Dave Higham

There is no magic formula. The festival is moving in a direction that does not satisfy you. This is part and parcel of the business plan. Think Cambridge as a goal (well documented).

The waiting & safety concerns are a direct result of the size of the festival and the only solution, which if you wait a year or two, will be large video screens (precedent already set) and the marquee will be missing. Sound stage instead (note sound not music).
And the reprehensible experience of the year before may very well have come to the attention of the appropriate authorities who gave no quarter with the safety provisions.

But who cares? not the folkies who have decided that size does not constitute a goal worth participating in. And don't favour some of the consequences.

If you were a dancer I could suggest a better experience (including French and Breton most years). And the general buzz is better too.

I was watching championship motorcross so I can't speak from experience this year. But that was quieter - the authorities have rightly nailed-down regulations with competion motorbikes.