Festivals slow to announce acts?

Subject: Festivals slow to announce acts?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 27 Mar 06 - 07:30 PM

Is it me or are the majority of folk music festivals slow to announce who they have performing.
I went through a couple of sites that list a lot of the folk festivals both in the US & abroad (with exception to the Polish, they seem to be a bit ahead of the rest) & it seemed to me that many of them are late on advertising whose performing. Many slated to happen in June, July & August & even a few that are earlier than that have yet to list them. I was just checking out of curiosity to see what I'd be missing & what ones would be 'to die for'. Well it turns out that if I were actually making plans & choosing now which to go to, which I'd do if I could afford to do, I'd be at a loss to try to make up a decent list.
Is this me or do most people just pick a festival on its reputation alone? Example I'm going to Mystic regardless & if I can I'll make Old Songs I will because they're always great festivals. Both are in June, Mystic doesn't have a line up yet, though Old Songs does. But what about the other festivals that I don't know about? Is this a problem for those that can afford to plan ahead of time?

Barry

Subject: RE: Festivals slow to announce acts?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 27 Mar 06 - 08:06 PM

Work and pray,
Live on hay –
We'll be booked in the sweet bye and bye!
That's a lie!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Festivals slow to announce acts?
From: Beer
Date: 27 Mar 06 - 08:24 PM

If you go to the above line that says "Links" you will see the first category being "Festivals". The festival that I work for is the "Branches and Roots Festival" which has this years line up. I started booking musicians the week following last years fest and received about a month ago the last contract. Bios are not listed as yet but will be very soon. We are a small festival in comparison to other ones in Canada, but we are young and growing. I do agree with you in that many festivals do not list to early and I'm not sure as to why not.
Don't know where your inquiring from but if your in the Quebec area around July 28, 29, or 30th. You would be more than welcomed.
Beer

Subject: RE: Festivals slow to announce acts?
From: Maryrrf
Date: 27 Mar 06 - 10:27 PM

Yes I have noticed that and I'm not sure why. Most festivals have their acts booked pretty early, as Beer said above, seems like they start immediately after last year's festival. Even if they are not sure of the complete line up it would be nice if they would list those they know will be there, so that people can make a decision. I usually do want to find out who's going to be playing at a festival before I make plans to go there and it would be nice to know as far ahead of time as possible in case one has to ask for vacation time, etc.