captivating solo performances have earned rave reviews.

Also playing will be Manchester’s bad boys of rock Alias Kid, who count Shaun Ryder and Tom Meighan of Kasabian amongst their growing list of fans.

Artists joining the bill from further afield include Icelandic singer Ólöf Arnalds, South Carolina’s garage-punk-indie rockers Heyrocco and Canadian singer songwriter Zachary Lucky.

Scottish stars to be showcased include festival favourites Neon Waltz, Scottish singer-songwriter and founding member of The Delgados Emma Pollock, and Glasgow’s hotly tipped electro pop sensation Kloe.

Joining the acts on the main stage will be six-piece indie pop band Young Kato and popular Scottish act RM Hubbert.

The profile of the legendary Scooter Tent will be further enhanced this year by performances from Essex rockers Eddie & The Hot Rods, Manchester poet Mike Garry, Glasgow trio Baby Strange and John Bramwell, the frontman of alternative rock band I am Kloot.

New additions to the Solus Tent include Glasgow acts Catholic Action, White, Jonnie Common, ULTRAS and Sarah Hayes, alongside Dundee singer-songwriter Charlotte Brimner.

Breakbeat duo Plump DJs, house and techno icon Sonny Wharton, digital star Felix Leiter and the internationally acclaimed Justin Robertson top the bill at the festival’s Bass Camp dance village this year.

Kid Blast and DJ Luke Stanger are also set to get Wicker fans jumping alongside James Ryan & Stanger-Audio, house DJ Matt Hinde, Lancashire’s Matt Thiss and Preston’s team of DJs, Beats of Rage.