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23 Nov 06 - 05:39 AM (#1891513) Subject: Whats the best festival???? From: GUEST,guest Ive just been reading the Whitby thread and the new festival thred and this question sprung to mind!!! What is the best festival??? obviously its a personal view but which do people think are well run/organized, which have got the best concerts/celidhs and which has the best sessions/singarounds and pubs!!! |
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23 Nov 06 - 06:13 AM (#1891527) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: Liz the Squeak The best festival is one that considers ALL its customers regardless of age, gender, ability or attention span. I'm sick of festivals that have nothing for the older child/young teenager, or for the older, less active adult, or where the differently abled will be accepted and encouraged, rather than tolerated or shunned. Regretably, I'd have to say that the best festival I've been to that covered all that wasn't in Britain, but Belgium/France. Dranouter festival is sponsored by the premier radio station in Belgium, so it can afford to do the things that maybe we in the UK can't do. It has a huge variety of music, several "pubs" (beer tents) on site, at least 2 huge concert tents, smaller concert/dance venues, a large variety of food at sensible prices, soft drinks at child-affordable rates, decking for buggies and wheelchairs to ride on, a children's area for ages 0-14 with a vast array of activities for all, a greater variety of craft stalls (so many of the UK stall holders do a set pattern of festivals - if your pattern coincides, you never see anything different), a 'chill out' zone for teenagers, local participation rather than tolerance and so many more places to sit! The only drawback is that there are very few places where you can join in and share your own music... it's almost all 'laid on' and sessions are not really encouraged on site. Leastways, I've never found one yet. But each year is different.... what was the best festival for me personally this year, isn't the same one as last year, and for totally different reasons. Sometimes I want to participate, sometimes I just want to enjoy. You ask 50 people what the 'best festival' is and you'll get 83 different answers. LTS |
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23 Nov 06 - 06:46 AM (#1891540) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: Pistachio WARWICK for venues and facilities, the bus to town, the local pubs that host singarounds/sessions, the town for it's welcome, the castle and (I am biased as it was my 'first' festival...but..) the late singarounds in the arts centre then outside 'Moor and Coast' make for a wonderful weekend. I admit I go without family tho I do drive the 'ull contingent there and back. The 'booked artistes'are well worth the ticket price too! SADDLEWORTH 'cos it's nearly all in a straight line (!) - I've only been once so far but it too was so welcoming and I think that's what it's all about! BEVERLEY (usually third weekend in June) my local,getting better wll the time with a fantastic FRINGE! and loads going on in town too. HULL, SEA FEVER (Sept) More nautical and full of shanties and such, and not a camping festival but run by the city council...still good weekend. I'm hopeful that I'll get to many more... I don't think there could be a 'less than good' weekend. It's what people do that makes them and festivals unique and interesting. Enjoy |
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23 Nov 06 - 07:11 AM (#1891549) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: kendall Old Songs. Altamont New York. |
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23 Nov 06 - 07:11 AM (#1891550) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: scouse Tonder...nough said!! Phil |
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23 Nov 06 - 07:43 AM (#1891568) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: skipy Warwick Chippenham & W*********Y Skip |
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23 Nov 06 - 08:37 AM (#1891603) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: Georgiansilver If you want a friendly, well organised festival where welcome is assured and there is a variety of performers, workshops, singarounds, Morris men, ceilidh, camping (indoor and outdoor) etc etc...come to Gainsborough. Might not be considered the best but has that certain "Je ne sais quoi". |
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23 Nov 06 - 04:20 PM (#1892006) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: Peter Kasin Blitherscrum, of course. Is there really any doubt? Chanteyranger |
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23 Nov 06 - 04:52 PM (#1892024) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: Richard Bridge I like ones with folk music. I'd quite like to go to one across the water, to investigate, but a mate of mine who was once a stalwart of the Hull folk scene went to some in Canada and came back with screeds of recordings (audio and visual) of unlistenable shit-kicking redneck crap. He played me CDs and CDs of it when we drove to the Midlands to tow back a boat he bought, and I was ready to defenstrate him by the time we got there, and not less by the time we got back. I really do like Miskin. And Knockholt. |
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23 Nov 06 - 05:00 PM (#1892035) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: kendall Well, you Brits have so many more to choose from... |
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23 Nov 06 - 05:02 PM (#1892037) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: Beer Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival. What a great great time. They even played a little. And this coming from an organizer of a festival. Beer |
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23 Nov 06 - 05:13 PM (#1892044) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: Herga Kitty I think my favourite would still be the English National, if only it could find a new venue!!! Kitty |
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23 Nov 06 - 07:18 PM (#1892125) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: Bernard The best festival is usually the one you've just been to... |
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23 Nov 06 - 08:45 PM (#1892167) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: McGrath of Harlow The only drawback is that there are very few places where you can join in and share your own music... it's almost all 'laid on' and sessions are not really encouraged on site. That's rather like saying you've found this great retaurant, comfy chairs, polite waiters, low prices - the only drawback being it doesn't have any food. I'm with Herga Kitty on this. I want the National back! |
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23 Nov 06 - 09:15 PM (#1892177) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: Beer McGrah, you can come to mine.... Were having a Mudcat gathering ( check out thread "Time For a Canadian Mudcat Meet".)as well. Friday evening is a musical Jam for all those musicians who want to play. I'm at the moment undecided but depending on responses I am holding a spot for the Saturday venue of Mudcat musicians. Peace will also be doing a set by himself and possibly a friend or two may join him. Beer |
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23 Nov 06 - 09:22 PM (#1892180) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: GUEST Well as one who likes traditional music (in the older sense of the word) My two pets are the Mystic Sea Music Festival and Whitby week. And if it's participation you want, it's very hard to beet the Getaway. |
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24 Nov 06 - 02:26 AM (#1892249) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: Richard Bridge Speaking of Miskin, does anyone know what the skinny is on camping there in 2007? Last I heard, the caravan/campervan field was still unavailable, and no usbstitute found yet..... |
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24 Nov 06 - 03:01 AM (#1892262) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: MBSLynne MISKIN!!! Love Lynne |
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24 Nov 06 - 03:10 AM (#1892267) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: GUEST,partridge Windybottom! Pat x |
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24 Nov 06 - 03:40 AM (#1892285) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: Hawker small friendly and fun - Miskin for me - and Dartmoor Cheers, Lucy |
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24 Nov 06 - 03:52 AM (#1892288) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: Dave the Gnome Fylde. Just so much for so many by so few... :D (tG) |
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24 Nov 06 - 04:45 AM (#1892300) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: Crystal IVFDF!!!! Edinburgh this year and on my birthday too!!! |
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24 Nov 06 - 05:27 AM (#1892314) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: GUEST,Connie Bromyard. Lovely setting, local scrumpy, campsite right next to the events, clean toilets and free (albeit cold) showers. You need the good weather though. |
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24 Nov 06 - 07:30 AM (#1892364) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: greg stephens Possibly, averaging things out over the years, Glastonbury. Ample folk music, and of course ample every other kind of music to compare and contrast. And, surprisingly enough, absolutely excellent sessions, proper jobs, round campfires, till dawn and beyond. And certainly plenty of stuff for widely varying age groups. The buzz of seeing super-stars, if that is your thing; or the thrill of serendipitous wandering and seeing what is going on in obscure strange lurking yurts that you can never find when you go to have a look the next night. All that, plus the virtual certainty of running into someone you haven't seen for years. |
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24 Nov 06 - 07:38 AM (#1892368) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: Bernard Don't forget the twice-yearly Open Door Extravaganza... click! Three guests and singarounds on one day, only 12 quid. John and Pauline tell me that the next one is probably March 25th 2007 - does anyone happen to know if that clashes with anything within a fifty mile radius of Manchester (UK)? It's probably the smallest festival in the UK - there's only room for thirty people!! Unless, of course, you know different?! |
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24 Nov 06 - 08:17 AM (#1892402) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: Andy Jackson Modesty forbids me from saying how mindblowingly wonderful Miskin is ....but: Any worries about camping have evaporated. I have obtained use of an even nearer and much larger field so all is well again. More details soon. Andy |
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24 Nov 06 - 09:17 AM (#1892443) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: MBSLynne Has anyone ever mentioned that Andy is the God of Folk Festivals? If it's needed, Miskin will have it...including good weather at Easter! Love Lynne |
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24 Nov 06 - 05:33 PM (#1892734) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: GUEST,Shimrod Yeah, the 'National' was an excellent festival and much lamented. I made the mistake of going to another festival last year (I won't say which one - but it was in Northern England) - it was abysmal - I almost died of boredom and depression. I will be very wary of going to any more. |
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24 Nov 06 - 06:09 PM (#1892763) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: Den & Di Hope Shimrod is not meaning Whitby, if so you went to the wrong places. Not been to many others than Whitby, although been there for many years. We may be a little partisan, but is there any other to match it. Dont normally go to the organised events as the atmospere around the towns less formal venues takes some beating. Must admit, however, there are times when you have to be willing to move and take your chance somewhere else. Some of the regulars who do not appear at any of the functions are well worth listening to and more than make up for the odd disappointing lunch time or evening. If it was Whitby please try it again as I am sure you wont be disappointed twice. Dennis |
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24 Nov 06 - 06:52 PM (#1892796) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: Andy Jackson "Blush" |
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24 Nov 06 - 07:07 PM (#1892805) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: GUEST,heather I love Sidmouth jolly jolly Sidmouth Sidmouth is the one for me Jolly jolly music Lovely songs and icecream and all by the bright blue sea |
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24 Nov 06 - 08:23 PM (#1892845) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: Tattie Bogle Agreed, Sidmouth for England. Innerleithen for Scotland: usually great weather (3rd weekend in August), fabulous scenery, lovely people, amazing music. |
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25 Nov 06 - 06:03 AM (#1893052) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: Andy Jackson Miskin is in Wales.......? |
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25 Nov 06 - 06:22 AM (#1893062) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: MBSLynne Ok...Miskin for Wales, Sidmouth for England, and I haven't been to any in Scotland..yet Love Lynne |
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25 Nov 06 - 06:40 AM (#1893075) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: GUEST The best Festival is the one that suits your psychie. Whitby is a week and that can be a lot of one thing. Sidmouth ditto - and Sidders in it's present form (can't speak for previous iterations) was enough (on the basis of 2.5 days) to convince a workaholic gardener to forgo a week's work in the height of the season, and Joy is not a musician (yet) but a keen dancer. I have always been wary of a whole week - preferring to go to many weekends over the year, personal taste I guess. Bromyard is good for sessions and conserts and dances. But best - for me? Probably Upton-u-Severn because I have been loyal to it since it's inception - pick yer reasons. |
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25 Nov 06 - 08:18 AM (#1893120) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: Big Al Whittle I enjoyed Priddy this year. Lovely setting. Food all right. some decent acts - a good cross section. Must be the best setting for a travel lodge in the country. |
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25 Nov 06 - 12:58 PM (#1893306) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: GUEST,Shimrod No, it wasn't Whitby - never been to that festival but I'm sure it's 'lovely'! |
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25 Nov 06 - 02:31 PM (#1893371) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: Janice in NJ I recommend the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, held for a whole week every summer. Click for website. |
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26 Nov 06 - 04:54 AM (#1893756) Subject: RE: Whats the best festival???? From: Richard Bridge I thought there were more big festivals - treating country as sort of American folk - in the USA, and surely the USA has more of what they call "renfair", and I thought the USA had little festivals all over too. Although their music may not be mine I find the Americans and Canadians who turn up at little fests and singarounds over here are usually very technically competent, and in some cases well informed on the derivation of their songs and the forms of them - ie better scholars. We only have a very small hard core of real experts here in the UK. |