Oxford Folk Festival

Subject: Oxford Folk feastival
From: GUEST,Lizabee -minus Cookie
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 06:20 PM

Tomorrow the 1st Oxford folk Feastival kicks off,

Who's going,
What plans do you have,
What are you lookingforward to etc???

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk feastival
From: Folkie
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 06:54 AM

I'll be there

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk feastival
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 07:26 AM

I am only popping into the kick-off singaround at the Oxford Folk Club tonight - can't attend the rest because of commitments.

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk feastival
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 07:47 AM

I'm setting off in about 5 minutes. Can't wait to hear Bellowhead tomorrow...

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk feastival
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 07:51 AM

See you at the club tonight then?

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk feastival
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 07:56 AM

I'll be at the ceilidh but I can drop by the Port Mahon first...

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk feastival
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 11:13 AM

After I'm finished rehearsing, I'll probably go to the club, it'll be too late to get to the Simpson gig. Will you be wearing a red rose, with a copy of the Times and drinking Ruddles County? I'll be stumbling in with a guitar and bouzouki - say hello! If you've not been to the club before, it has a low smoking policy, is liberal from the point of view of material/instruments (though you hear more trad than anyting else) and gives a welcome to newcomers and performers of all abilities. What a gent that Martin Carthy is. The other week he stood and applauded all the floorspots (so did Alastair Hulett a while back).

BTW - at the risk of being proud of Oxford, what a cracker it promises to be. A certain radio station/programme sponsoring that other lot seem to be well matched!

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk feastival
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 11:50 AM

I'll be the fat bloke with the glasses hiding behind a 12-string guitar, Peter.

Agree about Martin C - he did the same at our club in Snorbans: Listened attentatively to all floorspots and applauded them generously. Others, lesser than him, are divas, or disappear until their turn comes up - he's not like that at all.

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk feastival
From: GUEST,Stephen
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 06:28 PM

Just come back from the Martin Simpson gig, and the tail-end of the session at the Wheatsheaf... all damned wonderful!

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk feastival
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 19 Apr 04 - 06:43 AM

El Greko

Sorry I didn't meet you, the rehearal went on a bit so I reckoned that by the time I got to the club it would have been full (I heard later it was!). I also heard Maddy Prior turned up to do a floor spot and that it was a pretty good night all round. I went to a session out in the sticks but my heart was elsewhere really. I'll try to get get to Snorbans sometime.

Anyway, what a cracker of a festival. From zero to marvellous in one go. There was lots of good stuff on the small stage (including those Mawkin geezers, Diverse Divas, Les Barker, Luke Smith and Chrisminster Singers) and on the main stage treats for me included Lakeman and Roberts, Martin Simpson, Witches of Elswick, Magpie Lane, Bellowhead, Broderick and The Simon Care Trio. Good beer (while it lasted), sound systems that were there or there abouts and a happy atmosphere. Congratulations to the organisers on their first attempt and here's to hoping for more of the same. Under the trades description act, the dark blues gave us a folk festival; watch out you light blues, you walk on thinner ice with each passing year.

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk feastival
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 19 Apr 04 - 07:37 AM

Apologies to both George and Peter, missed you both at the Port Mahon which was so crammed I didn't stay long but returned to the brilliant session at the Wheatsheaf. Peter, I did catch part of Spire's set on Stage 2 and you were great!

Siobhan McAndrew and Tim Healey deserve heaps and heaps of credit for pulling off a brilliant festival which really should make those light blues stop and think about just what theirs has become.

The Bellowhead launch was mindblowing, way above expectations and the support from Magpie Lane and the Witches of Elswick superb (and the Witches' voice workshop in the superb acoustics of the Holywell Room was amazing - and hilarious).

Other highlights for me were the ethereal sounds of Alva (Vivien Ellis & Giles Lewin who moonlights in Bellowhead!), especially the medieval French stuff, who shared a Holywell concert with the York Waits.   Stage 2 continued non-stop throughout with turn after turn of virtuosity which spilled over into impromptu sessions in the bar. Like three of the Witches giving choral advice on how not to pay the rent. And fiddlesinger Elle Osborne (how great to see her again!) being joined by Benji Kirkpatrick and Jon Boden for a Bob Copper tribute.

Oh and that trooper Simon Care, playing valiantly for about 20 dancers at the early Saturday ceilidh, what a star! And shame on all those who didn't get up in time! Those Christminster Singers were indeed phenomenal (yes, that Andy Turner's in just about everything as is Benji Kirkpatrick). And everyone else Pete mentioned.

And Mawkin...Phhhhwwwoooaaarrr! Those Essex lads! My only regret was that having to do early morning stewarding shifts I couldn't play all night long in the Half Moon as they did. Definite stars in the making. What a fantastic festival. Can't wait till next year.

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk feastival
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 19 Apr 04 - 08:28 AM

Thanks for that Countess, I am humbled. We had a good time, played pretty well (though not perfectly) and were fortunate to have so many appreciative people in the audience despite being first act of the day.

I would have loved to have seen/heard Alva. I caught their performance on the radio and it was delightful, but to have heard them in the delightful acoustics and surroundings of the Holywell Rooms would have been a real treat. My truculent daughter was desperate to get home - a source of missing out on some other tasty acts that Saturday afternoon. But I managed to return, kept the barrels flowing and had a great time.

I saw Steeleye last night. I've never been a great fan but I thought the family would like them. I also thought out of fairness to some friends who are Steeleye nutters, that I should give Steeleye another chance, especially as I had been assured they had worked through the Wombles/Satus Quo phase - oh yes, singalongwith All Around My Hat. They were OK, but I reckon the Saturday night with Bellowhead took the biscuit!

The Christminster Singers - the name has always put me off, but I stayed and was mightily impressed - they looked as though they were having a ball.

Yes, I felt sorry for Simon Care. I peeked in earlier and what a cracking sound and so few dancers, but by the time I had finished playing, had a beer to relax and packed away the instruments, they had called it a day - the dancers (who probably danced every dance to honour the band) were probably exhausted and for a band that is used to packing then in, it must have been a bit saddening to them.

Yep, Tim, Siobhan and their support team should be quite satisfied with their first attempt, that is if they are not feeling ecstatic!

I'll be back!

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk feastival
From: GUEST,Stephen
Date: 19 Apr 04 - 12:52 PM

Yeah - great festival!

Personal highlights - Martin Simpson (though I wished he'd played at least SOME different songs on Saturday), Bellowhead (!), Witches of Elswick, Magpie Lane, KTB, Mawkin, Diverse Divas. I missed Les Barker, I'm sorry to say...

Despite being quite a Steeleye fan, I must admit to being rather disappointed with their show. Maddie's voice seemed too far down in the mix, and they seemed to be veering more to the 'naff' side of Span that I hate...

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk feastival
From: Folkie
Date: 20 Apr 04 - 08:29 AM

What a wonderful first festival. I especially loved Bellowhead (of course), the Witches, Magpie Lane and Alva. Missed Steeleye as we had to get the caravan home to Worcester but I'm seeing them tonight in Tewkesbury instead. Congratulations to the organisers.

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk feastival
From: Dave of Mawkin
Date: 20 Apr 04 - 08:47 AM

My favourites were Bellowhead, Les Barker, KTB and Luke Smith.
A fabulous festival and a great way to start the season.

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk feastival
From: GUEST,James Percival
Date: 03 May 04 - 04:43 PM

Les Barker's workshop was exciting. Hehe. About 10 of us talking about the innermost messages of his poems and the US. He's such a funny guy.

Bellowhead were absolutely fantastic, but then everyone else is saying that...

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk feastival
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 07:27 PM

Advance notice of Oxford Folk Festival 2005 pre-event. "Last Night's Fun" at the Holywell Rooms, Sunday 26th Septembet, 8:00 pm. All profits go towards to the main fest. Boat race, rugby - OK Oxford struggles from time to time. Folk festival, no contest.

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk feastival
From: running.hare
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 03:45 PM

The pre-events list does look good.

Saw the thread title & thought ohh has some1 started a thread re pre-events & nxt year feastival Only to see my name at the top!!! I realy must pay attention to what I post

Ohh & better late than never Ths years feastival Was apsolutely Fab & I now have far to good an Oxford based social life to prove it.
*ohh the memmories*

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk feastival
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 09:45 AM

Refresh.

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk feastival
From: *Laura*
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 05:30 PM

wish i could've gone :-(. I like loads of people there! Esp. Bellowhead - and Martin Simpson - he sung 'Hard Love' for me at Towersey :-)!!!

xLx

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk Festival
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 06:22 AM

Well it was a pretty good night. I've not been keen on Irish music for a while now but Last Night's Fun were great. The lads claim that most Irish music is played too fast and with too much ornamentation and this was obvious from their style. The mood switched from slow airs to some rocking jigs with thoughtful arrangements. There was a stunning rendition of Whiskey in the Jar, completely unrecognizable from the one burnt into the brain courtesy of Thin Lizzie, with Denny Bartley supplying a soaring, unphrased melody. And a jolly nice bunch of lads too.

Next up (in October), Fernhill with Tim van Eyken, Rob Harbron and Luke Smith and the same weekend, Spiers and Boden.

Click here for details

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk Festival
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 20 Oct 04 - 05:54 PM

The next fund raisers for the festival are:-

Fri 22 Oct Fernhill + Tim van Eyken & Rob Harbron + Luke Smith at the Zodiac, Cowley Rd, Oxford, doors open 7pm, £11/£7 concessions

Sun 24 Oct John Spiers & Jon Boden + support at the Holywell Music Room, Holywell St, Oxford, 8pm, £10/£9

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk Festival
From: GUEST,skipy
Date: 20 Oct 04 - 07:10 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk Festival
From: Fee
Date: 21 Oct 04 - 01:15 PM

Ooo...I'm going to both of those...and really looking forward to next years festival!

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk Festival
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 07:53 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk Festival
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 06:43 AM

And the next pre-event fund raiser is:-

Sid Kipper: Christmas Cod Pieces
Norfolk's finest presents a seasonal selection box of dainty ditties and tasty tales
Mason's Arms, Headington, Oxford 7.30 pm, £10/£9

Oxford Folk Festival

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk Festival
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 04 Feb 05 - 08:02 AM

The new web pages listing the dates and artists has been put up. You can see it here.

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk Festival
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 04 Feb 05 - 08:04 AM

Well you wuld be able to if the Mudcat link maker worked. Cut and paste this into your browser address bar

www.oxfordfolkfestival.com

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk Festival
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 04 Feb 05 - 08:21 AM

Oxford Folk Festival

You need to put "http://" before the URL. Otherwise Mudcat looks only on its own server.

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk Festival
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 28 Feb 05 - 12:50 PM

The latest pages for the festival have been posted today - they include additional artists and a stewarding form. The basic deal is a four block for a day ticket and two blocks on different days for a season ticket.

See the previous posting for the link.

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk Festival - NEWS!
From: GUEST,Fee (not cookied)
Date: 27 Apr 05 - 08:06 AM

Hi All

The 2nd Oxford Folk Festival is fast approaching! So I thought it was time for a reminder.

We have just put a lot of tickets on sale for individual events, for those who can't make it for the entire weekend, these include the Whapweael Ceilidh on the opening Friday, Danu, Show of Hands, Demon Barbers, English Acoustic Collective and loads more.

And the whole festival experience can be had for the price of day or season tickets, which are still available, and will get you into everything including workshops, bar, trade fairs and bouncy castles (actually that's more for the children...)!

check out www.oxfordfolkfestival.com and you can book online at www.ticketsoxford.com

Cheers

Fee

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk Festival
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 27 Apr 05 - 01:34 PM

Oxford FF and Tickets

Mick

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk Festival
From: running.hare
Date: 27 Apr 05 - 02:35 PM

I already have my program thanks to last weekends Oxfd Times - It even has my name in it *Grin*

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk Festival
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 28 Apr 05 - 10:27 AM

Word has it that the boys in blue have been to see the landlord of the Half Moon and that the lock-in sessions have stopped. So that means a bit more shut-eye this year unless a trip to the Late Night Groove at the Cellar Bar appeals.

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk Festival
From: MurkeyChris
Date: 28 Apr 05 - 07:21 PM

Personally I'd have to recommend Bella Hardy to everyone. I saw her at the Young Folk Awards and everyone agreed that she was mindblowing. And Mawkin are a great young dance band. Well done to Oxford Folk Fest for booking the big names of the future early!

Chris

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk Festival
From: Fee
Date: 05 May 05 - 06:49 AM

Chris Said: "Well done to Oxford Folk Fest for booking the big names of the future early!"

Seems to be a habit...that Bellowhead lot are doing rather well ;o).

(Thanks to Mike Pearce for doing my blue clicky's again...they do confuse me!). Two weeks to go!

Cheers

Fee

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk Festival
From: GUEST,Cass
Date: 06 May 05 - 05:30 AM

Newbie here.

I attended last years festival and thought it was amazing.

Really looking forward to this years. It certainly seems to be the place to see the big names of the future.

Having said that I am really looking forward to seeing the Demon Barbers Roadshow and Les Barker again.

Cass

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk Festival
From: running.hare
Date: 07 May 05 - 02:29 AM

mmmmmmmmm Festival time, now where did I stow my Mudcat badge after Banbury?

I'll be on the stairs 1/2 the weekend so feel sorry for me and come over to chat. ohh and of course the 2nd Stage 5pm Sunday is the place to be.

-Lizabee

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk Festival
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 13 May 05 - 09:37 AM

Anyone for the folk club tonight?

Subject: RE: Oxford Folk Festival
From: English Jon
Date: 13 May 05 - 10:40 AM

Just packing the car now.

EJ