Lorient festival experiences?

Subject: Lorient festival experiences?
From: GUEST,Clockwatcher
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 07:43 AM

Just wondering ...

Anyone here got any experience of attending (not being booked at) the Lorient festival in Brittany?

E.g. does it have its own camping/caravanning are or do you have to make your own arrangements?

Does it have tune sessions or song (hopefully anglophone friendly) sessions, or is it mostly concerts.

Etc. etc.

I.e. is it like a British festival or is it hard to get your head round it?

Any information over & above what's on their website gratefully received.

Subject: RE: Lorient festival experiences?
From: sian, west wales
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 08:22 AM

I haven't been, although I know some of the organizers and many groups who have played there. I had very good reports back from this year's events. There are apparently a LOT of sessions, as well as the concerts, receptions, etc. I don't think that the majority of artists who I know, and who have gone, are French or Breton speakers and this doesn't seem to be a problem. I also get the impression that Lorient makes more of an effort than some festivals to acknowledge that 'celtic' is more than Irish/Scottish.

On the down side, someone once told me that they felt that it was getting a bit too alcohol-centric ... but I haven't heard that repeated so don't know whether it holds water (or alcoholic beverage of your choice).

siân

Subject: RE: Lorient festival experiences?
From: GUEST,Clockwatcher
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 11:24 AM

Thanks, Sian, west wales.
Anyone else???

Subject: RE: Lorient festival experiences?
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 11:43 AM

Some one I know who went told me that, apart from the parade of nations, it was very much behind closed doors. I suppose he didn't find the session mentioned by Sian although he did find one out of town.

Subject: RE: Lorient festival experiences?
From: GUEST,Top Cat
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 11:59 AM

It's one of the biggest celtic music festivals in the world and has a superb range of concerts and venues. Enjoy!

Subject: RE: Lorient festival experiences?
From: JohnB
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 01:35 PM

Closest I got was hearing a track from a CD played on CBC radio in Canada, it made me want to go to the festival though.
"Nike"(just do it) JohnB

Subject: RE: Lorient festival experiences?
From: sian, west wales
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 12:01 PM

Is anyone going this coming week? I'll be there from Saturday to Wednesday.

sian

Subject: RE: Lorient festival experiences?
From: Declan
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 08:03 PM

I went there a couple of times. I found the camp site quite rough, but it is over 15 years ago, so things might have changed. Having said that I thoroughly enjoyed the festival with a good mix of sessions and formal gigs. There was a lot of alcohol, which at the time contributed to my enjoyment. There was lots of cheap beer and spirits in the big supermarket beside the campsite. which we availed of to a large extent at the time. Enjoy it.

Subject: RE: Lorient festival experiences?
From: sian, west wales
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 12:00 PM

I intent to. I'se bagged me a Gold Pass and I'm assured that my hand will never have to go in my pocket for the duration ...

I shall, however, keep in mind that the worst hangover I EVER suffered was at a film festival in Brittany. I thought I would die, unloved, unshriven and in a foreign country. I shall try to learn from the experience ...

sian

Subject: RE: Lorient festival experiences?
From: 8_Pints
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 06:07 PM

We went in the late eighties but were pretty inexperienced festival goers at that time.

All concerts were individually booked and I don't think week-end season tickets were available.

There were late night bar sessions but as we were staying some 15 miles distant and had kids in tow, we didn't stay too late.

The highlight was 'Bagad Kemper' that we encountered practising in a glade in the park. They were mind-blowing and went on to win the final of the bagpipe competition. Not only did they feature the usual bombards , highland pipes, snare drums, breton pipes, but also bongos!

Have a great time!!!

Bob vG

Subject: RE: Lorient festival experiences?
From: GUEST,Jack Campin
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 06:20 PM

A friend of mine went many years ago, with a companion who thoroughly overdid it. Realizing that he was too insensible to notice anything, his pals carried him in his bed downstairs and left him in the middle of a square. Which was the venue for a bagad parade early the next morning...

Subject: RE: Lorient festival experiences?
From: GUEST,blaster^
Date: 02 Aug 06 - 03:04 AM

I read here a lof of ppl 'heard of' ,' in the past years' .. what I can say is that Lorient Festival is one the 5 biggest on here in France (yes I'm french and Britan). My parents live 5km away from Lorient and I NEVER NEVER miss the opportunities to visit them during Lorient Festival. For ppl wanting to go there and camp, I suggest you to go a little around Lorient. There is a lot of camping available around ( by exemple http://www.ploemeur.com/modules/cartographie/hebergement.php?id=3-5-6-11-12) and beside the Festival, there is also a lot of attractions around like Festou-noz or night market or traditional britan stuff. At the Festival, you can get free dance celtic course, there is daily festou-noz, concerts and so on. If you like celtic culture, you MUST do it one time at least

Subject: RE: Lorient festival experiences?
From: GUEST,richy
Date: 02 Aug 06 - 05:58 AM

will be there on friday camping with my wife and two sons and a borsini see you there we are from inverness