“I PICTURED some sort of forest wilderness at Wychwood, so planned a set full of more spiritual numbers, rather than the blockbusters.”

Unfortunately for James frontman Tim Booth, the name of the Gloucestershire festival can easily create a misleading impression. For while Cheltenham Racecourse is a beautiful spot – and a spiritual one I’m sure for many fans of the gee-gees – a secluded Sherwood Forest-style setting it is not.

But that is part of the charm of this three-day, 10,000-capacity shindig, that marks the start of the festival season for many of us. While it is in a lovely spot, and usually boasts a pretty strong line-up, it is what this seasoned festival goer would call a ‘soft launch’.

The town centre – and the accompanying restaurants, coffee shops and hotels – are a mere 20-minute walk away, the parking is on firm ground (an actual car park), and everything is befitting of, well, Cheltenham, which likes to see itself as a ‘bit posh’.

This brings ups and downs, pros and cons, as with any festival set up; it might be a bit ‘easy’ for some, but also serves as a solid introduction, or one-off adventure, for non-festival devotees.

For this reviewer, it does both perfectly well. And this year’s line-up was a belter.

Having not visited Wychwood since 2016, I soon discovered eight years is a long time in the evolutionary story of an event like this. It was in a completely different part of the racecourse (and a long way from the road we walked to get in!), but it is set in a fabulous spot now, the lights of the main stage contrasting with the stunning backdrop of Cleeve Hill, nestled nicely into the undulating surface that makes for such entertaining racing in jump season.

It really is a delight as the sun comes up and goes down – traits only improved by stunning weather across the weekend.

With the setting, date and the line-up, the Wychwood bookers did a cracking job of matching attendees with acts and ambience (a proper ‘Cheltenham’ word, if said with a pretentious French accent).

On Friday, the highlight were the absolutely, extraordinarily-good Lottery Winners, who charmed every single face in a packed crowd gathered at the main stage. I can honestly say, I think I would have enjoyed 45 minutes of pure banter from frontman Thom Rylance, no music, as he’s so delightful.

But that’s not to denigrate the band, who were immense. Maybe I could have just had a few pints with Thom afterwards – I think we’d have a cracking night.

Lottery Winners took the crowd with them during a barnstorming set. Picture: Paul Jones/Somerset Leveller

My own dream drinking sessions aside, the crowd was treated to a cracking night anyway, with indie legends Shed Seven topping the bill. They have some bangers, and they delivered, perfectly synching with the – ahem – perhaps more middle-aged among us… A brilliant first night.

Saturday, as any festival fan with children will attest, is the first real day of discovery at a small three-dayer. On Saturday, you have the morning, more time to peruse the site and find things to entertain (that’s if you don’t immediately head for Zizzi’s in town, of course).

On this front, again, Wychwood doesn’t disappoint – it’s reputation for being ‘family-friendly’ is well deserved – with children’s authors, storytelling, fairground rides, face painting – even PE with Joe Wicks – and more in abundance (though a touch pricey for some things, it must be said).

But the children loved it, and that’s the most important thing (as I keep telling myself and my bank manager) – so it was with what felt like £3,000-worth of pick ‘n’ mix in hands, our attention returned to the stage for the big draw of the festival for us ageing indie kids – another legendary act – James.

James were ‘the one’ for us over the weekend, having been blown away by their shows for years, and we weren’t alone. Rumour has it Saturday saw the largest Wychwood attendance ever, most of them wearing that familiar daisy emblem in tees of varying vintage.

And why not? James – and in particular the universally-recognised uniqueness of Mr Booth – never disappoint.

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The 65-year-old – yes, incredible isn’t it – is the most energetic thing you’ve ever witnessed, while also soothing you into a calm, the like of which you’ve never known. He’s earnest while frivolous, preachy while totally non-judgemental, a contradictory combination of poet and protestor – all at once. And it’s fantastic.

The band is always tight and so easy in their own skins – even stopping during the intro to one tune because “that was terrible”. That kind of confidence and security only comes from really knowing you’re good – and not giving a hoot what others think. You have to have something special to pull that off.

And despite his apparent surprise at the setting – and the aforementioned setlist confession – there was no shortage of ‘blockbusters’ – from Sit Down, to Come Home, to Laid. It was, as James always are, absolutely everything, all at once. We all walked away from the darkened, buzzing stage, feeling calm yet euphoric and energised all at the same time. Just as it should be.

Sunday was another triumph of booking.

The highlight this day was Lucy Spraggan.

She lifts any line-up, but none more so than a Sunday festival line-up.

Her infectious enthusiasm and seemingly endless energy bring life back to the wariest of souls, still recovering from a night singing along with Mr Booth.

Spraggan’s songs sooth and stir in just the right doses – from stirring stadium rock anthems, to tunes clearly written while she was still busking solo in Sheffield – she has a setlist to rival any of her contemporaries and belongs on a big stage to give them room to breathe.

Lucy Spraggan on the Main Stage at Wychwood 2025. Picture: Paul Jones/Somerset Leveller

If you get the chance, see her, and prepare to weep like the overtired children around you if she plays Tea and Toast. Gets me every time.

Doves too – the Sunday headliner – were a perfect booking. Bringing their unique blend of earnest rock and traditional indie to close out a packed weekend in the fields of Gloucestershire was a great call.

Their musical landscape matched that of the event itself, with soaring highs and subtle lows the perfect way to ease us all down as we faced the weekend’s final note.

And then, in the blink of an eye, it was gone. It’s finished. There was so much more to explore, but as with any good festival, we had to go home wishing we had more time.

We’ll have to go again. Bravo, Wychwood. Bravo.

PAUL JONES