But Bartle, ones experience at a festival is as much the fringe events as the 'official'.
People come, buy their tickets, listen to some of the acts, then go and make music on the fringe. If it wasn't for the participatory side of things the festival would have no life, it would just be a concert series. And if a particular festival was made memorable by a good session or sing-around, then it will be disappointing if that doesn't happen.