The Mudcat Folk Festival

Subject: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: GUEST,The Original Observer
Date: 15 May 08 - 07:35 AM

We have had a lot of intelligent debate in the Mudcat forums about what folk is, what folk should be, whether anyone should get paid for being a folk musician or singer, whether folk should be entertaining, how folk should be protected, how only the right sort of people should be allowed to attend folk events, and how some festival organisers are evil parasites. But are Mudcat contributors representative of the average folk festival or folk club attendee (and does it even matter). You (or should I say we?) are a fairly small, and specialist crew, with a high average age and obviously many years experience either as performers or well known characters from the world of folk.

Contributors have strong feelings about almost every aspect of Folk but do they seriously wish to have a recognisable influence on the folk world; I think you/we probably do. How about a brand new Mudcat Folk Festival?

And how about listing the requirements, intentions and rules for the new constitution?

1. keep the bloody observer out!!

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 15 May 08 - 07:38 AM

It should be held at Blitherscrum!

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: GUEST,LTS pretending to work
Date: 15 May 08 - 07:55 AM

It should have as many 'fringe' events as booked concerts and they shouldn't coincide more than once a day.

The Admiral and Herga Kitty should run the singarounds.

There should be decent beer at a sensible price!

LTS

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: My guru always said
Date: 15 May 08 - 09:04 AM

Of course there should be a MudGather! With Chocolate!

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 15 May 08 - 09:06 AM

Great idea...but not at Blitherscrum again! (Remember last year?)

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: GUEST,mayomick
Date: 15 May 08 - 09:07 AM

And everyone should bring their own beer and sandwiches.

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Alaska Mike
Date: 15 May 08 - 09:09 AM

Alaska is nice spectacular during the summers, we should have it here.

Mike

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 15 May 08 - 09:09 AM

And eat them in the pub.

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: mandotim
Date: 15 May 08 - 09:19 AM

I think it should be a 'quiet as possible' festival, with the following rules;
- No amplification
- All singers forced to whisper rather than sing out loud.
- No banjos, melodeons, bodhrans or other noisy instruments. All string instruments to be stuffed with old socks.
- All clog dancers to wear crepe soles.
- Drinks to be ordered by holding up written notes for the bar staff to read.
- Ceilidhs to be held using 'silent disco' headphones, perhaps playing a different tune for each participant.
- Lights out and no noise on the campsite after teatime (or bedtime, whichever is earlier)
- All stewards to be equipped with large signs saying 'sshhhhh'
- All festivalgoers must wear completely red outfits, and go round moaning about the noise.
Tim ;)

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Mr Happy
Date: 15 May 08 - 10:03 AM

' All festivalgoers must wear completely red outfits, and go round moaning about the noise'

LOL!!

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 15 May 08 - 10:09 AM

I don't remember last year, that's the point!

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: r.padgett
Date: 15 May 08 - 10:14 AM

I rather think there will be no consensus on any item

Ray

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Peace
Date: 15 May 08 - 10:17 AM

"I rather think there will be no consensus on any item

Ray "



I must disagree with that statement.

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Mr Happy
Date: 15 May 08 - 10:20 AM

With respect, you are both entitled tou your respective opinions, but I don't concur with either of you!

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Peace
Date: 15 May 08 - 10:23 AM

I almost agree with you, but not quite.

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Peace
Date: 15 May 08 - 10:24 AM

On second thought, I retract that.

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Banjiman
Date: 15 May 08 - 10:24 AM

Would "Guests" be allowed....how would they remain anonymous?

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: the button
Date: 15 May 08 - 10:43 AM

"Would "Guests" be allowed....how would they remain anonymous?"

They'd stand outside shouting "Well that was shit, wasn't it?" through the windows.

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: greg stephens
Date: 15 May 08 - 10:46 AM

I'm not entirely sure that we all mean the same thing by the word "festival".

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Banjiman
Date: 15 May 08 - 10:46 AM

....and maybe chucking in the odd had grenade?

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Banjiman
Date: 15 May 08 - 10:48 AM

"I'm not entirely sure that we all mean the same thing by the word "festival".

I'm sure there is an archaic definition we could all buy into....no? Who mentioned hand grenades?

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: bfdk
Date: 15 May 08 - 10:53 AM

Mike, what day of the year is your summer? ;o)

Ceilidhs, lots of ceilidhs..!!

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Peace
Date: 15 May 08 - 11:05 AM

'"I'm not entirely sure that we all mean the same thing by the word "festival".'

Google the year 1954 . . . .

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Fortunato
Date: 15 May 08 - 11:27 AM

Perhaps semi-simultaneous events, held in geographically central locations. Australia, UK, Europe, US Northwest, Northeast, etc.

With an international Mudcat sing along.

Or perhaps skip it and take a nap instead.

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: GUEST,Cats
Date: 15 May 08 - 11:49 AM

Can we have a sing on the top of a mountain?

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Peace
Date: 15 May 08 - 11:53 AM

Sing on the top of the mountain
Sing in the valley below
Sing in the washrooms of heaven
Sing where the geysers do blow

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: frogprince
Date: 15 May 08 - 03:26 PM

"Alaska is nice spectacular during the summers, we should have it here. And eat them in the pub." : )

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Little Robyn
Date: 15 May 08 - 03:36 PM

'Sing where the geysers do blow'
Hey, that's here in little old NZ!
Who's coming over?
I'll see you here!
Robyn

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 15 May 08 - 04:08 PM

Thanks Liz - we (me and the Admiral) can practise at Chippenham!

Kitty

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 15 May 08 - 04:16 PM

Here's an idea....

....we could all sing the same song...at the same time....on the same day....all over the world!

Think what fun we could have trying to decide...

...what song?

...what style?

...what genre?

...what instruments?

...what day?

...what time?


Hours of endless fun!


Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Peace
Date: 15 May 08 - 04:18 PM

But will it be a folk song?

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 15 May 08 - 04:20 PM

it would need to be somewhere where the sun shines continuously the week before, and then from the opening concert onwards, the vilest and most horrendous storms occur washing away tents and engulfing camper vans in three foot of mud -so I reckon anywhere in England really!

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's unplugged Apprentice
Date: 15 May 08 - 04:28 PM

To be on the safe side, maybe it should be called The Mudcat MusicFest, that way there are no noses put out of joint ;-P

Charlotte R

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: growler
Date: 15 May 08 - 04:59 PM

Mine would be, I tend to sing through it

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Def Shepard
Date: 15 May 08 - 05:21 PM

Would it really be a folk festival if it didn't pour wuth rain for whole of the event?

My other question is: Is there really any need for rudeness like that shown my the poster Guest

I've been reading the posts when I'm able for the past few days and felt it was about time to sign up and contribute

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: old git
Date: 15 May 08 - 06:51 PM

Of course it will need stewards..give them a weekend ticket and then make sure they are on the door at the ceilidh when the only act they want to see is in concert

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Hawker
Date: 15 May 08 - 07:05 PM

Of course, Like all good festivals there should be not enough toilet cubicles and NO LOO ROLLS!

Oh, and Aine could run a folk song competition!

Cheers, Lucy

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Peace
Date: 15 May 08 - 07:08 PM

"Of course, Like all good festivals there should be not enough toilet cubicles and NO LOO ROLLS!"

No offense, Hawker, but you misspelled that. It's Lou Rawls.

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Jeri
Date: 15 May 08 - 07:18 PM

He's a Canuckistani. What does he know? He walks around with pocket stuffed full of maple leaves because they don't use toilet tissue in Canada.

The solution is to swipe a roll early on or bring one from home, then you're good to go.

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Peace
Date: 15 May 08 - 07:29 PM

Toilet paper is for sissies.

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Peace
Date: 15 May 08 - 07:38 PM

Well, actually, it's for real a$$holes, but this IS a music thread, almost.

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 May 08 - 07:56 PM

I suspect, if someone were to plot the location of Mudcatters on a world map, taking into account numbers, the average location would turn out to be somewhere in the neighbourhood of Newfoundland. Great place for a festival.

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Rowan
Date: 16 May 08 - 03:05 AM

if someone were to plot the location of Mudcatters on a world map, taking into account numbers,

But that's only the "Mudcatters"; you've got to take account of the folkies on the forum too.

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: r.padgett
Date: 16 May 08 - 03:24 AM

I will steward for a weekend ticket in New Zealand for travel expenses and I will sing if they will let me!

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Splott Man
Date: 16 May 08 - 03:44 AM

Give him the ticket!

But don't let him sing!

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 16 May 08 - 05:40 AM

...would that be a single ticket, then?

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: Surreysinger
Date: 16 May 08 - 05:47 AM

"I suspect, if someone were to plot the location of Mudcatters on a world map, taking into account numbers, the average location would turn out to be somewhere in the neighbourhood of Newfoundland. Great place for a festival. 2
Would that be on sea or land ? If the former that could be a VERY interesting location ... which would let me out cos I can't swim!

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: sapper82
Date: 16 May 08 - 07:59 AM

From: Little Robyn - PM
Date: 15 May 08 - 03:36 PM

'Sing where the geysers do blow'
Hey, that's here in little old NZ!
Who's coming over?
I'll see you here!
Robyn


's not!! 's Iceland!

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: topical tom
Date: 16 May 08 - 10:09 AM

'"I'm not entirely sure that we all mean the same thing by the word "festival".'

First we must determine what is "folk music" and what is a festival.(This could take a while.)

Subject: RE: The Mudcat Folk Festival
From: GUEST,Painted Lady
Date: 16 May 08 - 10:49 AM

it's only a festival if you have a bigger PA than the Greatful Dead.