What do you want from a festival?

Subject: What do you want from a festival?
From: Hawker
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 10:43 AM

I am helping out organise a folk festival, (see embryonic Folk Festival thread) It occured to me that I might as well ask all you 'catters, as a means of market research, what do you most want and not want from a festival. Do you prefer organised concerts, folk club style events, singarounds, musoc sessions.... and which, English Irish or mixed. Ceilidhs, workshops - and if workshops, what kind?
Dance craft song mausic particular instruments etc.
I know this is a broad spectrum question, and you can never please all of the people all of the time but........ it would be good to know that by doing a bit of research we can please some of the people some of the time! Are there any guests you would really like to see?
etc.
Thank you for taking the time to answer (if you do) and I look forward to your responses with interest!
Cheers, Lucy

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 10:45 AM

Gratuitous sex and violence.

Oh - and lots of fringe events...

:D

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Scrump
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 10:50 AM

English Irish or mixed

Does "mixed" include Scottish and Welsh? :-)

All of those things please. And a real ale bar.

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 10:56 AM

lots sessions & sinarounds

some late night/all night sings+ tunes.

music, dancing, sining workshops


option to buy full ticket or pay for camping only & do fringe events.

Welcoming landlords, real ale

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: GUEST,pattyClink
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 11:08 AM

A crazy blend of different experiences, hopefully some totally unexpected. Several stages of different sizes, different types of performances, and some chances to participate in sessions.   (As opposed to a steady line of one type of band, all in vogue and all with similar repertoires.) One or two big shots worth taking a trip to see, lots of unknowns.

The question is, what can your group pull together that is high quality and draws from a lot of different styles, whether it be dancers, singers, bands, solo players, etc. Just put forth the best you can persuade to come, and let the chips fall. Don't try to mimic the festival down the road.

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 11:09 AM

I agree with Mr Happy to have the option to buy a camping ticket so you can go to the fringe events.

Reasonable priced food available too.


Scooby

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Schantieman
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 11:34 AM

I'm with Dave up there, but not so keen on the violence.

Good beer too. And the chance to sing loudly and then go to bed away from the noise (including any made by generators) and without being woken up at some ungodly hour (i.e. before 10) by screaming children. (Don't get me wrong - children are fine in their place, as long as that's not too close to mine).

Ceilidhs where you can hear the music instead of drums/bass guitar and the caller doesn't shout - or need to.

Good beer.

Not having to buy a ticket to concerts in order to camp.

Did I mention the beer?

Oh, and......

No, that'll do.


Steve

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Scrump
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 11:40 AM

Yes, I'd like a campsite where there will be an all-night session which will continue exactly until I feel ready to hit the sack, and then it will stop instantly and there will be complete silence to allow me to sleep undisturbed from that point on. There will be a real ale bar there that will close at exactly the same time.

And there will be toilets there that are empty at the precise time in the morning when I feel the need to visit them.

:D

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Dave Earl
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 12:01 PM

Lucy

If all the festivals I went to were like Miskin they would all be great.

But Miskin would no longer be the "special" festival that it is so I don't want that to happen.

make your festival what you want it to be and if you get it right people will agree and maybe your festival will become one of the "special" ones.

Dave

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: GRex
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 12:16 PM

Mr Happy

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Rasener
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 12:18 PM

A venue that is big enough to allow all the people who have tickets to get in.

I am talking about the concerts.

Don't allow people that buy a ticket for one concert to have priority over somebody who has bought a season or weekend ticket.

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Captain Ginger
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 12:18 PM

Lithe and lissom lovelies in diaphanous dresses wiping my brow and bringing me unlimited quantities of tea.
Free beer.
Free-range egg banjoes hand-delivered by said maidens at breakfast-time.
And more of what people above have said (particularly Pattyclink).
It's not asking much, is it? ;-)

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: GRex
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 12:21 PM

Whoops. Hit the wrong key.

Mr Happy
You are a man after my own heart.Not literally of course/
                   GRex

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Rasener
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 12:21 PM

Oh and don't forget the free deodorant and spray everybody before they go in. Nothing worse than a smell of sweaty armpit LOL :-)

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: MBSLynne
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 12:33 PM

Much the same as several of the others.

Not bothered about guests generally but I do actually go to concerts at Miskin where I can see Isambarde, Vicky and Jonny, Harriet and Coleman and all my friends, many of whom are also among my favourite singers.

Mostly though, I like sings and sessions, preferably running at any time I want to go to them. Nice mix of instruments, plenty of easy tunes so that I can join in....... Good, loud chorus song sessions....

Also agree about being able to buy a camping ticket if I don't want to do anything but fringe.

Reasonably priced food and GOOD cider (Thatchers, Old Rosie etc)

NO BARKING DOGS on the campsite. No loud radios, CD players etc on the campsite. Live music is fine however, and I don't really care how late it goes on.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: GUEST,Mr Basic-Needs
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 12:50 PM

proper clean and plentifull fixed permanent toilet & shower blocks..

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Rasener
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 12:59 PM

Will folk festivals ever have pole and lap dancing?

I wonder if that would attract anybody

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 01:02 PM

We agree with Mr. Happy. There should be more "sinarounds" and "sining workshops"!

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: GUEST,Mr Irritated
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 01:04 PM

severely imposed

[by ferocious strongarm security rent-a-thugs]

BANS

on staggeringly drunk/stoned festival rave-whistle blowing miscreants..

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 01:13 PM

Fringe comprising lots of accompanied song, preferably not Irish and definitely no Irish diddly, Cajun, Zydeco, Country, C+W or Tex-Mex.

Good showers and bogs and camping or caravan parking near enough to said fringe for a fat old git to carry a 12 string, a 6 string, a mandolin, one of those drum things, and a bagful of songbooks. Mains water in easy reach.

Good cheap beer (not stout or lager or keg).

A Jamaican food stall.

Sunshine and no rain.

No bloody "Appalachian" or line-dancing.

Morris sides (if any, I'm easy about that) who dance to English music not Irish or American (unless they are Irish or American)

Blues players to be black American. Gospel singers to be black. Irish singers and players to be Irish. Scottish singers and players to be Scottish (great pipes out of doors only and not between midnight and 8 am.   No crowing cockerels. Gipsy singers to be Romany and not to be allowed anywhere near "musical" saws. Welsh and Cornish are no problem, no-one else wants to pretend to be them.

A blowjob from a slim well-spoken female would be nice too. If she turned out to be a fairy who could wave a magic wand and bring back the Nats that would be an added bonus.

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 01:19 PM

I hope your going to ask this question on a few forums. One of the things I've noticed on Mudcat is that there's a lot of people who just turn up for the free events and don't like having to buy tickets. They get ever so sniffy when they have to buy a ticket to get into a sing around. Of course the people who buy the tickets are subsidizing their free entertainment but they don't seem to mind that.

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Don Firth
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 01:32 PM

But seriously now. . . .

The first festivals I ever attended were the Berkeley Folk Festivals in 1960, 61, and 64. They started at noon on a Wednesday and lasted through Sunday. This was over the Memorial Day weekend (last weekend in May), leaving Monday (actual Memorial Day) for people from out of town to get home again for work on Tuesday.

During the day, workshops of various kinds were held. Instrumental workshops, ballad study, song collecting, you name it: just about any subject that people would be interested in. Then the evenings were devoted to concerts by the featured perfomers. Said performers consisted of people like Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger, Lightnin' Hopkins, Mississipi John Hurt, Alan Lomax, Sandy Paton, the New Lost City Ramblers, Marais and Miranda, Almeda Riddle, Joan Baez, Alice Stuart, Doc Watson, and other folk luminaries. Sam Hinton did double-duty by MCing the concerts (usually split between a couple of performers, say first half Sandy Paton, second half the New Lost City Ramblers) and acting as moderator on several of the bigger workshops.

Not all of the singers in the above list appeared at every festival, What Barry Olivier (the organizer) attempted to do was have various aspects of folk music represented. Ballad singers (Ewan MacColl), blues singers (Lightnin' Hopkins), well-known concert performers (Joan Baez or Marais and Miranda), folklorist, ethnomusicologist, or other academic (Alan Lomax or Charles Seeger), and so one. All of these people participated in whatever workshops were within their particular area of expertise, e.g., Doc Watson on country-folk and guitar techniques or Almeda Riddle, Joan Baez, Sam Hinton, and a couple of others on ballad singing. One of my particular favorites was Bess Lomax Hawes conducting a workshop on how to teach folk guitar in classes.

These were held on the University of California campus and made use of the university's facilities such as various size classrooms for workshops and concert halls or auditoriums for evening concerts. Apart from the major scheduled events (concerts, workshops), there were other events. Some of the "visiting firemen" (singers and musicians who were from out-of-town, say, such as myself, but not officially part of the festival line-up) could sign up to perform a bit (open mike style). There were private parties going on all week in various homes in the area, and plenty of informal song-swapping in stairwells, in unused classrooms, and outside around the campus.

If you didn't need sleep. . . .

This sort of thing may bust your budget, but at the Berkeley events, I don't think the Big Names got paid all that much. In fact, I got the impression that it was a flat fee for all performing participants, no matter how well-known they were.

Since they did have featured performers and the featured performers were also the ones on the workshop panels, this may sound sort of "elitist," but I don't think anyone who attended, such as myself and several other people from Seattle, found fault with this. We had plenty of informal opportunities to sing, and the whole thing was a real learning experience. Part of this was the accessibility of the featured performers. Being able to chat with Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger or attending an informal jam-session with Mississippi John Hurt, or sitting in a student lounge and talking with Charles Seeger were experiences I wouldn't trade for anything!

Folk festivals I have attended since may have been more "democratic" and allowed more participation by attendees, but they also tended to be mob-scenes, and were far less memorable than the Berkeley festivals. I came home from the Berkeley festivals dead tired, but with a head-full of new songs, new knowledge, marvelous memories, and renewed inspiration and enthusiasm.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Carol
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 02:25 PM

Hi Guest who said -
'hope your going to ask this question on a few forums. One of the things I've noticed on Mudcat is that there's a lot of people who just turn up for the free events and don't like having to buy tickets. They get ever so sniffy when they have to buy a ticket to get into a sing around. Of course the people who buy the tickets are subsidizing their free entertainment but they don't seem to mind that.'
Well I'm one of those people and I don't object in fact I expect to pay for camping and something for publicity etc. but why should I subsidise people who want to go to concerts, ceilidhs etc.
Recently I contacted a festival organiser to ask what tickets I would be expected to buy an a disabled OAP 'floor singer' who only goes to singarounds,and for a partner who only comes to the festival as my driver/carer the answer was no concessions at all and it would cost £72 for 3 nights camping and 2 season tickets, well although it might be a festival with a great atmosphere I can't justify that in effect just for me to 'have a sing' and listen to other like minded people. I hope that I would/could contribute to the atmosphere.

Then I contacted another festival organiser and there we can camp for free!! So long as we pre-book a space and buy concert tickets if we want to - all I can say is why aren't there more festivals like this??
Another 'beef'of mine is when festival organisers programme guests who wouldn't normally come anywhere near a singaround to do 20 minute spots in them - if the guests want to join in a sinaround,I should be so lucky, sorry singaround, then they can come and 'join in the circle' - I was amazed that even Sy Khan did that last year in a SAR at Beverley.
Anyhow I'm looking forward to several festival this year which won't cost me the earth and where I will be able to join in some sining!!

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: John J
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 02:26 PM

Decent ale, singarounds, fringe events, more beer, reasonable camping facilities, cask beer, singing....and the odd music session (with a harp player of course!).

John

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: melodeonboy
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 02:52 PM

No stout, Richard? I'm sure you don't include Goacher's stout on your blacklist. Mind you, Goacher's stout at folk festivals is as rare as rocking horse shit!

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Alec
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 03:00 PM

Carol my instinct would be to "Name & Shame" the organisers of the first festival you mentioned.
I would also name the organisers of the second festival so that they could have the fact that they're "doing it right" acknowledged.

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 03:12 PM

Access for disabled and toilets 2006 act.

Scooby

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 03:20 PM

T-Shirts

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Alec
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 03:24 PM

Disability Discrimination Act 1995 surely Scooby?

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: kendall
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 03:40 PM

Space to park a 33 foot motor home with electricity, and lots of "field picking".

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 04:11 PM

What ever every pub/ shop plus pubs have access to disability. I know a little of the disabled act which came into force last year but i do know what i am talking about Alec even so i made it the wrong year maybe they had introduce disabled facilities by last year.


Scooby

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Songster Bob
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 04:56 PM

What would I want?

Lots of those other things above: people I want to hear and see and make music with, good PA system, lots of options, good PA system, easy parking, good food & drink, a place to stay, good PA system, properly-chosen climate (New England in January is out, for sure), and a good PA system.

and ... a sizable paycheck.


Bob

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: danensis
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 05:07 PM

I'd like to leave with my eardrums intact.

I used to like the workshops, I learnt loads about melodeons at one, even though I shall probably never play one. I went to Artisan's voice workshop, even though I sing like a foghorn. I went to Beryl Marriotts Folk Piano workshop, even though my keyboard skills are sadly lacking.

I like concerts where each act only stays for 40 minutes. That way if they're awful you're not stuck there and if they're good you can look out for them elsewhere, or get your friends in next time they appear on the schedule.

I dislike concerts where some big name act brings in one-off ticket holders and weekend ticket holders can't get in.

I like walking past pubs and hearing folk music drifting out of the door (and once the smoking ban comes in to force I may even venture inside).

I like real ale in proper containers and not flimsy plastic beakers.

John

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: mick p r.m s.c
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 05:31 PM

Well Hawker, you got a few! ideas now. If you could meet them all every other folk fest would be defunct. Seriously every folk festival Has its own attributes and appeal. Put on the best entertainment you can, within your festivals bugget, plenty of sing-a-rounds in the right pubs,they are mostly inexpensive and everyone loves them. Dance sides are always willing to support a festival. They are good fun and liven up the streets. A good campsite as close to the main festival as poss is a huge advantage. I have learned from previous orgaizing of festivals start small, and watch that bugget. And finally a good solid festival committee is essential they are the backbone to every festival.
            
          ALL THE VERY BEST WITH YOUR VENTURE.
             Keep us informed we will be there if possible
             Mick, Royal Marine Shanty Crew.

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 07:10 PM

p.s.

regarding 'queues for the loos'on campsites, esp when bursting 1st thing in the morning - I always take along me own convenience!

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 07:17 PM

Do you prefer organised concerts, folk club style events, singarounds, music sessions.... and which, English Irish or mixed. Ceilidhs, workshops - and if workshops, what kind?
Dance craft song music particular instruments etc.

All of the above. Plus social dances, ritual dances, and song and dance from other parts of Europe, and beyond. And some story telling.
And maybe a beer festival.

That'll do for now...

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Hawker
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 08:04 PM

Well! I look away for a couple of hours and look what happens, well hopefully in time we may be able to meet some of those requests! its a case of growing something and not being too ambitious at first, but at the same time having an event thats worth turning up to. Its great to get feedback to help us plan not just for this and next year but hopefully beyond!
Villain! I will endeavour to scour the Plish and Lapland dance troups to brin you what you desire!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL
Richard Bridge the impossible I may have a crack at but I dont think I am up to miracles!
Thank you so much for your responses, I will share them with the committee - well maybe not the gratuitous sex.........................
Cheers, Lucy

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 08:14 PM

Alec, for shame yourself to ask Carol to name and shame!!
I own up I am that miserable wretch that you all love to hate. But suggest you check the backgound and the manner of approach before you judge me too harshly

Andy

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 08:26 PM

I like festivals to have some sort of local content, with local musicians and local history showcased over any visiting stars.

I'm one of the freeloader session/singaround types, I don't go to many concerts and would never go to a festival with an all-in ticket priced to cover several of them.

I prefer it when the beer is barely-drinkable chemical crap. Real ale drinkers tend to be loudmouthed bores who shout the music down, and anything that keeps them away is fine by me.

Accessibility by public transport is essential.

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 08:43 PM

Sorry Jack, I've obviously been wrong all these years...
I don't think we've ever met.

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: melodeonboy
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 06:47 AM

"Real ale drinkers tend to be loudmouthed bores who shout the music down", says Jack Campin.

Mmmmm...so presumably lager drinkers are louts, port drinkers are snobs, Diamond White drinkers are pissheads etc., etc.

Any more stale stereotypes out there?

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Scrump
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 06:54 AM

Nothing worse than a smell of sweaty armpit

Villan, you must have led a sheltered life indeed, if you think there's nothing worse than that :-)

Thank you so much for your responses, I will share them with the committee - well maybe not the gratuitous sex

Hawker: no, don't waste the gratuitous sex on them! :-)

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: GUEST,Lynn W
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 07:46 AM

I agree with Jack Campin - apart from the undrinkable beer! I go mainly for sessions but also would like interesting instrumental workshops and concerts, an informal dance e.g. Cajun or Bop till you Drop, and it's absolutely essential that the festival is in a town or village rather than greenfield as I have no car so camping is very difficult - carrying the camping gear and instruments is bad enough but I don't want to be leaving instruments unattended in a tent or carrying them round all weekend.

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 07:59 AM

Cheap camping.

Don't make all your traders and caterers pay for the fest thru pitch fees. Charge reasonable pitch fees like 10% of turnover. On the whole we're a pretty honest bunch and will help out in may was#ys if you're fair with us. Many fests do that but some are very very greedy. The big ones especially. A quiet area for we workers to get a good sleep before providing for the festies again.

Employ the Lemonade Lady.

Book www.myspace.com/shotdogs
and Howard Bragen
Sal

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Scrump
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 08:50 AM

Lynn W's somments about camping without a car touched on something that was raised in a thread about the proposed car mileage charges making it difficult for festival performers, who would not be able to leave instruments unattended in tents.

Maybe a good idea would be for festivals to provide secure lockers, available for hire for the festival duration. These would need to be big enough to accommodate guitars and other large instruments. I don't know whether such lockers exist, that could be used for festivals, or whether people already use them? Just a thought that would be worth bearing in mind, so that people camping could leave their instruments in relative safety, at least compared to a tent.

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 01:20 PM

The festivals I reall like are those with a distinct personality--Whitby Week for trad; Mystic Seaport Sea Music festival for a strong theme. Lots of workshops--and I don't mean mini-concerts. Reasonable separation of venues (it's painful to have a background of mixed Cajun and Bluegrass from nearby tents when you're trying to hear a quiet ballad.)
Adequate locations for impromptu picking and/or singing gatherings.

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 03:14 PM

No need for secure lockers as such - but a secure left-luggage facility where people can leave stuff, which can be locked any time there isn't an attendant on duty, would be pretty helpful.

Enough open-air free stuff going on to draw vistors and locals into the feeling something enjoyable is going on.

A childrens' festival of some kind - craft, workshops, family music...

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: melodeonboy
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 07:09 PM

Yes, lockers or some sort of left-luggage facility would be really helpful. As has already been mentioned, tents are not the most secure places to leave instruments. If I leave my melodeon in the car on a hot, sunny day, I run the risk of the wax melting and all the reeds dropping out. When I go to a festival by public transport, I sometimes end up carrying my instruments around with me all day, which is not ideal.

Having spent a fortune on overpriced, often sub-standard food at festivals, I try, as much as possible, to bring my own or even pop down the local shop, where possible, and make sandwiches or salads. Two rounds of cheese and onion doorstep sarnies will cost me a quid or two, be reasonably healthy, taste good, and keep me going for the whole evening (although I may meet with disapproval by anybody that I happen to breathe on!). Mrs. Wu's Chinese Delights or Abdul The Bul-Bul Amir's exotic curry may sound appealing, but generally they're not particularly tasty or nourishing, they usually cost a fiver or so, and the portions are hardly generous and then, blow me, an hour or so later you're hungry again, so you have to go and buy more. (A notable exception to this is the Indian curry stall near the smaller stage tent - on the right as you go in - at last year's Towersey festival, which did, at least serve fairly generous portions of tasty food at reasonable prices. Ironically, they said they probably wouldn't be there the following year as they did a poor trade! There's nowt as queer as folk!)

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Rasener
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 07:40 PM

Scrump
>>Nothing worse than a smell of sweaty armpit

Villan, you must have led a sheltered life indeed, if you think there's nothing worse than that :-)
<<

Well I suppose a breakfast of baked beans, luch of Vindaloo curry and a tea of fish and chips with mushy peas, followed by a belly full of real ale might be worse - in fact a real danger to all tents around :-)

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 07:49 PM

'Well I suppose a breakfast of baked beans, luch of Vindaloo curry and a tea of fish and chips with mushy peas, followed by a belly full of real ale might be worse - in fact a real danger to all tents around :-)'

In addition to above, often used to cook chilli con carne - but no more - it's deadly!

That's y I always have me own loo along!!!

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Greg B
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 08:09 PM

Egalitarianism. Festivals are not concerts. That means 'performers'
are exptected to arrive by the advertised opening times and leave
not before the end of the 'closing concert.' And they're not to
hide off in the corners, or in their hotels, or run off to another
booking in the middle of the event. They're to be in for the long
haul.

They're to eat with 'the rabble' and live in similar quarters,
show up to sessions and sing-arounds.

If they're too 'important' to do any of those things, then they
ought not to be paid to be at a festival.

The NJ Folk Project Festivals are run this way, and it's really
a nice event. Twice yearly, yet.

Odd thing is, the performers at the NJ FP Fests always come
away having gained as much as they've gived.

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Carol
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 04:47 AM

Sounds good Greg but could be a bit far to go from East Yorkshire for a weekend. Unless I win the lottery of course!

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 05:24 AM

I agree with the suggestion of traders fees. So often you get the same traders doing the same festivals because they're the only ones who can afford the extortionate fees. I no longer bother much with the Craft Tent at Towersey unless I need new sandals, because I know without looking that the stalls in it will be selling wine, woodwork, handmade shoes, leather goods, a certain brand of printed Tshirts, amber jewellery at vastly inflated prices compared with the continent and a pottery stall. There are some differences, but those 7 stalls have been at Towersey for almost as long as I have. Now it's nice to have some continuity, but variety is the spice of life!

I'd like to see variety in the food stalls too. If you attend 3 major festivals, particularly if you're in the south east/west, you get the same stalls. One year, the crepe wagon from Sidmouth turned up at Towersey and had my preferred crepe waiting for me as I got to the front of the line!

I go to a festival because I want to sing new songs, relearn old ones and maybe listen to a new act I'd never usually get to see. What I want from a festival is a challenge, something to entertain me, to encourage me and to involve me. That's easily done, isn't it?! *BG*

LTS

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 05:28 AM

A BOOKING with a FAT FEE!

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 05:55 AM

I'm with Noddy there. Give the unknowns a chance to show what they can do. Not enough festivals are adventurous enough to put on new artists. We've been struggling for years, sending cds (ha that's a waste of time) turning up for nothing at the folk club connected with the festival, being told we are just what the fest is looking for (ie something different) but do we hear anything after that? No we don't. We've even offered to run workshops, singarounds, folk clubs, but nope, nout!

Organisers take note. I was one and I made an effort, so why can't you?
Sal
www.myspace.com/shotdogs

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: GUEST,GUEST
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 06:46 AM

I want to mix with sociable people who have a sense of humour.

I want to laugh a lot and possibly cry a little - I want to be moved.

I want to see (and hear) big names, small names and no names.

I want to be entertained and I want to sing because it lifts my spirit.

TO ME THIS SOUNDS JUST LIKE A FOLK FESTIVAL

I want to avoid folk snobbery.

I don't mind buying my ticket because that is how festivals survive.

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 07:15 AM

"Give the unknowns a chance to show what they can do."

Damn, Deja vu! I thought this thread was about sessions and/or folk clubs for a moment there...

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: GUEST,Get Real
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 08:54 AM

"Give the unknowns a chance to show what they can do"

So festival organisers should sign you up because you send a CD? Is there any chance that they are making judgments as to the quality of your work or how many people will be attracted to the festival as a consequence of you appearing.

Adventurous? Or just cheap? Sounds like a short term plan to end a festival.

Stop bleating - get better or give up

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Scrump
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 09:20 AM

It's good if a festival has sessions or singarounds where 'unknowns' or just people who haven't been booked could turn up and 'show what they can do'. I'll go along with that.

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Grab
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 09:29 AM

Are you aiming for a particular focus, like all trad? If you are, stick to it. If not, as much variety as possible, in artists and in workshops.

A bit of common sense in scheduling events would be useful. Broadstairs has a great mix of stuff, but all the similar workshops always seem to be at the same time - they don't seem to have twigged that a workshop on DADGAD tuning might also appeal to the same group as a slide guitar workshop, for instance!

Trad folk people probably won't like electric folk-rock stuff in the evenings, but it's what'll bring in the "outsiders" who wouldn't otherwise come to folk events.

To be honest, most folk festivals provide decent enough entertainment and workshops. The make-or-break parts are the atmosphere and the facilities. Re atmosphere, if you can get enough people to take over the town or village, put up bunting and stuff to get that carnival feeling and fill the streets with Morris dancers, you're sorted. If you're kind of ignored by the town, it's not so easy. As for facilities, non-scuzzy. Adequate numbers of showers and loos, all clean, and all cleaned twice a day.

Longer-term, some variety between each time would be good. As Liz says, if you've got the same workshops each year, what are you going to do in the second year? But if there's something unusual that's a definite winner for people to try out (eg. bellydancing classes at Broadstairs) then it's worth keeping that going.

Graham.

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Alio
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 01:12 PM

On one of our evaluations, a nice comment said "festivals should be fun, and Saddleworth's is".

Ali

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: danensis
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 02:42 PM

I liked what they used to do at Bridgnorth, the newcomers had a tent near where you came in and out, so you always got a chance to catch somebody trying things out, and the best act got to play on the big stage in the final concert,

John

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 03:58 PM

Sally and the Shot Dogs are of course booked at Miskin at Easter
Where we give the unknown a chance to shine and the known a chance to mingle.

Andy

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 04:02 PM

And here's their clicky

Sally and the Shot Dogs

Book them!! (except over Easter )

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 03:49 AM

I think its always nice if you can have civilised shit, when you need one.
Provision for disabled people.

I like the stalls, but you don't often see terrific bargains.

a variety of trad and contemporary music.

people that you've heard about, but wouldn't drive say a hundred miles - just to see them on the off chance that might be all right.

I dislike intensely being rubber stamped, when I go out for the (hopefully) civilised shit.

enjoy the cd stalls - always buy stuff there.

I like entertainers, people who know something about the songs they are singing - and it shows when they present the songs.

Musicians who leave you thinking, I'll have a go at that when I get home. Particularly that. I never feel the ticket moneys wasted - even if I've hated the music - if I feel I've learned a bit of something. so people who kick ass a bit, when they pick up a guitar, in my case.

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 06:36 AM

We still do the 'Open Mic' tent that we had at Bridgnorth now Shrewsbury and very popular it is to. A 'winner' is picked from each session and the final winner performs on Stage. The last two winners have been booked to perform the following year. Look out for the 2006 winner Jim Molyneux and his band 4Square - a real treat!

Sandra

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 06:51 AM

'Charge reasonable pitch fees like 10% of turnover'

Sally you might want to take that up with NCAS (National Caterers Association) they recommend that you pay 25%. Now you know I don't charge you anything like that!

'A quiet area for we workers to get a good sleep before providing for the festies again'

Well you have stumped me there. If you want to be in the thick of it so that you make plenty of money you must put up with the late night noise. It wood be impossible to move the food tent for late night singing and sessions just bacause you want to go to sleep.

Sandra

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 09:22 AM

When I said 'it wood be impossible' i'm sure you know I ment would - it was nearly twood. Not sure which WOULD have been worse. I duno I can't see the wood for the trees or is that would!

Sandra

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: Scrump
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 09:34 AM

put up with the late night noise

It may be noise to you Sandra, but it's music to my ears :-)

But why not cash in on the late night sessions by flogging food to the hungry masses? After a few pints we often get a snack attack. That could be a good time to cash in, instead of kipping.

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 10:31 AM

It's definitely not noise to me. It's a word used when a complaint was made by a trader. If I wasn't so tired with organising the event I would be having a late night sing myself. I plan to do just that when I go to Moor & Coast. Roll on May!

Sandra

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: GUEST,English Jon
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 12:41 PM

...a gig please! and lots of beer and pretty girls.

Seriously, it's a big job - and finding the right mix to please everybody is very difficult.

Half of the trouble is finding suitable venues, decent sound men etc.

As for the acts, I guess it's got to be a mixture of different styles and traditions for today's market - My advice would be to only book acts that give a sense of passion for what they're doing - you don't neccesarily have to like it, but if that fire is there it's bound to be someone's cup of tea.

Good luck with it,
Cheers,
Jon Loomes

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: danensis
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 12:44 PM

Hey, pretty girls, that would be a novelty

[dives for cover]

Subject: RE: What do you want from a festival?
From: BB
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 01:27 PM

I'll go with Jon's advice on booking acts that have a sense of passion for what they're doing. I can't think of any reason for booking anyone who doesn't!

Greg B, you said, "Egalitarianism. Festivals are not concerts. That means 'performers' are expected to arrive by the advertised opening times and leave not before the end of the 'closing concert.' And they're not to hide off in the corners, or in their hotels, or run off to another booking in the middle of the event. They're to be in for the long haul. They're to eat with 'the rabble' and live in similar quarters, show up to sessions and sing-arounds. If they're too 'important' to do any of those things, then they
ought not to be paid to be at a festival."

That's all very well, but festivals in this country frequently book, at great cost, a number of 'big-name' acts for one concert each, so if you miss that concert, you miss that act. This, I believe, at the expense of the sort of acts that would happily do exactly what you are asking for. It never used to be that way, but that's certainly the way it seems to have gone in recent years.

Barbara