Hi Guest who said -
'hope your going to ask this question on a few forums. One of the things I've noticed on Mudcat is that there's a lot of people who just turn up for the free events and don't like having to buy tickets. They get ever so sniffy when they have to buy a ticket to get into a sing around. Of course the people who buy the tickets are subsidizing their free entertainment but they don't seem to mind that.'
Well I'm one of those people and I don't object in fact I expect to pay for camping and something for publicity etc. but why should I subsidise people who want to go to concerts, ceilidhs etc.
Recently I contacted a festival organiser to ask what tickets I would be expected to buy an a disabled OAP 'floor singer' who only goes to singarounds,and for a partner who only comes to the festival as my driver/carer the answer was no concessions at all and it would cost £72 for 3 nights camping and 2 season tickets, well although it might be a festival with a great atmosphere I can't justify that in effect just for me to 'have a sing' and listen to other like minded people. I hope that I would/could contribute to the atmosphere.

Then I contacted another festival organiser and there we can camp for free!! So long as we pre-book a space and buy concert tickets if we want to - all I can say is why aren't there more festivals like this??
Another 'beef'of mine is when festival organisers programme guests who wouldn't normally come anywhere near a singaround to do 20 minute spots in them - if the guests want to join in a sinaround,I should be so lucky, sorry singaround, then they can come and 'join in the circle' - I was amazed that even Sy Khan did that last year in a SAR at Beverley.
Anyhow I'm looking forward to several festival this year which won't cost me the earth and where I will be able to join in some sining!!