TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Artists => Fairport Convention => Topic started by: Will S on November 24, 2023, 04:30:18 PM



Title: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Will S on November 24, 2023, 04:30:18 PM
Slipped out today, in an email with Feast of Fiddles dates for the spring, is the news that they are playing on Thursday at Cropredy next year!

First confirmed act, I think?

One band does not a festival make (well, apart from Fairport, I suppose  ;D), but it's a good start.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Amethyst (Jenny) on November 24, 2023, 04:45:19 PM
Oh fabulous, so pleased!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Ja Howie on November 28, 2023, 05:53:16 PM
Fairport website as of today is saying tickets on sale Monday 11th Dec with first acts announced then.
Nearly time to see if all your wishes have come true!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Will S on November 29, 2023, 05:19:16 PM

Fairport website as of today is saying tickets on sale Monday 11th Dec with first acts announced then.
Nearly time to see if all your wishes have come true!


That's the day I get back to the UK. Whoopee!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Nick Reg on November 30, 2023, 10:26:44 AM
We havent missed one for 35 years but next year is looking doubtful as we have to travel to France on the Following Monday for my youngest's wedding. Decent headliners (or otherwise) may swing it either way.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Sue & Chris on December 11, 2023, 10:20:43 AM
Just received the email with the line up so far. Can't say I'm excited about the headliners (Rick Wakeman and Trevor Horn - again!), but some good stuff elsewhere. Eddi Reader, Spooky Men, Baskery, Big Big Train, Kathryn Tickell, all solid bookings.

Here's the full list:

Baskery
Big Big Train
Black Water County
DeWolff
Eddi Reader
Elles Bailey
Fairport
Feast of Fiddles
Focus
Kathryn Tickell and The Darkening
Ranagri
Richard Digance
Rick Wakeman and the English Rock Ensemble
Silver Blues
Spooky Men's Chorale
Trevor Horn Band


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Nick Reg on December 11, 2023, 11:43:41 AM

We havent missed one for 35 years but next year is looking doubtful as we have to travel to France on the Following Monday for my youngest's wedding. Decent headliners (or otherwise) may swing it either way.


A very easy decision . Thanks for that.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: PaulT on December 11, 2023, 11:45:23 AM
Good, solid, but not exciting, for me anyway. Might pop over for the Saturday, but no particular artist booked so far that would sway me to buy a 3 or 2 day ticket. 2023 was always going to be hard to beat, admittedly...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on December 11, 2023, 12:18:38 PM
Another fallow year for devotees of Fairport guitar Gods?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: wayne stote on December 11, 2023, 12:26:15 PM
DeWolff is an interesting choice. Sixties drenched hard rocking blues with hints of psych & soul. I think they'll either go down a storm or have people scurrying to the beer tent.

I'll be curious to hear how Big Big Train will go with Alberto Bravin in place of David Longdon. The latter was a force of nature on stage. I'm disappointed that Carly Bryant has stepped away from the band too. I enjoyed her song on Welcome To The Planet.

Others I've never seen live but would like to catch at some point, are Baskery & Black Water County. They're both excellent on record.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: GubGub (Al) on December 11, 2023, 12:39:02 PM

DeWolff is an interesting choice. Sixties drenched hard rocking blues with hints of psych & soul. I think they'll either go down a storm or have people scurrying to the beer tent.

I'll be curious to hear how Big Big Train will go with Alberto Bravin in place of David Longdon. The latter was a force of nature on stage. I'm disappointed that Carly Bryant has stepped away from the band too. I enjoyed her song on Welcome To The Planet.

Others I've never seen live but would like to catch at some point, are Baskery & Black Water County. They're both excellent on record.


Baskery are even better live. It is kind of bonkers what they do.

I am no longer a Cropredy attendee (I did a warm up show this year) but there are several of my favourite festival acts in that line up. Eddi Reader is always sublime. I wonder how the Spooky Men will come across in such a big field. They are hugely entertaining in more intimate surroundings.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: mickf on December 11, 2023, 01:06:20 PM
There's a few I haven't a clue about and a few I'm looking forward to. However, as much as I enjoyed the Trevor Horn Band, it seems a bit much to invite them back for a third festival in such a short space of time. Other than that, I'm fairly happy with the line up so far. Obviously, there will be a few more added later, so let's hope there are a couple of nice surprises..


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: StephenB on December 11, 2023, 01:11:29 PM
I agree about Trevor Horne. It's getting a bit like their obsession with Marillion a few years back. Just too much.
On the plus side, Wakeman,  Focus and Tickell yaayy, and plenty of interesting unknowns. Praying for a good Thursday night lead now...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: vince42 on December 11, 2023, 02:07:24 PM
Saw Big Big Train earlier this year and I think they're as good as - if a little different - as before the sad passing of Dave Longdon.

Good lineup for me this year.  I can sort of see the Trevor Horn / Marillion comparison but Mr Horn has some back catalogue to draw on so there shouldn't be much repeating...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Sue & Chris on December 11, 2023, 03:12:53 PM

I agree about Trevor Horne. It's getting a bit like their obsession with Marillion a few years back. Just too much.
On the plus side, Wakeman,  Focus and Tickell yaayy, and plenty of interesting unknowns. Praying for a good Thursday night lead now...


Wakeman is the Thursday night headliner.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Sue & Chris on December 11, 2023, 03:16:16 PM

I can sort of see the Trevor Horn / Marillion comparison but Mr Horn has some back catalogue to draw on so there shouldn't be much repeating...


There was quite a lot of repeating at their second appearance, I'd estimate at least two thirds of the set. So I'm in the like them but too soon camp.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: wayne stote on December 11, 2023, 03:33:58 PM


DeWolff is an interesting choice. Sixties drenched hard rocking blues with hints of psych & soul. I think they'll either go down a storm or have people scurrying to the beer tent.

I'll be curious to hear how Big Big Train will go with Alberto Bravin in place of David Longdon. The latter was a force of nature on stage. I'm disappointed that Carly Bryant has stepped away from the band too. I enjoyed her song on Welcome To The Planet.

Others I've never seen live but would like to catch at some point, are Baskery & Black Water County. They're both excellent on record.


Baskery are even better live. It is kind of bonkers what they do.

I am no longer a Cropredy attendee (I did a warm up show this year) but there are several of my favourite festival acts in that line up. Eddi Reader is always sublime. I wonder how the Spooky Men will come across in such a big field. They are hugely entertaining in more intimate surroundings.


Just noticed that Baskery are touring in March. Hopefully, I'll be able to get to their Skipton show.

I'm not keen on large one-stage festivals so Cropredy has never been on my list of must-do events but I always like checking out the line-up and reading people's reviews after the event.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Amethyst (Jenny) on December 11, 2023, 04:11:13 PM
Booked a warm up, first time in a long time, but decided to go this time.

Booked three days too!

Yippeeee!, 😁😁😁


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: kenhughes on December 11, 2023, 06:08:18 PM


I agree about Trevor Horne. It's getting a bit like their obsession with Marillion a few years back. Just too much.
On the plus side, Wakeman,  Focus and Tickell yaayy, and plenty of interesting unknowns. Praying for a good Thursday night lead now...


Wakeman is the Thursday night headliner.


How do you know this?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Pam FC on December 11, 2023, 06:17:49 PM
I went and panic booked glamping but I’m really not enticed by today’s list.

I’m guessing it’s just 1 headliner and 1 other to be announced?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Sue & Chris on December 11, 2023, 06:54:21 PM



I agree about Trevor Horne. It's getting a bit like their obsession with Marillion a few years back. Just too much.
On the plus side, Wakeman,  Focus and Tickell yaayy, and plenty of interesting unknowns. Praying for a good Thursday night lead now...


Wakeman is the Thursday night headliner.


How do you know this?


It says so in the email, and on the Fairport website.

It also says that Trevor Horn Band is the Friday headliner.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on December 11, 2023, 06:59:07 PM




I agree about Trevor Horne. It's getting a bit like their obsession with Marillion a few years back. Just too much.
On the plus side, Wakeman,  Focus and Tickell yaayy, and plenty of interesting unknowns. Praying for a good Thursday night lead now...


Wakeman is the Thursday night headliner.


How do you know this?


It says so in the email, and on the Fairport website.

It also says that Trevor Horn Band is the Friday headliner.


CCd


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Lubiloo (Lorna) on December 11, 2023, 08:01:35 PM
It didn’t say anything about a sliding scale of costs this time, did it? Unless I missed it.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on December 11, 2023, 08:55:15 PM

It didn’t say anything about a sliding scale of costs this time, did it? Unless I missed it.


It says Tier one tickets, so...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Lubiloo (Lorna) on December 11, 2023, 09:33:48 PM


It didn’t say anything about a sliding scale of costs this time, did it? Unless I missed it.


It says Tier one tickets, so...


Oh I missed that, skimming over it...ah well  ;D


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Will S on December 12, 2023, 10:36:52 AM
Big Big Train... Yeah!  Been top of my wishlist for Cropredy for the last several years!  And Kathryn Tickell.  A good solid start, I reckon.  I'll definitely be there.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Graham B on December 12, 2023, 07:17:11 PM
I don't know how many tier one tickets there were, but by 19.50 on Monday when I bought my tickets it was up to tier 2.

Looks like a good line up to me. I'm looking forward to seeing Focus again. I'm happy with the Thursday and Friday headline acts and SilverBlues should be really interesting - they've got a great back catalogue to choose from with Lindisfarne and Fairport songs and tunes to pick from.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Amethyst (Jenny) on December 12, 2023, 08:49:21 PM

I don't know how many tier one tickets there were, but by 19.50 on Monday when I bought my tickets it was up to tier 2.

Looks like a good line up to me. I'm looking forward to seeing Focus again. I'm happy with the Thursday and Friday headline acts and SilverBlues should be really interesting - they've got a great back catalogue to choose from with Lindisfarne and Fairport songs and tunes to pick from.


I saw SilverBlues a couple of months ago… they were great!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Will S on December 18, 2023, 10:58:57 AM
Bought my ticket today.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: tarda (Gill) on December 18, 2023, 01:32:54 PM

I don't know how many tier one tickets there were, but by 19.50 on Monday when I bought my tickets it was up to tier 2.

Looks like a good line up to me. I'm looking forward to seeing Focus again. I'm happy with the Thursday and Friday headline acts and SilverBlues should be really interesting - they've got a great back catalogue to choose from with Lindisfarne and Fairport songs and tunes to pick from.


I thought I'd be in time for tier one but that happened to me too.
SilverBlues were excellent at the New Forest Folk Festival last July. Good to see them in the line up.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: PJayBe on December 18, 2023, 04:33:00 PM
Shouldn't the very wonderful Plumhall be on having done the tour.....


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Will S on January 04, 2024, 10:15:51 AM
According to Steve Knightley's FB post this morning, he'll be playing at Cropredy Fringe with his new project, Dream In Colour, which also features Johnny Kalsi.  He didn't say which venue.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: barton cobbler on January 09, 2024, 07:39:20 PM


I don't know how many tier one tickets there were, but by 19.50 on Monday when I bought my tickets it was up to tier 2.

Looks like a good line up to me. I'm looking forward to seeing Focus again. I'm happy with the Thursday and Friday headline acts and SilverBlues should be really interesting - they've got a great back catalogue to choose from with Lindisfarne and Fairport songs and tunes to pick from.


I thought I'd be in time for tier one but that happened to me too.



Both the tier 1 tickets were sold on the first day !!!    I really think that this Tier 1, tier 2 tickets is a sneaky way of putting the price up when they feel like it. Why not be honest about it, First xxxx tier 1, followed by xxxx at tier 2 at least we would have a bit of an idea how much a ticket costs. Like others, I thought I would get tier 1 buying in the first few days but I didn't, not particularly happy, I can afford it but I DO think its a sneaky way to price it.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on January 09, 2024, 07:51:01 PM



I don't know how many tier one tickets there were, but by 19.50 on Monday when I bought my tickets it was up to tier 2.

Looks like a good line up to me. I'm looking forward to seeing Focus again. I'm happy with the Thursday and Friday headline acts and SilverBlues should be really interesting - they've got a great back catalogue to choose from with Lindisfarne and Fairport songs and tunes to pick from.


I thought I'd be in time for tier one but that happened to me too.



Both the tier 1 tickets were sold on the first day !!!    I really think that this Tier 1, tier 2 tickets is a sneaky way of putting the price up when they feel like it. Why not be honest about it, First xxxx tier 1, followed by xxxx at tier 2 at least we would have a bit of an idea how much a ticket costs. Like others, I thought I would get tier 1 buying in the first few days but I didn't, not particularly happy, I can afford it but I DO think its a sneaky way to price it.


Virtually every other festival in the land, and many other events of course, do this and with much less transparency.  By all means rail against the myriad ways capitalism get us to spend our money but don't single out one of the better proponents of the dark arts for doing something uniquely awful.  Basically, if you're quick enough you'll get the tier you want.  As you yourself admit, you didn't, so probably best to be "not particularly happy" with yourself rather than with the festival organisers...?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: barton cobbler on January 15, 2024, 12:19:46 AM




I don't know how many tier one tickets there were, but by 19.50 on Monday when I bought my tickets it was up to tier 2.

Looks like a good line up to me. I'm looking forward to seeing Focus again. I'm happy with the Thursday and Friday headline acts and SilverBlues should be really interesting - they've got a great back catalogue to choose from with Lindisfarne and Fairport songs and tunes to pick from.


I thought I'd be in time for tier one but that happened to me too.



Both the tier 1 tickets were sold on the first day !!!    I really think that this Tier 1, tier 2 tickets is a sneaky way of putting the price up when they feel like it. Why not be honest about it, First xxxx tier 1, followed by xxxx at tier 2 at least we would have a bit of an idea how much a ticket costs. Like others, I thought I would get tier 1 buying in the first few days but I didn't, not particularly happy, I can afford it but I DO think its a sneaky way to price it.


Virtually every other festival in the land, and many other events of course, do this and with much less transparency.  By all means rail against the myriad ways capitalism get us to spend our money but don't single out one of the better proponents of the dark arts for doing something uniquely awful.  Basically, if you're quick enough you'll get the tier you want.  As you yourself admit, you didn't, so probably best to be "not particularly happy" with yourself rather than with the festival organisers...?

Does every other festival do this? Yes they have different pricing, with prices going up on certain dates, like Cropredy did until very recently and I have no problem with this, you know where you stand. With no ticket amounts or dates no one has a clue, there obvious were not many Tier 1 tickets judging by what people have said on here, if there are just 500 Tier 1 tickets, then say that. It's not difficult and everyone knows where they stand.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: bassline (Mike) on January 15, 2024, 05:54:48 AM





I don't know how many tier one tickets there were, but by 19.50 on Monday when I bought my tickets it was up to tier 2.

Looks like a good line up to me. I'm looking forward to seeing Focus again. I'm happy with the Thursday and Friday headline acts and SilverBlues should be really interesting - they've got a great back catalogue to choose from with Lindisfarne and Fairport songs and tunes to pick from.


I thought I'd be in time for tier one but that happened to me too.



Both the tier 1 tickets were sold on the first day !!!    I really think that this Tier 1, tier 2 tickets is a sneaky way of putting the price up when they feel like it. Why not be honest about it, First xxxx tier 1, followed by xxxx at tier 2 at least we would have a bit of an idea how much a ticket costs. Like others, I thought I would get tier 1 buying in the first few days but I didn't, not particularly happy, I can afford it but I DO think its a sneaky way to price it.


Virtually every other festival in the land, and many other events of course, do this and with much less transparency.  By all means rail against the myriad ways capitalism get us to spend our money but don't single out one of the better proponents of the dark arts for doing something uniquely awful.  Basically, if you're quick enough you'll get the tier you want.  As you yourself admit, you didn't, so probably best to be "not particularly happy" with yourself rather than with the festival organisers...?

Does every other festival do this? Yes they have different pricing, with prices going up on certain dates, like Cropredy did until very recently and I have no problem with this, you know where you stand. With no ticket amounts or dates no one has a clue, there obvious were not many Tier 1 tickets judging by what people have said on here, if there are just 500 Tier 1 tickets, then say that. It's not difficult and everyone knows where they stand.


If it was known there only 500 Tier 1 tickets, you'd have potentially 501-20,000 cheesed off punters, disgruntled that they were sat in front of the PC ten minutes before countdown, ready to play fastest fingers and lost out.
Which would still be the case if it wasn't known.
If it was known, then there would be complaints along the likes of 'Why don't they have 1,000 Tier 1 tickets ?'' Why don't they get a computer system that can cope with demand ?'
The guys have been doing this for a long time, and I'm sure they have reasons for the choices they make. There aren't that many fests where the band are a cottage industry, putting on their own event, having to balance all sorts of issues, regarding punters, artists, legal regulations, vendors and themselves making a living.
Look at the queues to get on site and the chair dash Olympics to grab a bit of field, the weekend in that field has slowly turned from a band and audience as a big family chill out vibe, to a bit of a 'me first, rushy pushy, stress fest'.
A bit.
In my humble.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on January 15, 2024, 08:22:00 AM


Look at the queues to get on site and the chair dash Olympics to grab a bit of field, the weekend in that field has slowly turned from a band and audience as a big family chill out vibe, to a bit of a 'me first, rushy pushy, stress fest'.
A bit.
In my humble.



And thereby, it might be argued, perfectly reflecting the times in which it exists.  As, it certainly feels to me, is the preposterous situation of someone blaming anybody but themselves for something that was entirely a result of their own shortcomings.  


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Will S on January 15, 2024, 09:35:26 AM
Full lineup due to be announced in half an hour...!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: PaulT on January 15, 2024, 10:09:59 AM
Tony Christie, Ben Savage & Hannah Sanders, the Zac Schulze Gang - all added to Saturday's line-up, plus "our Special Surprise Guest who will take the stage on Saturday evening immediately before Fairport Convention’s marathon closing set. Who can it be?"



Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on January 15, 2024, 10:12:04 AM

Tony Christie, Ben Savage & Hannah Sanders, the Zac Schulze Gang - all added to Saturday's line-up, plus "our Special Surprise Guest who will take the stage on Saturday evening immediately before Fairport Convention’s marathon closing set. Who can it be?"




When is a complete festival lineup not a complete festival lineup...when there's a special surprise guest on the poster!  I wonder if Yusuf (or whoever it is) will spill the beans this time?  

Saving Grace would be my not very original guess...

ps didn't Tony C have a dementia diagnosis a while back, or did I imagine that?  Impressive to see him still treading the boards if so.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Will S on January 15, 2024, 10:14:00 AM
Tony Christie is actually on Thursday.  

I can think of a few people I'd like the Special Surprise Guest to be, so it probably won't be any of them!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: PaulT on January 15, 2024, 10:37:02 AM

Tony Christie is actually on Thursday.  

I can think of a few people I'd like the Special Surprise Guest to be, so it probably won't be any of them!


Whoops, silly me!

Same here, Will.  I assume "guest" implies a solo appearance...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Will S on January 15, 2024, 10:41:38 AM


Tony Christie is actually on Thursday.  

I can think of a few people I'd like the Special Surprise Guest to be, so it probably won't be any of them!


Whoops, silly me!

Same here, Will.  I assume "guest" implies a solo appearance...


It usually is, so they can get the stage set up for Fairport earlier and just have to move a mic or two.  I wonder if it might be a comedian, like they had some years back?  I forget exactly who it was though!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Nick Reg on January 15, 2024, 10:51:06 AM
I dont think that this announcement will affect my decision.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: PhilipK on January 15, 2024, 11:23:54 AM
Tony Christie is actually on Thursday.

Tony Christie did an album (The Great Irish Songbook) with Ranagri, who are playing on Saturday, so I wonder whether they came together as a package?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Poor Will (Bill) on January 15, 2024, 11:44:00 AM
My whelm level is extremely low.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: DarrenWilliams on January 15, 2024, 11:57:49 AM



Tony Christie is actually on Thursday.  

I can think of a few people I'd like the Special Surprise Guest to be, so it probably won't be any of them!


Whoops, silly me!

Same here, Will.  I assume "guest" implies a solo appearance...


It usually is, so they can get the stage set up for Fairport earlier and just have to move a mic or two.  I wonder if it might be a comedian, like they had some years back?  I forget exactly who it was though!


Jasper Carrot in 2013?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Andy on January 15, 2024, 12:16:05 PM
Glenn Campbell toured for several years after hisdementia diagnosis.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Will S on January 15, 2024, 01:15:31 PM




Tony Christie is actually on Thursday.  

I can think of a few people I'd like the Special Surprise Guest to be, so it probably won't be any of them!


Whoops, silly me!

Same here, Will.  I assume "guest" implies a solo appearance...


It usually is, so they can get the stage set up for Fairport earlier and just have to move a mic or two.  I wonder if it might be a comedian, like they had some years back?  I forget exactly who it was though!


Jasper Carrot in 2013?


That's the badger!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Amethyst (Jenny) on January 15, 2024, 01:24:02 PM
Tony Christie…. Well at least we’ll get songs not Grammys 😁


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Adam on January 15, 2024, 04:38:35 PM

Tony Christie, Ben Savage & Hannah Sanders, the Zac Schulze Gang - all added to Saturday's line-up, plus "our Special Surprise Guest who will take the stage on Saturday evening immediately before Fairport Convention’s marathon closing set. Who can it be?"




Hmmm…Think I’ll give Thursday a skip this year and rock up for Friday/Saturday..


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: andrew c on January 15, 2024, 09:10:09 PM
I can't help thinking if the Special Surprise Guest is really special, they'd surely announce a name to maybe sell more tickets?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: StephenB on January 15, 2024, 09:57:56 PM
And if it's Richard or Ralph that's hardly a surprise
It does seem a bizarre sales strategy...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: John From Austin on January 15, 2024, 10:42:16 PM

I can't help thinking if the Special Surprise Guest is really special, they'd surely announce a name to maybe sell more tickets?


Guessing Gerry Conway.

On second thought, he falls under the umbrella of "and friends." But so would RT I would think.

From the billing on the poster, I guess everyone surmises the "Special Surprise Guest" will do his/her/their own set?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on January 15, 2024, 11:48:18 PM

My whelm level is extremely low.

Not like you Bill.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Andy on January 16, 2024, 12:35:26 AM

I can't help thinking if the Special Surprise Guest is really special, they'd surely announce a name to maybe sell more tickets?
Presumably announcing a "Special Surprise Guest"  gives leeway for contract negotiations and, indeed, the possibility that the SSG's identity may change.


My Guess? Steve Knightley.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: David W on January 16, 2024, 10:09:16 AM
It'll be Percy surely.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Jim on January 16, 2024, 04:01:34 PM

It'll be Percy surely.


He's been on so many times he can't qualify as a special guest, he's like a cousin in residence.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Jim G on January 16, 2024, 05:02:29 PM
Roy Wood hasn't made an appearance for a few years.



Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Chris J on January 16, 2024, 05:32:19 PM
My money is on Martin Carthy as "Special Surprise Guest". They don't come more special than this particular legend.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: bassline (Mike) on January 16, 2024, 07:47:03 PM
James Taylor would fit.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: andrew c on January 16, 2024, 08:56:13 PM
Bet it's Toyah again


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Lubiloo (Lorna) on January 16, 2024, 09:33:18 PM
I thought it may be Roger Daltrey the way they put ‘Who can it be?’.

Then I remembered the word ‘who’ can be used for people other than members of The Who.

Percy would be lovely...I expect people would love to see him-but I also wondered, could it just be an extra appearance from the Maestro, RT?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: StephenB on January 16, 2024, 10:51:48 PM
Forgive my ignorance, but who is this mystical Percy?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: John From Austin on January 17, 2024, 12:34:07 AM

Forgive my ignorance, but who is this mystical Percy?


Plant, Robert Plant.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: StephenB on January 17, 2024, 12:38:44 AM
Oh right, thanks. That makes sense, surprised i didn't work it out.   :-[


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Andy on January 17, 2024, 01:01:06 AM

My money is on Martin Carthy as "Special Surprise Guest". They don't come more special than this particular legend.
As long as he has someone with him onstage to help him stay on track. He's a lovely chap.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on January 17, 2024, 09:08:41 AM

I thought it may be Roger Daltrey the way they put ‘Who can it be?’.

Then I remembered the word ‘who’ can be used for people other than members of The Who.

Percy would be lovely...I expect people would love to see him-but I also wondered, could it just be an extra appearance from the Maestro, RT?


It would be a unique situation in the 4.5 decades long history of Cropredy if it was...I'm fairly certain I'm right in saying he's never just "turned up" without being billed.  I'm fairly certain that his appearance adds guaranteed bums on seats as well, so there would appear to be little logic in the approach?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Will S on January 17, 2024, 02:01:18 PM
If it is someone big, then the reason for not naming them may be that they will only get a short (half-hour?) slot (plus maybe a couple of songs with Fairport), but they don't want people turning up expecting a full set from, say, Mr Plant, and then complaining that they didn't get their money's worth.  Just a thought.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on January 17, 2024, 02:20:23 PM
Candidates:  Plant, Yusuf, Winwood, Wood, Anderson.  Any others?  Hodgson again maybe...all again, actually although Winwood has never guested.

Can't really see the James Taylor but we know how much Peggy at least has wanted that one...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Lubiloo (Lorna) on January 17, 2024, 03:22:48 PM
Winwood was there in 2009....(I remember because a small child was lifted up onto the parent’s shoulder in front of me and I was gutted as I could not see properly). ::)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Sue & Chris on January 17, 2024, 03:33:23 PM
Some interesting guesses here, but come on, this is Cropredy.

It'll be Anna Ryder or someone who used to be in Tiny Tin Lady. Outside chance of one or more Pierce brother.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Amethyst (Jenny) on January 17, 2024, 03:47:07 PM

Some interesting guesses here, but come on, this is Cropredy.

It'll be Anna Ryder or someone who used to be in Tiny Tin Lady. Outside chance of one or more Pierce brother.


Oh blimey I hope not a Tiny Tin!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Malcolm on January 17, 2024, 03:53:43 PM
Cropredy village resident Joe Brown?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Nick Reg on January 17, 2024, 04:19:03 PM
Frank Skinner?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: David W on January 17, 2024, 05:20:16 PM


Some interesting guesses here, but come on, this is Cropredy.

It'll be Anna Ryder or someone who used to be in Tiny Tin Lady. Outside chance of one or more Pierce brother.


Oh blimey I hope not a Tiny Tin!


Kat Gilmore remains briliant!! But not as a special guest.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: John From Austin on January 17, 2024, 05:25:08 PM

Cropredy village resident Joe Brown?


Great idea!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on January 17, 2024, 05:49:05 PM

Winwood was there in 2009....(I remember because a small child was lifted up onto the parent’s shoulder in front of me and I was gutted as I could not see properly). ::)


Aye, I saw that.  Never guested though is what I meant (with FC).


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: bassline (Mike) on January 17, 2024, 08:06:57 PM

I thought it may be Roger Daltrey the way they put ‘Who can it be?’.

Then I remembered the word ‘who’ can be used for people other than members of The Who.




I've been thinking about this a bit. There used to be a surprise, un-billed guest every year.
Then in 93 there was Planty AND Roy Wood, doing about half an hour or so each, resulting in complaints that there was less time for FC, so in 1994, there was no guest.
However, when they played Adieu, Adieu, they said 'we nicked the intro for this next one from The 'Oo', and did little snippets of Substitute, My Generation and a big chunk of Won't Get Fooled Again, with Maart singing, which rocked and the crowd went nuts.
Then we got Happy Jack and Adieu Adieu...

Maybe we might get Daltry AND Townsend - Pete was mates with Sandy.

Maybe not both - it say guest singular - but it could be Pete.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: blagden on January 17, 2024, 08:56:01 PM
I'd err with the side that it would be Roge, if either?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Lubiloo (Lorna) on January 17, 2024, 10:39:02 PM


Winwood was there in 2009....(I remember because a small child was lifted up onto the parent’s shoulder in front of me and I was gutted as I could not see properly). ::)


Aye, I saw that.  Never guested though is what I meant (with FC).


I realised  afterwards but it was too late to amend the error of my ways  ;D


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on January 18, 2024, 12:06:03 AM
Plant or RT probably…
But since Tony Christie has joined the line up, possibly Peters  and Lee ( one for our younger readers!) or Bucks Fizz.
Saw Tony Christie at NFFF with Ranagri , who I have since seen on their own a few times and they’re a good band but with Christie they make Irish music a bit polite imho.
https://youtu.be/sijuJUxJoVM?si=vuwZK1mmDfVM7GY1


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Lubiloo (Lorna) on January 18, 2024, 04:50:21 AM

Plant or RT probably…
But since Tony Christie has joined the line up, possibly Peters  and Lee ( one for our younger readers!) ...




Lennie Peters died in 1992, so I’m afraid that won’t be possible.  :'(


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on January 18, 2024, 07:44:23 AM
Yes I know 😇😇😇🤣🤣


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Lubiloo (Lorna) on January 18, 2024, 07:59:28 AM

Yes I know 😇😇😇🤣🤣


There are always holograms these days.  :)

Roger Daltrey is my best guess, anyway.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on January 18, 2024, 09:08:59 AM
Serious reply!
As has been said , the act before Fairports is usually a solo act ,whilst  stage is set.
I remember not looking forward to Dennis Loccorie , forgive the spelling, then he absolutely owned the spot much to my surprise and enjoyment.I expected  Sylvia’s Mother…..got so much more.
At the risk of being contentious again it seems that some fests , including NFFF , THE costas and the river boat cruises are picking from a well run rota of acts. Doesn’t mean they’re not good cos they are , RT  SoH, Lakeman, etc etc and I guess its about what you go to a festival for.
Someone commented on my Between the Trees Fest that they don’t know most of the acts.
I have been around a long time , I have seen many of my fave bands many times. Doesn’t mean I don’t still like them and appreciate them.
Cropredy , May not be the place to introduce new faces any more, though I ve seen it done.
The days of Fairports 4 hr long headlining sets are gone, for completely understandable reasons.
So I guess the surprise guest may feature later in Fairports set .
There are some cracking bands and artists out there …..and venues…we have to use em or lose em.
As someone who plays music in the Johnsons Paint Division just getting out and playing again/still is a joy.
Hope to bump into old faces somewhere down the road this yr.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: StephenB on January 18, 2024, 04:45:16 PM
I'm just not mad about the overall concept of turning up and paying money for a lottery and a hope that something will ge really good


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on January 18, 2024, 05:50:29 PM

I'm just not mad about the overall concept of turning up and paying money for a lottery and a hope that something will ge really good

We re all different Stephen.There were a lot of bands I didn’t know at Magpies Fest last yr but some I did, Honey and the Bear, Chris Difford and Edward 11nd , so I checked my bets.
Same at Between the trees this yr. A few I know , a lot I don’t. You pays yer money…..


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Nick Reg on January 18, 2024, 08:04:25 PM

Serious reply!
As has been said , the act before Fairports is usually a solo act ,whilst  stage is set.
I remember not looking forward to Dennis Loccorie , forgive the spelling, then he absolutely owned the spot much to my surprise and enjoyment.I expected  Sylvia’s Mother…..got so much more.
At the risk of being contentious again it seems that some fests , including NFFF , THE costas and the river boat cruises are picking from a well run rota of acts. Doesn’t mean they’re not good cos they are , RT  SoH, Lakeman, etc etc and I guess its about what you go to a festival for.
Someone commented on my Between the Trees Fest that they don’t know most of the acts.
I have been around a long time , I have seen many of my fave bands many times. Doesn’t mean I don’t still like them and appreciate them.
Cropredy , May not be the place to introduce new faces any more, though I ve seen it done.
The days of Fairports 4 hr long headlining sets are gone, for completely understandable reasons.
So I guess the surprise guest may feature later in Fairports set .
There are some cracking bands and artists out there …..and venues…we have to use em or lose em.
As someone who plays music in the Johnsons Paint Division just getting out and playing again/still is a joy.
Hope to bump into old faces somewhere down the road this yr.

That set on Dennis' second visit was just superb. About ten minutes in he seemed to click with the crowd and it just took off. There are few Cropredy sets I have enjoyed more.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: David W on January 18, 2024, 10:22:16 PM
Lots of chat about Daltrey BUT if you can get him why not Friday headliner?

DW


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Andy on January 19, 2024, 12:59:38 PM
Wendy's suggestion is Susy Quattro as she's appearing at Wickham the previous week.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: John From Austin on January 19, 2024, 04:28:27 PM

Wendy's suggestion is Susy Quattro as she's appearing at Wickham the previous week.


You mean Leather Tuscadero from "Happy Days?" (When I was a kid, I was somewhat confused by her anachronistic appearance, dressed and coiffed like a '70s punk rocker surrounded by sock hoppers at the soda shop.)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: David W on January 19, 2024, 06:10:19 PM
Just seen.Billy Bragg is at Towersey so ...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on January 19, 2024, 10:12:33 PM

Just seen.Billy Bragg is at Towersey so ...

Good call


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: David W on January 22, 2024, 09:15:16 PM
Why have I only just realised that Thursday and Friday heads are both former members of Yes.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Nick Reg on February 06, 2024, 09:47:26 AM
First Cropredy we will miss for 35 years and local heroes Headsticks are on at The Fringe!! Oh well perhaps from there to the main stage, or are they a bit too political?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Peter H-K on February 06, 2024, 04:50:18 PM

I'd err with the side that it would be Roge, if either?


Definitely. It's been a while since Pete did any solo stuff, I think.

I've said before that my daughter and I saw Roger's solo show in 2022, and it was breathtakingly good. We then saw The Who (5th time for me) in July, and though they were as brilliant as ever, Roger seemed utterly knackered by the end of the show (we have to remember he'll be 80 in a few weeks' time). He has started making quite a few noises lately about his nearing the end of performing. That said, The Who are playing two Teenage Cancer Trust shows at the Albert Hall this year, so you never know. But if Roger were playing Cropredy, it would make much more sense to have him headlining Friday, and to be announced to act as a draw. In addition, he has a healthy sense of his own status, and I suspect he wouldn't do anything where he wasn't headlining.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: bassline (Mike) on February 06, 2024, 08:47:48 PM
I'm not sure that the point of the guest is to be a draw, but a treat for those who are there.

The usual thing is a solo artist before Fairport to avoid a change over of instruments and amps as so on.
Daltrey would require a band, unless he's ever done an acoustic set with him playing a geetar, or maybe another guitarist.

I'm thinking it will be more along the lines of Jasper Carrot's surprise set a few years ago..maybe Bill Bailey or someone similar.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Amethyst (Jenny) on February 06, 2024, 09:09:59 PM
Bill Bailey would be great.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: bassline (Mike) on February 06, 2024, 09:34:16 PM

Bill Bailey would be great.


Apparently, according to an FC member a few years ago, he has been approached, and is keen, but schedules need to be aligned.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Will S on February 07, 2024, 08:31:27 AM

I'm not sure that the point of the guest is to be a draw, but a treat for those who are there.

The usual thing is a solo artist before Fairport to avoid a change over of instruments and amps as so on.
Daltrey would require a band, unless he's ever done an acoustic set with him playing a geetar, or maybe another guitarist.

I'm thinking it will be more along the lines of Jasper Carrot's surprise set a few years ago..maybe Bill Bailey or someone similar.


Exactly my thoughts. All those hoping for a big name band or singer who will do a full set are going to be disappointed.  It'll only be a 20-30 min thing, maybe with a couple of fairporters joining them for one or two numbers.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Nick Reg on February 07, 2024, 10:55:05 AM
or could they have been waiting for Oysterband's announcement before making their own?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Tasha on February 08, 2024, 11:33:14 PM
What are the chances of it being Roger Hodgson? I'd love that!! It's
 been a while since he last played Cropredy...
2000 was it?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Andy on February 09, 2024, 12:11:13 AM


It would be lovely to see him again. However he is 73 and hasn't toured since 2019 as far as I know.

But I've by no means kept up with him in the past few years so... who knows?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Will S on February 09, 2024, 08:53:42 AM
I think I've got it! Bryn Terfel has just released an album of folk songs. Maybe it'll be him doing a little spot?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on February 09, 2024, 11:06:33 AM

I think I've got it! Bryn Terfel has just released an album of folk songs. Maybe it'll be him doing a little spot?


By (Tony) Christ(ie) I think you've got it....


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Andy on February 09, 2024, 02:08:11 PM
At least it won't be Lulu, who has just announced her retirement in April.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Tasha on February 12, 2024, 11:23:39 AM
i see Steve Marriott's daughter Mollie is going to be backing singer on Wakemans Return of the Caped Crusader tour replacing Hayley Sanderson who has had to drop out.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Field 7 is Heaven (Trev) on February 12, 2024, 04:35:13 PM
Marty Wilde is releasing a new Album in May and going on a farewell tour at the age of 85. Perhaps................


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on February 12, 2024, 05:15:19 PM

Marty Wilde is releasing a new Album in May and going on a farewell tour at the age of 85. Perhaps................


Don't encourage them ::) ;D


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: David W on February 12, 2024, 08:51:07 PM

i see Steve Marriott's daughter Mollie is going to be backing singer on Wakemans Return of the Caped Crusader tour replacing Hayley Sanderson who has had to drop out.


I believe Hayley has played Croppers in the past ..


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: PaulT on February 25, 2024, 09:54:13 PM
Show of Hands?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Poor Will (Bill) on April 04, 2024, 03:24:00 PM
I see Fairground Attraction are reforming for a tour shortly after Eddi Reader’s appearance at Cropredy.
I wonder if this means we could actually be getting Fairground Attraction.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on April 04, 2024, 03:50:32 PM

I see Fairground Attraction are reforming for a tour shortly after Eddi Reader’s appearance at Cropredy.
I wonder if this means we could actually be getting Fairground Attraction.


I'd be amazed if it was...do you really think "the three blokes in Fairground Attraction" warrant that much attention?  Bit harsh maybe but...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Poor Will (Bill) on April 04, 2024, 04:21:07 PM


I see Fairground Attraction are reforming for a tour shortly after Eddi Reader’s appearance at Cropredy.
I wonder if this means we could actually be getting Fairground Attraction.


I'd be amazed if it was...do you really think "the three blokes in Fairground Attraction" warrant that much attention?  Bit harsh maybe but...
A valid point, to be honest I wouldn’t know the difference!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Dubai Danny on May 07, 2024, 06:32:25 PM

Show of Hands?


Unlikely, given that Abbotsbury in July is being heralded as their proper final appearance before their indefinite break.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on May 24, 2024, 10:11:59 AM
If it was anybody big ( Plant , even RT etc) they would have announced it to enhance ticket sales . No it will probably be some extended member of the Fairport family……Ashley Hutchings ? Etc


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on May 24, 2024, 01:23:41 PM

If it was anybody big ( Plant , even RT etc) they would have announced it to enhance ticket sales . No it will probably be some extended member of the Fairport family……Ashley Hutchings ? Etc


I'm fairly certain I'm right in saying RT has never not been properly announced.  There's always a first time though.  Can't think he'd add many on to audience though?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Shane (Skirky) on May 24, 2024, 10:11:52 PM

If it was anybody big ( Plant , even RT etc) they would have announced it to enhance ticket sales . No it will probably be some extended member of the Fairport family……Ashley Hutchings ? Etc


Surely the idea of not doing the big reveal in advance is that folk might take a punt on it being Thompy, or Ian Anderson, or James Taylor, or David Essex?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on May 24, 2024, 11:18:27 PM


If it was anybody big ( Plant , even RT etc) they would have announced it to enhance ticket sales . No it will probably be some extended member of the Fairport family……Ashley Hutchings ? Etc


Surely the idea of not doing the big reveal in advance is that folk might take a punt on it being Thompy, or Ian Anderson, or James Taylor, or David Essex?

However if the idea was to increase ticket sales ,Simons appeal would tend to imply that hasn’t worked….


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on May 25, 2024, 12:03:44 AM
Sorry about so many posts but…..
Just been re looking at the Brase lineup…..
Steve Knightly playing the Brase on Friday . Pos special guest on the Sat?
Or even While and Matthews who are playing Brase on Thurs. Chris singing Sandy again ?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Adam on May 25, 2024, 09:17:06 PM

Sorry about so many posts but…..
Just been re looking at the Brase lineup…..
Steve Knightly playing the Brase on Friday . Pos special guest on the Sat?
Or even While and Matthews who are playing Brase on Thurs. Chris singing Sandy again ?


All three have played the festival before; I wonder if the Brasenose is now direct competition to Cropredy? That can’t help…


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on May 25, 2024, 09:33:28 PM


Sorry about so many posts but…..
Just been re looking at the Brase lineup…..
Steve Knightly playing the Brase on Friday . Pos special guest on the Sat?
Or even While and Matthews who are playing Brase on Thurs. Chris singing Sandy again ?


All three have played the festival before; I wonder if the Brasenose is now direct competition to Cropredy? That can’t help…

Adam, I think the Brase is a fest in itself. Seperate ticketing.cracking line up.
It will be interesting to see how village parking copes with ,effectively 2 fests.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Adam on May 25, 2024, 09:44:33 PM



Sorry about so many posts but…..
Just been re looking at the Brase lineup…..
Steve Knightly playing the Brase on Friday . Pos special guest on the Sat?
Or even While and Matthews who are playing Brase on Thurs. Chris singing Sandy again ?


All three have played the festival before; I wonder if the Brasenose is now direct competition to Cropredy? That can’t help…

Adam, I think the Brase is a fest in itself. Seperate ticketing.cracking line up.
It will be interesting to see how village parking copes with ,effectively 2 fests.


That’s my point (I think!) - I wonder how many people are going to the Brasenose/field 8 and not bothering with Cropredy tickets as they offer similar music at a cheaper price? Even if it is a hundred or so, it will still hurt.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on July 09, 2024, 08:32:23 AM
One month to go.

No announcement of the "special guest".

There isn't one is there?

I hear the calls that "its contractual" - but at this late stage what benefit is there to be had for not announcing ? People will have August weekends pretty much planned now. Its a bit late to announce somebody < 4 weeks to go and expect ticket sales to pick up as a result. And I really cant see many even ardent fans of Guest X coughing £85 to see them - unless its swifty or the boss I suppose in which case that's cheap.

weird AF.





Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Yorkshire Chris on July 09, 2024, 11:11:44 AM
OMG - has anyone seen the announcement about the special guests on the Fairport web page.... :o



Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Lubiloo (Lorna) on July 09, 2024, 02:20:02 PM

One month to go.

No announcement of the "special guest".

There isn't one is there?

I hear the calls that "its contractual" - but at this late stage what benefit is there to be had for not announcing ? People will have August weekends pretty much planned now. Its a bit late to announce somebody < 4 weeks to go and expect ticket sales to pick up as a result. And I really cant see many even ardent fans of Guest X coughing £85 to see them - unless its swifty or the boss I suppose in which case that's cheap.

weird AF.






Probably just keeping it as a genuine surprise til the last moment….that has often happened before but without the pre-announcement of the guest. Ha ha love it Yorkshire Chris!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Chipton Blake on July 09, 2024, 04:06:35 PM
Wonder if there is any connection to the saturday
Brasenose afternoon slot - still not announced.
A long set at the Brase before the mainstage for a bit?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Martin F on July 17, 2024, 04:20:13 PM
Trevor Horn has pulled out for health reasons, RT replaces him...

Quote
We have a rather unexpected announcement. Richard Thompson will headline the Friday night as, with great regret, Trevor Horn has had to pull out due to a health issue.

Fairport co-founder Richard is no stranger to the Cropredy stage of course. He will play a solo acoustic set accompanied by guest vocalist Zara Phillips. “I can’t tell you what a joy it is to be back at Cropredy,” says Richard. “This always feels like home – a chance to catch up with old Fairport bandmates and to play in front of the best folkrock audience in the world. Roll on August!”

Trevor Horn is really disappointed to miss the festival. “Of all the festivals we play, Fairport’s Cropredy Convention is my favourite for many reasons,” he says. “So it’s with great sadness that I must cancel our appearance this year. This is due to a health issue from which I have not made the recovery I was expecting.”

“I hope Fairport will invite us to play next year,” Trevor adds. “Meanwhile, my sincere apologies and my best wishes for this year’s event.”

Needless to say, we all wish Trevor the very best in his recovery.

Tickets for Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2024 are still on sale at www.fairportconvention.com/tickets




Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on July 17, 2024, 05:02:45 PM

Quote
We have a rather unexpected announcement. Richard Thompson will headline the Friday night as, with great regret, Trevor Horn has had to pull out due to a health issue.



BUT BUT BUT...  we were told in this thread RT was in the USA and so could not possibly be the special guest (sat)  as a result.

yet here he is headlining Friday.

Whilst also being in the USA.

Oh...



Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Lubiloo (Lorna) on July 17, 2024, 06:30:23 PM
Solo, not solo  ;D


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on July 17, 2024, 06:53:04 PM


Quote
We have a rather unexpected announcement. Richard Thompson will headline the Friday night as, with great regret, Trevor Horn has had to pull out due to a health issue.



BUT BUT BUT...  we were told in this thread RT was in the USA and so could not possibly be the special guest (sat)  as a result.

yet here he is headlining Friday.

Whilst also being in the USA.

Oh...



Conspiracy theory alert…..which may mean he was always going to be Saturdays special guest……


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: blagden on July 17, 2024, 07:13:55 PM



Quote
We have a rather unexpected announcement. Richard Thompson will headline the Friday night as, with great regret, Trevor Horn has had to pull out due to a health issue.



BUT BUT BUT...  we were told in this thread RT was in the USA and so could not possibly be the special guest (sat)  as a result.

yet here he is headlining Friday.

Whilst also being in the USA.

Oh...



Conspiracy theory alert…..which may mean he was always going to be Saturdays special guest……


Feel For Mr Horn but ...

Omnishambles is a neologism first used in the BBC political satire The Thick of It in 2009. The word is compounded from the Latin prefix omni-, meaning "all", and the word shambles, a term for a situation of total disorder. Originally a "shambles" denoted the designated stock-felling and butchery zone of a medieval street market, from the butchers' benches (Latin scamillus "low stool, a little bench"). The word refers to a situation that is seen as shambolic from all possible perspectives. It gained popularity in 2012 after sustained usage in the political sphere led to its being named Oxford English Dictionary Word of the Year, and it was formally added to the online editions of the Oxford Dictionary of English in August 2013.[2]

springs to mind.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on July 17, 2024, 09:45:15 PM


Conspiracy theory alert…..which may mean he was always going to be Saturdays special guest……



Indeed.  Though the festival poster says "Special SURPRISE Guest".  And while RT would always be special...  he'd hardly be a "SURPRISE" would he ?

except that he is in the USA apparently then and cant possibly be at Cropredy.

Oh.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on July 18, 2024, 06:39:56 AM



Conspiracy theory alert…..which may mean he was always going to be Saturdays special guest……



Indeed.  Though the festival poster says "Special SURPRISE Guest".  And while RT would always be special...  he'd hardly be a "SURPRISE" would he ?

except that he is in the USA apparently then and cant possibly be at Cropredy.

Oh.


As has been said many times in here, he's never actually been a surprise unannounced guest at Cropredy, so actually it would be a surprise (of sorts).


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: simon frisby on July 18, 2024, 08:06:03 AM
I just think this is a last minute ' mate can you do us a favour' job.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on July 18, 2024, 08:07:17 AM

I just think this is a last minute ' mate can you do us a favour' job.


I suspect you're correct on this.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wardi on July 18, 2024, 08:29:30 AM
TBF I don't think this is entirely unusual in the world of ageing musicians.  I had tickets to see the Eagles & Steely Dan in June (that cost me very deep in the purse!).  Steely Dan withdrew due to illness and were promptly replaced by the Doobie Brothers.  I would rather have seen the Dan but the Doobies were an able replacement.

I did see Richard T on his recent tour (full band) and he was on good form.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: quodlibet (Ian) on July 18, 2024, 10:54:36 AM

Obviously, it's sad for Trevor Horn being unable to play & we all wish him well.

However, RT is a very welcome replacement. If only there were some decent muscians on hand to form a scratch band to help him out.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on July 18, 2024, 01:02:35 PM


Obviously, it's sad for Trevor Horn being unable to play & we all wish him well.

However, RT is a very welcome replacement. If only there were some decent muscians on hand to form a scratch band to help him out.


My thoughts too, but they seemed very keen to stress the solo-ness (with the missus) of the performance...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: John From Austin on July 18, 2024, 08:41:55 PM



Obviously, it's sad for Trevor Horn being unable to play & we all wish him well.

However, RT is a very welcome replacement. If only there were some decent muscians on hand to form a scratch band to help him out.


My thoughts too, but they seemed very keen to stress the solo-ness (with the missus) of the performance...


I predict they'll morph into the Hand of Kindness Band at some point.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: GubGub (Al) on July 19, 2024, 12:45:43 AM
Big plug for the festival on Kermode and Mayo's Take today.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: andrew c on July 23, 2024, 09:17:31 PM
I know they are billed as The Trevor Horn Band but........ surely the band could still rip through their repertoire with a competent stand-in bass player? I know people who bought tickets looking forward to this Friday headliner will be disappointed with the replacement. Not me, I'm really chuffed that RT is performing.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Adam on July 23, 2024, 09:31:31 PM
From RT on Facebook (for those who don’t use it):

“I'm playing basically acoustic at Cropredy on August 9th (with some help from Zara) but we will be joined by a few chums for an electric 'segment'!”


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Will S on July 24, 2024, 03:05:34 PM

I know they are billed as The Trevor Horn Band but........ surely the band could still rip through their repertoire with a competent stand-in bass player? I know people who bought tickets looking forward to this Friday headliner will be disappointed with the replacement. Not me, I'm really chuffed that RT is performing.


Probably yes, but the key to the whole show is Trevor Horn's anecdotes about the different people/albums he was involved in, before they play the different songs, so it really wouldn't be the same thing.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on July 24, 2024, 04:13:53 PM

I know they are billed as The Trevor Horn Band but........ surely the band could still rip through their repertoire with a competent stand-in bass player? I know people who bought tickets looking forward to this Friday headliner will be disappointed with the replacement. Not me, I'm really chuffed that RT is performing.


And if one wants to know how and why Cropredy has ceased to be what it once was, then this sentence explains that more than adequately.  Sad times...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on July 24, 2024, 09:13:18 PM


I know they are billed as The Trevor Horn Band but........ surely the band could still rip through their repertoire with a competent stand-in bass player? I know people who bought tickets looking forward to this Friday headliner will be disappointed with the replacement. Not me, I'm really chuffed that RT is performing.


And if one wants to know how and why Cropredy has ceased to be what it once was, then this sentence explains that more than adequately.  Sad times...



The only way of comparing which line ups have had universal appeal or not is by comparing the attendances each year.

Despite different people’s individual opinions regards acts and line ups it is still a fact that the customer is always right and they vote by their feet.

If the bigger crowds were in attendance for the likes of Alice cooper or madness as opposed to other years then that is a fact that cannot be denied.

The be all and end all is the cash generated each year.

Perhaps a look at the last twenty years attendances could shed light on what the paying customer is more likely to attend.

My personal opinion of the last 17 festivals would be that the Alice cooper year had the biggest attendance but I may be wrong.




Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: GubGub (Al) on July 24, 2024, 11:20:30 PM



I know they are billed as The Trevor Horn Band but........ surely the band could still rip through their repertoire with a competent stand-in bass player? I know people who bought tickets looking forward to this Friday headliner will be disappointed with the replacement. Not me, I'm really chuffed that RT is performing.


And if one wants to know how and why Cropredy has ceased to be what it once was, then this sentence explains that more than adequately.  Sad times...



The only way of comparing which line ups have had universal appeal or not is by comparing the attendances each year.

Despite different people’s individual opinions regards acts and line ups it is still a fact that the customer is always right and they vote by their feet.

If the bigger crowds were in attendance for the likes of Alice cooper or madness as opposed to other years then that is a fact that cannot be denied.

The be all and end all is the cash generated each year.

Perhaps a look at the last twenty years attendances could shed light on what the paying customer is more likely to attend.

My personal opinion of the last 17 festivals would be that the Alice cooper year had the biggest attendance but I may be wrong.





That is slightly missing the point that Cropredy used to be a smaller festival which did not require that level of footfall to survive. As such it had a very specific identity.

I understand that the economics of festivals have changed, the reasons for that and how it have unavoidably impacted Cropredy but that has also irreversibly changed its character. For every individual who might look forward to Trevor Horn or Alice Cooper or whoever else the Friday headliner might be in the festival's 21st century iteration, there is another mourning what has been lost and for whom Cropredy no longer holds the appeal that it once did.

David's observation remains true that the sentence he quotes encapsulates all of the above, the loss of identity, the changing audience and the commercial realities that have brought it all about.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on July 25, 2024, 07:53:49 AM
I'll just add this:  My recollection is that 1987 was the first 20k (give or take) attendance.  So it could definitely still attract the crowds without Alice Cooper and Trevor Horn...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on July 25, 2024, 08:10:10 AM
I do genuinely hesitate to post here.
There is a lot I could say but a lot of its being said and things ain’t going to change.The  festival has changed . Fairports have changed.
But let’s revel in Nostalgia for a bit…..
My early Cropredies , irregular in the  80’s and then regularly in a convoy with friends from 95, were about Fairports. Saturday night was the high point , the focus of the fest. A 2 day fest.
3 day fest changed things.
Peggy and Christine getting divorced changed things. Security changed. H and S changed , no longer a small (ish) folk rock driven , vaguely alternative fest.
I understand the economics.
Chris replaced Maart and Metal Matty became a more twee experience….
So people started going for the Thurs night headliner and though it’s a generalisation a large portion of the field had little interest in the Saturday night headliner.
I watched some great Fairport headline sets , with guests including Vikki Clayton , Chris While, Jerry Donahue, Robert Plant , Swarb etc etc. but those days are gone.
They were wonderful times with friends ……..
Things change.
The Brasenose Fringe lineup looks like an old Cropredy line up. Old faces, new faces but with some real quality in there.
Steve Knightlys new band, the wonderful Jon Palmer Acoustic Band ( if you want folk rock…..) Tukay and Ryan, While and Matthews .
I would go but I have no idea where you would park for the day.
Any way I write this as I am about to leave for Warwick fest , to say goodbye to Oysterband and discover new stuff.
Enjoy Cropredy everybody …..and good to see Peggy,Simon and  DM will be playing with RT ….for those people on the field who know and care, who RT is……that could be special but I understand others would rather be watching the Buggles greatest hits




Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on July 25, 2024, 08:22:46 AM

The only way of comparing which line ups have had universal appeal or not is by comparing the attendances each year.
Despite different people’s individual opinions regards acts and line ups it is still a fact that the customer is always right and they vote by their feet.
If the bigger crowds were in attendance for the likes of Alice cooper or madness as opposed to other years then that is a fact that cannot be denied.
The be all and end all is the cash generated each year.
Perhaps a look at the last twenty years attendances could shed light on what the paying customer is more likely to attend.
My personal opinion of the last 17 festivals would be that the Alice cooper year had the biggest attendance but I may be wrong.


I like that approach and agree, but for the comparisons to be meaningful you'd also have to facter in such areas as

* when the tickets actually got bought - first release, a week before the festival, etc etc
* weather forecasts
* other events happening at the same time, or even year ie alternative attractions/spending focusses eg olympics, world cups, brit doing well in wimbledon, royal occassions etc etc
* possibility of seeing Act X on a tour elsewhere
* etc etc etc


didds (B.Sc. (Hons) Comp. Sci & Statistics)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on July 25, 2024, 08:47:59 AM

That is slightly missing the point that Cropredy used to be a smaller festival which did not require that level of footfall to survive. As such it had a very specific identity.
I understand that the economics of festivals have changed, the reasons for that and how it have unavoidably impacted Cropredy but that has also irreversibly changed its character. For every individual who might look forward to Trevor Horn or Alice Cooper or whoever else the Friday headliner might be in the festival's 21st century iteration, there is another mourning what has been lost and for whom Cropredy no longer holds the appeal that it once did.
David's observation remains true that the sentence he quotes encapsulates all of the above, the loss of identity, the changing audience and the commercial realities that have brought it all about.


I'll throw another iron in the fire or whatever the metaphor should be...

There are I perceive far more smaller, "local" festivals these days as well, that are far cheaper than large festivals (and at 20K we would have to accept that Cropredy is a "large" festival"). Its not beyond the wit of man to see that attending one "large" festival financially equates to 2 or 3 smaller festivals.

CF Two people+camper van
Bearded Theory : £544 (3rd ticket release, first two were sold out before I even breathed!)
Cropredy : £386

Here For The Music : £171
My Dad's Bigger Than Your Dad (1-day + transport return which represents ~40% of that cost!) : £74
Trowbridge :  £220
Tangled Roots/Tangled Up in Blues/Somerset Jazz : £150

Those smaller festivals may not see as "large" acts (and not FC obvs :-) but the quality of music is high - and H4TM this year had Black Water County (Cropredy 2024), Skinny Lister (BT 2023), Trowbridge 2023 had Holy Moly and the Crackers (Cropredy 2022 ), Gigspanner (Cropredy 2017), Merry Hell (2023), Three Daft Monkeys (Cropredy 2008) - Gaz Brookfield has played the top three smaller festivals listed and he is in the same ballpark as Beans on Toast (Cropredy 2023) in terms of following and style etc (not so much swearing ;-) ) so the stretch isn't really that great at all.


TL;DR - festival attendance costs go further at smaller festivals without necessarily losing the standard of music. And if one is in the "its about the music and vibe and not specific acts" then they all fit the bill.

Oh - ale at H4TM was £4 a pint, brewed on site!


didds


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on July 25, 2024, 10:01:47 AM
I think we should get away from thinking about Cropredy in the past as a 'small' festival.  In '79-'86 it was (I think) for 8-15k attendees and ever since it has been 20k (or as close as it can get to it).  So it was never a boutique thing.  But what was different (imho) was a firm rationale and coherence.  It was focussed on Fairport, their offshoots and (effectively) their mates.  I doubt anybody went to my first festival in 1984 that wasn't a massive Fairport fan.  That coherence was probably (to some extent) being lost already, but it was absolutely lost with the divorce and the organisational changes for the festival that followed.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on July 25, 2024, 10:36:44 AM

I think we should get away from thinking about Cropredy in the past as a 'small' festival.  In '79-'86 it was (I think) for 8-15k attendees and ever since it has been 20k (or as close as it can get to it).  So it was never a boutique thing.  But what was different (imho) was a firm rationale and coherence.  It was focussed on Fairport, their offshoots and (effectively) their mates.  I doubt anybody went to my first festival in 1984 that wasn't a massive Fairport fan.  That coherence was probably (to some extent) being lost already, but it was absolutely lost with the divorce and the organisational changes for the festival that followed.


And I think that's a very very well made post.

8K isn't "small" - because if it is then BT at 10k is also "small" with four stages, dance tents/areas etc etc.  Or if it is "small" then what are the likes of the other festivals i listed which are < 1K ...  "microscopic" ?  :-)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Sue & Chris on July 25, 2024, 10:53:46 AM



I know they are billed as The Trevor Horn Band but........ surely the band could still rip through their repertoire with a competent stand-in bass player? I know people who bought tickets looking forward to this Friday headliner will be disappointed with the replacement. Not me, I'm really chuffed that RT is performing.


And if one wants to know how and why Cropredy has ceased to be what it once was, then this sentence explains that more than adequately.  Sad times...



The only way of comparing which line ups have had universal appeal or not is by comparing the attendances each year.

Despite different people’s individual opinions regards acts and line ups it is still a fact that the customer is always right and they vote by their feet.

If the bigger crowds were in attendance for the likes of Alice cooper or madness as opposed to other years then that is a fact that cannot be denied.

The be all and end all is the cash generated each year.

Perhaps a look at the last twenty years attendances could shed light on what the paying customer is more likely to attend.

My personal opinion of the last 17 festivals would be that the Alice cooper year had the biggest attendance but I may be wrong.





You are wrong, I'm afraid. At least one of the anniversary years was sold out.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on July 25, 2024, 11:32:24 AM




I know they are billed as The Trevor Horn Band but........ surely the band could still rip through their repertoire with a competent stand-in bass player? I know people who bought tickets looking forward to this Friday headliner will be disappointed with the replacement. Not me, I'm really chuffed that RT is performing.


And if one wants to know how and why Cropredy has ceased to be what it once was, then this sentence explains that more than adequately.  Sad times...



The only way of comparing which line ups have had universal appeal or not is by comparing the attendances each year.

Despite different people’s individual opinions regards acts and line ups it is still a fact that the customer is always right and they vote by their feet.

If the bigger crowds were in attendance for the likes of Alice cooper or madness as opposed to other years then that is a fact that cannot be denied.

The be all and end all is the cash generated each year.

Perhaps a look at the last twenty years attendances could shed light on what the paying customer is more likely to attend.

My personal opinion of the last 17 festivals would be that the Alice cooper year had the biggest attendance but I may be wrong.





You are wrong, I'm afraid. At least one of the anniversary years was sold out.

In fairness I do remember that being a decent crowd , let’s hope this years festival is well attended but I stand by my conviction that as people age the headliners have to be relevant to a younger audience.
I’m 52 and I can’t remember Rick wakeman.
He’s not really my cup of tea but I respect his musicianship.
It’s also worth mentioning to non fairport fans that this year the other two headline acts will in essence be the same personal performing different songs over two different nights which isn’t ideal (and I really enjoy RT and FC)
If you were looking forward to headline acts that were different genres so to speak then you are out of luck.
I think that is the point others have been making and imo with justification

Not everyone is drawn to the festival because of FC these days however hard it is for others to accept and a two headline act fairport year will not be to their taste.
Nowadays the festival needs to adapt to encourage footfall , the guaranteed footfall of the past is no more due to the aging process,.
The festival will adapt and thrive I’ve no doubt and im sure there are many elederly people who only go to the wintour now to get their yearly FC fix.

I’m looking forward to the festival and I’m only trying to add balance for those that are unable to accept that time moves on.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: bassline (Mike) on July 25, 2024, 12:53:14 PM
I don't think anybody is unable to accept that time moves on.
Many have accepted already, and no longer attend, because it's different, or we are.
None of us want it to disappear completely, if only because it fuels the band for another year.
I was in my mid twenties when I started going, I'm now near enough 'elderly' - seven years older than you - don't blink, you'll be one of us soon enough  :) - those five year anniversaries seem to come every other year, now.
A couple of us have almost kicked the bucket there, including me. That year, I saw the first three acts on Thursday then retreated to the tent.
Luckily, nobody had to investigate the single tent left in field 4 on Sunday.
I think we don't really want to say goodbye to one of the loves of our lives just yet.  


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on July 25, 2024, 02:26:19 PM

The festival will adapt and thrive I’ve no doubt


I'd love to hear how.  It's a half and half thing now - it's neither wholly a Fairport Reunion for Fairport fans OR a highly desirable non attached festival in its own right. constrained as it is by it's one stage set up (and other relics from its past).  As a result, I'd contend, nobody is fully satisfied...  In the current marketplace I'm unconvinced.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on July 25, 2024, 04:00:56 PM



I'd love to hear how.  It's a half and half thing now - it's neither wholly a Fairport Reunion for Fairport fans OR a highly desirable non attached festival in its own right. constrained as it is by it's one stage set up (and other relics from its past).  As a result, I'd contend, nobody is fully satisfied...  In the current marketplace I'm unconvinced.



"LIKE"


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: RobertD on July 25, 2024, 04:56:33 PM
I have been following this thread, despite having only attended Cropredy once. A lot of good points were made, but there truly is no resolution for both the band and fans of the festival either currently or historically.  Fwiw, these are a few random points of my own because what I see is a festival that has always been unique, and unique just no longer seems to cut it in 2024 sadly.

Recently I watched a video someone copied for me of a mini-documentary of the 1996 Cropredy (forget what it was called). I also forget what amount Peggy mentioned as the fuel costs required for the festival...but it was staggering in 1996, and one can only imagine what they are now. Along with all the usual festival logistics. Bearing that in mind, the budget for booking acts is surely derived from how much is needed to cover everything else at the festival, and to cover things such as fuel spikes. And when you think about everything that is needed for a festival, even a one-stage event, I'm sure we would all faint at how much is actually required  no doubt fret about every little thing.

As to booking those acts, the thought came to me that for any festival, Cropredy included, it is rather like an established band making a set list. Think about that-

Too many new songs- 'play the classics!'
Too many old songs-' its all old folks music!'
 Too much experimentation-'what is this, a jazz festival?'
 Too much of one style of music-'not enough variety!'.

 Replace the word songs with bands/acts and you see the problem for any festival organizer, Fairport included. I have been to niche festivals before-be it blues, bluegrass, Irish music. I went to them all with a level of excitement initially and then about halfway through them all was wishing there was something different to hear. The Fairport-centric festival is indeed the origins of Cropredy but obviously the switch happened both organically (FC members and friends passing away) and out of necessity to compete with the plethora of festivals out there.

We can all play the woulda/coulda/shoulda game about what Fairport should have done 10/20/30 years ago as the festival grew. We could all play the game of what Fairport could or should do now. If I were budgeting for any festival this year I would have to make hard decisions about economics first, music second. Which is what I think all organizers are left with in what and how they present a festival to the public. And from where I stand, that is a complete change for everyone-organizers and punters alike.  Gone are the days of roughing it. Gone are the days of a tarpaulin covering a stage in the rain. Gone are the days of a chipper van being the only food on site. Now a festival has to have video screens, charging stations, social media worthy moments, and food bordering on cuisine.

So what I think IMHO is that none of this is a reflection on Fairport or festival organizers in general. It is what we as a society have become. I recently told a friend that a problem I have with things here in NY now in general is nothing can ever just be a 'thing'. It has to be a 'special thing'. A park can't just be a place with benches, grass and trees anymore, it instead has to have an event space, have its own social media site, and amenities no one ever dreamed of before. This is effectively what we as humans have become. To me it isn't just about the dollar signs and is instead about what we 'think' our needs are, and what expectations should be. It is harder to enjoy for the sake of enjoyment. Not impossible, but harder.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Shane (Skirky) on July 25, 2024, 05:14:43 PM

I have been following this thread, despite having only attended Cropredy once. A lot of good points were made, but there truly is no resolution for both the band and fans of the festival either currently or historically.  Fwiw, these are a few random points of my own because what I see is a festival that has always been unique, and unique just no longer seems to cut it in 2024 sadly.


***Breaks into spontaneous applause***


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on July 25, 2024, 05:36:21 PM

but there truly is no resolution for both the band and fans of the festival either currently or historically.


It certainly can't keep on being all things to all people.

But it could a) return to what it was (an annual Reunion), but at a much reduced size to reflect the reduced stature of the band and of its audience.; or b) it could break the link with Fairport and become 'just another festival'

a) could work.  I'm not convinced by b).


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: simon frisby on July 25, 2024, 11:18:24 PM


The festival will adapt and thrive I’ve no doubt


I'd love to hear how.  It's a half and half thing now - it's neither wholly a Fairport Reunion for Fairport fans OR a highly desirable non attached festival in its own right. constrained as it is by it's one stage set up (and other relics from its past).  As a result, I'd contend, nobody is fully satisfied...  In the current marketplace I'm unconvinced.


A lot of people I work with, the majority a good twenty years younger ,who go to the big boy festivals like Glasto or Latitude etc have actually said they like the sound of the single stage set up.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: David W on July 26, 2024, 09:38:56 AM


but there truly is no resolution for both the band and fans of the festival either currently or historically.


It certainly can't keep on being all things to all people.

But it could a) return to what it was (an annual Reunion), but at a much reduced size to reflect the reduced stature of the band and of its audience.; or b) it could break the link with Fairport and become 'just another festival'

a) could work.  I'm not convinced by b).


Who is left for a reunion now of former members? Ian, Richard, Ashley, Dan maybe you could include Cathy le Surf ... anyone else still able to perform?

Sadly the days of wheeling out four or five different lineups is long gone hence the Saturday set being a rehash of the winter set with a couple of additions.

If you're going enjoy but not for me this year.

DW






Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Dan O. on July 26, 2024, 10:12:50 AM



but there truly is no resolution for both the band and fans of the festival either currently or historically.


It certainly can't keep on being all things to all people.

But it could a) return to what it was (an annual Reunion), but at a much reduced size to reflect the reduced stature of the band and of its audience.; or b) it could break the link with Fairport and become 'just another festival'

a) could work.  I'm not convinced by b).


Who is left for a reunion now of former members? Ian, Richard, Ashley, Dan maybe you could include Cathy le Surf ... anyone else still able to perform?

Sadly the days of wheeling out four or five different lineups is long gone hence the Saturday set being a rehash of the winter set with a couple of additions.

If you're going enjoy but not for me this year.

DW






This is one of the most sobering thoughts ever - Fairport Annual Reunion. With whom ?

Apart from Full House with Chris Leslie, or Iain and Ashley joining the band for a few numbers, the number of available significant members for any sort of reunion has seriously diminished.

By "significant" I mean members who are still alive and actually appeared on an album - so people like Shaun Frater, Paul Warren, Bob Brady, and Tom Farnell don't really count.

Everyone else is either no longer with us, or like Jerry Donahue, sadly out of action...

So the Saturday night FC set has to be FC & Friends, really...

[PS This might need to be a topic of its own...]


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on July 26, 2024, 12:06:01 PM
I still see the festival as unique in many ways.
The atmosphere
The one stage plus fringes
The fact you can park next to your tent
The fact you can take food and alcohol onto the field.

I think the only evolution will be with the line ups.
Everyone is fretting about fairport not continuing due to the passing of time?

Why ever not?

Let’s face facts when we are watching fairport lots of fuss is made regards the band and line up…
I’ve grown to enjoy the band over the years having not known a single song on my first visit….
What we are watching in essence is a cross between a modern line up and a tribute act….
Let’s face facts the original members such as Martin and Judy have passed and Ashley isn’t a band member so we are only watching a tribute act….
Or are we??

I see it as an evolution and swarb , Sandy and Gerry have played and passed and left very big footprints.
Were fairport still fairport?
I think so.

Today’s line up is it fairport?
I think so.

It’s more a case of fairport evolution than fairport convention nowadays (fairport evolution , good name for an album)

It’s inevitable at some point that just like everyone else the present band members will pass and be replaced.

I see no reason at all why fairport convention won’t be headlining the festival in 20,30,50 years time.
Imo that would be a massive selling point , the continuation through the links to the past via the music being played as it has been for decades before.
No other festival could say that..,,

The festival needs
1) FC in whatever current guise headlining
2) other headliners being more relevant to a younger audience (not 20 yo but  forty plus as opposed to sixty plus)
3) nothing else changing at all.

This festival has the chance to leave a legacy for the future as well as the past and THAT is what we should all agree makes it even more special.
The chance that after every single person on the field on Saturday has passed the festival should always remain.
Meet on the ledge ALWAYS being sung.
There’s really no reason it shouldn’t in the grand scheme.

Get more fresh blood introduced to the music of fairport and carry the baton.
Just make sure the line up entices fresh blood to attend and have an introduction into what the legacy is.

Look forward to seeing everyone on the field.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on July 26, 2024, 02:02:15 PM

I see no reason at all why fairport convention won’t be headlining the festival in 20,30,50 years time.
Imo that would be a massive selling point , the continuation through the links to the past via the music being played as it has been for decades before.
No other festival could say that..


If 'the festival' is a small day long bash for, what, 1-3k people, I could just about agree.  Otherwise this is clearly wishful thinking...just look at the move to smaller venues, to Fairport being an acoustic (or 4 piece anyway) band (for 10 months of the year) and (look around you!) to the ever increasing age of Fairport audiences (along with the band members).  Fairport are 'niche' - they always have been, they always will be.  It's a lovely niche but a lot more people are checking out than are checking in...that is surely just a reality of the situation isn't it?  The highpoint of their audience I'd guess as late 80s/early 90s....?  If so, there's been about 3 decades of gentle decline.... And yes, this is outside of the festival, but this is the potential audience for the festival (if they're going for Fairport at least) isn't it?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Amethyst (Jenny) on July 26, 2024, 02:05:05 PM

I still see the festival as unique in many ways.
The atmosphere
The one stage plus fringes
The fact you can park next to your tent
The fact you can take food and alcohol onto the field.

I think the only evolution will be with the line ups.
Everyone is fretting about fairport not continuing due to the passing of time?

Why ever not?

Let’s face facts when we are watching fairport lots of fuss is made regards the band and line up…
I’ve grown to enjoy the band over the years having not known a single song on my first visit….
What we are watching in essence is a cross between a modern line up and a tribute act….
Let’s face facts the original members such as Martin and Judy have passed and Ashley isn’t a band member so we are only watching a tribute act….
Or are we??

I see it as an evolution and swarb , Sandy and Gerry have played and passed and left very big footprints.
Were fairport still fairport?
I think so.

Today’s line up is it fairport?
I think so.

It’s more a case of fairport evolution than fairport convention nowadays (fairport evolution , good name for an album)

It’s inevitable at some point that just like everyone else the present band members will pass and be replaced.

I see no reason at all why fairport convention won’t be headlining the festival in 20,30,50 years time.
Imo that would be a massive selling point , the continuation through the links to the past via the music being played as it has been for decades before.
No other festival could say that..,,

The festival needs
1) FC in whatever current guise headlining
2) other headliners being more relevant to a younger audience (not 20 yo but  forty plus as opposed to sixty plus)
3) nothing else changing at all.

This festival has the chance to leave a legacy for the future as well as the past and THAT is what we should all agree makes it even more special.
The chance that after every single person on the field on Saturday has passed the festival should always remain.
Meet on the ledge ALWAYS being sung.
There’s really no reason it shouldn’t in the grand scheme.

Get more fresh blood introduced to the music of fairport and carry the baton.
Just make sure the line up entices fresh blood to attend and have an introduction into what the legacy is.

Look forward to seeing everyone on the field.


Great to read such a POSITIVE POST!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Field 7 is Heaven (Trev) on July 26, 2024, 02:49:14 PM
The people who come on here and cast visions of doom and knock the Festival seem to have on e big thing in common.

They don't attend, or haven't for years .

Instead of predicting its end why not let those of us who love it just enjoy .


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on July 26, 2024, 02:56:48 PM

The people who come on here and cast visions of doom and knock the Festival seem to have on e big thing in common.

They don't attend, or haven't for years .

Instead of predicting its end why not let those of us who love it just enjoy .


Absolutely nobody here is knocking the festival - some of the absolute best times of my life have been in and around that field.  Remember that Simon started this debate about the future of the festival in the current climate.  Maybe take it up with him...  ;)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Dan O. on July 26, 2024, 03:37:53 PM


The people who come on here and cast visions of doom and knock the Festival seem to have on e big thing in common.

They don't attend, or haven't for years .

Instead of predicting its end why not let those of us who love it just enjoy .


Absolutely nobody here is knocking the festival - some of the absolute best times of my life have been in and around that field.  Remember that Simon started this debate about the future of the festival in the current climate.  Maybe take it up with him...  ;)

What David said. I'm not knocking the festival either - I haven't been for a few years but having attended 14 times over the years, obviously I wouldn't have gone so many times if I didn't love it.

I actually hold Cropredy up as a prime example of how to run a festival properly - it's always been a thoroughly fun and civilised weekend in the country.

It's just that, as I've stated in previous posts, the serious increase in the price of goods and services (and personal health issues) has made going to festivals less essential for me than it used to be.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Amethyst (Jenny) on July 26, 2024, 04:23:51 PM

The people who come on here and cast visions of doom and knock the Festival seem to have on e big thing in common.

They don't attend, or haven't for years .

Instead of predicting its end why not let those of us who love it just enjoy .


Another POSITIVE post, thank you.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Andy Leonard on July 26, 2024, 04:37:36 PM

The people who come on here and cast visions of doom and knock the Festival seem to have on e big thing in common.

They don't attend, or haven't for years .

Instead of predicting its end why not let those of us who love it just enjoy .


I totally agree with every word. I don’t often post on here but I am an avid reader and I think many have been negative as some have stated. To add my two penn’orth I think that everything in life changes and evolves. This is the case with the festival. It couldn’t be like it was (a reunion) because as already stated there are so few left now. Therefore by definition the festival had to change regarding who played, it physically couldn’t be the same as it was 35 years ago. What hasn’t changed to me however is the atmosphere, the friendliness and the general vibe, which to my mind is almost as important as the music. I was 29 when I first went in 1980 and apart from the 2 postponed ones I’ve been to every one. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on July 26, 2024, 04:49:31 PM
I prefer to be positive regards the festivals future rather than hold a one day affair for a small crowd.
To get people who have never heard FC before to listen to them , you need bands that they are likely to want to come and hear.
I can state that from personal experience.
How many people under forty would have heard of FC if they hadn’t attended cropredy.
Very few in my opinion…
I’d say I’m not the only one who has come back for many years having experienced the whole package the festival offers.
FC were not my original reason for attending but by doing so I’ve grown to enjoy their music and the festival experience.

Get more new blood to attend by putting on a popular line up and I’m sure many others who have yet to visit would become hooked.
You have to get them through the door first in order to hope like me that they will be converted……

With the correct organisation there is no reason this cannot happen.
It’s a lesson that needs taking on board…

The average age of attendees needs lowering in order to achieve this but it’s entirely possible imo


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: RobertD on July 26, 2024, 04:51:10 PM
My comment wasn’t meant to be negative at all either. More just an opinion about how difficult and costly it is to organize a festival, be it Cropredy or any other one. I was talking about festival culture in the times we are in now. Long may Cropredy continue, as well as Fairport.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wardi on July 26, 2024, 09:22:05 PM
What Wandering Steve said really, we have certain freedoms at Cropredy that I will always appreciate. The vibe and atmosphere is a delight to experience and I am so pleased that the village has benefited from the festival in so many ways.

By way of contrast I recently attended a Michael Kiwanuka gig at Halifax Piece Hall which is mainly an outdoor venue.  The weather forecast was for showers & rain.  However the security refused to let people in with umbrellas, also if you had your wet weather gear in a rucksack, tough - no rucksacks admitted.  These items had to be left in large dustbins at security and you were left to rummage for your possessions after the show.

Ask different people what could/should be on at Cropredy and you will of course get a lot of different answers.  Four of my mates who attended last year have declined this time.  2023 had enough old favourites to entice them - Fripp/Toyah, Strawbs, 10 CC, Chic, but nothing grabbed them this time.  Not exactly new blood or younger music but that's the stuff that will persuade them to attend.  I appreciate that 4 is a small sample but it shows what a problem the organisers have in selecting a line up to please most of us most of the time.

I'm an ever present since 1983 and four of us attend every year whatever the line up, we treat it as a summer holiday.  FWIW I thought 2002 was the weakest line up in memory, and even that wasn't bad.  Thursday lunchtime at the cricket pavilion anyone?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: barryanorak (Julian) on July 27, 2024, 10:47:31 AM
Hi all.
This will be my 31st Cropredy and, according to my spreadsheet (don't judge me), I've now seen 371 different bands at the Festival. Some have gone on to be absolute favourites, some I haven't lost sleep over never having heard another note from them.
It's the one weekend in the year which is sacrosanct - nothing keeps us away - especially the line-up.
As many have said, it cannot be all things to everyone, economics have to play their part. Sometimes the least popular acts can mean the continuation of the festival as we know it. The absolute Marmite act were Marillion. Now, cards on the table, I'm in the love camp, but both times they played, the festival was close to capacity, if not sold out. Because they brought along a large contingent of Cropredy newbies. Some have stayed. Of this years offerings, Big Big Train may well do the same. They have a dedicated fanbase, amongst whom the chatter is of attending Cropredy for the first time.
That field is special - for many reasons. For me it is a healing field and three days at the festival is worth its weight in gold. If new blood comes, 'gets' the vibe and starts returning, the future starts to look rosier.
It may not continue for ever, we shall see, but as sure as eggs is eggs, as long as it does, we will be there.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Dubai Danny on July 27, 2024, 06:10:19 PM

Everyone is fretting about fairport not continuing due to the passing of time?

Why ever not?

This was discussed over on the "Simon Says..." thread.

My view is that the band's lineup has been too stable for too long now. Combine that with a fanbase that is mostly of pensionable age and reducing in size every year due to the natural processes associated with aging, and where's the incentive for younger members to join when the brutal economics of the music industry now point towards doing your own thing making more sense?

Yes, if FC were still of the kind of stature that meant they could fill the kinds of halls they did in their imperial phase from, say, 1987-1995, back when Metal Matty still had people running up to the front of the auditorium to dance, I could see a way forward with a whole new lineup. But...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Will S on July 27, 2024, 11:45:28 PM
Yes, I agree. Steeleye Span have kept refreshing their line-up often enough that they have managed to keep going, but to be honest many of the newcomers they have brought in have not been from traditional folk or even folk/rock circles.  And I still am not sure that they will survive Maddy Prior's eventual retirement (whenever that might be).


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Adam on July 28, 2024, 11:53:49 AM
As much as I love Fairport and Cropredy (35 years on the trot), I believe that everything has natural shelf life and nothing lasts forever (or needs to). Cropredy without Fairport wouldn’t work for me.  I hope that the band continues as long as they want to (and the last few tours were fantastic!), but I’d rather be left with some fantastic festival memories rather than a diminishing shadow festival that dwindles and blinks out.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Glen S on July 28, 2024, 02:12:32 PM

As much as I love Fairport and Cropredy (35 years on the trot), I believe that everything has natural shelf life and nothing lasts forever (or needs to). Cropredy without Fairport wouldn’t work for me.  I hope that the band continues as long as they want to (and the last few tours were fantastic!), but I’d rather be left with some fantastic festival memories rather than a diminishing shadow festival that dwindles and blinks out.



Nicely put Adam, and very much my thoughts too.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Field 7 is Heaven (Trev) on July 28, 2024, 03:11:14 PM
Put this topic to bed.

This is Cropredy 45 and it has at least another 5 to go before anyone needs to think about it closing.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on July 29, 2024, 07:59:20 AM

Yes, I agree. Steeleye Span have kept refreshing their line-up often enough that they have managed to keep going, but to be honest many of the newcomers they have brought in have not been from traditional folk or even folk/rock circles.  And I still am not sure that they will survive Maddy Prior's eventual retirement (whenever that might be).


They survived her absence from the band already, of course - and probably their best albums since they heyday too.  But now, imho, they are 'just' her and whoever she plays with so I suspect not...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: bassline (Mike) on July 29, 2024, 10:49:52 AM

Put this topic to bed.

This is Cropredy 45 and it has at least another 5 to go before anyone needs to think about it closing.


'This topic' seems to have migrated from the other thread.
This one is supposed to be about this years festival.
If folk want to talk about it, they can.
If they don't want to talk about it or don't want to read it, they don't have to.
Nobody can say what is going to happen next year or the next five on any topic, let alone this one.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: kenhughes on July 29, 2024, 07:18:03 PM

Put this topic to bed.

This is Cropredy 45 and it has at least another 5 to go before anyone needs to think about it closing.


I feel your frustration and appreciate your sentiment  :)

The concern over the headliners for most on here should have been mostly dispelled by RT + friends on the Friday.

If you saw the lads on the Wintour you will know how on it they are, so Saturday should be awesome!

The support acts are actually as good as any other year. This means we will have a great time.



Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: simon frisby on July 29, 2024, 10:33:15 PM


Yes, I agree. Steeleye Span have kept refreshing their line-up often enough that they have managed to keep going, but to be honest many of the newcomers they have brought in have not been from traditional folk or even folk/rock circles.  And I still am not sure that they will survive Maddy Prior's eventual retirement (whenever that might be).


They survived her absence from the band already, of course - and probably their best albums since they heyday too.  But now, imho, they are 'just' her and whoever she plays with so I suspect not...


I have to say Bedlam Born is my favourite Steeleye album. It's a shame that lineup ended so messily. Allegedly Gay left because of royalties and moneys issue, which were an issue for Bob too. And as for Tim it seemed it was either him or Maddy.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on July 30, 2024, 11:27:01 AM
Starting to get the festival vibe in the village ,quite a few narrow boats arriving day by day and the first deliveries are arriving on the main field.
Baking hot and little breeze , just walking across the empty camping fields before it becomes too hot.
Village looking lovely in the sun
Let’s hope it holds for next week.
Il keep updating in case anyone’s interested…


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Andy Leonard on July 30, 2024, 11:45:39 AM

Starting to get the festival vibe in the village ,quite a few narrow boats arriving day by day and the first deliveries are arriving on the main field.
Baking hot and little breeze , just walking across the empty camping fields before it becomes too hot.
Village looking lovely in the sun
Let’s hope it holds for next week.
Il keep updating in case anyone’s interested…


Yes please Steve. Thanks.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Ann from Lancs on July 30, 2024, 06:46:52 PM
Are we having the TAW meet/photo this year?  Not seen anything about it.  


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Will S on July 31, 2024, 10:45:53 AM
Back from for'n parts and starting to think about Croppers, which suddenly seems very close!  Be leaving home a week today.  Time to start get excited, methinks!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on July 31, 2024, 05:54:23 PM
Todays update.
Still swelteringly hot ,30 degrees but breaking overnight to a more suitable (for me) 21/24 degrees.
Lots of activity on the main field and surrounds.
The temporary bridge alongside nicks bridge is in and the friends of the earth tent seems to be up , the merch tent and backstage tent are up as is a tent at the very top of the field , maybe the children’s entertainment.
Lots and lots of fencing also delivered on site and finally the ticket exchange tent at the bottom of the field is also in place.
Update again tomorrow.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Andy Leonard on July 31, 2024, 06:26:32 PM

Todays update.
Still swelteringly hot ,30 degrees but breaking overnight to a more suitable (for me) 21/24 degrees.
Lots of activity on the main field and surrounds.
The temporary bridge alongside nicks bridge is in and the friends of the earth tent seems to be up , the merch tent and backstage tent are up as is a tent at the very top of the field , maybe the children’s entertainment.
Lots and lots of fencing also delivered on site and finally the ticket exchange tent at the bottom of the field is also in place.
Update again tomorrow.


Thanks Steve, appreciated.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: vince42 on July 31, 2024, 07:39:54 PM
Have started working my way through the essential checklist.

Top of the list - Tickets!

No prizes for guessing why :)

Vince


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on July 31, 2024, 10:13:46 PM
Talking of tickets a friend joining me next week has now got covid and won’t be travelling down , il be getting his ticket next Wednesday and am in the village if anyone needs one.
3 day
£100 no offers
Collection from me in the village personally.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Lubiloo (Lorna) on August 01, 2024, 09:23:08 AM

Have started working my way through the essential checklist.

Top of the list - Tickets!

No prizes for guessing why :)

Vince


Always a good idea to note your ticket numbers and order details just in case, as well. We used to have a little notebook with it all in, but I suppose it would be smartphone notes these days   :D


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on August 01, 2024, 03:03:14 PM
Rain for a couple of hours this morning, not that you’d know as it’s high twenties again today.
Lots of activity on site , CD tent up , first few loos arriving , metal tracks being put in and most importantly….
The bar is up , I repeat the bar is up….
More tomorrow


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on August 01, 2024, 05:34:55 PM
Update 5.30
Rain stops play
Large thunderstorm and heavy rain over the village.
Weirdly right over head , constant thunder and rain , no lightning.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Andy Leonard on August 01, 2024, 05:38:20 PM

Update 5.30
Rain stops play
Large thunderstorm and heavy rain over the village.
Weirdly right over head , constant thunder and rain , no lightning.


Thanks Steve.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Amethyst (Jenny) on August 01, 2024, 05:42:47 PM

Update 5.30
Rain stops play
Large thunderstorm and heavy rain over the village.
Weirdly right over head , constant thunder and rain , no lightning.




Eeekkkk…. Hope everyone is ok…

I am soooo scared of thunderstorms… I will never forget the awful one over the field in 2010!!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: MarkV on August 01, 2024, 06:24:37 PM
Tipping down in Aldershot.  Some on has been moving the furniture above for nearly 2 hours now.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Will S on August 02, 2024, 09:08:57 AM

Are we having the TAW meet/photo this year?  Not seen anything about it.  


Not sure there has been a TAW meet/photo for a few years, has there? Apart from the Toast, that is?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Amethyst (Jenny) on August 02, 2024, 09:40:06 AM
Last year there was a photo taken of all of us at the pavilion, I thought you were in it Ann.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on August 02, 2024, 12:14:49 PM
Mid 20s today at midday with a light breeze.
More metal roads going in, water points being set up and porta cabins being delivered and put into place by crane.
Still lots of work going on in hot conditions.
Fair play to those workers setting it all up


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Andy Leonard on August 02, 2024, 12:40:52 PM

Mid 20s today at midday with a light breeze.
More metal roads going in, water points being set up and porta cabins being delivered and put into place by crane.
Still lots of work going on in hot conditions.
Fair play to those workers setting it all up



Thanks as always Steve.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Lubiloo (Lorna) on August 02, 2024, 01:08:41 PM


Mid 20s today at midday with a light breeze.
More metal roads going in, water points being set up and porta cabins being delivered and put into place by crane.
Still lots of work going on in hot conditions.
Fair play to those workers setting it all up



Thanks as always Steve.


So lovely to read these little reports and picture it all, thank-you!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Yorkshire Chris on August 02, 2024, 01:35:58 PM
Yeah, thanks Steve, appreciate the snapshots!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Will S on August 02, 2024, 03:21:46 PM

Last year there was a photo taken of all of us at the pavilion, I thought you were in it Ann.


Oh yes, I'd forgotten that!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 03, 2024, 09:20:17 AM
I was just perusing the village hall's "clashfinder" style listings and noticed that Cream of the Crop have Ruby Darbyshire playing - hailing from Devizes you are in for a treat iof you've CotC tickets.  If you are lucky (?! ;-) ) she'll play her bagpipes too!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Field 7 is Heaven (Trev) on August 03, 2024, 10:56:22 AM

Tickets are not needed for Cream of the Crop . There is a maned gate between the bar, kitchen ,stage and other facilities and the campsite which you do need to have had a booking for.

The music is free and the bar was the cheapest in the village last year.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on August 03, 2024, 11:59:33 AM
21 degrees , overcast with sunny spells and a nice breeze.
Things seemed to have ramped up a bit on site with more workers around.
Lots of toilets delivered , metal trackway down in field and portakabin outside tennis courts.
The main development is that the stage has arrived and is in the early stages of construction.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 03, 2024, 01:13:14 PM


Tickets are not needed for Cream of the Crop . There is a maned gate between the bar, kitchen ,stage and other facilities and the campsite which you do need to have had a booking for.

The music is free and the bar was the cheapest in the village last year.


Ah - so anyone can come in for the music and bar.  Every day is a school day.  Thanks!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on August 03, 2024, 03:46:56 PM
23 degrees and sunny this afternoon….
The crew are now marking the fields adjacent to the main field where the stage continues to be erected.
Thirsty work just watching so I may nip for a drink.
The brase is selling the Timothy Taylor range.
The red is currently selling butcombe original and otter amber and there is also the butty bar (floating canal boat bar) moored just by the mill bridge selling hooky best and old hooky also homemade cropredy horseradish vodka !!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Lubiloo (Lorna) on August 03, 2024, 03:49:26 PM

23 degrees and sunny this afternoon….
The crew are now marking the fields adjacent to the main field where the stage continues to be erected.
Thirsty work just watching so I may nip for a drink.
The brase is selling the Timothy Taylor range.
The red is currently selling butcombe original and otter amber and there is also the butty bar (floating canal boat bar) moored just by the mill bridge selling hooky best and old hooky also homemade cropredy horseradish vodka !!


Hope there’s a time-lapse film…I mean the stage etc…going up, not you sampling the brews!

Is Radio Oxford still broadcasting the Saturday night, like usual?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Mark J Salt on August 03, 2024, 05:19:52 PM
Radio Oxford starts at 8.00pm according to their website. We'll be tuned in.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on August 04, 2024, 09:49:54 AM
Overcast this morning about 18 degrees but due to be sunny and 22 like yesterday (perfect conditions imo)
Standing by Jonah’s oak memorial which has been creosoted since yesterday (looking very smart)
The church bells are ringing across the fields as the stage continues to take shape which is the focus of the work today along with the fields being marked out by Ron’s crew.
I imagine a lot more of the required equipment will arrive and be put in place tomorrow.
All seems to be going well.
Not long now…


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Russell88 on August 04, 2024, 01:02:54 PM
Hi all,

We're going to be in Cropredy for the fringe, looks very good this year, and wondered whether anyone has spare ticket(s) for the main event? I've PM'd Steve so we might need just one.

Let me know please.

TIA


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 04, 2024, 09:22:25 PM
tickets still available from the website.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Russell88 on August 04, 2024, 09:56:26 PM
We have one ticket now, and still hoping to hear from Steve :)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on August 05, 2024, 12:11:28 PM
Midday Mon
19 and overcast , slight hint of rain in the air but due to be 22/3 later on.
Stage still being worked on but now up to full height and sound tower up.
Tents being put in place backstage.

Regards ticket
My friend still has covid (the joys of never being vaccinated , each to their own)and is unwell but will be waiting until weds to see if he’s negative to give it every chance
Not promising at the minute
Will post either way by 10 amon Thursday and will be in the village if it’s any help



Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Andy on August 05, 2024, 01:02:32 PM
Even if your friend is negative, they won't be in any way recovered.

I'm still recovering, having been afflicted for the 4th time at the beginning of June.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Russell88 on August 05, 2024, 01:09:59 PM

Regards ticket
My friend still has covid (the joys of never being vaccinated , each to their own)and is unwell but will be waiting until weds to see if he’s negative to give it every chance
Not promising at the minute
Will post either way by 10 amon Thursday and will be in the village if it’s any help



Thanks for the update :).

I managed to get another two tickets with camping this morning. We'll be there tomorrow for the fringe festival so if anyone is looking for a ticket and camping, please message me.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Will S on August 05, 2024, 03:25:20 PM

Even if your friend is negative, they won't be in any way recovered.

I'm still recovering, having been afflicted for the 4th time at the beginning of June.


Not necessarily true.  I got covid for the second time just under a month ago (probably from a plane flight), and it was little worse than a heavy cold, and I was pretty much back to normal within a couple of weeks.

But if they are still testing positive at the moment, Thursday could well be dodgy. But sitting in a field listening to music isn't a very strenuous activity if he has tested negative by then.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: StephenB on August 05, 2024, 03:40:00 PM
Well, after a frantic day of packing yesterday I finally got on the road this morning heading for  the ferry from Dublin. Driving out of a shop half way there and my life, or at least this year's Cropredy, flahed in front of my eyes as a dozy pratt reversed out into my front bumper. All his fault and big apologies from him, and miraculously not a scratch on my car - he must have just hit the tyre. But it brought it home how for all of us, however well prepared, things can change in a second. My whole trip could so easily have been ruined, so I'll be all the happier to reach F8 on Tues. night. Bring it on  {:-)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Russell88 on August 05, 2024, 07:39:59 PM
Sold the spare festival ticket, and still have a camping sticker in case anyone's looking. :)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: GubGub (Al) on August 05, 2024, 08:32:08 PM


Even if your friend is negative, they won't be in any way recovered.

I'm still recovering, having been afflicted for the 4th time at the beginning of June.


Not necessarily true.  I got covid for the second time just under a month ago (probably from a plane flight), and it was little worse than a heavy cold, and I was pretty much back to normal within a couple of weeks.

But if they are still testing positive at the moment, Thursday could well be dodgy. But sitting in a field listening to music isn't a very strenuous activity if he has tested negative by then.


It seems to vary massively from person to person. I had it about four weeks ago despite having all of the vaccinations that I am entitled to (which is more than most people my age). 48 hours of it was intense, delusional fever. I felt mostly ok after about a week but am still easily fatigued and have a lingering intermittent cough. I take a look at the likes of Tom Pidcock and Adam Peaty completing superhuman feats in the Olympics, seemingly just a few days after having the virus and wonder how they are capable of such things when I am already exhausted by the time I have got out of bed and put my clothes on in the morning.  :-\


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on August 06, 2024, 08:13:40 AM
Overcast and light rain since early hours ,16 degrees
I haven’t yet wandered to see the set up as the fields will all be wet.
Anyone due to arrive today camping in tents would be wise to visit the village first rather than set up in the rain.
By leaving things till mid afternoon (23 degrees) the ground will be bone dry and all your kit won’t be damp from setting up early.
What’s a couple of hours when you can visit the village pubs and set up in the dry.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Will S on August 06, 2024, 10:25:50 AM
Hoping the weather on Thursday will be following the Met Office rather than the BBC so we won't be setting up camp in the rain!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Martin F on August 06, 2024, 11:35:17 AM

Hoping the weather on Thursday will be following the Met Office rather than the BBC so we won't be setting up camp in the rain!

I find that the actual is somewhere midway between those forecasts.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: David W on August 06, 2024, 12:46:28 PM
Warm Up set list from last night here:

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/fairport-convention/2024/woodgreen-leisure-centre-banbury-england-7355e299.html

It will be interesting to see how it develops.

DW


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Andy on August 06, 2024, 12:48:21 PM
We'll roll up to our Air B'n'B on Wednesday afternoon and mosey down to the Brasenose for TRADarrr. We hope to see many friends there.

We're not leading any organised convoy this year - it just became too large and unwieldy, but we will saunter down to the gates about 7 and aim for fields 2,1 or 4.

We'll be at the Pavilion around lunchtime and hope to see even more friends there.

I've been on the floor with post-COVID stuff so am really hopeful this will act as a pick-up.


Warm Up set list from last night here:

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/fairport-convention/2024/woodgreen-leisure-centre-banbury-england-7355e299.html

It will be interesting to see how it develops.

DW
Thanks for that. No major surprises then.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: PhilipK on August 06, 2024, 02:42:10 PM
For weather, I tend to find that yr (despite being Norwegian) often have the most accurate forecasts.

https://www.yr.no/en/forecast/daily-table/2-2651898/United%20Kingdom/England/Oxfordshire/Cropredy

Also, I find having a plain text running order on my 'phone to be very helpful. I struggled to find one, so this may (or may not...) be helpful to some:

CROPREDY 2024

Thurs​day 8th August
16:00 - 16:20 Fairport Acoustic
16:30 - 17:50 Feast of Fiddles
18:00 - 19:20 Kathryn Tickell & the Darkening
19:45 - 21:00 Tony Christie
21:30 - 23:00 Rick Wakeman & the English Rock Ensemble

Fri​day 9th August
12:00 - 13:00 Black Water County
13:15 - 14:15 Silverblues
14:30 - 15:30 Dewolfe
16:00 - 17:00 Baskery
17:30 - 18:45 Elles Bailey
19:00 - 20:20 Big Big Train
20:40 - 22:00 Spooky Men's Chorale
22:30 - 00:00 Richard Thompson

Sat​urday 10th August
12:00 - 13:00 Richard Digance
13:20 - 14:35 Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage
15:00 - 16:10 Zac Schulze Gang
16:30 - 17:30 Ranagri
18:00 - 19:15 Focus
19:40 - 20:45 Eddie Reader
21:00 - 21:30 Special Surprise Guest
21:30 - 00:00 Fairport Convention


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Yorkshire Chris on August 06, 2024, 02:47:58 PM
Thanks Philip, that's indeed very helpful and I've taken a photo for my phone (old school...!) Hope yr are right about the weather... 8)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: GubGub (Al) on August 06, 2024, 04:06:50 PM
I will be interested to hear how the Spooky Men go down in a big field at that time of the evening. In a small venue or a smaller festival such as Wickham they are wonderful in a late afternoon slot. I fear their charms may get lost at the back of the field.

I won't be there this weekend, though for the first time in several years I am suffering slight pangs of regret, brought on no doubt by listening to the new box set. I don't think there is enough on that bill to have sustained me over the full three days but I would like to have renewed acquaintance with Feast Of Fiddles, RT, Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage, Eddie Reader, the Spooky Men and the quite astonishing Baskery. If the latter happen to mention when their forthcoming album of Neil Young covers is coming out, can someone let me know? I am very much looking forward to it.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Jim on August 06, 2024, 07:26:41 PM

Warm Up set list from last night here:

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/fairport-convention/2024/woodgreen-leisure-centre-banbury-england-7355e299.html

It will be interesting to see how it develops.

DW


Less than thrilling.
 No word on any guests?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Dad Volt on August 06, 2024, 10:22:06 PM
Evening all. Rarely pop into the old place but thought I would put my head above the parapet and wave. See some of you on Thursday lunchtime for catch ups and maybe some shenanigans!  [;-)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Amethyst (Jenny) on August 06, 2024, 11:23:33 PM

Evening all. Rarely pop into the old place but thought I would put my head above the parapet and wave. See some of you on Thursday lunchtime for catch ups and maybe some shenanigans!  [;-)


Oh yes… shenanigans 😂😂😂


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Amethyst (Jenny) on August 06, 2024, 11:35:56 PM


Warm Up set list from last night here:

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/fairport-convention/2024/woodgreen-leisure-centre-banbury-england-7355e299.html

It will be interesting to see how it develops.

DW


Less than thrilling.
 No word on any guests?



Our first warm up in ages…

Just fabulous, loved every minute.

Guests were Anna Ryder, Hannah Sanders and
 Ben Savage, and Michelle Plum with Nick Hall, Plumhall.

The venue should have been The Mill, but it was at Woodgreen Leisure Centre.
It was  much more spacious than the Mill and pretty hot.

A great night, fab start to the week.



Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Poor Will (Bill) on August 07, 2024, 09:13:15 AM
Please could I ask that details regarding the warm up shows are kept under a spoiler?
Some of us like to have an element of surprise regarding set lists and guests on the Saturday night.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on August 07, 2024, 01:08:31 PM
1 o clock weds
Everything is more or less set up now , food cans moving on site.
About 20 degrees with light rain in the air.
All good though.
See you all on the field tomorrow


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: StephenB on August 07, 2024, 02:50:53 PM
Last night's warmup was superfab. Some same old and some nice new surprises, and the boys in good form. Looking good for Saturday...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: RobertD on August 07, 2024, 03:27:51 PM
Have a fabulous time all! I shall be thinking of you, playing lots of Fairport all week and weekend long, having some nice English ale, and hoping the Rainmaster breaks his streak and you have pleasant, but not hot weather!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 07, 2024, 04:42:55 PM
so - we cannot find the tickets but ticketmaster have cancelled the paper tickets and we have to collect new ones from "the box office"

In ten years of attending the festival the only thing resembling a "box office" I am aware of is the wristband and program selling tent just off williamscott road at the arena entrance at that end.

That seems an unlikely candidate to do much in the way of looking us up etc etc ...   so where else might the "box office" be?  I've looked on the map at

https://www.fairportconvention.com/news_images/e23b2c8a9334f8ed689dfce940362b0b.png

but that deosn't show a "box office" ?



UPDATE:  I've now found a facebook post from last year that says the "Box Office is the hut building by the cricket club." .  I must say ive drunk at the cricket club every year and i cant recall anything vagely like a hut by the cricket club ie the bar ?




Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: bassline (Mike) on August 07, 2024, 04:50:04 PM
I believe it's in the car park, by the gate to the back packer's field.
Go through the main gate, with the club bar on your right, turn left and it will be ahead of you.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 07, 2024, 04:54:51 PM

I believe it's in the car park, by the gate to the back packer's field.
Go through the main gate, with the club bar on your right, turn left and it will be ahead of you.


thanks!!!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Adam on August 07, 2024, 05:22:16 PM
That old familiar feeling of anticipation has just got me….driving up tomorrow morning; no Thursday ticket  this year, so I’ll be at the Brasenose (great lineup for a £10 ticket!), back to hotel for good night’s kip before decamping to my usual spot on the field for Friday/Saturday….bring it on!!!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Jim on August 07, 2024, 11:48:54 PM

so - we cannot find the tickets but ticketmaster have cancelled the paper tickets and we have to collect new ones from "the box office"

In ten years of attending the festival the only thing resembling a "box office" I am aware of is the wristband and program selling tent just off williamscott road at the arena entrance at that end.

That seems an unlikely candidate to do much in the way of looking us up etc etc ...   so where else might the "box office" be?  I've looked on the map at

https://www.fairportconvention.com/news_images/e23b2c8a9334f8ed689dfce940362b0b.png

but that deosn't show a "box office" ?



UPDATE:  I've now found a facebook post from last year that says the "Box Office is the hut building by the cricket club." .  I must say ive drunk at the cricket club every year and i cant recall anything vagely like a hut by the cricket club ie the bar ?





thats where i got my replaement tickets the year i thoght i had left them at home while  all the time , they were in the bag at the premier inn, ::)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: GubGub (Al) on August 08, 2024, 08:06:04 AM
Funny thing about Cropredy weekend. Even though I haven't been for more than a decade I am always there in my head when this weekend rolls around.

For more than 20 years it was my happy place (or one of them). Then my anxiety disorder kicked in (diagnosed 10 years ago) and everything about it started to feel like an ordeal I couldn't survive. The camping, the crowds, the travel, the weather, all of it an unconquerable mountain of stress. I have booked to go once since then, in 2017 but cancelled at the last minute because it triggered a massive panic attack. I have managed one trip to the fringe (to see Clarion & Merry Hell) and attended the warm up last year for the first time but even that was quite challenging.

It is inexplicable to me how my happy place turned into such a source of terror for me.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a great time. My sense of relief at not having to be there with you is both enormous and infuriating. But I will be listening live on Saturday night via Radio Oxford and some part of my spirit will be in the field.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Nick Reg on August 08, 2024, 01:13:26 PM
I have been to every festival from 1988 onwards but I am sitting at home and unbelievingly I am not missing it all, even though I loved last years (Nile Rogers apart). I will be leaving for my youngest's wedding in France on Sunday and could have squeezed something in if the line up was worth it, but it would have been one hell of a rush. I saw RT a few weeks ago , FC in february , Baskery due in November, and Feast of Fiddles a few weeks ago. There is nothing else I will regret missing at all . probably Headsticks at the Fringe but Andrew the singer lives round the corner anyway! I am just wondering how I will feel next year now. I too suffer from anxiety , mainly due to the Thursday morning rush, and could not consider being involved in that again. I much prefer the smaller festivals now.
Have a good time everyone .


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: PaulT on August 08, 2024, 03:21:23 PM
The tent has passed its inspection, my contribution to the toast has been tasted - not too unpleasant! - just the car to be packed tomorrow, then I'll be on my way on Saturday morning...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Steve with the black dog on August 08, 2024, 11:05:09 PM
I hope anyone on the field today survived the weather.

A late decision to come along for Friday and Saturday. Tickets arrived Tuesday.  Not been since pre-Covid cancellations.

I’m very much looking forward to seeing all of my friends…


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Adam on August 09, 2024, 08:03:07 AM
Arrived, canoe club breakfast ingested, and programme secured. Interesting comment from Simon:
 “We look forward to presenting another Fairports Cropredy Convention on the second Thursday of August, but we will be watching closely to see if some tweaks may be needed to fit what works in this new climate. As ever, we’ll do what’s right to keep the essence all there and keep it affordable for all”.
 I’ve taken this as a positive statement; however, looking forward to the immediate next two days of music and fun.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on August 09, 2024, 10:12:34 PM

Arrived, canoe club breakfast ingested, and programme secured. Interesting comment from Simon:
 “We look forward to presenting another Fairports Cropredy Convention on the second Thursday of August, but we will be watching closely to see if some tweaks may be needed to fit what works in this new climate. As ever, we’ll do what’s right to keep the essence all there and keep it affordable for all”.
 I’ve taken this as a positive statement; however, looking forward to the immediate next two days of music and fun.

Back to  2 day fest.
I will be interested to see what effect a ticketed Brase had, particularly with the quality of the Brase lineup.
I live an hour away , fancied a day at the Brase but had no idea where I would park!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Adam on August 09, 2024, 10:24:52 PM


Arrived, canoe club breakfast ingested, and programme secured. Interesting comment from Simon:
 “We look forward to presenting another Fairports Cropredy Convention on the second Thursday of August, but we will be watching closely to see if some tweaks may be needed to fit what works in this new climate. As ever, we’ll do what’s right to keep the essence all there and keep it affordable for all”.
 I’ve taken this as a positive statement; however, looking forward to the immediate next two days of music and fun.

Back to  2 day fest.
I will be interested to see what effect a ticketed Brase had, particularly with the quality of the Brase lineup.
I live an hour away , fancied a day at the Brase but had no idea where I would park!

You could park ‘round the corner’ as it were, at the bottom of Oxhey hill; about a five walk from the Brasenose (I’ve parked there before)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on August 10, 2024, 05:48:46 AM
Cheers Adam. Yeah, I used to have a few round the corner parking spots when I just popped down for a day but apparently parking gone crazy with fringe…


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: David V B on August 10, 2024, 09:42:49 AM
Has there been a massive internet black hole over North Oxfordshire? Two days gone of the festival and not a single report. Very frustrating for those of us who can’t be there.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on August 10, 2024, 09:49:02 AM

Has there been a massive internet black hole over North Oxfordshire? Two days gone of the festival and not a single report. Very frustrating for those of us who can’t be there.


Plenty of reports on social media (FB especially).  That's where the action is.  Apparently.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Steve with the black dog on August 10, 2024, 10:35:13 AM
Fantastic Friday.  

Great day had in the sun yesterday. Highlights were, DeWolf and Spooky Men. But all acts performed their socks off!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: GubGub (Al) on August 10, 2024, 11:34:25 AM
Glad to hear the Spooky Men went down well but one report I read said the writer then went back to their tent as they have no interest in RT at all. I can't help thinking that some people are at the wrong festival.  : ::)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on August 10, 2024, 11:46:11 AM

Glad to hear the Spooky Men went down well but one report I read said the writer then went back to their tent as they have no interest in RT at all. I can't help thinking that some people are at the wrong festival.  : ::)


I've also seen several reports describing a surprising number of people leaving before Richard.  The audience and the event are being pulled in differing directions.  All things to all people won't carry on working for ever...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on August 10, 2024, 11:58:09 AM


Glad to hear the Spooky Men went down well but one report I read said the writer then went back to their tent as they have no interest in RT at all. I can't help thinking that some people are at the wrong festival.  : ::)


I've also seen several reports describing a surprising number of people leaving before Richard.  The audience and the event are being pulled in differing directions.  All things to all people won't carry on working for ever...

I really enjoy RT but he is becoming the next Trevor horn or marrilkion in that he is playing too regularly.
It’s been a good festival but to non fairport attendees it’s a shame the same act is headlining Friday and Saturday.
That equates to a lack of variety but it’s still been a decent festival and with a bit more imagination the festival crowd will be even bigger than ever
Added to that there’s always the tours to keep the fairport die hards happy and sat in the warm too


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: GubGub (Al) on August 10, 2024, 12:23:19 PM
The festival is called Fairport's Cropredy Convention. The clue is in the name.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: bassline (Mike) on August 10, 2024, 12:36:55 PM



Glad to hear the Spooky Men went down well but one report I read said the writer then went back to their tent as they have no interest in RT at all. I can't help thinking that some people are at the wrong festival.  : ::)


I've also seen several reports describing a surprising number of people leaving before Richard.  The audience and the event are being pulled in differing directions.  All things to all people won't carry on working for ever...

I really enjoy RT but he is becoming the next Trevor horn or marrilkion in that he is playing too regularly.
It’s been a good festival but to non fairport attendees it’s a shame the same act is headlining Friday and Saturday.
That equates to a lack of variety but it’s still been a decent festival and with a bit more imagination the festival crowd will be even bigger than ever
Added to that there’s always the tours to keep the fairport die hards happy and sat in the warm too



Funny that you should post this after David's 'All things to all people' comment.
Al posted as I was composing this.
'RT is playing too regularly' is a sharp intake of breath comment.
He is a founding member of Fairport and a bit of a legend.
Comparing him to Trevor Horn or Marillion is another sharp intake of breath moment.
There are others, but I have to leave now to get myself there in time to see Fairport at their festival.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on August 10, 2024, 01:07:21 PM
It is a comment of rebooking acts too regularly no more no less
Imo no band other than FC should be repeated more than once every three years.
It’s a turn off for many who won’t attend because they saw so and so the year before last.

I’m a big fan of RT and was lucky enough to meet him in the village a couple of years back but I do believe you need variety to keep a festival alive…
Also heard that Saturday only tickets may be a thing of the past next year (pub talk but they seemed official)
This would obviously mean any diehards who only attend Saturday would be doing their thing by keeping the festival going by buying a three day ticket which is good news all round.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on August 10, 2024, 01:12:03 PM



Glad to hear the Spooky Men went down well but one report I read said the writer then went back to their tent as they have no interest in RT at all. I can't help thinking that some people are at the wrong festival.  : ::)


I've also seen several reports describing a surprising number of people leaving before Richard.  The audience and the event are being pulled in differing directions.  All things to all people won't carry on working for ever...

I really enjoy RT but he is becoming the next Trevor horn or marrilkion in that he is playing too regularly.
It’s been a good festival but to non fairport attendees it’s a shame the same act is headlining Friday and Saturday.
That equates to a lack of variety but it’s still been a decent festival and with a bit more imagination the festival crowd will be even bigger than ever
Added to that there’s always the tours to keep the fairport die hards happy and sat in the warm too



Honestly?!!  Cropredy (well, the Cropredy I fell in love with 40 years ago) is dead as a dormouse with comments like that...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on August 10, 2024, 01:35:01 PM




Glad to hear the Spooky Men went down well but one report I read said the writer then went back to their tent as they have no interest in RT at all. I can't help thinking that some people are at the wrong festival.  : ::)


I've also seen several reports describing a surprising number of people leaving before Richard.  The audience and the event are being pulled in differing directions.  All things to all people won't carry on working for ever...

I really enjoy RT but he is becoming the next Trevor horn or marrilkion in that he is playing too regularly.
It’s been a good festival but to non fairport attendees it’s a shame the same act is headlining Friday and Saturday.
That equates to a lack of variety but it’s still been a decent festival and with a bit more imagination the festival crowd will be even bigger than ever
Added to that there’s always the tours to keep the fairport die hards happy and sat in the warm too



Honestly?!!  Cropredy (well, the Cropredy I fell in love with 40 years ago) is dead as a dormouse with comments like that...

Each to their own, it’s something to debate another time , I’m just about to join yourself and the thousands of others at the field of dreams…
If you see a couple pushing a young lad in a festival cart down the front that’ll be us, say hi if you see us.
Enjoy the festival and fairport this evening.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Jim on August 10, 2024, 07:43:33 PM




Glad to hear the Spooky Men went down well but one report I read said the writer then went back to their tent as they have no interest in RT at all. I can't help thinking that some people are at the wrong festival.  : ::)


I've also seen several reports describing a surprising number of people leaving before Richard.  The audience and the event are being pulled in differing directions.  All things to all people won't carry on working for ever...

I really enjoy RT but he is becoming the next Trevor horn or marrilkion in that he is playing too regularly.
It’s been a good festival but to non fairport attendees it’s a shame the same act is headlining Friday and Saturday.
That equates to a lack of variety but it’s still been a decent festival and with a bit more imagination the festival crowd will be even bigger than ever
Added to that there’s always the tours to keep the fairport die hards happy and sat in the warm too



Honestly?!!  Cropredy (well, the Cropredy I fell in love with 40 years ago) is dead as a dormouse with comments like that...


Spot on David

Are we doing a listen in ?
It's on BBC Radio Oxford at 8 o'clock pm hours


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 10, 2024, 10:24:32 PM
Quote from: davidmjs link=topic=47310.msg782351#msg782351





I've also seen several reports describing a surprising number of people leaving before Richard.  The audience and the event are being pulled in differing directions.  All things to all people won't carry on working for ever...


Well people were leaving in droves around us when SMC started. Some overheard comments were not at all complimrntary...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on August 10, 2024, 11:51:45 PM
Well tonight I’m afraid was an all time low
On pops jasper carrot pre 9pm and starts a very poor attempt at comedy littered with swearing at a family festival
The group I was with had young children who were asking ‘did he just say , this word, that word etc’ they all promptly left the field not to return which is fair enough.
I’m afraid jaspers comedy is outdated and to come on swearing away talking about adult topics in front of young children with no pre warning is a very bad read of the room from the organisers.
I am certainly no snowflake but on the way back to the campsite four other groups with young children all said the same thing.
People deserve better from britains friendliest festival.
Most of the field were expecting a decent music star but were ‘treated ‘ to that…….
A low end to what had been a great weekend

I went back up and I’m listening now to Matty groves but I wish my friends were here…

Hopefully lessons will be learnt.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Jim on August 10, 2024, 11:58:00 PM
The Cropredy set used to be really special.  It hasn't been for nearly 10 years now it's the Winter tour  with whoever is backstage now.  Disappointing tonight


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Chris from Fieldtown on August 11, 2024, 12:02:21 AM

Well tonight I’m afraid was an all time low
On pops jasper carrot pre 9pm and starts a very poor attempt at comedy littered with swearing at a family festival
The group I was with had young children who were asking ‘did he just say , this word, that word etc’ they all promptly left the field not to return which is fair enough.
I’m afraid jaspers comedy is outdated and to come on swearing away talking about adult topics in front of young children with no pre warning is a very bad read of the room from the organisers.
I am certainly no snowflake but on the way back to the campsite four other groups with young children all said the same thing.
People deserve better from britains friendliest festival.
Most of the field were expecting a decent music star but were ‘treated ‘ to that…….
A low end to what had been a great weekend

I went back up and I’m listening now to Matty groves but I wish my friends were here…


Sounds like they seriously misjudged jasper's slot. Sorry it spoilt your festival experience. With so many talented people they know, surely Ralph or another family friendly artist could have filled that slot.

Hopefully lessons will be learnt.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on August 11, 2024, 12:32:47 AM


Well tonight I’m afraid was an all time low
On pops jasper carrot pre 9pm and starts a very poor attempt at comedy littered with swearing at a family festival
The group I was with had young children who were asking ‘did he just say , this word, that word etc’ they all promptly left the field not to return which is fair enough.
I’m afraid jaspers comedy is outdated and to come on swearing away talking about adult topics in front of young children with no pre warning is a very bad read of the room from the organisers.
I am certainly no snowflake but on the way back to the campsite four other groups with young children all said the same thing.
People deserve better from britains friendliest festival.
Most of the field were expecting a decent music star but were ‘treated ‘ to that…….
A low end to what had been a great weekend

I went back up and I’m listening now to Matty groves but I wish my friends were here…


Sounds like they seriously misjudged jasper's slot. Sorry it spoilt your festival experience. With so many talented people they know, surely Ralph or another family friendly artist could have filled that slot.

Hopefully lessons will be learnt.


He didn’t seem to be getting many laughs but I was at the back (people were just staring blankly) I was more disappointed in the fact that he’d been booked and how badly someone had read the room.
If I’m at an 18 + comedy club then fine , times have moved on in the last 15 years and it couldn’t have been hard to send out a warning to those with young children.
I just expected better from a really well run festival
To be honest the field was full with people eagerly awaiting a special moment music wise.
They got this instead , I could feel the place deflate around me and then he was off and running….

Fair play to JC he’s had a good career and done very well for himself but a family festival is no longer the place for him imo


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 11, 2024, 02:32:41 AM
It frankly smacked of an open slot that never got filled and he was a last minute desperate booking.

OR RT was the special secret guest ( which let's facpe it in reality given this is cropredy he is neither, without intending to insult him).
and because RT had to cover Friday left that slot open at last minute,  in prime festival season and nobody available to book on a short notice.



Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: bassline (Mike) on August 11, 2024, 03:11:47 AM
Just got back from the field.
As I entered in the first instance, I thought I'd check to see where I put my car keys, just as the Zac Schulze Band were singing about a 'Hole In My Pocket.' Luckily, I didn't have one,and I still had my keys. They then mentioned a band from Canvey Island, and we know who they are don't we ? They then proceeded to play 'She Does It Right' which was nice, as it's my favourite Feelgood's song, and one that I used to sing in my blues band. It turns out that I used to do most of the rest of their set as well. It could have been me up there....
Ranagri's first tune was nice, but then, with the next song Cropredy turned into what turned out to be a US election rally, which I could have done without for a few hours, but Eddi and Jasper referenced it too, and Ric was sporting a Kamala 2024 t-shirt and he recons she will save the world. There are other opinions.
Focus did all the hits - including Sylvia which was another song I used to do. (I still have a tape of us rehearsing it. The sections are very similar, but different, and it's easy to get lost. The tape ends with the words 'Oh stop ! It's getting worse.') I'm pretty sure that the last time I saw them, Thijs was still doing all the high notes in Hocus Pocus, but this time it was the guitarist and the audience doing the honours.
Eddi Reader was brilliant. Both vocally, as should be expected, her dancing, and her humour which was way better than Carrott. I like Eddi very much. (Boo was there too.)
I have to admit, for a brief moment, very brief...I was thinking the guest might be somebody whose first name was Bob. Then I was thinking 'Oh I hope it's not Scott Doonican', who I saw in the crowd. No offence Scott.
I guessed it was gonna be a comedian when it was announced. I was hoping it might be Bill Bailey, but it turned out to be Carrott. So it turned out not to be a comedian after all. To be fair, I have a bunch of his records, and I'm a fan, but Eddi was funnier by far.
Fairport were OK. Ralph was a nice addition. Anna did her thing. The young guest couples were fine. I don't recall hearing Sir William Gower before. Sloth was fine. I'm glad Simon announced that the crisis was averted and the festival will be back next year.
If it is, I hope RT is booked. After all, apart from FC, he is the act that has appeared there the most.
Even more than Trevor Horn and Marillion.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on August 11, 2024, 06:13:55 AM
I thought fairport were ok this year a steady 7/10.
I’m hoping for a  line up with better headliners next year (although I do understand the reasons for the same acts headlining both fri/sat this year.
I enjoyed less bands than normal on the line up if I’m honest but again found a couple I’d previously not heard of who I really enjoyed.

I really enjoyed the festival but will be hoping for a bit more variety in the acts next year.

Soon be back to normal life in the village for another year….


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Dubai Danny on August 11, 2024, 07:38:13 AM

'RT is playing too regularly' is a sharp intake of breath comment.
He is a founding member of Fairport and a bit of a legend.

He's also very much a Marmite act, not least because of his voice - my wife thinks it's OK for some songs and can't stand it on others.

I've never understood the attitude that you like FC or folk in general you *have* to like RT. I took a long time to come round to him, and while he's done some undoubtedly great stuff, he's also done a lot of very similar-sounding filler; it must be 10 years ago that someone on here said "RT has been putting out the same album for the last 10 years", and I know exactly what they meant.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on August 11, 2024, 09:33:03 AM
I sat  at home and listened to Fairports set.
Enjoyed the arrangements of the older songs . With an unexpected addition which took me back but I have heard Sloth done 3625 times, (ok I exaggerate😇), Chris’s songs have generally been too twee for me. He writes well but I don’t think the Chris Leslie Band would be filling a field in Oxfordshire. Sorry Chris. It’s a back catalogue  and a history that does that…..
The comments on here about people not liking RT have been rehashed before.
Let’s sum it up….
Pre 2003 ……perhaps earlier ,it was a fest where people went for Fairports  ,at their fest.
It became a 3 day fest , people started to go for other bands…so some 20 yrs later I suspect the majority of the field are not going to see Fairports and a large proportion of them don’t know who RT is…..and you can like the present Fairports without liking RT.
It was an ok set, a winter tour set , that I have seen several times.
I know people will have loved it …..I’m not being a grouch , Chris has been in the band 27 yrs and it’s the present Fairport , not the one that blazed for 6 months in 1969.
This year I have been to gigs and watched Show of Hands , Oysterband on their final tours.
Time catches up with us all, I know for Fairports , Cropredy and the Winter tour are their living.
I genuinely, genuinely hope you all had a wonderful time . Sheens emergency dental work stopped me getting to the Brase……and I sat by the radiogramme last night , adjusting my cats whisker ( Bill stop it,)
hoping for a wave of nostalgia. Not missing Cropredy any more is simply very sad, I always thought I would be there…..
Off to Between the Trees Fest in 2 weeks to see a bunch of bands I’ve never heard of , except for 3 , to be in a field with people I’ve never met….a bit like Cropredy in the 80’s.but that was 40 yrs ago.!
The Brase seemed to capture the ethos of early Cropredies , new names and class acts.
Life goes full circle.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: David V B on August 11, 2024, 09:51:27 AM
7/10 seems very fair. Having seen the winter tour there were no real surprises. Bit disappointed by the lack of guests apart from Ralph. Always good to hear Red and Gold. Did enjoy Sloth though as it always reminds me how very fine a bass player Peggy is. Also Reynardine. Not sure it was enough to get us down from the North West next year. A lot depends on the line up now to give us that push and there are fewer acts to do that.

As for Jasper C, we went to see him a year ago and I thought it was a very lazy act - like 40 years had never happened. Best thing was Fake Thackeray as support. Don’t remember an issue with swearing - could be down to context or perhaps I am just inured to it. Comedians are always a risky booking as most are marmite. Bill Bailey certainly the best option, have never heard him swear and very funny/likeable.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: bassline (Mike) on August 11, 2024, 10:03:28 AM


'RT is playing too regularly' is a sharp intake of breath comment.
He is a founding member of Fairport and a bit of a legend.

He's also very much a Marmite act, not least because of his voice - my wife thinks it's OK for some songs and can't stand it on others.

I've never understood the attitude that you like FC or folk in general you *have* to like RT. I took a long time to come round to him, and while he's done some undoubtedly great stuff, he's also done a lot of very similar-sounding filler; it must be 10 years ago that someone on here said "RT has been putting out the same album for the last 10 years", and I know exactly what they meant.


You don't have to like him.
I don't think that attitude exists.
It all comes round again to what Cropredy was always about.
The current band, the ex members, and the fans of them meeting together.

To say he's getting to be like Trevor Horn is not understanding this.
 





Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Dan O. on August 11, 2024, 10:19:16 AM



'RT is playing too regularly' is a sharp intake of breath comment.
He is a founding member of Fairport and a bit of a legend.

He's also very much a Marmite act, not least because of his voice - my wife thinks it's OK for some songs and can't stand it on others.

I've never understood the attitude that you like FC or folk in general you *have* to like RT. I took a long time to come round to him, and while he's done some undoubtedly great stuff, he's also done a lot of very similar-sounding filler; it must be 10 years ago that someone on here said "RT has been putting out the same album for the last 10 years", and I know exactly what they meant.


You don't have to like him.
I don't think that attitude exists.
It all comes round again to what Cropredy was always about.
The current band, the ex members, and the fans of them meeting together.

To say he's getting to be like Trevor Horn is not understanding this.
 





Exactly, I love both equally - indeed I discovered Fairport Convention via Richard Thompson - i.e. this bloke used to be in a band, what were they like ? Time to investigate...

However, I've come across several people who love RT but wouldn't even consider going to watch FC and vice versa.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Adam on August 11, 2024, 10:33:06 AM
Got home an hour or so ago. I feel a bit odd, to be honest, as this was the first Cropredy in my 36 yrs that I haven’t come home buzzing. I enjoyed it, but didn’t love it; I think it’s down to the music. I only attended Friday and Saturday. Friday was a hot one! Black Water County were enjoyable (reminded me of Skinny Lister), and it was nice to hear some Lindisfarne from Silverblues. The next three acts (Dewolf, Baskery and Elles Bailey were all bluesy/rock/americana, perfectly pleasant in the sunshine, but sort of washed over me. I liked Big Big Train, but wished I’d done my homework and listened to more of their stuff beforehand. Spooky Men’s chorale were my festival highlight; I didn’t know what to expect, and loved them. Something different and original!

Saturday went quickly, but again, the music was ok but nothing really grabbed me apart from Eddie Reader (brilliant) and I enjoyed Fairport’s set, and have grown to really enjoy Chris Leslie’s songs. Nice video tribute to Gerry as well.

I appreciate that the vendors need to turn a profit, but minimum of £11-£14 for a burger is a bit steep. Best value was the Mac n cheese for a fiver - v tasty!

I still don’t know why Jasper Carrot wasn’t just billed, rather than as a surprise special guest? I wonder if someone else fell through. I thought he was pretty funny, but horses for courses and all that.

I wonder if the budget was blown in previous years (Nile Rogers, Brian Wilson et al), hence a more low-key lineup this year.  Looking back at old programmes, Rick Wakeman was mid-bill in 2010, headliner this year.

I’ll definitely be seeing Fairport on the Autumn and Wintour, but the Cropredy lineup will play a factor in how many days I attend next year. An odd feeling indeed…..



Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on August 11, 2024, 10:34:05 AM
Looking at Facebook and this, the gulf between the Fairport and family folk-rock inclined fans, and the "it's just a festival in a village in Oxon, and I don't much like that band that play every Sat night" brigade (who I think it is now pretty clear are in the majority) is becoming wider and wider and wider.  I know what I'd like to see happen, and it's very much on the 'less is more' side of things.  But I think they'll continue to chase their tail, Fairport's place in the festival will become increasingly divisive, and eventually someone will realise you can't be two completely different things to two completely different groups of people...  

Meanwhile, I'm living in the past - I've just purchased a nice collection of Cropredy tees from 25-15 years ago (wish I still had my tees from the 80s and, 93-aside, early 90s) and am joyfully remembering happy days spent with people who were almost all there for the same reasons.  


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on August 11, 2024, 10:55:58 AM

Looking at Facebook and this, the gulf between the Fairport and family folk-rock inclined fans, and the "it's just a festival in a village in Oxon, and I don't much like that band that play every Sat night" brigade (who I think it is now pretty clear are in the majority) is becoming wider and wider and wider.  I know what I'd like to see happen, and it's very much on the 'less is more' side of things.  But I think they'll continue to chase their tail, Fairport's place in the festival will become increasingly divisive, and eventually someone will realise you can't be two completely different things to two completely different groups of people...  

Meanwhile, I'm living in the past - I've just purchased a nice collection of Cropredy tees from 25-15 years ago (wish I still had my tees from the 80s and, 93-aside, early 90s) and am joyfully remembering happy days spent with people who were almost all there for the same reasons.  

I’ve probably said this before but fests going down smaller, possibly more eclectic routes, seem to be tge ones that thrive. Smaller overheads . Interesting to see the Brase pulling 3000 people for some acts…..


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on August 11, 2024, 11:03:58 AM

Interesting to see the Brase pulling 3000 people for some acts…..


 :o Is that true?

If so, and I've no reason to doubt you, that's the ultimate fracture and failure of the 'all things to all people' model right there...  They took their eye off the ball by allowing the fringe to commercialise (outside of just being additional punters buying food and drink) itself.  Massive own goal.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Angela on August 11, 2024, 11:13:24 AM
Due to broken body parts and a fear of being in crowded places we camped on field 8, Cream of the Crop and went to the he Brasenose Fringe. The field was superb, great facilities. What surprised me was the number of people camping in there with cropredy wristbands and many people at the Brasenose also with cropredy wristbands


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on August 11, 2024, 11:21:15 AM

Due to broken body parts and a fear of being in crowded places we camped on field 8, Cream of the Crop and went to the he Brasenose Fringe. The field was superb, great facilities. What surprised me was the number of people camping in there with cropredy wristbands and many people at the Brasenose also with cropredy wristbands


Hi Angela, I think when you have bands on at the Brase of the  quality Of Trad Arr, While and Matthews, Jon Palmer Acoustic Band, Dream in Colour and fest favourites like Leatherat and Spank the Monkey it’s a quality fringe and people will jump between the two. The bands I’ve listed would have made a cracking main stage line up…imho…..


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Adam on August 11, 2024, 11:37:55 AM


Interesting to see the Brase pulling 3000 people for some acts…..


 :o Is that true?

If so, and I've no reason to doubt you, that's the ultimate fracture and failure of the 'all things to all people' model right there...  They took their eye off the ball by allowing the fringe to commercialise (outside of just being additional punters buying food and drink) itself.  Massive own goal.


100% agree with you, David, my thoughts exactly. Even if it’s (say) 100 people who would have done the main festival but did the Brasenose instead, that’s north of £10k not ending up in the Fairport coffers.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on August 11, 2024, 11:57:44 AM


Interesting to see the Brase pulling 3000 people for some acts…..


 :o Is that true?

If so, and I've no reason to doubt you, that's the ultimate fracture and failure of the 'all things to all people' model right there...  They took their eye off the ball by allowing the fringe to commercialise (outside of just being additional punters buying food and drink) itself.  Massive own goal.

Dave I read it in a post from Brase over last 2 days and I have been trying to find it to post it for you. 3000 to see Dreadzone I think but I am trying to check.
Addendum
Found it on fbook from Rebecca Ryan who stage managed and compèred Dreadzone and said they played to 3000.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 11, 2024, 12:42:12 PM
I'd read smewhere the brasenose had a limit of 1000?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on August 11, 2024, 12:45:03 PM

I'd read smewhere the brasenose had a limit of 1000?


I have to admit that seems much more likely (but still highly problematic to the festival) to me


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Sue & Chris on August 11, 2024, 01:01:23 PM
Just back from the festival, 29th year for me and enjoyed it as much as ever. A few thoughts:

 - Attendance was noticeably lower on Thursday, but Friday and Saturday seemed pretty much as full as ever.

- Interestingly, I thought the field was fuller for Fairport than it has been for the last few years. Good response too.

- Stand out acts included Kathryn Tickell, DeWolff, Zac Schultz, Spooky Men, and Eddi Reader. But there wasn't really a duff one (unless you count the surprise guest.)

- Enjoyed RT's set - a few surprises in there, don't think I've heard Hokey Pokey live before. Shoot out the Lights was the highlight of his 'electric' section. It's true the field did empty a bit, though.

- Friday suffered from a samey feel - the music was good but after four bluesy Americana guitar bands in a row they all merge into one.

- Saturday night's special guest was predictably a damp squib, I hope they don't repeat it. Apparently Carrott did it for free. A bit surprised at all the pearl clutching about his language, which was pretty much pre-watershed stuff nowadays and would absolutely be common on the school playground.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on August 11, 2024, 01:03:17 PM


I'd read smewhere the brasenose had a limit of 1000?


I have to admit that seems much more likely (but still highly problematic to the festival) to me

I can only quote what Rebecca Ryan posted ….and she’s been stage managing and compèring all 3 days ..and she says 3000.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0aaWmoQihnFgH31z83uFtwAgBS7K3BDHxaVCS2KEWmEh14tznWLRXFNSHPapiyhgKl&id=608480108


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Poor Will (Bill) on August 11, 2024, 02:15:44 PM

T



The Brase seemed to capture the ethos of early Cropredies , new names and class acts.
Life goes full circle.

[/quote]I have come away from Cropredy with a very uneasy feeling about the Brasenose.
Due to the cover of the “Nine” album and its location within the village, there is an iconic attachment to the band and the festival.
However, what has in the past been a very symbiotic relationship now seems to have become extremely parasitic.
Far from being a part of the festival it has now set itself up in competition and is brazenly trying to poach the  Cropredy clientele.
There are already posters up advertising the fact that if you purchase a ticket for the whole weekend next year, it will cost you the princely sum of £15!
If the lineup is anything like this year I’m guessing that there will be a lot of people deciding to do that rather than pay for a Cropredy ticket.
If anything turns out to be the final nail in the coffin of Cropredy festival, it may well be the Brasenose itself.
A case of killing the goose that laid the golden egg.



Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on August 11, 2024, 03:09:58 PM

I have come away from Cropredy with a very uneasy feeling about the Brasenose.
Due to the cover of the “Nine” album and its location within the village, there is an iconic attachment to the band and the festival.
However, what has in the past been a very symbiotic relationship now seems to have become extremely parasitic.
Far from being a part of the festival it has now set itself up in competition and is brazenly trying to poach the  Cropredy clientele.
There are already posters up advertising the fact that if you purchase a ticket for the whole weekend next year, it will cost you the princely sum of £15!
If the lineup is anything like this year I’m guessing that there will be a lot of people deciding to do that rather than pay for a Cropredy ticket.
If anything turns out to be the final nail in the coffin of Cropredy festival, it may well be the Brasenose itself.
A case of killing the goose that laid the golden egg.


I think that's a somewhat harsh interpretation in the world of market forces in which we (sadly) exist.  They saw a gap in the market and they have filled it.  And they're doing it well.  I'm really not sure they're (wholly) to blame - or do the festival organisers, who put all their eggs in a one stage basket, even as the desire for an alternative was apparent to all, carry some culpability?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Sue & Chris on August 11, 2024, 03:39:35 PM
For me, the single stage is a selling point. I like the community feel it engenders. If I want multiple stages I can go to pretty much any other festival.

Anyway, on the basis of Simon's comments last night, the festival is secure for at least another year.

As for the Brasenose, good luck to them but I'm sure they know that without the main festival their's won't last long.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on August 11, 2024, 03:57:57 PM


T



The Brase seemed to capture the ethos of early Cropredies , new names and class acts.
Life goes full circle.

I have come away from Cropredy with a very uneasy feeling about the Brasenose.
Due to the cover of the “Nine” album and its location within the village, there is an iconic attachment to the band and the festival.
However, what has in the past been a very symbiotic relationship now seems to have become extremely parasitic.
Far from being a part of the festival it has now set itself up in competition and is brazenly trying to poach the  Cropredy clientele.
There are already posters up advertising the fact that if you purchase a ticket for the whole weekend next year, it will cost you the princely sum of £15!
If the lineup is anything like this year I’m guessing that there will be a lot of people deciding to do that rather than pay for a Cropredy ticket.
If anything turns out to be the final nail in the coffin of Cropredy festival, it may well be the Brasenose itself.
A case of killing the goose that laid the golden egg.


[/quote]
Yep , agree with Bill. The  Brase and the Red Lion used to be the fringe. Now the Brase is a fest in its own right pulling crowds similar to
The fact they’ve taken the price down is interesting though.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on August 11, 2024, 04:01:36 PM

As for the Brasenose, good luck to them but I'm sure they know that without the main festival their's won't last long.


I'm not actually convinced that is the case any more.  As perhaps proven by the ex-attendees of the main festival who have chosen to pay their money and go and sit in the Brasenose garden instead.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Sue & Chris on August 11, 2024, 04:16:39 PM


As for the Brasenose, good luck to them but I'm sure they know that without the main festival their's won't last long.


I'm not actually convinced that is the case any more.  As perhaps proven by the ex-attendees of the main festival who have chosen to pay their money and go and sit in the Brasenose garden instead.


But I suspect those numbers are dwarfed by the people who were at the main festival and who popped down to the Brasenose to see a couple of the acts. It was free entry during the day, I believe.

And if there really were 3000 people there, no one would be sitting in the garden!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: bassline (Mike) on August 11, 2024, 04:21:04 PM

For me, the single stage is a selling point. I like the community feel it engenders. If I want multiple stages I can go to pretty much any other festival.

Anyway, on the basis of Simon's comments last night, the festival is secure for at least another year.

As for the Brasenose, good luck to them but I'm sure they know that without the main festival their's won't last long.


I agree about the single stage for the most part.
It depends on how the marketing goes.
Many will advertise all the acts booked, and not announce day splits or stages until after they have your money.
Then you find out you bought a ticket because there are five or six bands you want to see, and you find out that they are playing at the same time, and you only see two of them, or half a set and then dash off to see the second half of the other band.
If the fest organisers tell you which stage the acts are appearing on, and what days, then you can see what you are getting - maybe choose a two day or one day ticket instead of the full thing. And from the other side, the fest may get people buying one or two day tickets rather than not bothering to buy a full weekend ticket at all.

Maybe the future for Fairport's festival is to book all the type of acts that the Brase have 'stolen' from the previous festival line ups, and let the pubs go back to having local covers bands. Would people be going there for that music if they didn't want to listen to it ?
I'm sure that Chris and Julie don't charge as much as Nile.
And I don't think I've seen a comment so far saying how fab Tony Christie was...



Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Poor Will (Bill) on August 11, 2024, 04:22:07 PM
If they think their festival would survive without the main Cropredy festival, perhaps they should try running at a different time, maybe the end of June to commemorate The Battle of Cropredy Bridge.
Somehow I doubt they would be brave enough to step outside the shadow of Cropredy!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: bassline (Mike) on August 11, 2024, 04:23:57 PM

If they think their festival would survive without the main Cropredy festival, perhaps they should try running at a different time, maybe the end of June to commemorate The Battle of Cropredy Bridge.
Somehow I doubt they would be brave enough to step outside the shadow of Cropredy!



Interesting.......


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on August 11, 2024, 04:25:36 PM


And I don't think I've seen a comment so far saying how fab Tony Christie was...



Oh, I have (on Fairporters) ;D


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Sue & Chris on August 11, 2024, 04:31:35 PM


For me, the single stage is a selling point. I like the community feel it engenders. If I want multiple stages I can go to pretty much any other festival.

Anyway, on the basis of Simon's comments last night, the festival is secure for at least another year.

As for the Brasenose, good luck to them but I'm sure they know that without the main festival their's won't last long.


And I don't think I've seen a comment so far saying how fab Tony Christie was...




Well, you have now! I thought he was great. Wasn't expecting to enjoy him, but a great band and some bulletproof songs, plus a voice that's holding up well considering, made for a very entertaining hour.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: bassline (Mike) on August 11, 2024, 05:00:13 PM
I don't doubt he's a good entertainer.

How many people bought tickets on the strength of him being on the bill, and do all the people that enjoyed it have ALL his records, or even one ?

An ironic cheesy singalong is fun.

I took my mom to see Leo Sayer for her birthday and I loved it, he would probably go down well at Cropredy.

Would Leo or Tony have been a hit with the original crowd from the 80's or 90's ?

What crowd do FC want going forward ?
What crowd are they going to loose ?

Which one will keep it going ?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Adam on August 11, 2024, 05:04:01 PM
Whether by oversight or design, Simon announced next year’s festival to be on the 7th to 9th August, whereas the Brasenose fringe tickets are for the following weekend….


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Sue & Chris on August 11, 2024, 05:10:04 PM

I don't doubt he's a good entertainer.

How many people bought tickets on the strength of him being on the bill, and do all the people that enjoyed it have ALL his records, or even one ?

An ironic cheesy singalong is fun.

I took my mom to see Leo Sayer for her birthday and I loved it, he would probably go down well at Cropredy.

Would Leo or Tony have been a hit with the original crowd from the 80's or 90's ?

What crowd do FC want going forward ?
What crowd are they going to loose ?

Which one will keep it going ?


I doubt that many people bought their ticket to see Tony Christie. I know I certainly didn't. But as one out of 20 acts, I think a bit of cheesy nostalgia is fine.

Thing is, who is going to buy a ticket on the strength of, say, While & Matthews being on the bill? Or Dreadzone? Or anyone else who was at the Brasenose? Not many, I wager.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on August 11, 2024, 05:31:31 PM

Whether by oversight or design, Simon announced next year’s festival to be on the 7th to 9th August, whereas the Brasenose fringe tickets are for the following weekend….


Well, it's always the second weekend in August - which I suppose depends on how you count it.  I've always assumed that meant the second Thur and onwards, but that kind of makes it the third weekend next year so...let battle commence  ;) ;D


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: bassline (Mike) on August 11, 2024, 05:34:48 PM


Whether by oversight or design, Simon announced next year’s festival to be on the 7th to 9th August, whereas the Brasenose fringe tickets are for the following weekend….


Well, it's always the second weekend in August - which I suppose depends on how you count it.  I've always assumed that meant the second Thur and onwards, but that kind of makes it the third weekend next year so...let battle commence  ;) ;D


Misinformation to confuse the Brase.
I like it.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 11, 2024, 08:17:21 PM
Quote


There are already posters up advertising the fact that if you purchase a ticket for the whole weekend next year, it will cost you the princely sum of £15!
If the lineup is anything like this year I’m guessing that there will be a lot of people deciding to do that rather than pay for a Cropredy ticket.



without endorsing that idea nor decrying it (thats another thread/response another day ;-) ) - where would everybody camp?  are there sufficient private sites to accommodate everybody?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on August 11, 2024, 08:41:59 PM


If they think their festival would survive without the main Cropredy festival, perhaps they should try running at a different time, maybe the end of June to commemorate The Battle of Cropredy Bridge.
Somehow I doubt they would be brave enough to step outside the shadow of Cropredy!



Interesting.......

The brasenose do a brilliant job with their fringe festival but it just couldn’t stand on its own two feet without the main festival at the moment.
The glaringly obvious reason is the lack of camping for people who would turn up.
Now field 8 is a totally different proposition and could easily hold a brasenose style festival with the same standard of acts AND have camping for all their attendees.
In my opinion(well it’s actually a fact) there will now always be a festival in august at cropredy even if the main festival fails (no reason it should if they add a better standard of headliner and increase prices to keep the competition at bay)
Has it not occurred that the thousands who are listening at field 8 and the brase are voting with their feet.

The main festival has serious competition but still has the upper hand for now.


How long that is the case remains to be seen.
There is no doubting that if the main festival and the brase up their game then the customers have never had it so good.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 11, 2024, 08:46:07 PM

I'm glad Simon announced that the crisis was averted and the festival will be back next year.



well,  i suspect not really averted just postponed unless whatever caused the hiatus this year really was nowt to do with slow up front ticket sales and lack of sales over all...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 11, 2024, 08:48:15 PM



I'd read smewhere the brasenose had a limit of 1000?


I have to admit that seems much more likely (but still highly problematic to the festival) to me

I can only quote what Rebecca Ryan posted ….and she’s been stage managing and compèring all 3 days ..and she says 3000.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0aaWmoQihnFgH31z83uFtwAgBS7K3BDHxaVCS2KEWmEh14tznWLRXFNSHPapiyhgKl&id=608480108


Mandy Rice - Davies moment?

But - thanks for that confirmation hendo.  


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 11, 2024, 08:50:49 PM


I think that's a somewhat harsh interpretation in the world of market forces in which we (sadly) exist.  They saw a gap in the market and they have filled it.  And they're doing it well.  I'm really not sure they're (wholly) to blame - or do the festival organisers, who put all their eggs in a one stage basket, even as the desire for an alternative was apparent to all, carry some culpability?




this is where a "like" button would really work :-)

Thats it really.  


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 11, 2024, 08:55:13 PM


The fact they’ve taken the price down is interesting though.


Yeah.  Thats on a apr with a singlee gig of a decent band at a market town venue.

Though Im sytill unsre of iutrs real effectiveness.  If there were 3L at the BN for one band, that doepsnt mean that was 3000 x £30 BN tickets.  I suspect that's a few hundred BN tickets and a LOT of standard CCF wristbands.  Though as I wasnt there that is admittedly conjecture - though Id also suggest iof the BN had sold 3K wristtbands theyd not have to let any CFF bands in.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 11, 2024, 08:57:45 PM

Whether by oversight or design, Simon announced next year’s festival to be on the 7th to 9th August, whereas the Brasenose fringe tickets are for the following weekend….


ooo... good spot!

https://www.universe.com/events/the-brasenose-fringe-2025-tickets-C7NY60?ref=ticketmaster


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on August 11, 2024, 08:59:51 PM

If they think their festival would survive without the main Cropredy festival, perhaps they should try running at a different time, maybe the end of June to commemorate The Battle of Cropredy Bridge.
Somehow I doubt they would be brave enough to step outside the shadow of Cropredy!


They have different festivals through the year
None have anywhere near the attendance of the fringe festival which is the big one…


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: David H on August 11, 2024, 11:50:50 PM
Never posted here before, but am a Cropredy veteran: first time in 1986, and most years since. So - some thoughts after Croppers 2024.

1. A lot of people have rose tinted memories of the 80’s and 90’s. Yes, the field was more hardcore FT and friends familiar and friendly, but the atmosphere was often quite heavy. RT once told me his band were once pelted on stage by local yobboes. It was quite wild.

2. We - the hardcore FT faithful - are dying off. We can’t sustain this festival anymore. Look at the half empty Albert Hall for RT’s 75th. Having said that, both RT and Fairport retained loyal and appreciative attention on Friday and Saturday. Shoot Out the Lights was fab.

3 Too many poor choices in this year’s line up. As someone has said, too many sound alike blues outfits and not enough idiosyncratic artistes like the wonderful Eddie Reader.

4.  The JC ‘surprise guest’ reveal was the most heart sinking moment at Cropredy I can recall. You could feel the sense of shock and deflation round the field. A truly bad call.

5 But what has become really depressing is the gradual disappearance of all the great and often unexpected musical fusions that the band surprised us with year after year. RT channelling Marvin Gaye with Roy Wood’s horn section…London Wainwright…,Percy with Jerry’s daughter. All gone.

6. And I have no great plan to sort any of this. I don’t think it can be sorted. Night draws in.
We’ve had a good run and been priveliged to enjoy some brilliant music.

7 So- not sure I’ll be there next year. But a better more varied line-up (see Cambridge this year),
a showcase for Sandy’s songs, and the full participation of all surviving FT members would probably do it.

Oh - and no bloody comics!



Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on August 12, 2024, 12:21:51 AM

Never posted here before, but am a Cropredy veteran: first time in 1986, and most years since. So - some thoughts after Croppers 2024.

1. A lot of people have rose tinted memories of the 80’s and 90’s. Yes, the field was more hardcore FT and friends familiar and friendly, but the atmosphere was often quite heavy. RT once told me his band were once pelted on stage by local yobboes. It was quite wild.

2. We - the hardcore FT faithful - are dying off. We can’t sustain this festival anymore. Look at the half empty Albert Hall for RT’s 75th. Having said that, both RT and Fairport retained loyal and appreciative attention on Friday and Saturday. Shoot Out the Lights was fab.

3 Too many poor choices in this year’s line up. As someone has said, too many sound alike blues outfits and not enough idiosyncratic artistes like the wonderful Eddie Reader.

4.  The JC ‘surprise guest’ reveal was the most heart sinking moment at Cropredy I can recall. You could feel the sense of shock and deflation round the field. A truly bad call.

5 But what has become really depressing is the gradual disappearance of all the great and often unexpected musical fusions that the band surprised us with year after year. RT channelling Marvin Gaye with Roy Wood’s horn section…London Wainwright…,Percy with Jerry’s daughter. All gone.

6. And I have no great plan to sort any of this. I don’t think it can be sorted. Night draws in.
We’ve had a good run and been priveliged to enjoy some brilliant music.

7 So- not sure I’ll be there next year. But a better more varied line-up (see Cambridge this year),
a showcase for Sandy’s songs, and the full participation of all surviving FT members would probably do it.

Oh - and no bloody comics!




Interesting read ……
Of course Fairports would never say it was ever a folk fest.
It has become a middle of the road fest……


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Dubai Danny on August 12, 2024, 01:57:20 AM

Of course Fairports would never say it was ever a folk fest.

In the days of the printed newsletters, they absolutely called it a folk festival - someone posted a scan on the Fairporters FB group a few years back that proved it :)

What's been said above does, I think, underline that "it's the lineup, stupid!", because as has been said time and again, the pool of punters who will turn up just because it's Cropredy and FC is diminishing every year.

Someone who was talking to the ticket sellers says that the sales for this year were somewhere from 9,000 to 11,000, against a maximum of 20,000, so at best it was just over half sold (last year was 15,000). If that's where they ended up after what was apparently a decent walkup on Saturday due to the good weather, it provides some context for where they must have been back in April when Simon's first "use it or lose it" message went out, so it's understandable that they were worried.



Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: StephenB on August 12, 2024, 02:53:23 AM
I've so much to say about all this but I'm on the boat home and tired so just a few random thoughts.

imho RT is an absolute genius of a guitarist and a songwriter,but a woeful singer whose singing has spoiled quite a lot of things for me in the past. Ive also heard him in various guises in the past few years so I wasnt as ecstatic as some at him being there - it was.just better than Trevor Horne... can I still.be a Fairport  fan?

Re "Has it not occurred that the thousands who are listening at field 8 and the brase are voting with their feet." I've stayed on F8 for the last 4 or 5 years. I've found most people I chat to are there for the main gig, and in between all the times I've been back to the tent in the day or nght time i dont think I've ever seen more than 100 people engaged with the music and for a lot of the day it seems to be just a handful. So while i think F8 has capitalised very well on a gap in the accommodation side, they have a very long way to go in their dream of it being a serious alternative musically.

Jasper - imo a disastrous marketing concept with a not surprisingly poor outcome. It's good to hear musicians doing stuff from the 70s, but it doesn't quite work with comics.

Fairport's set - far too samey as the last few years now. They have a vast back catalogue of excellent tunes but all we've  heard for the last 3 years is Portmeirion, Bankruptured and Steampunkery. Same with songs, Moonlight and Hiring Fair.
Great to hear Ralph himself doing Red and Gold.

My personal highlights: Duelling Keyboards, Dutch yodelling and stylish gibberish, and those spooky Spooky men (what is it about acts from Oz playing to their biggest crowd in Cropredy at the end of a tour and storming it?)
That's enough for now? before I jump into the "what should they be doing" debate ...





Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Andy on August 12, 2024, 08:18:01 AM

I'm glad Simon announced that the crisis was averted and the festival will be back next year.


I'm not sure he did any such thing. He did say that the festival will return in 2025, shortly after Peggy had been much more cautious in his speech, merely hoping the festival will be back then.

Cancelling the festival would involve invalidating many contracts such that the organising company, Fairport Convention Ltd, would probably have to go bust to do so. I haven't read the details of how other festivals have managed the financials of cancelling (because it hasn't been publicly discussed) but it's an interesting area.

Having said the above, I really want Cropredy to continue. In the programme, Simon says (paraphrasing) that they will do what is needed to ensure it does. How that translates to reality has yet to be made public, or, I suspect, decided.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Poor Will (Bill) on August 12, 2024, 09:21:27 AM

Never posted here before, but am a Cropredy veteran: first time in 1986, and most years since. So - some thoughts after Croppers 2024.

1. A lot of people have rose tinted memories of the 80’s and 90’s. Yes, the field was more hardcore FT and friends familiar and friendly, but the atmosphere was often quite heavy. RT once told me his band were once pelted on stage by local yobboes. It was quite wild.

2. We - the hardcore FT faithful - are dying off. We can’t sustain this festival anymore. Look at the half empty Albert Hall for RT’s 75th. Having said that, both RT and Fairport retained loyal and appreciative attention on Friday and Saturday. Shoot Out the Lights was fab.

3 Too many poor choices in this year’s line up. As someone has said, too many sound alike blues outfits and not enough idiosyncratic artistes like the wonderful Eddie Reader.

4.  The JC ‘surprise guest’ reveal was the most heart sinking moment at Cropredy I can recall. You could feel the sense of shock and deflation round the field. A truly bad call.

5 But what has become really depressing is the gradual disappearance of all the great and often unexpected musical fusions that the band surprised us with year after year. RT channelling Marvin Gaye with Roy Wood’s horn section…London Wainwright…,Percy with Jerry’s daughter. All gone.

6. And I have no great plan to sort any of this. I don’t think it can be sorted. Night draws in.
We’ve had a good run and been priveliged to enjoy some brilliant music.

7 So- not sure I’ll be there next year. But a better more varied line-up (see Cambridge this year),
a showcase for Sandy’s songs, and the full participation of all surviving FT members would probably do it.

Oh - and no bloody comics!


Agree with pretty much everything there.
I still couldn’t imagine being anywhere else on that Saturday night.
Long may it continue!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Sue & Chris on August 12, 2024, 10:29:22 AM


4.  The JC ‘surprise guest’ reveal was the most heart sinking moment at Cropredy I can recall. You could feel the sense of shock and deflation round the field. A truly bad call.



It didn't help that AJC really built it up - asking us to sit down, behaving as if it was a really big deal. I hadn't been expecting much, but when he did that I started to think that maybe they really had pulled something out of the bag. Then he announced JC and it was clear that they hadn't.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on August 12, 2024, 10:31:01 AM
As usual I’m hesitating to post as I haven’t been to Cropredy since 2018.
The strength of the fest was always Fairports and one stage.
Now there are , effectively, many stages.
A walk from the field to the Brase is no longer than the walk between stages at some fests.
I know an aging audience likes to get in their chair on the field and stay there….but times change.
The fringe used to be low key, localish bands, free to walk in, quickpint when nothing on main field appealed.
That has changed with Brase charging…….that would have been a quality stand alone fest.
Will be interesting  to see how it went for them financially… £30 for the weekend , which apparently is dropping to £15 for next yr. That maybe an early bird offer I’m not sure…….


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 12, 2024, 10:34:26 AM



It didn't help that AJC really built it up - asking us to sit down, behaving as if it was a really big deal. I hadn't been expecting much, but when he did that I started to think that maybe they really had pulled something out of the bag. Then he announced JC and it was clear that they hadn't.


I suppose that is AJ's job.  But I entirely get what you are saying ...

TBH it felt to me as if the special guest slot never actually got filled and in the end Peggy asked his mate (Im told they are good chums) to step in.

Either that or RT was going to be the "special secret guest" - which i dont perceive as being either really - and that got stuffed by having to cover for trevor horn so somebody else needed finding in the middle of festival season for a late Saturday night slot...  and we are back to the Peggy asking his mate scenario.



Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Sue & Chris on August 12, 2024, 10:56:22 AM




It didn't help that AJC really built it up - asking us to sit down, behaving as if it was a really big deal. I hadn't been expecting much, but when he did that I started to think that maybe they really had pulled something out of the bag. Then he announced JC and it was clear that they hadn't.


I suppose that is AJ's job.  But I entirely get what you are saying ...

TBH it felt to me as if the special guest slot never actually got filled and in the end Peggy asked his mate (Im told they are good chums) to step in.

Either that or RT was going to be the "special secret guest" - which i dont perceive as being either really - and that got stuffed by having to cover for trevor horn so somebody else needed finding in the middle of festival season for a late Saturday night slot...  and we are back to the Peggy asking his mate scenario.




Surely they wouldn't advertise a 'special surprise guest' without having someone signed and sealed? That would be mad.

If it was RT (I don't buy that theory either) why not come out and say so when the Trevor Horn problem arose? And why wasn't he still there on the Saturday?

No, I reckon that FC (and specifically Peggy) thought that JC warranted the billing. You are right that the two are old friends, and I suspect the plan was cooked up over a few beers one night (with the best of intentions, no doubt.)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: bassline (Mike) on August 12, 2024, 11:02:51 AM




It didn't help that AJC really built it up - asking us to sit down, behaving as if it was a really big deal. I hadn't been expecting much, but when he did that I started to think that maybe they really had pulled something out of the bag. Then he announced JC and it was clear that they hadn't.


I suppose that is AJ's job.  But I entirely get what you are saying ...

TBH it felt to me as if the special guest slot never actually got filled and in the end Peggy asked his mate (Im told they are good chums) to step in.

Either that or RT was going to be the "special secret guest" - which i dont perceive as being either really - and that got stuffed by having to cover for trevor horn so somebody else needed finding in the middle of festival season for a late Saturday night slot...  and we are back to the Peggy asking his mate scenario.




Or maybe it's just because Carrott WAS a surprise addition the last time as it wasn't announced. He asked if he could do a quick set and they said OK, so he did.
So they thought 'we could do that again' it went down well last time.
Announcing it in advance took the surprise out of it, caused much speculation, and it backfired.
'Oh, it's just Carrott again.'


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Sue & Chris on August 12, 2024, 11:13:18 AM





It didn't help that AJC really built it up - asking us to sit down, behaving as if it was a really big deal. I hadn't been expecting much, but when he did that I started to think that maybe they really had pulled something out of the bag. Then he announced JC and it was clear that they hadn't.


I suppose that is AJ's job.  But I entirely get what you are saying ...

TBH it felt to me as if the special guest slot never actually got filled and in the end Peggy asked his mate (Im told they are good chums) to step in.

Either that or RT was going to be the "special secret guest" - which i dont perceive as being either really - and that got stuffed by having to cover for trevor horn so somebody else needed finding in the middle of festival season for a late Saturday night slot...  and we are back to the Peggy asking his mate scenario.




Or maybe it's just because Carrott WAS a surprise addition the last time as it wasn't announced. He asked if he could do a quick set and they said OK, so he did.
So they thought 'we could do that again' it went down well last time.
Announcing it in advance took the surprise out of it, caused much speculation, and it backfired.
'Oh, it's just Carrott again.'


Yeah, agreed, I think that's it exactly.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: bassline (Mike) on August 12, 2024, 11:26:21 AM


I'm glad Simon announced that the crisis was averted and the festival will be back next year.


I'm not sure he did any such thing. He did say that the festival will return in 2025, shortly after Peggy had been much more cautious in his speech, merely hoping the festival will be back then.

Cancelling the festival would involve invalidating many contracts such that the organising company, Fairport Convention Ltd, would probably have to go bust to do so. I haven't read the details of how other festivals have managed the financials of cancelling (because it hasn't been publicly discussed) but it's an interesting area.

Having said the above, I really want Cropredy to continue. In the programme, Simon says (paraphrasing) that they will do what is needed to ensure it does. How that translates to reality has yet to be made public, or, I suspect, decided.



Simon : As Peggy said, it's been such a relief to know that we could get this festival over the line and it only happened quite recently, really. Six months ago everything was looking pretty touch and go. So thank you again for your investment in this fantastic community of people.
(I can't quite make out the next line sounds like 'It's your works from us here.' Might be a gap in the recording) I've been given permission by the powers that be to say 'Same time next year' - the dates will be on the screens, it's gonna be 7,8,9 of August the earliest it can be in the..in the...(sounds like book or maybe month.) So put it in your diaries now, keep doing the work, tell your friends, and we'll see you back here.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Sue & Chris on August 12, 2024, 11:30:06 AM


2. We - the hardcore FT faithful - are dying off. We can’t sustain this festival anymore. Look at the half empty Albert Hall for RT’s 75th. Having said that, both RT and Fairport retained loyal and appreciative attention on Friday and Saturday. Shoot Out the Lights was fab.



I thought it was interesting that Simon admitted to some nervousness at the beginning of FC's set on Saturday night. Kind of an admittance that many people there may not be Fairport fans inclined to indulge their favourite band. I wonder if this also partially explains the lack of off-script randomness?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 12, 2024, 11:51:04 AM





It didn't help that AJC really built it up - asking us to sit down, behaving as if it was a really big deal. I hadn't been expecting much, but when he did that I started to think that maybe they really had pulled something out of the bag. Then he announced JC and it was clear that they hadn't.


I suppose that is AJ's job.  But I entirely get what you are saying ...

TBH it felt to me as if the special guest slot never actually got filled and in the end Peggy asked his mate (Im told they are good chums) to step in.

Either that or RT was going to be the "special secret guest" - which i dont perceive as being either really - and that got stuffed by having to cover for trevor horn so somebody else needed finding in the middle of festival season for a late Saturday night slot...  and we are back to the Peggy asking his mate scenario.




Surely they wouldn't advertise a 'special surprise guest' without having someone signed and sealed? That would be mad.


wouldnt it just ?  So why the rather puerile hiding-my-test-answers-in-the-crook-of-my-elbow lack of announcement?  Not announcing a signed appearance makes no sense (see below)

Quote

If it was RT (I don't buy that theory either) why not come out and say so when the Trevor Horn problem arose? And why wasn't he still there on the Saturday?


Absolutely. But then again i never "got" the point of this "to be announced" slot anyway - others have suggested it may be contractual issues but

If it WAS RT, what contractual issues were likely?
If its was JC what contractual issues?

Quote
[
No, I reckon that FC (and specifically Peggy) thought that JC warranted the billing. You are right that the two are old friends, and I suspect the plan was cooked up over a few beers one night (with the best of intentions, no doubt.)


In which case wjhy keep ti secret.  It makes no sense.

UNLESS...  there was a concern that saying it was JC in advance would put people off coming....  cos he is hardly going to be a pull surely?  "Wow - we can see a comedian that hasnt changed his act for 12 years except some 4 year old jokes about lockdown."



Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Will S on August 12, 2024, 11:52:33 AM
So many comments by people - good to see that those who were there largely enjoyed it more than those who didn't go.

From my viewpoint, yes there were acts at the Brasenose I would have enjoyed seeing, but I don't think most of them would have featured higher than mid/late afternoon on the Cropredy stage and wouldn't have brought in large numbers of extra punters. But I'd still be happy to see them there in future years.

As a festival this year, it probably rated 7/10, as someone else mentioned.  Thursday was pretty good (apart from Tony Christie and the weather). I was happy to see Feast of Fiddles again, and thought Kathryn Tickell and her band were excellent.  TC was definitely take it or leave it for me. It was good that he interacted with the crowd more than some of the old codgers they've had on before, but I'm glad he didn't headline, as I wouldn't have stayed for the only real highlight of his set (Amarillo).  Rick Wakeman and his band were excellent - I didn't know Journey to the Centre of the Earth, but it held my attention.  The 20 minute Starship Trooper at the end was a bonus too - as someone said, that setlist didn't take long to write!

Friday was (as is often the case over the last few years) a bit meh-ish until the evening.  Black Water County reminded me of Skinny Lister some years ago (but only in the way that I remembered how much better SL were), Silverblues were good, and it was fun to hear the old Lindisfarne tunes and have a singalong.  DeWolff (like Zac Schulz on Sat) need to learn about the benefits of light and shade. Not everything needs to be played at 90mph.  Elles Bailey was better, but did go on a bit about her new album.  Still not really my type of music these days, and not outstanding enough to draw me right in.

Big Big Train were one of my highlights, but I'm a fan already. Seeing them on the list pretty much guaranteed my ticket purchase this year back in December.  I thought they did well, though I'd have chosen something a little more accessible to start with.  I liked the way they had obviously chosen their setlist deliberately to try and appeal to the Cropredy crowd.  The Spooky Men were my other highlight - I had seen a few songs of theirs before at Towersey, but this was the first time I'd seen a whole show and properly engaged with them, and they were excellent.  The only mainstage act I bought a CD by.  RT was good, and it was good to hear some less frequently played songs.  The songs with SN, DP and DM seemed a little under-rehearsed (understandably), but it's always good to see them all together. Persuasion at the end as an encore was wonderful.  The friend I was with - a big RT fan - definitely had something in his eye at the end!  I can't comment on how many people had left, as we were standing at the front for that.

Saturday began with Digance of course - my opportunity to wander around the field and browse the CD stall while everyone else was elsewhere.  Hannah and Ben were good - it was great to see them on the main stage. For Zac Schulz see above. Ranagri were OK but didn't quite grab me.  Focus were good at what they do, and I watched and kind of enjoyed them, but didn't feel the need to explore further.  Eddi Reader was good, but I missed a good part of her set due to the Toast and getting something to eat.

Jasper Carrott was, as many have said, a let down as a Special Surprise Guest.  His material was dated - lockdown jokes still? - and although there were some funny bits, all really a bit better suited to the 70s or 80s.

On the other hand, Fairport were their usual excellent selves.  I was a bit disappointed not to get one of the old tune sets (when did we last hear Dirty Linen or The Hen's March?) but for the rest I felt was one of the better sets from recent years, and good to see a few more guests on stage than some years. Ralph's Red and Gold was wonderful.  And it was such a relief at the end to hear Simon say that he was allowed to say 'Same time next year?'!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 12, 2024, 11:59:30 AM


Jasper Carrott was, as many have said, a let down as a Special Surprise Guest.  His material was dated - lockdown jokes still? - and although there were some funny bits, all really a bit better suited to the 70s or 80s.



The only disagreement Id have with that is "funny bits" - ??  The general subject matter was all very 70s and 80s, yes - the irony here being he was way funnier in the 70s and 80s with stuff that didnt punch down on the neuro diverse, elderly infirm and the deaf. His 70s observational stuff was genuine and funny. Not this stuff.

I appreciate others MMV.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Angela on August 12, 2024, 12:17:25 PM

As usual I’m hesitating to post as I haven’t been to Cropredy since 2018.
The strength of the fest was always Fairports and one stage.
Now there are , effectively, many stages.
A walk from the field to the Brase is no longer than the walk between stages at some fests.
I know an aging audience likes to get in their chair on the field and stay there….but times change.
The fringe used to be low key, localish bands, free to walk in, quickpint when nothing on main field appealed.
That has changed with Brase charging…….that would have been a quality stand alone fest.
Will be interesting  to see how it went for them financially… £30 for the weekend , which apparently is dropping to £15 for next yr. That maybe an early bird offer I’m not sure…….

The £15 offer is only until the end of this month


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: KascadeDan on August 12, 2024, 12:31:10 PM
This year was my 18th Cropredy (would have been my 20th but we all know what happened...)

I was 11 when I first got taken in 2005 and so it was a part of my life through all my teen years, my 20s and now my 30s. For me, it has never lost its magic but I understand that I came into Fairport and Cropredy a bit later than some.

This year I made the conscious effort to relax and enjoy more music and I actually managed to see every single band over the 3 days which I have not done for at least a decade. My opinion shifted from thinking that on paper the lineup looked decidedly underwhelming to now actually thinking it was one of the better ones. So much of it was largely unknown to me but I enjoyed pretty much all of it. Highlights were Spooky Men's Chorale, Baskery, Kathryn Tickell and Zac Schulze. Focus I saw last year and knew they would go down a treat. Eddi Reader and Richard Thompson were excellent but that should come as no surprise. Same for Feast of Fiddles. I thought Rick Wakeman would be good - turns out he was sublime. I've liked Hannah and Ben since I saw them on tour with Fairport and I thought they went down a treat. This year I actually watched all of Digance's set for the first time in about 8 years and the break was most welcome - I rather enjoyed his set. The only real disappointment was Jasper Carrott, though I was pretty much prepared for the "special guest' to be a let down.

It was a bit of an extended festival for me this year also - my dear friend Matt Allen (Matts His Name - definitely worth checking out and I'm not just saying that) was playing a set at Cream of the Crop on Wednesday afternoon and I was lucky enough to be able to piggyback off his artists camping. It also meant I got to see TRADarrr at the Brasenose on Wednesday night and what a show!

One thing I haven't seen anyone comment on was the lighting. The reason I say this is because I have a friend who is on the lighting crew and he explained to us how they scaled back the lighting massively in order to budget. I won't bore you with the details but basically - there ware less lights than usual. I'd be interested to know what kinds of cuts were made in other departments.

Overall I will remember it as one of the better Cropredy festivals I have been to and I look forward to seeing what they pull out of the bag next year. Is it too early to start talking wishlists? If not, I will start - LARKIN POE


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Sue & Chris on August 12, 2024, 01:06:52 PM


One thing I haven't seen anyone comment on was the lighting. The reason I say this is because I have a friend who is on the lighting crew and he explained to us how they scaled back the lighting massively in order to budget. I won't bore you with the details but basically - there ware less lights than usual. I'd be interested to know what kinds of cuts were made in other departments.



Interesting - can't say that I noticed the reduced amount of lighting, so there's definitely an ongoing saving to be made there. There are only really half a dozen acts over the weekend where the lighting has any real impact anyway, and we're not talking Pink Floyd type acts that rely to some extent on impressive light shows. So that seems a sensible saving.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on August 12, 2024, 01:43:22 PM


As usual I’m hesitating to post as I haven’t been to Cropredy since 2018.
The strength of the fest was always Fairports and one stage.
Now there are , effectively, many stages.
A walk from the field to the Brase is no longer than the walk between stages at some fests.
I know an aging audience likes to get in their chair on the field and stay there….but times change.
The fringe used to be low key, localish bands, free to walk in, quickpint when nothing on main field appealed.
That has changed with Brase charging…….that would have been a quality stand alone fest.
Will be interesting  to see how it went for them financially… £30 for the weekend , which apparently is dropping to £15 for next yr. That maybe an early bird offer I’m not sure…….

The £15 offer is only until the end of this month

Thanks Angela.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Angela on August 12, 2024, 02:09:40 PM
We haven't been to the Festival since the lockdown, mainly due to the anxiety of being in a field with so many people and the fear of falling over the chairs, much discarded rubbish or ruts in the field.
We went again this year for TRAD arr, the Brasenose Fringe and Cream of the Crop. Absolutely loved Trad Arr and many of the other acts but Really missed being on the main field.
I've now been put on some other medication for my bones and as long as I don't break anything else, will put on my big girl pants and be there again with the rest of you.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Poor Will (Bill) on August 12, 2024, 02:09:58 PM
If I had to pick one particular song from the entire weekend that really stood out, it was Baskery’s superb rendition of Neil Young’s “Down By The River”. Really stopped me in my tracks!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Tasha on August 12, 2024, 02:10:41 PM

We haven't been to the Festival since the lockdown, mainly due to the anxiety of being in a field with so many people and the fear of falling over the chairs, much discarded rubbish or ruts in the field.
We went again this year for TRAD arr, the Brasenose Fringe and Cream of the Crop. Absolutely loved Trad Arr and many of the other acts but Really missed being on the main field.
I've now been put on some other medication for my bones and as long as I don't break anything else, will put on my big girl pants and be there again with the rest of you.



ah thats good to know Angela!!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: peascod on August 12, 2024, 04:36:59 PM
The BBC News website has couple of short reports of the Cropredy Festival in UK, England, Local News, Oxford :

Festivalgoers descend on Cropredy for Fairport.

Village's folk rock festival over for another year


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Amethyst (Jenny) on August 12, 2024, 04:44:59 PM

We haven't been to the Festival since the lockdown, mainly due to the anxiety of being in a field with so many people and the fear of falling over the chairs, much discarded rubbish or ruts in the field.
We went again this year for TRAD arr, the Brasenose Fringe and Cream of the Crop. Absolutely loved Trad Arr and many of the other acts but Really missed being on the main field.
I've now been put on some other medication for my bones and as long as I don't break anything else, will put on my big girl pants and be there again with the rest of you.



See you there xxx


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Lubiloo (Lorna) on August 12, 2024, 07:04:18 PM
We are just home from the epic journey (by our standards) to and from Cropredy. Had a wonderful time with relatives and friends from Lancs being there too, it was the icing on the cake!

My faves were Feast of Fiddles, Spooky Men and all the more folky acts.  I had expected Tony Christie to be weak, like some of the legends at Glastonbury…but I had a lovely surprise…he still has a strong, tuneful voice and we enjoyed his set a lot!

Not entertained by JC’s set…I liked him back in the 70s…but since then society has moved on…I could take the jokes about tech, but so much else grated. Especially one joke, which I felt totally inappropriate in the light of the recent events.

To end on a positive…I felt RT’s voice was the best I have heard it since I got into him in the early 90s, we went up front for the first time in ages and enjoyed it. Also, loved seeing and hearing Ralph with Fairport. Wish he had been the special guest, well he was to me anyway.





Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Andy on August 13, 2024, 12:24:07 AM
Just a few brief notes on my impressions of the weekend. If some aren't to your taste, just remember that it's only my opinion, given freely and worth every penny.

Cropredy '24 had a strange vibe to me, a real "fin de siècle" feel about it.

Unusually for me, what I heard of Richard Digance's set was ok, in my opinion.

We enjoyed Kathryn Tickell & Richard Thompson (first half-hour was very good after that, not so much), Spooky Men's Chorale were very good, but sounded rather tired, perhaps as a result of a long tour, of which this was the last gig. I think they're better suited to an indoor venue but we enjoyed them nonetheless. We also enjoyed Baskery, Big Big Train and Ranagri. I mostly won't comment on bands we didn't enjoy, perhaps they were having an off-day, or most likely, I was.

Here's the exception to the above. God knows why Jasper Carrott was there. Yes, he was free, but his routines weren't necessarily worth that much. His digs at dyslexics and those suffering from dementia were ill-judged and out-dated. At least he didn't do "Funky Moped", for which I am grateful. I can't conceive he was the original special guest star.  This was as major a misstep as Petula Clark, IMHO.

Incidentally, I have never seen an audience diminish with such determination as when RT was playing. In a world where people are walking off the field to "Valerie", change is indeed afoot. To be fair it was a very cold evening, but...

Saturday evening's Fairport outing was quite enjoyable, with some old favourites revived for the occasion, but, despite some comments I've heard, that wasn't the best "Sloth" ever. Top 10 maybe. Hearing "Red and Gold" butchered by Ralph McTell (yes I know he wrote it, but...) really made me appreciate just how good Simon's voice is.

Other acts came and went, some quite noisy, but few were impressive to me. I was sad to see Focus, as the last time I saw them was 50 years ago and they were wonderful then (with different personnel, of course).

AJ was a good compère, as he has been for many years now.

Attendance was obviously down for Thursday and Friday, Saturday got quite full, but never near to capacity. A reasonable-sized minority of the audience seemed to leave after Eddi Reader (who I couldn't hear as we were at the bar doing the toast).

Nev Bull's tribute video to Gerry Conway was touching, as was DM's speech about him.  Gerry's departure from FC was never explained, really, with no effusive thanks on the website at the time after 24 years service. The tributes to Gerry were heartfelt, no doubt. I don't think the real story of his departure will ever be told, though.

The technology used for video was absolutely stunning this year and looked as if it had been upgraded. Spooky Men's Chorale were especially well served, the chap in the middle who resembled a tall Rev. Richard Coles was constantly featured as his face was very expressive!
The screens were excellent.

Someone said the lighting was downgraded for cost reasons this year, but if so, it was skilfully done. In 2022, 10CC were lit so badly the members of the band were only featured by pure luck, it seemed.

Wendy hurt her knee, we went to First Aid and they were very helpful. Thank you.

So, will there be changes next year? I expect so. I heard that Saturday-only tickets may or may not survive. Frankly I think they have to, really. It'd be financial madness to stop offering them. IMHO. But the acts have to change. Repeatedly booking bands who were popular in the past is to look to a demographic that's dying out (you know, us!). This incarnation of Cropredy has never just been a folk festival (although it was in the 1980s), so perhaps get some more, younger bands. The louder acts from Saturday afternoon were popular for some, I have no doubt.

I know that financial realities have to be faced and that change will come. I have no idea what will extend the life of this splendid festival for more than a very few years, though.

Finally, never participate in a drinking game with a shot every time Elles Bailey mentions her new album. You'll end up very, very ill.



Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on August 13, 2024, 10:14:00 AM

Nev Bull's tribute video to Gerry Conway was touching, as was DM's speech about him.  Gerry's departure from FC was never explained, really, with no effusive thanks on the website at the time after 24 years service. The tributes to Gerry were heartfelt, no doubt. I don't think the real story of his departure will ever be told, though.


Not sure about what was or wasn't on the website but Simon's online tribute at the time of Gerry's death explained the situation very well I thought - which was that Gerry was a very private person and kept his illness entirely to himself.  So perhaps there wasn't really a story to tell?  Anyway, I've seen the video tribute now and it's lovely.  That hand drum piece that is central to it (Excalibur?) is bloody excellent.

Btw, I'm trying to comprehend your central conclusion about what needs to change - But the acts have to change. Repeatedly booking bands who were popular in the past is to look to a demographic that's dying out (you know, us!) - are you suggesting Cropredy needs to feature all new bands?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Lubiloo (Lorna) on August 13, 2024, 10:25:49 AM


Nev Bull's tribute video to Gerry Conway was touching, as was DM's speech about him.  Gerry's departure from FC was never explained, really, with no effusive thanks on the website at the time after 24 years service. The tributes to Gerry were heartfelt, no doubt. I don't think the real story of his departure will ever be told, though.


Not sure about what was or wasn't on the website but Simon's online tribute at the time of Gerry's death explained the situation very well I thought - which was that Gerry was a very private person and kept his illness entirely to himself.  So perhaps there wasn't really a story to tell?  Anyway, I've seen the video tribute now and it's lovely.  That hand drum piece that is central to it (Excalibur?) is bloody excellent.

Btw, I'm trying to comprehend your central conclusion about what needs to change - But the acts have to change. Repeatedly booking bands who were popular in the past is to look to a demographic that's dying out (you know, us!) - are you suggesting Cropredy needs to feature all new bands?


I can’t answer for what Andy meant, but looking at the festivals which do sell well, including Belladrum up here…( haven’t been yet but have heard from colleagues and watched on telly) they do have some of the more traditional, older, local bands but also some modern, more ‘pop’ acts and some new local acts, too so there is something for everyone…but on more than one stage. But by still limiting to around 20,000ish they are still small enough for the safe, community and family feel. Maybe this is the way to go…but can they afford the initial outlay for this type of line-up?



Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Andy on August 13, 2024, 12:34:13 PM

Btw, I'm trying to comprehend your central conclusion about what needs to change - But the acts have to change. Repeatedly booking bands who were popular in the past is to look to a demographic that's dying out (you know, us!) - are you suggesting Cropredy needs to feature all new bands?


To be fair I'm not all that sure I fully comprehend what I mean either, except that Cropredy must change to survive. I'm not suggesting "all new bands" but repeatedly booking the same acts doesn't help get the punters in. There must be a middle way. I've mentioned before that we went to a wedding of 40-year-olds earlier this year and when Cropredy came up in conversation, I was asked what acts were on this year. Blank looks greeted my reply. "Who is Rick Wakeman?" was asked and, of course the answer is "a very popular musician 50 years ago". Top of the bill? Really?

As to hyping up a Special Guest Star whose only appeal seems to have been that he didn't charge a fee, words fail me.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 13, 2024, 01:27:10 PM
Amen to everything there Andy.

Nuff sed about the "special guest" and i'll leave it there .

WRT acts ...  Ive not been convinced of the "headliners"/"special acts for a while now. They certainly seem to fall into one of

* "tried and tested" bracket which may really mean "here we go again".  Trevor horn as planned this year being an obvious example.
* "everybody" knows them - which really means "everybody over age 50/60"...  eg Madness, Alice Cooper, Level 42, Petula Clark, Chic.  Which have differing levels of "success" shall we say.
* "a bit different" - eg bootleg Beatles (ye gods...), Carrot (ye gods...)

On a personal note the likes of Frank Turner a few years ago was a definite step in the right direction - new enough to be of interest to the under 50s, well proficient to headline. But again, thats a subjective call naturally.

whether these names attract newcomers on the strength of them being on is open to conjecture of course. Whether they generally "land" is open to personal taste of course. And not actually naming them on the line-up cannot attract anybody at all.

But if there is a thought that something is needed to start to attract a new generation of Cropredites, it probably wont be achieved with bands that charted 50 years ago, and covers/tribute bands.
I do appreciate that for a large demographic they like it the way it is of course.



Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Andy on August 13, 2024, 01:54:24 PM
Frank Turner would be a good start.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: StephenB on August 13, 2024, 01:55:19 PM
As a child of the 70s (musically...) l- love the emphasis on the 70s. I don't think major change into new yoofy indie stuff would help, but I would suggest a lean into the 80s now...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 13, 2024, 02:18:50 PM

As a child of the 70s (musically...) l- love the emphasis on the 70s. I don't think major change into new yoofy indie stuff would help, but I would suggest a lean into the 80s now...


wasnt that chic ?  :-)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Will S on August 13, 2024, 02:27:13 PM


As a child of the 70s (musically...) l- love the emphasis on the 70s. I don't think major change into new yoofy indie stuff would help, but I would suggest a lean into the 80s now...


wasnt that chic ?  :-)


And Trevor Horn too!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: barton cobbler on August 13, 2024, 02:28:28 PM
I see it has been suggested that the "Saturday Only" tickets might be dropped, I think this would be a massive mistake. Thursday and Friday this year were more empty than in previous years and I think there are a couple of reasons for this. In the past we've had Alice Cooper & Brian Wilsons Beach Boys on Thursdays, these acts pull in people who were probably not that interested in the rest of the line up. With all due respect, this years Thursday and Friday headlines wouldn't be classed the same.
   The other reason, I think, is cost. I know that a Saturday ticket was in the region of £80 and a 3 day ticket £170, but for people who are working, buying a 3 day ticket means taking 2 days off work, which for Mr Average, puts another £200 + on the cost of attending. I really think that quite a few thought that although they couldn't afford the 3 day outlay , they would still come for Saturday, and I think it would be a mistake to close that option.
  


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Lubiloo (Lorna) on August 13, 2024, 02:36:02 PM

I see it has been suggested that the "Saturday Only" tickets might be dropped, I think this would be a massive mistake. Thursday and Friday this year were more empty than in previous years and I think there are a couple of reasons for this. In the past we've had Alice Cooper & Brian Wilsons Beach Boys on Thursdays, these acts pull in people who were probably not that interested in the rest of the line up. With all due respect, this years Thursday and Friday headlines wouldn't be classed the same.
   The other reason, I think, is cost. I know that a Saturday ticket was in the region of £80 and a 3 day ticket £170, but for people who are working, buying a 3 day ticket means taking 2 days off work, which for Mr Average, puts another £200 + on the cost of attending. I really think that quite a few thought that although they couldn't afford the 3 day outlay , they would still come for Saturday, and I think it would be a mistake to close that option.
  


Totally agree…we had never seen the day visitors’ car park as empty as it was on Thur/Fri this year, but it was busy on Saturday. I imagine the Saturday-only would draw quite a few people from the more local areas, who don’t want to use all their Annual Leave up like you describe. It would be a shame to ostracise them.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 13, 2024, 02:53:34 PM

I see it has been suggested that the "Saturday Only" tickets might be dropped, I think this would be a massive mistake.
  


such a move could only I suspect lose custom, if only for the reason Barton outlined about the working demographic.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: bassline (Mike) on August 13, 2024, 03:15:56 PM



As a child of the 70s (musically...) l- love the emphasis on the 70s. I don't think major change into new yoofy indie stuff would help, but I would suggest a lean into the 80s now...


wasnt that chic ?  :-)


And Trevor Horn too!


Madness, Level 42, Waterboys, Marillion, Levellers, Toyah, Proclaimers, Wonderstuff, Nik Kershaw, Squeeze, UB40, Midge Ure, All About Eve and no doubt more.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: StephenB on August 13, 2024, 03:16:15 PM
"Wasn't Chic and T Horne from the 80s?"
Well, Chic were mainly v late 70s..
But that apart, it backs up my point that it's an era that can (edit - and as Mike points out, has.been) seamlessly be increasingly included and would still suit the demographic.
I think also a few different lively jaunty genres such as Bhangra or Cajun/zydeco should fit in nicely...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: bassline (Mike) on August 13, 2024, 03:36:04 PM

"Wasn't Chic and T Horne from the 80s?"
Well, Chic were mainly v late 70s..
But that apart, it backs up my point that it's an era that can (edit - and as Mike points out, has.been) seamlessly be increasingly included and would still suit the demographic.
I think also a few different lively jaunty genres such as Bhangra or Cajun/zydeco should fit in nicely...



Nile also does covers of his production work including Diana Ross's Upside Down, Madonna and Bowie's Let's Dance which were very 80's.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on August 13, 2024, 03:56:28 PM

Frank Turner would be a good start.


Wasn't Frank Turner one of the most divisive artists discussed in recent years?  A real marmiter if ever there was one?  Which sort of proves the point...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Lubiloo (Lorna) on August 13, 2024, 04:07:10 PM
Who's going to start the Cropredy 2025 wishlist thread?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 13, 2024, 04:20:51 PM


Frank Turner would be a good start.


Wasn't Frank Turner one of the most divisive artists discussed in recent years?  A real marmiter if ever there was one?  Which sort of proves the point...


TBH it was "so long ago" I dont remember!!

This year the alleged-comedian-that-shall-not-be-named and Spooky men's chorale seem to have taken that mantle, possibly also elles bailey though more for her obvious nervousness and "blown away" gushiness than for the music  (ive seen her several times now and it was clear she was quite emotional about her appearance and the album launch stuff - she is normally far more down to earth and in full control.)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: PaulT on August 13, 2024, 04:24:31 PM
Some reggae, some celtic folkrock, a dash of rhythm and blues, some trad folk, a poppy/party band...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on August 13, 2024, 05:18:56 PM

"Wasn't Chic and T Horne from the 80s?"
Well, Chic were mainly v late 70s..
But that apart, it backs up my point that it's an era that can (edit - and as Mike points out, has.been) seamlessly be increasingly included and would still suit the demographic.
I think also a few different lively jaunty genres such as Bhangra or Cajun/zydeco should fit in nicely...


Stephen…Steve Knightlys new band …..Dream in Colours were at the Brase…..Johnny Kalsi giving it large. Wouldn’t surprise me to see them on main stage next yr as they ramp up fest appearances.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: StephenB on August 13, 2024, 06:04:17 PM
My main memory of Frank Turner was the way he held a dwindled but enthusiastic crowd despite horrendous rain. A real trooper (and i don't recall him swearing like one...)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on August 13, 2024, 07:06:09 PM

My main memory of Frank Turner was the way he held a dwindled but enthusiastic crowd despite horrendous rain. A real trooper (and i don't recall him swearing like one...)


Strangely, my (possibly mis-)remembering is that the debate on here was about his language, but as I say I'm quite likely to be wrong.  People have been complaining about the odd swear word for a long time...remember Buzzcocks anyone?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: StephenB on August 13, 2024, 08:36:14 PM
And of course, I might be as wrong as you over the of haze time, but I think there was a lot of discussion and nervousness about it in the lead-up that didn't really materialise.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 13, 2024, 10:03:49 PM

My main memory of Frank Turner was the way he held a dwindled but enthusiastic crowd despite horrendous rain. A real trooper (and i don't recall him swearing like one...)


thats quite interesting Steve because I was REALLY looking froward to seeing him, but I was so exhausted i had to go back to the campsite ...  I recall laying in bed listening to him and the next thing I knew it was silent and about 3am and I needed a pee! And I dont recall any rain becasue Im sure it was dry coming backl off the field and I dont recall any rain in the van roof.  then again it was a million years ago now! :-)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: StephenB on August 13, 2024, 10:23:41 PM
Whatever about the rest, I'm definitely sure about the rain.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Poor Will (Bill) on August 13, 2024, 10:31:36 PM

Whatever about the rest, I'm definitely sure about the rain.
You’re definitely right, it was an absolute deluge while Frank Turner was on!
I saw Turner 3 times in short succession that year. Once as a concert headliner, then on successive weeks, Wickham and Cropredy festivals.
I remember being extremely impressed with how he moderated his language to suit the particular gig. He was comparatively as good as gold at Cropredy!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 13, 2024, 10:45:45 PM

Whatever about the rest, I'm definitely sure about the rain.


fair enough Stephen - i spent most his set asleep sadly :-)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: StephenB on August 13, 2024, 11:17:22 PM
At least you were dry...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Tasha on August 14, 2024, 09:14:38 AM



Frank Turner would be a good start.


Wasn't Frank Turner one of the most divisive artists discussed in recent years?  A real marmiter if ever there was one?  Which sort of proves the point...


TBH it was "so long ago" I dont remember!!

This year the alleged-comedian-that-shall-not-be-named and Spooky men's chorale seem to have taken that mantle, possibly also elles bailey though more for her obvious nervousness and "blown away" gushiness than for the music  (ive seen her several times now and it was clear she was quite emotional about her appearance and the album launch stuff - she is normally far more down to earth and in full control.)



Didnt Elles Bailey have a new album out? ;)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Dan O. on August 14, 2024, 09:22:19 AM




Frank Turner would be a good start.


Wasn't Frank Turner one of the most divisive artists discussed in recent years?  A real marmiter if ever there was one?  Which sort of proves the point...


TBH it was "so long ago" I dont remember!!

This year the alleged-comedian-that-shall-not-be-named and Spooky men's chorale seem to have taken that mantle, possibly also elles bailey though more for her obvious nervousness and "blown away" gushiness than for the music  (ive seen her several times now and it was clear she was quite emotional about her appearance and the album launch stuff - she is normally far more down to earth and in full control.)



Didnt Elles Bailey have a new album out? ;)


I wasn't at Cropredy, and I've heard from various posts that she might've mentioned her new album once or twice  ;)  ;D.

However - if you were appearing on a festival stage in front of thousands of people on the very day your new album was released, you'd mention it a couple of times too, wouldn't you ?

Joking apart, and I have no connection music business-wise to Elles Bailey, no vested interest in plugging her aside from being a fan - her new album is her best yet, well worth checking out...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 14, 2024, 10:39:15 AM
Talking of Elles Bailey... did anyone catch the name of her backing vocalist/ guitarist that has her own album coming out soon?



Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Lubiloo (Lorna) on August 14, 2024, 10:49:08 AM

Talking of Elles Bailey... did anyone catch the name of her backing vocalist/ guitarist that has her own album coming out soon?



Demi Marriner.




Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: PhilipK on August 14, 2024, 11:04:16 AM

Whatever about the rest, I'm definitely sure about the rain.

Frank Turner was probably the best set I've ever seen at Cropredy - but even then, the rain defeated us and we had to head back to the campsite partway through. (Only to find that our tent had collapsed under the deluge, and so we slept in the car that night!)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 14, 2024, 11:09:21 AM


Talking of Elles Bailey... did anyone catch the name of her backing vocalist/ guitarist that has her own album coming out soon?



Demi Marriner.





thanks!!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Adam on August 14, 2024, 01:49:53 PM
The Brasenose Fringe has moved the 2025 dates to the same dates as the main festival. This suits me well as I’ve booked a room at the Brasenose for the duration (although I’ll be attending the main festival, nice to be in the village again rather than the Travelodge, and camping puts my back out for weeks!)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on August 14, 2024, 02:34:57 PM

The Brasenose Fringe has moved the 2025 dates to the same dates as the main festival. This suits me well as I’ve booked a room at the Brasenose for the duration (although I’ll be attending the main festival, nice to be in the village again rather than the Travelodge, and camping puts my back out for weeks!)


Are their rooms the right or wrong side of 'how bloody much'?  ;) :)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Wandering Steve on August 14, 2024, 03:54:45 PM

I see it has been suggested that the "Saturday Only" tickets might be dropped, I think this would be a massive mistake. Thursday and Friday this year were more empty than in previous years and I think there are a couple of reasons for this. In the past we've had Alice Cooper & Brian Wilsons Beach Boys on Thursdays, these acts pull in people who were probably not that interested in the rest of the line up. With all due respect, this years Thursday and Friday headlines wouldn't be classed the same.
   The other reason, I think, is cost. I know that a Saturday ticket was in the region of £80 and a 3 day ticket £170, but for people who are working, buying a 3 day ticket means taking 2 days off work, which for Mr Average, puts another £200 + on the cost of attending. I really think that quite a few thought that although they couldn't afford the 3 day outlay , they would still come for Saturday, and I think it would be a mistake to close that option.
  

I actually agree with this and it was probably pub gossip, the gist being that revenue is being lost by those buying Saturday only tickets.
The obvious compromise is to increase the price of Saturday only tickets to help with the shortfall.
I personally think this will happen and makes economic sense.
It may also make people more inclined to attend all 3 days and purchase a full ticket if the difference is negligible.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Adam on August 14, 2024, 04:47:21 PM


The Brasenose Fringe has moved the 2025 dates to the same dates as the main festival. This suits me well as I’ve booked a room at the Brasenose for the duration (although I’ll be attending the main festival, nice to be in the village again rather than the Travelodge, and camping puts my back out for weeks!)


Are their rooms the right or wrong side of 'how bloody much'?  ;) :)


It’s in the ‘better start saving now’ category…!


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: mickf on August 14, 2024, 07:50:08 PM
I visited the festival with my daughter, Rachel. It was her second time - the first being in 1984, at the age of 6months (strangely she can't remember much of it). She enjoyed it, even though the only band she had seen before was Fairport.  

Spooky Men were brilliant, probably my favourites. Not a massive prog fan, but Rick Wakeman was enjoyable, as were Focus. Big Big Train were ok. Baskery, Elles Baily, RT and the 3 piece blues group (Zac something, my mind is frazzled) were all very good. Digance was his usual self, but my only real gripe was Tony Christie. As with Petula Clark in 2017 and Chic last year, I didn't like them when they first appeared and I really don't like them 50 years later.

Anyway, that's my humble opinion.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Tasha on August 15, 2024, 04:07:31 PM

The Brasenose Fringe has moved the 2025 dates to the same dates as the main festival. This suits me well as I’ve booked a room at the Brasenose for the duration (although I’ll be attending the main festival, nice to be in the village again rather than the Travelodge, and camping puts my back out for weeks!)


i found the sound bleed from the "other stages" onto the main field annoying at times.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Lubiloo (Lorna) on August 15, 2024, 05:59:12 PM


The Brasenose Fringe has moved the 2025 dates to the same dates as the main festival. This suits me well as I’ve booked a room at the Brasenose for the duration (although I’ll be attending the main festival, nice to be in the village again rather than the Travelodge, and camping puts my back out for weeks!)


i found the sound bleed from the "other stages" onto the main field annoying at times.


This year was the first time I noticed this, too…I can’t remember which it was,  but there was a very touching song taking place on the main stage and I found the other music intrusive.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Andy on August 17, 2024, 10:51:13 AM
YouTube: Fairport's Saturday evening set at Crops 24 (https://tinyurl.com/FairCrop24)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Lubiloo (Lorna) on August 17, 2024, 11:08:47 AM
Thanks Andy…I think I was very tired when this was on stage, so I have re-listened on the BBC Sounds programme and found how brilliant it actually was. Look forward to watching this again now I am revived  :)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Amethyst (Jenny) on August 17, 2024, 12:30:28 PM

YouTube: Fairport's Saturday evening set at Crops 24 (https://tinyurl.com/FairCrop24)


How fantastic that we can relive some of the best moments, thank you xxx


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Glen S on August 17, 2024, 02:16:05 PM

YouTube: Fairport's Saturday evening set at Crops 24 (https://tinyurl.com/FairCrop24)


Thanks Andy.

Having listened to the live Radio Oxford broadcast, it's great to have the visuals which always make such a big difference to the experience. :)


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on August 17, 2024, 06:50:10 PM
As someone who wasn’t there I’d love some more reviews of tge bands, favourites etc…..


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: iandiddams on August 17, 2024, 08:26:23 PM
For those that enjoyed Elles bailey's set there are four tracks from that set on "BBC Music Introducing - The West" tonight (Saturday 17th) - on bbc sounds for 30 days allegedly.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0jbrpmr - about 25 minutes in


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Shane (Skirky) on August 18, 2024, 06:49:47 PM
There has been a lot of talk about the ageing demographic of the festival, but you have to bear in mind that the village itself has changed over time. There must be far fewer ex-neighbours of ‘the band who helped out with fundraisers’, and far more people who have bought a lovely cottage in the country, only to find people pissing in their driveways at midnight once a year.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Lubiloo (Lorna) on August 18, 2024, 06:54:10 PM

There has been a lot of talk about the ageing demographic of the festival, but you have to bear in mind that the village itself has changed over time. There must be far fewer ex-neighbours of ‘the band who helped out with fundraisers’, and far more people who have bought a lovely cottage in the country, only to find people pissing in their driveways at midnight once a year.


If you buy a cottage in a place with a long-running annual event, you must know about it though. It’s also just one week in the year.

 Shame to focus on the alleged driveway peeing, as overall the vast majority of people seem very peaceful and respectful at the festival.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on August 18, 2024, 09:02:20 PM


There has been a lot of talk about the ageing demographic of the festival, but you have to bear in mind that the village itself has changed over time. There must be far fewer ex-neighbours of ‘the band who helped out with fundraisers’, and far more people who have bought a lovely cottage in the country, only to find people pissing in their driveways at midnight once a year.


If you buy a cottage in a place with a long-running annual event, you must know about it though. It’s also just one week in the year.

 Shame to focus on the alleged driveway peeing, as overall the vast majority of people seem very peaceful and respectful at the festival.

Ah, you forget the 1992 Sheep Shaving Riots. Rioters tried to pull the wool over people’s  eyes but it’s never forgotten…..


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Sue & Chris on August 19, 2024, 09:41:15 AM
One thing that I've enjoyed at the last couple of Cropredys is the Friday morning lecture - Roger Dean last year, Joe Boyd this. Really interesting to hear stories from those who were there (although Boyd blotted his copybook early on by reporting a theory about the origins of Morris dancing as fact, which made me wonder about the veracity of the rest of his talk.)

Anyway, these have been a nice way for those who are early into the field to ease into their day. I hope they continue.


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on August 19, 2024, 11:17:13 AM

One thing that I've enjoyed at the last couple of Cropredys is the Friday morning lecture - Roger Dean last year, Joe Boyd this. Really interesting to hear stories from those who were there (although Boyd blotted his copybook early on by reporting a theory about the origins of Morris dancing as fact, which made me wonder about the veracity of the rest of his talk.)

Anyway, these have been a nice way for those who are early into the field to ease into their day. I hope they continue.


Let's just say that Joe's opinions are strongly held.  There are several opinions presented as facts in White Bicycles which have been well and truly disproved.  It wouldn't surprise me if the new book (which sadly I'm not that interested in tbh) is similar.  But the boy can certainly write which helps one negotiate those 'niggles'...


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Tasha on August 19, 2024, 01:23:40 PM
 Thought this may be of interest
 Videos of Fairport's set taken from the live screen https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcHWsSa03kfqLoq1XD1mchy_RFuO3Z_n6&si=yXcFVH1zBDQQZZ4o]


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: davidmjs on August 19, 2024, 05:33:44 PM

One thing that I've enjoyed at the last couple of Cropredys is the Friday morning lecture - Roger Dean last year, Joe Boyd this. Really interesting to hear stories from those who were there (although Boyd blotted his copybook early on by reporting a theory about the origins of Morris dancing as fact, which made me wonder about the veracity of the rest of his talk.)

Anyway, these have been a nice way for those who are early into the field to ease into their day. I hope they continue.


Here's a nice Guardian piece for anybody interested in the book... https://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/aug/19/and-the-roots-of-rhythm-remain-a-journey-through-global-music-by-joe-boyd-review-the-proust-of-music?fbclid=IwY2xjawEwUr5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHTO_m5HYcJ9e6ueRpnHiHUN4Cydl3gj7P8FFLiNwZDUQoxrEpkazP7jNtw_aem_lKUiPyu4Z-99aXEDnd5jig


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Tasha on August 25, 2024, 09:33:47 AM
Interesting piece in the observer today about the death of small festivals.https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/aug/25/smaller-uk-music-festivals-struggle-to-be-heard-in-crowded-market?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: Sue & Chris on August 25, 2024, 10:02:52 AM
Whilst it's sad and alarming that so many festivals are disappearing (nearly a third gone since 2019, according to the article), maybe that will reduce some of the pressures, for example with the supply chain, on those that remain?


Title: Re: Cropredy 2024
Post by: hendo (Dave) on August 25, 2024, 09:41:57 PM

Interesting piece in the observer today about the death of small festivals.https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/aug/25/smaller-uk-music-festivals-struggle-to-be-heard-in-crowded-market?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

I was at the wonderful Between the Trees Festival this weekend.
They broke even 3 days before the fest opened……
I shall be there next year…..