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What's happened to Sidmouth?
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: Ruth Archer Date: 07 Mar 11 - 03:11 AM Thank you, Joe - and as I pointed out on the other Sidmouth thread, there is no one called "Chris Porter" on our customer database, despite his claims of having attended the festival for the past 37 years. It would appear I was taken in by a troll. Sorry, folks. |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: Steve in Sidmouth Date: 07 Mar 11 - 04:57 AM It is not at all necessary to be a PA engineer to criticise an outcome that is clearly and manifestly damaging. Do you need to be a banker to criticise their herd behaviour, knowing the outcomes? Take the recent Tickled Pink ceilidh in Exeter. The first half was OK - sound level bearable if a little on the loud side, so it was perfectly within the abilities of the engineer and his equipment to produce a comfortable level. But in the second half we get ear-damage levels. WHY? Just because he and/or the band decided to do so. Quite simple never to have turned it up. There is such a thing as a master volume control although (of course) it's not as simple as just turning it down. You'd need to rebalance because of the non-linear response of the ear to different frequencies as the overall sound level changes. Like I said, Sidmouth just seems to have a particular problem and maybe it's the obsession with attracting 'yoof' - it certainly has had the effect of decreasing the number of full price season tickets sold to dance oriented people. But I didn't expect a rational debate on here! If Joe Offer could confirm that none of my posts come from the same IP as those from the two other people that would be neat! But of course, it is possible to disguise the source by using proxy and masking servers - I even refer to these in my article on folk dance clubs! In all the NOISE you might have forgotten the link - here it is again. discussion of folk dance clubs, dance at Sidmouth etc.
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: Folkiedave Date: 07 Mar 11 - 05:48 AM I have never had problems with the sound at Sidmouth. At other festivals possibly. But it is rarely the fault of the engineer, usually the band wants it that loud. Put yourself in the place of the engineer. The band wants it turned up. You are simply a minion operating the equipment. Now what do you do? Incidentally when Tickled Pink went for acceptable to too loud did that not need rebalancing? |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: GUEST,Ralphie Date: 07 Mar 11 - 07:36 AM Who'd be a bloody sound engineer Eh? Damned if you do, damned if you don't, Did the reunion gig last week for the Electropathics in Poynton. because of the length of the hall, It was too quiet at the back! Yes, I could have installed extra speakers with all the delay lines/amps and cabling needed, but the gear wouldn't have fitted in a Nissan Micra. The recording is really rather good, and the audience seemed to enjoy it. I would just suggest again to the critics like Steve, or whatever other persona you are inhabiting at the moment...You bloody well do it. a 14 hour day, hours of driving, no breaks. no food. trying desperately to get the bands equipment to work. All for 30 quid. And you get the delight of the Derig....Deep Joy!. Go on....You do it. I'm getting angry now, How dare you, who knows nothing, criticise people who spend their lives crawling around finding dodgy buzzy cables, normally in the dark, and the gig is supposed to start in 5 minutes. And then you get a pompous git, coming up and saying half way through that "It's not as good as the album." Sorry for the rant. But I get really annoyed sometimes with the lack of awareness of audiences. You bloody try it....I'll come and laugh. |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: GUEST,mattkeen Date: 07 Mar 11 - 09:30 AM I have always found the sound at Sidmouth to be very very good. Ralph is an excellent sound man with the track record to prove |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: GUEST,mattkeen Date: 07 Mar 11 - 09:32 AM ....it (Sorry) |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: GUEST,Deaf R's Date: 07 Mar 11 - 12:39 PM Who'ld be a sound engineer? Someone who doesn't mind their hearing suffering and can't tell it has. You want names of hearing impaired sound engineers? Ah! MAybe they would like being named, they are in denial. Maybe some are lucky and chose their parents well. Or maybe they just turn up the volume and say "problem, what problem?" Who knows? The guy with the sound meter. 108 db at the sound desk, 118 at the stage and the legal limit (for staff including stewards but not audience!) 98 db - and the difference? about 8 times the power (ish). Ask me where it was measured and I will tell you. TP were on stage though. |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: Steve in Sidmouth Date: 07 Mar 11 - 04:25 PM I have been thinking for some time that a sound meter might be a good idea. There has been some recent Press comment about youngsters having their hearing permanently damaged through visiting loud 'rock' concerts (I use the term 'rock' loosely). Having young children in these venues surely constitutes child abuse? I've seen them placed near the speakers while mummy dances the night away! In contrast to the nonsense H&S issues that I've known local councils and the police expend time on - here is a serious issue. It is certainly true that the location of measurement is important. The sound desk can be some distance from speakers and some distance from where dancers need to be (even if they didn't start the dance near the speakers). So the logical place for the legal maximum is a location where people may need to be even if they didn't start out there. I saw sound level meters at Bulverton some years ago - on the sound desk maybe 5 or 7 metres from the nearest speakers. Time for a few measurments maybe? Any advice anyone can give re: the legal framework for this would be appreciated. Do the maxima in these venues apply only to 'workers' (including stewards? My friends and I (all good dancers) are becoming rather tired of having to select ceilidhs on the basis of which might not be too loud for any sane person to enjoy. I can well recall (and it is somewhere on my website) the morons from East Devon District Council who measured sound levels in the winter along the A3052 (when there was no traffic) in order to extrapolate these to peak summer conditions. I can even recall walking past one of these dolts sitting in a garden - I asked him what he was doing - SHHHH he said - we're measuring sound levels of the road. Not a car in sight mind. Morons? Yep. Science graduates? Yep. |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: GUEST,Ralphie Date: 07 Mar 11 - 04:28 PM Well....I'm 56 years old 33 of them at the BBC, and have done some of the loudest stadium gigs known....Heavy Metal et al. Just before I retired, I had the annual hearing check (BBC health and safety rules) 20/20....No problem. So your point being? You really don't like Tickled Pink do you? I think they are rather quiet compared to Napalm Death, or Melt Banana....or Motorhead Now they are REALLY scary, volume wise. I think you should get over your prejudice, and indeed get a life. |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: Mrs.Duck Date: 07 Mar 11 - 04:47 PM Now a Motorhead ceilidh could be fun :-) |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: WalkaboutsVerse Date: 07 Mar 11 - 05:03 PM "England became multicutural a very long time ago and for all the whining to the contrary, it will always be so, David" (BTNG): one of the few things I agree with David Cameron on is that "state multiculturalism has failed"; and one of many things I disagree with Tony Blair, from Scotland, on is that "we don't want a return of English nationalism" - we do BUT without imperialism, this time; and we do want a large portion of (un-Americanised) English folk at our festivals - with some guests performing the folk music of their nations (as before). When people lose their own culture, society suffers; or in verse - http://walkaboutsverse.webs.com/#209 |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: Folkiedave Date: 07 Mar 11 - 05:26 PM Since you are clearly a knowledgeable man Walkabout with opinions based on fact rather than the Daily Mail, which festivals have you been to in the past few years and in particular how many Sidmouth Festivals? Last year I was at Sidmouth and went to the Travellers concert, the Yorkshire concert, Nic Jones, Roy Bailey and never a foreigner in sight. Previous years have been different of course. Which ones did you go to? |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: Steve in Sidmouth Date: 07 Mar 11 - 06:06 PM Tickled Pink at a sane volume were quite enjoyable at a recent Exeter ceilidh. Their recent interview by Joan Crump in EDS made clear they like to be known as the loudest - so hence they are, for me, confirmed as generally one to be avoided. Others I avoid because the music is just not very danceable. I could give you an opinion on Toothless Mary but you'd get annoyed about that too. Florida I avoid because they do jazz (simply don't like it, matter of choice) and they are rather loud too. Musical tastes differ, but levels of sound sufficient to cause hearing damage are more a matter for some effective regulation. There are precedents of course for protecting people from their own stupidity - crash helmets for example, discouraging smoking, but the State should not interfere too much. Just seems a pity to me (and others) that Sidmouth has moved so far away from danceable ceilidhs and towards what I would term just a bloody loud noise in overcrowded venues. Just too much emphasis on yoof as the target market, but here we are going over old ground. It occurred to me recently why I enjoyed the recent IVFDF ceilidhs so much (excluding TP of course) - excellent sound and yet you could still talk to people in the hall. Quite a novelty. Maybe Sidmouth should try it - break new ground, be innovative. A ceilidh used to be an event for dancing and talking to people after all! It would have to be marketed as trendy of course. |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: Surreysinger Date: 07 Mar 11 - 06:23 PM >>Motorhead Now they are REALLY scary, volume wise. Having sat through half a Motorhead gig at the Meltdown Festival at the Royal Festival Hall a couple of years ago (freebie tickets as a result of performing in a gig just before them that night) I will agree with that . Two numbers in (after volumes well in excess of Tickled Pink levels), Lemmy got the house lights up and enquired if it was loud enough. The headbangers decided it wasn't and the whole thing got cranked up 100%. As a result not only the floor and the walls were vibrating, but every single organ in my body. I couldn't hear when I left the hall half way through, and had problems for the next few days! Now, having sat through a Tickled Pink evening at Godalming a couple of years or so before that I have to say that they are pussy cats by comparison .. I had no hearing problems on the way home! As to a Motorhead ceilidh - I think I might pass on that one. |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: s&r Date: 07 Mar 11 - 06:39 PM David. Do stop hijacking threads to push your own agenda. When you say 'we don't want...yada yada yada..." you don't speak for anyone except perhaps the English National Party. Listening to the BBC is not quite experiencing a festival... Stu |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: Folkiedave Date: 08 Mar 11 - 04:44 AM @ Stu. You mean he hasn't been to Sidmouth. Well I never. Reminds me of a concert at Sidmouth last year. Derek Schofield said summing up a mudcat discussion: "Those who weren't there thought it was poor, and those who were there thought it was great". |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: GUEST,Ralphie Date: 08 Mar 11 - 05:50 AM Dave. Absolutely right. Those who know nothing, and worse have never attended an event, are the worst critics. Those that role up their sleeves, get involved, and actually create the festival, sometimes voluntarily, know exactly how much hard work is involved. from the artistic director, to the camp site wardens. All of whom are equally important. I just get really annoyed when people who commit nothing to what is, you have to admit, an enourmous undertaking, with all the financial risks involved, turn round and say "you're doing it wrong" OK then...Go out there and do your own festival. And if you don't like one particular festival. bugger off and go to another. There are still plenty of them around...although a couple have bit the dust this year. Sidmouth survives because a lot of people go to it. and pay good money to be entertained. And. Blimey, most come back every year as well! The contributors to this thread who criticise and carp, go somewhere else then. You won't be missed I promise you. Ralph (the moronic cloth-eared sound engineer who works at the festival for nothing) Jordan |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: Steve in Sidmouth Date: 08 Mar 11 - 06:10 AM That was probably the most illogical comment to date. I've been a steward for several years, I attend many festivals, paying to go to most of them. I've just booked five! Either as a casual punter, as a steward or as a paying season ticket holder I and anyone else is entitled to express an opinion. The internet just makes it easier to share views. If you'd bothered to read my website (tedious in places I know) it commends the festival management for having brought Sidmouth back to life after the final Steve Heap year. But that doesn't mean there are some things that I (and many others) think could be done better or differently. Presumably, you'd take the view that as you've never been a banker earning (?) £3 million a year you have no right to comment on how they do their jobs, or on the consequences of a particular mode of operation or set of values? |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: The Sandman Date: 08 Mar 11 - 06:11 AM Ralph[ good concertina player]Jordan |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: GUEST,lively Date: 08 Mar 11 - 06:18 AM Am I the only one (probably) who finds this repetitive characterisation of younger people as "yoof" derogatory and ageist, not to mention irritating? Perhaps it's a positive thing that old wrinklies aren't being granted a complete monopoly in folk festivals and that some consideration is being given to younger audiences who might also be interested in sharing in this music. Does folk and traditional music only belong to coffin dodgers? Because if so, then audiences for folk and traditional music will be likely dry up rather swiftly in the not too distant future, which might be a shame? |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: Steve in Sidmouth Date: 08 Mar 11 - 06:25 AM Nothing wrong with the young people at IVFDF - delightful and splendid dancers. Not a drunken layabout in sight - not that I saw anyway. To return to our esteemed sound engineer and his suggestion that people should go elsewhere if they don't like what is on offer, this reminded me of the Britain in Bloomers in Sidmouth who tried to tell me which types of plants I should grow in my own garden - and that if I didn't like their views I should leave town - they even wrote a letter to the newspaper to say I should leave!! Didn't do them much good though - it just got Britain in Bloom more unwelcome publicity than it had ever had before, except perhaps from Sir Roy Strong. wild gardening - in the years before it became acceptable It's a very old section of my website, probably half the links no longer work. Too much else to do..... |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: The Sandman Date: 08 Mar 11 - 06:27 AM I dont know about Motorhead ceilidhs, but I reckon mortorbike ceilidhs might be fun. |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: GUEST,Ralphie Date: 08 Mar 11 - 06:39 AM lively...Hear hear! as someone approaching his dotage, It's great to see events being arranged for younger people. The work that Laurel Swift and many others do, with Shooting Roots and other events has been inspirational over many years. Long may it continue. As for this Steve/Chris Porter bloke (or whatever he's calling himself today...Yes, you have been rumbled) I totally agree with Brian Peters who earlier said, "Why start a thread with this title, if it's not going to be construed as having a pop" I don't know what your agenda is, but, you obviously don't approve of how the festival is run. Sorry mate. Thats your problem. Don't see many others agreeing with you. If you have a problem with any aspect of the running of any festival, take it up with the organisers directly. Joan has made it perfectly clear how she can be contacted provately. Spleen venting on a public forum doesn't really help, unless it's just an ego trip.... That's just my opinion BTW |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: GUEST,Spleen Cringe Date: 08 Mar 11 - 07:22 AM Spleen venting on a public forum Don't vent me, Ralphie! It really, really hurts! Ouch! No! Stopppit! Gerroff! |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: GUEST,Ralphie Date: 08 Mar 11 - 07:54 AM Mr Cringe... Stop taking it personally! I'm dealing with wankers here....Go away! |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: Folknacious Date: 08 Mar 11 - 09:05 AM I'm dealing with wankers here....Go away! Thank you Mr Ralphie sir for improving my lunch break, even if I now have to remove the coffee spray from my monitor. Yes, what a lot of them. Is there a collective noun? I'm entirely with you on the beleif that rather than sitting on bums and moaning, people should go out and do something positive, including learning what they're talking about. How many of the anti-Sidmouth and Heap/Crumpbashers on here have actually run a festival, including taking the financial responsibility for it. Sitting at home playing "Fantasy Festival Bills" is no substitute. And next time our top moaner thinks a band is "too loud" - before you take this advice and toddle off and start a ceilidh series for shrinking violets, try looking at the hundreds of people enjoying dancing to the "loud" band and try to work out what you and your minority handful of miserable git cronies are missing. Also try accepting the radical idea that people are allowed to have different tastes and not everything can be done your way all the time. One of the reasons the 60's English folk scene (and 70's punk that followed it) took off and enjoyed such big growths was that people found they weren't being catered for by the establishment so they went off and started their own clubs, bands, fanzines and so on, rather than sitting around moaning. Some learned how to do it very well. What's the expression, "put up or shut up"? Yes Ralphie, w***ers! |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: WalkaboutsVerse Date: 08 Mar 11 - 09:21 AM So far, Folkiedave, I've only attended festivals in N.E. England (all folk - exept Newcastle's Green Festival, where I, myself, performed a self-penned folk song and folk-poetry, as an amateur), reachable by public transport, on a Saturday - the list is on this page, if you wish to check. |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: Jack Campin Date: 08 Mar 11 - 10:10 AM Lemme see. At Whitby there are about four Irish sessions going on simultaneously every night, and the Middle Earth has people doing anything from country to calypso to klezmer. Not an ideal place for a Little Englander. Heck, last year they even had Martin Wyndham-Read doing Australian stuff most of the week. So does the North-East have any ethnically pure festivals that would meet WAV's requirements? If so please let me know so I can avoid them. (BTW I think Whitby oughta book Jani Lang's band. It's not too far for them to come, Hungarian dance is easy to pick up, and their caller is terrific). |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: Will Fly Date: 08 Mar 11 - 10:14 AM I, myself, performed a self-penned folk song Discuss. Ad nauseam. |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: GUEST,Ebor_fiddler Date: 08 Mar 11 - 10:20 AM As far as I'm concerned, as another Northerner, the only thing wrong with Sidmouth is that it's too far away for me to access easily. I managed to get the year before last and I was blown away by the dance facilities. The only stuff of a like class raound here is the Ryburn Threestep programme - and that's forty miles away. Mind, the eighty mile round trip is worth it! Is there any chance of loosing Sidmouth, towing it through the Dover Strait and anchoring it somewhere off Spurn Point? |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: GUEST,Ralphie Date: 08 Mar 11 - 10:30 AM Folknacious... Thank You so much...I thought I was going mad dealing with these fools. Only you and Dave Eyre jumped into the pond! You don't know just how much I agree with you. I so wish that I could see these near do wells try and run a feastival, from bogs to concerts...and everything in between, campaing, catering, security, dealing with the local police, council, not a job I would attempt! Thank you for your support! |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: Old Vermin Date: 08 Mar 11 - 10:55 AM From: VirginiaTam - "Even if you only fringe, no one can deny that some of those sessions are made more special by the dropping in of "big time" artists." Ah, yes. I treasure the memory of wandering round into a back room in the Bedford round midnight after the close of the day's formal concerts. Sat down next to John Tams and Barry Coope to hear fiddles, boxes & co start on Foul Weather Call and probably the Morpeth Rant, etc. Fi Fraser leading, probably her sister and some Stradlings. Just so damn' good - spirited, loud and precise. Great. |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: Steve in Sidmouth Date: 08 Mar 11 - 11:28 AM We could actually do something useful here folks! I hope Joan/Ruth is listening....... In my post of this date: Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: Steve in Sidmouth - PM Date: 07 Mar 11 - 04:57 AM I asked Joe Offer to confirm that none of my posts came from the same IP address(es) as those from 'Chris Porter' or Steve Thomas' or whatever names he/she/they used on Mudcat. JOE OFFER HAS CONFIRMED THIS - see his comment in red below my post. Now, most of you techie people will know that IP numbers are rotated and randomly associated at each computer/router switch-on. This is (in part) to help prevent 'sniffer' programs targetting a specific PC and was standard during the days of dial-up modems in the UK. Broadband connections seemed to be PC specific for a time but are now roaming albeit within the allocated block. So I doubt very much if the IP numbers recorded against ALL the posts from 'Chris Porter' (et al) were the same - unless his/their computer(s) were switched on all the time so maintaining the connection OR they were using a dedicated IP address which would imply a large organisation rather than a home based typical broadband PC connection. I have logged the IP connection I am using at the moment - (different from the one yesterday but the first few digits are the same as you would expect).
-Joe Offer- So, would Joe Offer like to send me an email (to my registered address on hotmail.com) confirming what he thinks the IP is I am using now, and I'll say if he's got it right. Then, if he would care to divulge the IP address(es) used by 'Chris Porter' (et al) we could have some fun trying to locate he/she/them. Probably not possible unless you were the police but interesting to plough through the databases nonetheless. |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: theleveller Date: 08 Mar 11 - 11:33 AM Sorry, I think I must be missing the point here. From what some people have written, it seems that every year they are ambushed by the Sidmouth organisers, taken to the festival against their wills and tortured and robbed. I think it should be pointed out that Sidmouth – or any festival for that matter – is not compulsory. If you don't like it, for whatever reason, don't go. I like the idea of Sidmouth but as it's too far and too expensive I go to festivals that are cheaper and more convenient – festivals that I know I'm going to enjoy! I've only ever been to one festival that I didn't like and that was Towersey so, hey, guess what? Yup, I haven't been again. It really is that simple. |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: Folkiedave Date: 08 Mar 11 - 11:53 AM So far, Folkiedave, I've only attended festivals in N.E. England But you feel free to comment on others that you have not been to, to comment on their cultural nature etc. etc..... Wow!! I wished I was that clever. |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: WalkaboutsVerse Date: 08 Mar 11 - 12:45 PM "ethnically pure festivals that would meet WAV's requirements" (Jack)...twice above I gave my opinion that, at English folk festivals, e.g., it's good to have (along with a large portion of English folk) SOME GUESTS PERFORM THE FOLK MUSIC AND DANCE OF THEIR NATIONS - as I know happened at Sidmouth, via (as mentioned above) the 50th Sidmouth BBC highlighs - even without having actually attended one, Folkiedave. Admittedly, what has happened at Sidmouths since I can only fathom from websites, such as the one we are on now. |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: MikeofNorthumbria Date: 08 Mar 11 - 12:47 PM There isn't much I can add to this discussion, but for what it's worth here's my two penn'orth. In the last decade and a half, I've attended six Sidmouth Folk Weeks. On every programme, there were many events I probably wouldn't have enjoyed. But that didn't trouble me in the least, as there were so many that I did want to attend. The biggest problem was always choosing between two (or more)equally desirable things happening at the same time. As if that weren't enough, Sidmouth also provided many unexpected bonuses … informal sessions and sing-arounds that were pure magic … workshops I was drawn into by casual curiosity and walked out of with helpful ideas … chance encounters with acquaintances I hadn't seen for years … and much more besides. So, barring accidents, I'll be back this summer for another week. And it goes without saying that I'm grateful to the good people who put in so much hard work to make it all happen. But although it goes without saying, I'll say it anyway. Thank You Very Much! However, that doesn't mean that the festival is so perfect that it's beyond criticism. Admittedly, some of the feedback on this thread has been peevish and small-minded, and I sympathise with members of the Sidmouth team who feel tempted to say "if you don't like our festival, try organising your own". But some critics do have a valid point – particularly on the issue of noise levels. Whether any band is aesthetically "good" or "bad" is a subjective matter. But whether or not a band is loud enough to damage the hearing of the audience (and of the musicians) is an objective question. To answer it there are measuring instruments, and health and safety guidelines. Saying "if you're not a professional sound engineer, you don't have a right to complain" is not an adequate answer. Excessive noise may not be as lethal as passive smoking, but it can still do us serious harm - ask Pete Townsend. So, I would suggest that the festival team keep this matter under review. Meanwhile, I would advise the principal antagonists to calm down a bit, and maybe have a (quiet) pint or two. Wassail! |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: Steve in Sidmouth Date: 08 Mar 11 - 01:13 PM Thank you for that! |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: Ruth Archer Date: 08 Mar 11 - 01:33 PM A couple of points, and then i will disappear again. "I sympathise with members of the Sidmouth team who feel tempted to say 'if you don't like our festival, try organising your own'. But some critics do have a valid point – particularly on the issue of noise levels." Hi Mike, I believe Ralph, in his heated defense of the festival, was speaking for himself as an individual. He was not speaking on behalf of the festival, or in fact our technical team. "Whether any band is aesthetically "good" or "bad" is a subjective matter. But whether or not a band is loud enough to damage the hearing of the audience (and of the musicians) is an objective question. To answer it there are measuring instruments, and health and safety guidelines." This is absolutely true. There is also the issue of venue licencing, which the festival takes extremely seriously. We have strict sound limits imposed by the council and we DO NOT exceed them. Our Technical Director can be found most nights in or around the Bulverton with a sound meter, or sitting in his car at various locations nearby, checking sound levels. We have neighbours who are very sensitive to noise infringements, which is another reason for the vigilance. The local authority is extremely careful about excessive noise, and we would not want to jeopardise our currently excellent relationship with either them or the local community by flouting the sound limits. In fact, Silent Disco as an event was first staged in 2009 in order to help us work within the strict local noise restrictions on Sunday nights. I hope this is helpful. Joan Crump |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: VirginiaTam Date: 08 Mar 11 - 01:42 PM The problem is that one specific person keeps creating detractor threads or weighing in negatively on threads about Sidmouth folk week. It has become pretty clear that he has a very significant chip on his shoulder. To me (last year was my first Sidmouth) this negativity is tiring but it won't change my opinion of the festival. I think it is wonderful. However, the negativity could be off putting to potential newbies on this forum who may be trying to find out about the festival. As Ruth has repeatedly pointed out. Feed your concerns and observations through the proper channels and stop dissing everything here where it does the most damage and least good. |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: GUEST,folkiedave Date: 08 Mar 11 - 01:50 PM But then no-one would see you! |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: GUEST,Ralphie Date: 08 Mar 11 - 02:18 PM Just to confirm Ruths statement, I was indeed speaking as a mere functionary, and not representing the views of the Sidmouth management...I'm not part of that side of the festival...I get asked to help out with PA, because they know me, and I'm useful... My gripe is with people out there who with no good reason brand me, and other volunteers who work at Sidmouth (and indeed other festivals) as " Morons" It's unpleasant and insulting to a group of very hard working people who give up their time voluntarily to provide a service for the smooth running of the festival. Anyway, If you want it quiet, Sidmouth provides the only Silent Ceilidh around...You won't get quieter than that. Mu views are mine and mine alone. Am still waiting for an apology from various posters, who really should avoid me this summer. Even Morons have long memories. |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: Herga Kitty Date: 08 Mar 11 - 02:21 PM Folknacious - I think the collective noun is "bunch", on the basis that the collective noun for bankers is "wunch".... Kitty |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: GUEST,Ralphie Date: 08 Mar 11 - 02:28 PM And specifically to Mike of Northumbria. (of whom I have read good stuff from in the past) Doing PA is called balancing for a reason....If you've got a ridiculously noisy drummer or an enourmous guitar rig, then what can you do except blance evryone else in the band so that it's "balanced". I did a ceilidh once, won't mention the bands name, and had people complaining that the drummer was too loud.....Even when I pointed out that all the drum mics were faded out, for exactly the same reason...I still got the blame! "Turn the drums down" They'd cry...Well give me a 12 bore and I'll solve your problem.. ! Sometimes you just have to go with the situation, but, I maintain that until you've tried to do it yourself, you will never understand the amount of hassles that sound crews have to go through, both from the band and also the audience... I refer you once again to the Facebook group "Don't Piss Off The Sound Guy" |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: WalkaboutsVerse Date: 08 Mar 11 - 02:28 PM ...ceilis in Ireland, ceilidhs in Scotland, and English country dances in England. |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: VirginiaTam Date: 08 Mar 11 - 02:35 PM I have an idea... since guest Chris Porter the OP has not returned to the thread since he was outed by Joe Offer, why not just let this thread die a natural death? |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: GUEST,Selby Date: 08 Mar 11 - 02:43 PM is not the point in all this that the oranisers of Sidmouth who like every organiser of every festival have my undying admeration. organise a festival. if you want to go, you pay the price, they ask if you dont want to do that don't go. if you like the guest list go if you dont then dont but please stop whinging and i have never been to sidmouth |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: GUEST,Ralphie Date: 08 Mar 11 - 02:46 PM Here is just one of pages an pages of stuff from the Facebook group. Mainly US but situations I have witnessed over here. (American Contributor) I have four pet hates. 1. "I want an SM58". No, trust me, my AKGs are loads better for most singers. I even carry a fake SM58 that sounds like shit so I can put it up to prove my point to the expert vocalist. When it's the drummer wants an SM58 in his kick drum rather than my Beta52 I get quite cross. 2. "I want kick drum in the monitors". No you don't. You are standing right by the drumkit. Moreover, most monitors don't have the LF to reproduce kick drum anyway, all you are going to do is add distortion and probably rip the little 10" speaker (even if it is a 500 watt one) off its suspension. 3. "Can the monitors go any louder?" Sister, you have got over 2 kilowatts in the monitors. That's more than Hawkwind used to use in the 70s. You could of course persuade the guitarists to sober up and use a setting other than 11 or put some mid back in their amps or if all else fails use a powerbrake. Then of course the guitarist who noodles at 11 while you a re trying to coax the singer to open their gob during soundcheck so you can get ANY idea what settings the singer needs. I used to carry a 2 inch baulk of timber labelled "Nathan" for such occasions. I once worked with a guitarist called "Nathan". I'm definitely going to order some T shirts for this year that'll say. "We're Not Happy, til You're Not Happy." |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: GUEST,Ralphie Date: 08 Mar 11 - 02:52 PM Guest Selby.. You should pop down this August...It's really a lovely little festival! Run by reasonable and decent people. You can even get an ice-cream! |
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Subject: RE: What's happened to Sidmouth? From: GUEST,Ralphie Date: 08 Mar 11 - 02:57 PM WAV old son. Just leave it. Nobody is listening to you and your views. Why on earth you're posting on a Sidmouth thread, when you've never been to one in your life, is slightly odd anyway... |
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