Can a mainly 'Fringe' festival work?

Subject: RE: Can a mainly 'Fringe' festival work?
From: nutty
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 05:44 AM

I go to a number of the " Fringe without a festival" events as described above which work wonderfully because the people there just want to spend their time singing.

As far as the success of a festival fringe, it depends on a number of factors and the following questions need to be answered..............

How supportive local businesses are, particularly with donations to cover advertising costs and with the provision of venues.

How supportive is the local authority?-

How good/strong/effective are the management team. Venues/artists/dance teams still need organising if not part of the main festival.

How helpful/supportive are the main festival committee

Who covers a festival fringe with regard to PRS reqirements.

Then there is accomodation needs for fringers and all that entails eg stewards/loos etc.

Subject: RE: Can a mainly 'Fringe' festival work?
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 04:07 AM

We go to the Fox and Hounds each year for a weekend of singing which is a singaround in the skittle alley and on top of the tors. That is a fringe without a festival.

Subject: RE: Can a mainly 'Fringe' festival work?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 02:51 AM

Certainly in England, the natural environment for folk music is a pub, check out ' A Song For Every Season ' by the late Bob Copper.

eric

Subject: RE: Can a mainly 'Fringe' festival work?
From: Lynn W
Date: 12 Sep 06 - 08:23 PM

Most festivals are a boon to publicans! But why should a fringe festival be a financial disaster to the organisers? There are no big name bands or large venues to fund. Two of my favourite festivals, Newcastleton and the Ennis traditional festival, are mainly fringe events and seem to be very successful.

Subject: RE: Can a mainly 'Fringe' festival work?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 12 Sep 06 - 07:51 PM

A mainly fringe festival would probably be a boon to publicans, and a financial disaster to the festival organizers.

Subject: RE: Can a mainly 'Fringe' festival work?
From: vectis
Date: 12 Sep 06 - 07:30 PM

It lubricates the bodhrans

Subject: RE: Can a mainly 'Fringe' festival work?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Sep 06 - 07:22 PM

Why is the ale so important to UK festivals?

Subject: RE: Can a mainly 'Fringe' festival work?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Sep 06 - 07:19 PM

If there wasnt a Festival in the first place , there wouldnt BE a fringe !!

A fringe without a festival ,is a Song and Ale !!

A festival without a fringe is a Concert series !

Subject: RE: Can a mainly 'Fringe' festival work?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Sep 06 - 07:12 PM

'At most festivals I have been to there seems to be three camps of people : those that mainly attend concerts/workshops/ceilidhs, those that mainly mix with the fringe and those that do a bit of both.'


You answered your own question. Figure out the group you will have the most of and cater to it.

Subject: Can a mainly 'Fringe' festival work?
From: Soldier boy
Date: 12 Sep 06 - 07:06 PM

On my travels around festivals I often come across the debate about what makes a successful festival.

This debate usually revolves around the balance between the line up of named artists and concerts and all the "fringe" stuff in the pubs and clubs.

The 'fringe',as you know, is mostly unplanned gatherings of musicians and sing-arounds that do not appear on a festivals programme. Although I guess some of the planned sing-arounds and musician sessions/workshops can also fall into this category.

I tend to go to some selected concerts but prefer to enjoy the happy and less stuffy atmosphere of the fringe.
I rarely buy a season ticket for this reason ( sorry festival organisers).

I know some will say that I am feeding off the festival and not putting money back into it but that is my preference and I do put a lot into the local community in terms of beer and food.

At most festivals I have been to there seems to be three camps of people : those that mainly attend concerts/workshops/ceilidhs, those that mainly mix with the fringe and those that do a bit of both.
My overrideing impression though is that the festivals would be all the sadder, quieter and less colourful if they did not have the fringe, even though this does not contribute much to the festivals coffers.

So what's the secret of success?
Can a mainly concert/workshop etc festival work and can a mainly fringe festival work? Everyone I have spoken to seems to be split on this with strong views either way and of course many feel that you need a good balance of both to make it work.

Some say that the fringe element is a cheap parasite that leeches onto the main festival programme and could not exist without it.

What do you think O wise ones ?