Review: Sidmouth '08

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 12:02 PM

His final UK tour, John. :)

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: steve_harris
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 02:24 PM

All Blacked Up
Bedlam
Boka Halat
Bursledon Village Band
Committee Band
Geckoes
Horsley Band (do passble French also)
Juice
Steamchicken
Stomp
The Gloworms
The Watch
Tickled Pink
Trinculo
Woodpecker Band

Two bands I haven't danced to yet but would be interested to try:

3 Sticks
Pigeon English

I am wary of "revived" bands but note with enthusiasm that "The Ran Tan Band" are reforming

Cracking French Traditional Dance Bands:

Amuséon
Gars du Nord (Steve Ellis & Geoff Beilby)

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 03:44 PM

Sounds like a great festival, Steve. When's it on?

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: steve_harris
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 06:22 PM

> Sounds like a great festival, Steve. When's it on?

I think the first week in August would be a good idea - perhaps somewhere in Devon? On the south coast perhaps?

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 06:27 PM

Maybe next year? Thing is, we can't have every band every year. Happily, the feedback to the programme so far has largely been really good.

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 07:28 PM

I visited the official website a few days ago and I recall that there was a statement to the effect that the Blackmore Gardens ceilidh dance floor was to be made larger - but I can't find it now that the website has been updated (maybe it was wishful thinking?).

Can we know the intention please? Also, there is no mention of whether there will be a marquee on what was Church House Lawn (now Kennaway House Lawn after its £1million refurbishment, which is well on the way to completion). Maybe discussions are ongoing.

Knowing the venues that may be on offer could be as important as which bands for dancers who will need to decide whether to book tickets. I agree with Steve Harris when he suggests that the exodus of accomplished ceilidh dancers from Sidmouth must be reversed. The standard of ceilidh dancing at Sidmouth used to be superb. What has been sadly lacking for years is dedicated basic instruction for newcomers.

No-one can expect all their personal choice of ceilidh bands - but we can expect the organisers to take notice of what were almost universal comments regarding the venues - and including ventilation of low-height marquee(s) and excessive sound levels that have been problems for several years, especially at Bulverton.

The festival would probably not wish to book every top name ceilidh band - but (as a personal view) it is disappointing that neither 422 (excellent at Sidmouth 2008) nor Last Orders (ditto at Towersey 2008) seem to be on the list. These young bands need to be encouraged - they are very danceable and not too loud! However, there are several local groups (Pixies, Spinach for Norman and Dalla from Cornwall) which in itself is very welcome.

I've only recently seen the comments about SeeRed dating from September. I'll reply to some of the more worthwhile observations as and when. However, quite obviously, you don't need access to the small print of festival finances to do calculations. The back of an envelope can often be quite sufficient - it would have been for Northern Rock anyway.....I guess having worked with professional economists and knowing how to apply marginal cost benefit arguments are advantages also.

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 08:43 PM

Just catching up on this thread after some time away, and was horrified at this comment from Peter Stockport in September:

"Dump the Bedford and get another decent mid size venue?
Peter"

While it may be the case that not all those who want to get into a certain concert can do so (and this applies to other venues too), Peter obviously doesn't realise what an integral part the Bedford plays in every Sidmouth Festival or Folk Week: apart from concerts there, there are the sessions, the good food, the accommodation for many visiting artistes, the fireworks, - and the sheer dedication of the proprietors Colin Pyne and his wife, and all the team who look after so many visitors with tolerance and good humour. I always make a point of thanking them at the end of the week, and they say they do it because they love the music.
Colin is, and was one of the people who helped to make sure that the festival continued after Mrs Casey pulled out.
"Dump the Bedford"? Shoot thyself in thine foot Peter!

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 04:11 AM

Does this have to be in red? Most visitors to this site are sentient beings.

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: GUEST,Peter
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 12:18 PM

Tattie, I did say as a performance venue.
I paid for a week ticket and had to queue for an hour every time to make sure I got in, it's wrong to put major acts on in such a small venue.
I repeat..More people were locked out of the New Rope String Band concert than got in.
Keep the sessions and the accomodation but use another bigger venue for the concerts.
Shutting out customers who paid for their tickets 6 months previous is the worst crime.

If you want paying customers you've got to look after them.
Peter

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: steve_harris
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 01:20 PM

> Maybe next year?

Agreed! You need about half my list to bring 2009 up to scratch!

> Thing is, we can't have every band every year.

Sidmouth has some of the same weaker bands every year!

The "tea time" Anchor ceilidhs are admittedly a difficult slot but one band could only attract enough dancers for a single 4 couple set.

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 05:01 PM

A merry and
C
    O
      L
       O
          U
             R
               F
                   U
                        L
                               Christmas and New Year to all sentient beings.

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Folkiedave
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 05:14 PM

If Ruth had chosen these bands:

All Blacked Up Bedlam Boka Halat Bursledon Village Band Committee Band
Geckoes Horsley Band (do passble French also) Juice Steamchicken
Stomp The Gloworms The Watch Tickled Pink Trinculo Woodpecker Band

Then I reckon Steve H would have had a list of bands he preferred and it would have looked like this:

The Oyster Ceilidh Band The Old Swan Band Whapweasel Hekety
Glorystrokes Random Climax The Outlandish Knights Toothless Mary
Spinach for Norman Meridian Dalla Poisson Rouge The Dartmoor Pixie Band

I would have thought whoever chooses artists for Sidmouth (because it is such a big festival with a huge variety of needs) is bound to upset some people. Surely what an artistic director has to do is balance nationally known names, local names, up-and-coming bands etc. and all within a budget and I'd say she has done a damn good job.

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 24 Dec 08 - 02:18 PM

Peter, I take your point about finding a larger venue when a big audience is expected: this is something which sometimes can be difficult for festival organisers to predict. Yes, probably the New Rope String Band could have filled the Ham marquee.
However the Bedford is of adequate size for many of the concerts that take place there, and if I want to go there, I turn up after the queue has gone down and usually get in. I just thought "Dump the Bedford" was a bit strong and would be tantamount to biting the hand that feeds you!
And the way to guarantee entry to a particular concert is to buy a ticket for that specific concert (which, of course, you will not want to do if you already have a season ticket)