Headland Festival (Hartlepool), 12-13/4

Subject: Headland Festival (Hartlepool), 12-13/4
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 27 Mar 14 - 07:28 PM

A small(?) fest put together by the Young 'Uns; not many big name guests or big venues, lots of sessions. I think it looks like a cracker. Details here.

And... I'm going. I've been to the odd thing where I've been able to get home at night, but this will be my first proper overnight-stay away-from-home FF, ever. I'm veering between feeling as excited as a kid going to his first gig* and having visions of myself trudging the streets of Hartlepool, standing at the back of things and not talking to anyone for two and a half days solid, which would frankly be a bit of a waste of the train fare**.

So... who else is going?

*ELO, Fairfield Halls, Croydon, 1974. My second gig was Steeleye Span (same venue, supported by Richard Digance). What I had for lunch today... I'll get back to you.

**Because, as we all*** know, It's easy to get lost/Sailing to Hartlepool...

***Those of us who are fans of Stanley Accrington, at least.

Subject: RE: Headland Festival (Hartlepool), 12-13/4
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 27 Mar 14 - 09:19 PM

A programme of events would be useful.

Especially to those not able to make the full weekend.

Subject: RE: Headland Festival (Hartlepool), 12-13/4
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 28 Mar 14 - 05:22 AM

A programme of events is useful, and it's on the same page. But if you can't find the link, try this.

So... anyone going?

Subject: RE: Headland Festival (Hartlepool), 12-13/4
From: GUEST,young'un sean
Date: 28 Mar 14 - 06:00 AM

Hi Phil, we're dead chuffed you're coming
Make sure you go in the Fisherman's Arms - recently voted Cleveland CAMRA pub of the year

Subject: RE: Headland Festival (Hartlepool), 12-13/4
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 28 Mar 14 - 06:23 AM

Thanks Phil

Subject: RE: Headland Festival (Hartlepool), 12-13/4
From: Joe Nicholson
Date: 28 Mar 14 - 06:47 AM

We are going looking forward to it

Joe & Mo

Subject: RE: Headland Festival (Hartlepool), 12-13/4
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 28 Mar 14 - 06:11 PM

I'll look out for you!

Subject: RE: Headland Festival (Hartlepool), 12-13/4
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 30 Mar 14 - 04:33 AM

bump

Subject: RE: Headland Festival (Hartlepool), 12-13/4
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 31 Mar 14 - 11:48 AM

Well, that's one less worry - I was going to ask how I'd know you, Joe, but apparently we're going to be the only ones there. Sorted.

Subject: RE: Headland Festival (Hartlepool), 12-13/4
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 31 Mar 14 - 01:16 PM

Why haven't they booked Richard Grainger, one of the best living songwriters from that area? if you booked him I might come.

Subject: RE: Headland Festival (Hartlepool), 12-13/4
From: Joe Nicholson
Date: 31 Mar 14 - 02:17 PM

Hi Phil I think there will be a lot there but maybe not many Catters. I'm the ancient grey one with the slightly worried look and Mo is the young looking vivacious one . ( she just might read this.)

Joe N.

Subject: RE: Headland Festival (Hartlepool), 12-13/4
From: GUEST,helen
Date: 31 Mar 14 - 04:34 PM

Haha Joe! I think there will be a lot of people there, & I'm really looking forward to being part of it. Make sure you see the wonderful Brasy from Poland. Fantastic harmonies & really nice people.

Subject: RE: Headland Festival (Hartlepool), 12-13/4
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 06:55 PM

Just got back. And who should I end up sitting next to, in the back corner at the Pothouse, but... Joe and Mo. Nice to make your real-world acquaintance!

Subject: RE: Headland Festival (Hartlepool), 12-13/4
From: Noreen
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 08:16 PM

Glad you found someone to talk to Phil, even if you were "at the back of things" :)

How about a bit of a review of the weekend for those of us unable to be there? Was it as you expected? Do it again?

Subject: RE: Headland Festival (Hartlepool), 12-13/4
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 09:10 PM

The geriatric trio were there for the final concert with the the Hut People and the Wilsons providing a really superb finalé to a concert expertly run by Kevin Hall. I have also got to say that I was impressed by the sound crew on that particular gig and as anyone who knows me will verify that sort of accolade does not come easy.

The buzz seemed to be that the whole thing had been a success and so its hats off to the boys.

There certainly seemed to be a really feel just to the bit we saw and experience tells me that there is no way that can either be contrived or faked.

People genuinely enjoyed it and that can only be good for folk music.

Subject: RE: Headland Festival (Hartlepool), 12-13/4
From: My guru always said
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 02:59 AM

Sounds like an excellent start, wish we could have got there but we've been busy getting ready for our Easter weekend gathering at Old Keepers.

Hopefully next year the dates will work better & we'll be able to come. Well done to the Young'Uns, keep up the good work!

Hils

Subject: RE: Headland Festival (Hartlepool), 12-13/4
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 08:15 AM

I'd endorse all that Malcolm Storey says above. It was a great weekend, and the buzz was certainly there in abundance.
Sorry to have missed the Survivors, but my throat defeated me in the end.
Most of all congrats to the (can they now be described as "venerable"?!) Young Uns for all their hard work on getting this festival organised. It was fantastic just being there and a tiny part of it.
Oh, and special thanks to Joe and Mo for your good company, see you week-after-next at the Black Bull (just a reminder!!!).
Cheers!
MM

Subject: RE: Headland Festival (Hartlepool), 12-13/4
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 08:44 AM

I didn't get to many concerts - to the point where it would have been cheaper not to get an armband - but I'm not complaining. In years to come I think I'll remember it as one continuous song session, from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. If you like that kind of thing, you would have liked the Headland.

One memory to stand for many. Leading off The Innocent Hare can be a bit of a gamble - there's a repeat straight after the first line, then the call-and-response in the second line. (If the room's a bit quiet I sometimes just take the second line myself.)

Anyway, I led it off on Saturday morning, with no idea who was going to come in (if anyone). Takeup of the repeat was pretty good. Then:

Go tell your sweet lover -
- THE HOUNDS ARE OUT!

I had no idea who'd come in with that line - they were to my left & slightly behind me - but I would have happily stopped singing and listened to them instead; it sounded fantastic. I sneaked a look to my left between verses: Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman. Many thanks to them!

Subject: RE: Headland Festival (Hartlepool), 12-13/4
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 03:02 PM

Yes Phil, I remember your Innocent Hare too. And your getting that "correct" response. It was so good to hear it being done properly - a rare enough event, I find... and another reason why I tend not to gamble on leading that song myself nowadays, it can be embarrassing when folks don't "take up" or respond!
Dave and Anni turned in a magnificent rendition of Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still at that same singaround, as I recall.
Good to have met you Phil, and now in retrospect I've identified you! (although we weren't actually introduced... I stood next to you at the shanty session at one point, when you sang Randy Dandy-O) Hope to catch you around.

Subject: RE: Headland Festival (Hartlepool), 12-13/4
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 06:53 PM

So that was you, MM! Your contribution to RD-O was much appreciated, btw. I'll look forward to our paths crossing again.

Subject: RE: Headland Festival (Hartlepool), 12-13/4
From: OlgaJ
Date: 15 Apr 14 - 10:03 AM

Great little festival which left us going home with big grins. There was something for everybody and just about the right size. Hope there will be another one next year!