Upton Folk Festival

Subject: RE: Upton Folk Festival
From: GUEST,tony geen
Date: 02 May 06 - 08:06 AM

Well, I enjoyed it - i even managed to exchange a few pleasantries with the landlord of the Kings Head.

But I don't think the DIY formula would continue to work year after year.

Subject: RE: Upton Folk Festival
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 02 May 06 - 08:25 AM

Just to squash a misconception before it gets any headway.....Miskin concerts are NOT filled with Free Local Talent.

Subject: RE: Upton Folk Festival
From: Mr Happy
Date: 02 May 06 - 08:32 AM

·        Best Upton Festival I have been to. We were surrounded by people who danced, sang and played music in a wonderful relaxed and happy atmosphere.


·        I have just got back from a really relaxed, boozy and friendly festival. Thanks to Chris, Bev and the team for making it happen at all. I didn't miss the concert tents, as there was plenty to do without them.

·        Looking forward to next year already.


·        When I said the booked artists weren't there and there were no marquees, they said they didn't go to the concerts anyway!

·        I think it's time festivals became more like this; cheaper and DIY.

·        Most folkies don't want to pay vast amounts for big artists, when all they want to do is camp and be in sessions all day.

·        BCFW is exactly this.

·        Wonderful festival. DIY principle brings out the best!

·        No concerts just Fringe with those who make it work and it was Brill!

·        More relaxing and friendly as a result.

·        A wonderful relaxed festival - Steve really enjoyed the beer from the Swan barn and I loved the acoustics in there.

·        Lots of dancing to good audiences and more people than usual to Vital workshop and concert.


·        Even the weather was great - please book the same for 2007.


Mr Happy & Fiends attended this great event from Friday til Monday afternoon & unanimously echo, second, concur etc with all of the above sentiments, & would certainly go again.

Many thanks to all who undertook the inspiration and organisation to produce such a memorable & joyous event.

[How did the committee arrange that the rain stayed off Monday until we'd packed all our tents away? – Brilliant!!]

A fabulous feindly atmosphere all weekend, & we didn't witness any loutish behaviour from the locals we encountered, &our sessions & sinarounds in the pubs were all of good standard in a non-competitive, relaxed & thoroughly enjoyable way.

A superb effort from all concerned [even the loos stayed clean, serviced & functional for the duration].

Once again, hearty thanks to everyone who helped to make Upton such a great success this year!!

Subject: RE: Upton Folk Festival
From: My guru always said
Date: 02 May 06 - 08:48 AM

Well I really enjoyed the 'chilling' nature of Upton this year, so much so that I missed virtually all of Sunday!!!

Love the DIY nature but think that the sessions & sings needed a bit more organising, driving & publicity. Yes, an open stage would be good, as would a concert or two - but I'd prefer to have the ticket price stay relatively low & the programme not be too busy!

Subject: RE: Upton Folk Festival
From: Mr Happy
Date: 02 May 06 - 08:49 AM

Mrs Lemon,

Sorry didn't have chance to quaff any of your delicious lemon elixir this time, but certainly looking forward to your DIY Fest at Bishops Castle, in June, having always had a super time there in previous years.

I agree with your comments above and it seemed to me this year that Upton's do was much like yours but on a much bigger scale.

Mr Happy & Mandotim cobbled together a smaller DIY affair like this in the Derbyshire Peak District on Easter weekend, which also turned out to be a spectacular success.

Long Live DIY Folk Festivals!!!

Subject: RE: Upton Folk Festival
From: GUEST,Roy
Date: 02 May 06 - 08:53 AM

Mr Red, I'm suprised at you. There was no competition between Thatshallot and Hekety, it's not often that we get good festival bands in the Upton area and Hekety were amazing! I'm not saying that the other band were bad but just not as good.

Subject: RE: Upton Folk Festival
From: Splott Man
Date: 02 May 06 - 09:16 AM

"Most folkies don't want to pay vast amounts for big artists, when all they want to do is camp and be in sessions all day."


I have to say I disagree. Or maybe I'm not most folkies.

There is an a great deal more to the folk scene than either concerts or sessions.

Although I'm known to contribute to singarounds and sessions, but a lot of my repertoire doesn't fit comfortably into those equations, and an opportunity to meet and trade songs with people of similar tastes would be welcome, that's why I enjoyed the Blues session so much, and although I missed it, I know I would have enjoyed Chris Moreton's Pickers' workshop too.
There's room for all of us, and Upton has catered for that in the past.

Please don't think I'm critical of the organisation or the festival itself. My full congratulations go out to Bev, John et al for what was indeed an enjoyable festival.


Splott Man

Subject: RE: Upton Folk Festival
From: Fidledidee
Date: 02 May 06 - 11:41 AM

Let`s do it again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: Upton Folk Festival
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 02 May 06 - 11:56 AM

I do wish I could have gone to Upton this year but, sadly, Mick had a classical gig so it wasn't an option. Ah well - maybe next year. I'm green with envy.

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Upton Folk Festival
From: Richard Atkins
Date: 02 May 06 - 08:12 PM

No Concerts Just Fringe Brill , I said .    Splott Man this year it worked due to work done before all credit to Ray and Verna. Next year will need small concerts. Chris and Bev thanks again.   Burp! thats another 10P to the best!

Subject: RE: Upton Folk Festival
From: Abuwood
Date: 07 May 06 - 03:25 AM

Dear Guest Roy
Didn't we do that with a Vital Spark
workshop on Sunday afterneen and concert on Sunday evening?
Ali