Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: GUEST,Dave the Dodderer
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 06:18 PM

There was over 2000 folk!!

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: GUEST,Sonny
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 01:36 PM

Great night! but not much folk!!!

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: GUEST,MusicFestivalPhotos
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 12:40 PM

Just wish this was a week ago and I could relive the whole event again. Thanks to everyone for putting on such a wonderful spectacle that shows that Folk really is alive and well.

For those not fortunate enough to be there take a look through this gallery:

http://www.musicfestivalphotos.co.uk/bellowheadsouthbanknewyearseve2009

Hope to see everyone again in twelve months time.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: GUEST,Beau
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 12:30 PM

Yes I was there in my sailor suit as well and agree it was the best New Years party that I've ever been to.    I don't know of many acts on the folk circuit that would have had the audacity to do it but Bellowhead and friends certainly entertained us royally on NYE.      Like PercyBysshe I wish I could go back and see everything I missed [particularly the silent disco].    Highlights were the Covers [Camille O' Sullivan and Jon Boden 'fairytale of New York, Paul Sartin 'play that funky music white boy' amongst others].   

A great night I'd go to all over again

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: PercyBysshe
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 11:47 AM

I can only echo what others have said and say it was definitely the best NYE bash I have EVER been too (I usually doze off to Jools Holland). I need to go back and do it all again so that I can go to the things I missed, however I feel I got my money's worth from three Bellowhead sets (19th time I've seen them - always a joy!), a couple of Abba ceilidhs (I merely observed, but even that was very enjoyable!) and listening to Tim Fitzhigham talking about his daft projects (rowing up the Thames in a paper boat, and across the Channel in a bath). The fireworks were awesome - although I must admit to being a chicken and watching them from indoors (I was wearing a 1920s bathing belle costume - not the warmest of garments), and snow at midnight too - magical! I'm still floating on air nearly a week later. (and I NEVER say "awesome"!)

According to the schedule (still in my bag), I missed such delights as a silent disco, nautical nonsense with Tim Fitzhigham, an "Old Man's Pub" called the Lobster Pot, Sam Lee's Magpie's Nest at the Lawful Prize Casino, Folk in a Box and Boxer Shorts bingo (the mind boggles!) Spontaneous music sessions were actively encouraged too.

Huge thanks to everyone involved in making it such a memorable evening!

If any of you use Facebook, I've added my photos to the Bellowhead group, and also put a link on the Bellowhead fan page.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: GUEST,Dave the Dodderer
Date: 04 Jan 10 - 10:12 AM

Here Here.
Really incredible night.
First time I saw Bellowhead in the flesh and they blew me away. Repeatedly.
Not just the size of the band and the beautiful, massive noise they make, but also the size of the vision to orchestrate a night like this.
I think this may turn out to be one of those much talked about events that those of us who were lucky to be there will boast about for years.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: Martin S
Date: 04 Jan 10 - 06:09 AM

Just to add that this was indeed the best new year's eve I''ve ever experienced in my 49 years. Bellowhead were tremendous and the surrounding events around the centre were super. My daughter even got to sing on a floor spot. Fantastic night. Got to bed around 5:30.
And to top it all Camille O'Sulivan turned up for a song (who I'm off to see next Saturday)

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 08:08 PM

I warned you that it would be rubbish!......(Joke!)
Pleased that it went well....Just getting too old to face the crowds on the South Bank. Have done it too many times in the past.
Had a quiet meal with friends, and solved all the worlds problems. Pretty darn good in 5 hours I think!

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: mandolinman (Ollie)
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 06:09 PM

Absolutely amazing! There was so much going on and I missed most of it, but still had a brilliant time. Best NYE party ever and THE best way to celebrate my 16th! Won't be forgetting this birthday for a while! :D

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: Mavis Enderby
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 07:34 AM

Pleased to hear it was good. I'm not trying to provoke sour grapes, it's just that I think a few more well thought out, well organised, and down right fun party/gig events might well help with this.

Pete.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 07:28 AM

Following Derek - who was going and could categorically say in advance it was awful, I was up in Newcastle and I thought it was great!

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 07:23 AM

It was brilliant - best New Year's Eve I can remember. Thanks to Bellowhead for making it so special, and all the people who must have worked so hard to deck out the place.
The fringe events were not programmed so we didn't get to sing with Joanie or see Lisa Knapp or Nancy Wallace, but saw all 3 BH sets and they were all awesome - the last one the best with mostly tunes.

And the fireworks were spectacular!!

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 06:57 AM

Bah humbug, sour grapes etc. Thanks for putting up the photos Joanie, it does look like one hell of a mix of events.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: GUEST,John J
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 06:23 AM

So it was as awful as predicted then!

:-)

JJ

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 05:51 AM

Honestly? Amazing. The best NY eve I've ever had. The whole building had been animated, so there was not just Bellowhead and the Abba ceilidh, which took place in the same space - there was also a Silent Disco, an "old man's pub" that had been built especially for the occasion (complete with parasoled picnic tables outside, pub games, and a session going on inside), a Captain's Table where you could sit down and hear tales told, a "fringe" stage run by Magpie's Nest and Folklahoma that had performances and all sorts of nautical-themed silliness...it was brilliant.

The building had been dressed beautifully, with flags and strings of seagulls and big figureheads and captain's wheels and such. Lots of people were in fancy dress, others in more conventional formal attire, so they were kind of like the cruise ship passengers.

The music was fantastic. Bellowhead did a covers set before midnight that ranged from Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire to New Order to The Band's The Weight. And Jim Moray did a surprise guest spot with All You Pretty Girls - very appropriate. The Abba Ceilidh was fab - I usually never dance, but I had a very persuasive dance partner and the music was brilliant - you couldn't really help yourself!

And the firworks at midnight were just jaw-droppingly awesome, with the best vantage spot in town.

All in all, it was just the right combination of gig and party, and incredibly good fun. I've just uploaded our pictures onto facebook, and have been remembering some brilliant moments. My only criticism? The time just flew by. I didn't want it to end!

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: Mavis Enderby
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 05:20 AM

So how was it folks?

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 06:52 PM

I just have to say that I'm nearly hyperventilating with anticipation now. But at least I'm no longer sitting on my sofa, dressed as a pirate, willing it to be tomorrow.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: GUEST,gina
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 02:15 PM

desperate to get just one more returned ticket for the gig or im going to have one very disappointed guest travelling down from up north!

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 12:58 PM

Matt, this is the info from the letter we were given:

"Guest and Ticket holder Access: Important Information to pass on…
There are special arrangements for Southbank Centre on New Year's Eve as the area around Royal Festival Hall has restricted access from approximately 8pm. After that time police cordons will be in place and you will only be able to get access to our site if you show your ticket. At approx 10pm the cordon will be sealed, after which no-one will be allowed access to the site. This is in the
hands of the police and if there is overcrowding this could happen earlier. Please try to get all guests on site before 8pm when the crowding begins to back up."

There's a lot going on inside the RFH besides the mainstage stuff, including a full Magpie's Nest/Folklahoma programme and song and instrumental sessions, but it looks like access is restricted to ticket-holders.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: Martin S
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 06:16 AM

Just had a great result and have picked up three tickets for tomorrow nights new year party. (There were some available via the southbank centre web site this morning.
The advice on the tickets is to arrive by eight oclock at the latest as police will secure the area after this time and access to the southbank can not be guaranteed.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: mattkeen
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 05:59 AM

Exactly!

That will be great - but whole thing topped off if we can see some music too

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: Surreysinger
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 11:46 AM

Well there's always the firework display Matt!!

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: mattkeen
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 11:32 AM

Is there anything else going on outside the Festival Hall etc related to the Bellowhead gig? (or any other folk type activities for that matter)

Had hoped it might be worth hanging around the South Bank on New Years Eve, now I haven't got a ticket for the gig.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 11:26 AM

I'm going as well, so I can categorically say how awful it will be...
Derek

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 09:14 AM

Well...I thought it was dreadful...All the wrong acts, singing the wrong songs, in the wrong keys. In the wrong environment, wearing innapropriate costumes, Apalling make-up....And those Hats? and those Cravats?
Do these so called folkies have no shame?
I could do a jolly sight better on my own. Thank you very much!

Ralph (pedants re-united) Jordan.

And I haven't even seen it yet!
(Will that do?)

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: Mavis Enderby
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 10:56 AM

You not having a whinge "possibly before it even happens" then Folknacious?

I can see where you are coming from but there's no need to sow the seeds...

Pete.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: Folknacious
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 10:42 AM

PS I make that £110,000 spent on tickets for a folk gig. It would seem that folk is, as has been stated elsewhere, definitely bucking the recession.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: Folknacious
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 10:39 AM

Wish they'd tevize it so we could join in :)

Heaven forbid, then there'd automudically be another lengthy whingethread saying how bad it was, just like followed this week's TV special!

Probably there'll be one anyway, from the people who didn't go but have formed an opinion about it. Possibly before it even happens.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 09:33 AM

Wish they'd tevize it so we could join in :)

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 09:22 AM

Found out only yesterday I'm going. I am so chuffed!

Subject: RE: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: Rasener
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 08:42 AM

Wish I was there

Subject: Bellowhead New Year's Eve Party
From: GUEST,Old Mick the Folkie
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 08:39 AM

It seems the Bellowhead New Years Eve Party at the Southbank has sold out - all 2200 tickets. Well done guys - way to go!! Unfortunately I'll not be there but hope you all have a great night.