I went to the gathering, and we (lassington oak) managed to get an ad hoc session after dark - which was open to all comers - just too bloody hot everywhere else during the day, and like you say all the shade or other likely venues were taken up by paid acts.

It's been a bit of a problem with the Saul festival in that two or three years ago there was no session whatsoever and we just played by the canal bank and in the beer tent, but then that was taken over by bar music which seemed to have been taken up by paid acts.

Maybe something for the organisers to consider for next time, could they set up a separate tent, I wonder?

Regards

Steve