Whitby has never been a 'big name' fest and shouldn't be. As for not filling the Spa, it's full every night, as is the Metropole and most of the venues. In fact this year they had to find extra venues cos people were getting fed up of having to queue for 1/2 hr before hand just to get a seat. There has been a lot of 'bigging up' of the line up at the ill fated Pickering fest. Full of big names, few of which I would go to see. Sidmouth, Cambridge, Towersey and many others are a differt kind of Fest. Whitby is unique.
On the booking front this year, I understand the need to have changes but I feel that too many of the regulars were dumped in one go.
When I look at festival line ups now I take the big names with a pinch of salt, they are likely to only be on for one concert. I look at the depth of a festival line up to see how many of the other artists I would like to see because these are the ones you will get 2 3 or 4 cances to see and form the backbone of a fest. The Brian Peters, Steve Tilsons, Whalley & Fletchers, Askew Sisters, Strawheads, Marie Littles, Bob Foxs, Jez Lowes, Wilsons of this world.
Cheers
Les