Festivals. Any national differences?

Subject: Festivals. Any national differences?
From: The Shambles
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 07:23 AM

Having not been to any other festival but UK ones I would be interested in hearing from some well-traveled folk who have attended them in different continents as to any noticeable differences? Apart from the type of musical content.

I get the impression from hearing folk talk here about the US ones, that they are more of a place to meet and play together than most UK ones, where there is a fringe but they tend to be more of a watching, rather than a participating event. As I said it is just an impression and I do generalise, are there all types in all countries?

Also (this one is an opportunity for Bert, I know), does size matter?

Subject: RE: Festivals. Any national differences?
From: Brendy
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 07:27 AM

Not in my experience. They're all just good excuses for a session and loads of drink.

Subject: RE: Festivals. Any national differences?
From: Mudjack
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 12:25 AM

Shambles.
There is a noticeble difference within the US. I came to the Northwest six years ago to find FREE Folklife Festivals. Southern California had no freebies that I can ever recall. Seattle's Northwest Folklife is the largest free festival and the rest try to follow their lead. They don't seem to do a lot of jamming, but dance and workshops are plentyful.
Someday I hope to travel the British Isles and perhaps then I can give you a more qualified opinion.
Mudjack

Subject: RE: Festivals. Any national differences?
From: bbelle
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 12:49 AM

As Bert says "Size doesn't matter." moonchild

Subject: RE: Festivals. Any national differences?
From: Brendy
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 12:55 AM

And they really should be free as well. That's where all the spontaneity comes in, and thing interweave much more naturally.
B.

Subject: RE: Festivals. Any national differences?
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 01:16 AM

I've not been to any festivals outside the US, but have been to several in Washington state, and also here in Kansas.

Mudjack, do you camp? Do you like bluegrass/country/old timey music? Check out the Mt. St. Helen's festival if you do. There's a camping fee, but if I remember correctly, the jams are free--and there're a lot of jams. We had a great time when we attended. I agree, Folklife is a blast, but the crowds always wore me down... interesting stuff, though, huh?

In Kansas, the Winfield Music Festival is the biggie, of course--definitely not free, but incredibly free-spirited. Non-stop jamming, visiting, listening, and kicking back, 24 hours a day. Fantastic! Two huge campgrounds. Great performers, if you've a mind to sit and listen for a bit at one of the five stages. Great jams, if you've a mind to lug your guitar, bass, harmonica, accordian, bodhran, whatever around the campgrounds for a while. And many, many friendly people enjoying all kinds of music. Highly recommended!

Subject: RE: Festivals. Any national differences?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 06:07 AM

I've attended several festivals (usually Mardi Gras/carnival type) on the continent, and one folk festival. The difference is amazing. The Continental festivals of all sorts are much more geared towards variety and children. The huge festival in Dranouter is fantastic for those with toddlers, as it has a children's play area that is free to site ticket holders (i.e., everyone allowed on the site, not just weekend/season tickets), it has a traditional end and a more rock/folk end, a chill zone for the teenagers/young at heart to crash and chill in, quieter spots for us older ones (yeah, like I'm heading towards 40 and it's getting closer!) and the artist reception is a fully stocked bar, with more than you can get at the public bar. The food is not overpriced, the language was no barrier and the craft stalls were not the same old tie dyed Tshirts that everyone was selling here last year. Children are catered for, not tolerated, there was a special dance for the under 14's and the whole festival was sponsered by the main radio station for Belgium, oddly called Radio 1, a big shock to us Brits, whose experience of Radio 1 recently has been incomprehensible row and garage/house/rave stuff, that has no tune, lyrics or merit as far as I can see...

Anyway, go for the continental (European that is) festivals, you will have a great time!

LTS

Subject: RE: Festivals. Any national differences?
From: Jeri
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 09:55 AM

We really could use opinions from people who have been to both North American and UK festivals. One thing mentioned to me by several attendees and performers is that the US festivals are more family-oriented and there's a lot less booze and boozers. I seem to remember the average blood alcohol level being a lot higher here in the 70s, though.

Subject: RE: Festivals. Any national differences?
From: paddymac
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 10:22 AM

TANSTAAFL (There Aint No Such Thing As A Free Lunch) Any festival, no matter the size, costs money. That money can come from (a) government, (b) private benefactors, (c) commercial sponsors, (d) fees, or (e) some combination of sources. Most festival goers have little or no comprehension (or, sometimes, appreciation of or for) the behind-the-scenes intricacies that make it all possible. I've been involved in different capacities with a variety of responsibilities in several different kinds of events, with draws of a few hundred to several thousands. It's a lot of damned hard work. Be thankful for the people who work so hard to make it happen, especially the volunteers. Better yet, volunteer yourself.

Subject: RE: Festivals. Any national differences?
From: GUEST,Jack The Lad
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 05:11 PM

Our festival-Jacob's Ladder , in Israel, is perhaps special as it caters from people from many different backgrounds from all parts of the English speaking world- North America- Britain Australia etc, as well as native born Hebrew speaking Israelis.As such the program can't be too specialised, which is perhaps a good thing. It is also an alien concept in the Middle East , and doesn't enjoy much official support, ie money. The ticket prices must cover the cost of the whole thing. Apart from a couple of new age ethnic festivals, it is the only one in the country, and so most of the folkies in the country attend. It is a family oriented festival, with early morning kids' shows and late night performances too. The big difference from UK festivals is that, while a few people have a few beers- noone drinks much, noone gets drunk- and the beer companies give us very limited support-They provide a few crates for the performers , who tend to drink more than the entire audience- I wonder why? The distances and travel costs involved mean we invite one or two overseas guest groups only each year on an expenses paid+ hospitality basis- Any takers for 2001? emails to [e-mail] more info and pics see http://jacobs-ladder.co.il Mev(Jack The Lad)

Subject: RE: Festivals. Any national differences?
From: Willie-O
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 05:39 PM

Never been outside North America, but I have found some diffences between Canadian and American festivals and audiences.

Canada has some huge and very very good festivals, like Winnipeg, but the scale of these events is actually much larger than the active folk music community. In comparison, it seems American audiences sing more, and I think a higher proportion of them play an instrument in a folk style. Pains me to admit it, but there it is.

Also, we don't have the dance scene--contra-dancing, clogging or whatever that the States has. Contra-dancing is just getting started in some of the larger cities and is not something you'll find in smaller-town events.

Most Canadian festivals, though, have a very lively and strictly cordoned off beer garden, and the site on the whole is very family friendly with great kids areas and activities. And at Winnipeg, your pass has a little calendar on it with each day of the festival marked. Every time you buy a beer they punch a hole in the area for that day--and you're limited to four holes (beers) a day! How's that for je-ne-sais-quois?

A proud but objective Canadian

Willie-O

Subject: RE: Festivals. Any national differences?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 06:11 PM

Forgot to mention, the Dranouter festival is also sponsored by the local 'state' or 'Pas de' if it were France. Similar to UK counties, but bigger and more like the UK states, but without the same authorities. It also gets a very healthy boost from the Belgian government, perhaps that is the difference....

There is as much alcohol on sale, and as Belgian beer is usually stronger than UK stuff, easier to get totally OTT, but there is also a great deal of soft/non alcoholic available at the same price or cheaper, so it is not more expensive to be sober, as it is in the UK - I bought a round of drinks the other month (I don't get out much!), and my pint of OJ and lemonade cost MORE than a pint of strong beer..... so much for being responsible....

LTS

Subject: RE: Festivals. Any national differences?
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 06:20 PM

Have to plug Tonder Festival in Denmark again - lots of British (and British emigrant) music, a little Danish on the side, great atmosphere, though very well organised. Almost a huge family gathering on the last weekend in August. One of the drawbacks is, you have to buy tickets to individual venues; there is no festival ticket.
Then there is Rudolstadt, Germany's biggest folk festival, which takes over the whole town centre for the weekend (7-9 July this year), including the old castle high above the town. Even if you don't care for all of the music (it's world music in its broadest sense), it's well worth a visit for the location and atmosphere alone, and you get a weekend ticket. Besides, most of the venues are open air.
However, I don't see any fundamental differences to the British festivals I've been to (not many). - Susanne

Subject: RE: Festivals. Any national differences?
From: BK
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 12:36 AM

We have a great small folk festival here in central Missouri, called "The Big Muddy" folk festival - after the nickname for the river, which runs nearby. It is in the town of Booneville, just off I70, a little west (abt 20 mi or so) of Columbia, MO. I'd like to encourage any 'catter or folkie who might be able to attend. Main organizers include folkies Cathy Barton & Dave Parra, who also travel & perform full time & do a lot of folk festivals around the country. Generally has something for everybody, w/elements of folk, "old-timey," bluegrass, workshops, "folk arts," dancing, etc..

They do charge an admission, but still need to have lots of volunteers & to make ends meet; after the performers get paid, & the light & sound bills are payed, etc, nobody's gettin rich, but we ARE havin lots of fun. Bring an instrument - or just yer voice.. to the song swaps or open mike, or Sat night jam. Great fun. This year the dates will be April 7&8 Ph:660-882-7977; URL:http://www.c-magic.com/boonvill/events.htm

Cheers, BK

Subject: RE: Festivals. Any national differences?
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 04:24 AM

Regarding the comments about booze at festivals--within the Northeastern US alone you'll find a great range from festival to festival. At the Philadelphia Folk Festival, the crowd is large (in the tens of thousands) and booze is officially prohibited, yet the prohibition is honored mainly in the breach (or at least used to be--the last time I went, back in the early 90s, examples of inebriation were on display all over). Contrast that with the Old Songs Festival in upstate New York (were the crowd maxes out at just a couple thousand) and where alcohol is sold openly. The Brewery that made Newman's Ale used to have a booth until they went out of business, and now Mr. Newman himself brews a batch especially for the festival. Yet in a couple of decades, I've rarely seen anyone slosh-o. (In fact, the only heavy imbibers I've ever noticed there have been British folk singers.)

Participation vs. passive consumption of the music also varies greatly from festival to festival in the U.S. If North America seems like a more participatory place for festivals based on what you've read on Mudcat, it's quite possibly because Mudcatters are attracted to the more participatory American festivals.

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: Festivals. Any national differences?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 03:13 PM

That Winnipeg idea of punching holes on the tickets to stop you buying more than four beers a day sounds weird. Do they frisk you for cans? I suppose you could bring along a few non-drinking cronies to ensure a bit of spare capacity.

Nobody has mentioned the Irish Festivals yet. The Fleadh Ceoil is different from any festival I've ever seen in England. When I've been there it's basically been a combination of very competititive competitions mostly fort young peiople, and a confusing range of sessions in every pub in town - with a brilliant singing circle tucked away somewhere, if you could find it. Plus a crowd on the street, and the Guinness Gig Trailer belting out the strangest combination of music for them. (And one idea I'd like to see tried out elsewhere is that the Fleadh is peripatetic - a couple of years in one town, and then it moves on to another for a couple of years.

And the other festival that is really different that is in England is the "National", held in Sutton Bonington, near Loughborough, Leicestershire in April, in an Agriculturtal College - and that is more like a university conference than anything, with lectures and seminars as well as sessions and cobncerts and dances, but enormously enjoyable. I'll be there I hope - any other Mudcatters planning to get along?

Subject: RE: Festivals. Any national differences?
From: Grey Wolf
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 03:25 PM

McGrath,

The National is something I've looked at with interest for the past few years - but have never got to.

From the way you describe it - it might be a bit to earnest for me - I have nothing against academic discussion, but I mostly prefer festivals where I can lie down and look at the sky...

Wolf

Subject: RE: Festivals. Any national differences?
From: bob schwarer
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 04:51 PM

Used to go to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Cheap, good food(No! Great food) and fine music. Had Pete Seeger, Doc Watson, Doug Kershaw and a bunch more I forget. It was held at the Fairgrounds racetrack. Also had acts at other venues all week. It was a week long event. Could bring your own ice chests if you wanted. Too much to do to get drunk. If you knew your way around N.O. you could park in a residential area close to the grounds and avoid the rush when they closed down.

Bob S.

Subject: RE: Festivals. Any national differences?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 05:20 PM

Grey Wolf: U hope I havwe.t put yyou off the National - it isn't at all earnest, except in the way Mudcat can be in a thread where people are hunting down an elusive song, if you go to a lecture on some obscure apect of folk music to sober up.

In fact, all thigs considerwed it's very like the Mudcat. But with less bloodshed than there has been here recently.

The bar is heaving at all hours (and it's student bar prices, and no Winnipeg hole punching either). There is always some kind of session going on, masses of singing, people collecting songs off each other with mini tape recorder's, festival organisers plotting with each other in every corner.

The most studenty thing (apart from the bar) is that when it comes time to eat you do it in the refectory, with massive English breakfasts if you feel like it. You always seem to find yourself in a queue with someone like Martin Carthy (well,there is noone like Martin Carthy - buty you know what I mean). And if you feel like getting away from it all, there are masses of open country outside - this is an Agricultural College.

And they've got camping across the road. (Except that it always seems to turn cold that weekend. Which is probably halfway through April, but I haven't the details.)

Subject: RE: Festivals. Any national differences?
From: sophocleese
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 05:25 PM

I grew up going to the Festival of Friends in Hamilton. I always liked that and it was a shock to me when I went to another festival and had to pay to get in. About twenty years ago I went to an outdoor performance of some group with my uncle in England, my memory is of lots of people in anoraks huddling in the beer tent watching the rain piss down outside. The best rainy day event at a festival I've seen was years ago with a Steel drum band at the Festival of Friends. They played all afternoon in a tent and people danced either dry or wet. Without the overwhelming crowds members of the audience felt freer to ask if they could try the drums out and a few were allowed to. People had a great time.

One thing that I've noticed can make or break a festival for me is the quality of the sound. Celtic festival in Goderich last year was wonderful, Hillside in Guelph the year before had what appeared to be a deaf sound man at the main stage, the best mix of sound could be heard in the parking lot. The side tents were better.

Subject: RE: Festivals. Any national differences?
From: Grey Wolf
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 05:48 PM

McGrath,

Thanks for your reply. What I was really trying to say is that for me outdoor festivals are my favourites.

I been to probably 6 or 7 different ones over the past few years - I love Cambridge the best, not because of the musical content but the fact that I can get up and leave whenever I want. Maybe it's just me, but with a lot of the smaller 'indoor' festivals I feel compelled to sit and listen to stuff I don't like - or else appear rude

Wolf