With only three weeks to go until the first campers arrive at the festival gates, Scotland’s hottest independent music and art event, The Wickerman Festival (20^th & 21^st July) has announced even more acts for 2012 and unveiled its eagerly anticipated goNORTH Festival Tour Tent line up.

Now in its second year at Wickerman goNORTH presents the hottest talent from across Scotland, with bands selected following submissions and performances earlier in the year. A favourite stomping ground for fans of grassroots talent, the line up on Friday 20^th July is topped with Glasgow’s Xavia, Fat Goth and melodic act Olympic Swimmers while folksters Washington Irving, singer-songwriter Yusuf Azak, Stirling’s Miniature Dinosaurs, upbeat folk rock five piece The Whisky River Band, the tranquil Quickbeam, quirky post-rock pop act Blue Sky Archives and experimentalists Campfires In Winter have all been confirmed to perform.

On Saturday 21^st July hip-hop act  Stanley Odd are joined on the bill by Largs three piece Brown Bear & The Bandits, energised CLEAVERS, Dundee’s The Mirror Trap, singer-songwriters  Aaron Wright and Michael Cassidy, Blindfolds, Pioneers of Love, indie act John Wean and alt-rock band Café Disco have all been chosen to perform.

 “We are thrilled to be taking the goNORTH Festival Tour back to the Wickerman Festival this year”, said goNORTH Director for Music, Shaun Arnold. “Wickerman has established itself as one of the most diverse  festivals on the calendar and has demonstrated a sustained commitment to supporting new music across genres. Our stage last year proved a huge success and we are really excited to be returning with twenty of the most exciting new acts in Scotland”.

On the Summerisle Stage singer songwriter Jake Bugg, recently compared to the talent of Alex Turner, joins foot-stomping Tiree band Skerryvore on what’s shaping up to be an electric two days of live music. Wickerman’s biggest ever punk and ska line up is added to with a great new addition, in the form of deep funk masters and BBC6 music favourites The Leonard Jones Potential and explosive new alt-punk band Legend In Japan.

Over at the Acoustic Village the Ingrid Pit stage, hosted by Milton Balgoni, includes the best stand-up comedy and poetry, with a sprinkling of outstanding music.  Highlights of this year’s programme include musical comedy from Ginger and The Tramp, spoken word from Edinburgh collective Neu Reekie and the all new Headless Chicken Comedy Club, featuring the cream of new Glasgow comedy talent and hosted by the inimitable Lay Lafferty.

With ten stages of live music overall, art, entertainment and surprises planned across the weekend The Wickerman Festival is shaping up to be one of the UK’s most vibrant live events this year.  Summerisle Stage headliners Scissor Sisters and Texas join very special guests The View, Cast, Levellers, Newton Faulkner to name a few, the Scooter Tent is headlined by legends The Blockheads and Bad Manners more innovative Scottish musicians include Human Don’t Be Angry and United Fruit on the Solus Tent bill and top DJs and dance acts such as Steve Lawler and Darren Emerson will keep the decks spinning in Bass Camp until 5am.   

To view the full festival line up and purchase tickets click here priced at £90 per adult (inclusive of camping and car parking).