Cropredy 2014, chatter, suggestions, speculation

[YaBB Master (Colin)]

Well I've been asking somebody who's been to Cropredy for 17 years and is still under 30. She says what we need is 'Of Monsters and Men'. She's seen them twice this year and they were great.

Obviously if they are touring we need Katzenjammer.

[Dave B]

Nothing to get excited about for me so far.....

But then not sure we'll be going anyway.

Dave, I think everyone who goes to Cropredy goes through several stages. Mine were-
1. Cropredy fest is an essential part of the yr, to be looked forward to and planned for and attended with friends, up to 18, involving a host of traditions.
2. The fest changes, friends are lost and the line up of the fest becomes more important.
3. You could never imagine not going to Cropredy but you miss it once and it wasn't as painful as you thought.
4. You return, sometimes just to the fringe and now you pick and choose by lineup.
5. Retirement means you can buy that camper van and spend the yr flitting from fest to fest and Cropredy is no longer the main draw and you discover some fabby small fests where you can play and exhibit art.

Of course people can stay in any of these stages.
It took me over 28 yrs to work through them and we vacilate between  4 and 5
There is a real chance we will be at Cropredy this yr and for once I will ignore the line up.

I'm due to retire in 12 years so "5" is still a long way off for me.....

[hendo (Dave)]

Double edged sword. Sheen and I would still like to have the energy we had in our 40's. (Addie don't!)

[hendo (Dave)]

I like a more 'folkie' festival myself so the last few years at Cropredy have gone in a different direction musically for me. Weather dependency and the line up just don't appeal any longer. Having discovered Shrewsbury,( inside and seated for the old bones) with morris dancers and lots going on around the other tents plus a more 'folkier' edge that's the sort of festival I prefer these days. I used to go for the bar chatter and meet ups but the magic for me has long waned. I still love to see Fairport so catch them on the winter tour mostly.

Money also became a factor so it was wise for me to spend my cash visiting a different part of the country and new festivals, looking at Towersey next year, never been there  

For my money I go for the music and the bands I most wish to see and hopefully discover some new talent, not stuff that goes back 30 years. I think its hit an all time low...sorry folks!   The last time I went was 5 years ago and during Fairport's set they had so many guests on I felt cheated!

If money wasn't a factor I would happily make it a very expensive weekend chat at the bar and a chance to catch up with all you fezz/tiara heads tho! I do miss that!  

JJ, Ely's a lovely small fest, 3 marquee venues, one v small and really interesting acts last yr , some established acts and some really good new stuff to 'discover'. e.g Fred's House. Beautifully run, good camping, showers in rugby and football clubs,  etc
It used to be in the town by the river but it moved to a self contained site at the rugby ground. Lots going on on the site and in town, morris etc with a regular shuttle bus from site to town. Less than 5 mins.
......and if you want something really small come and join us at Festival at the Edge, Shropshire Have a look, it's lovely in a great setting on Wenlock Edge. Although principally a story telling fest  there is a music marquee and the music last yr was fabby , including, Lucy Ward, Roving Crows, Pilgrims Way, Red Shoes. Huge camping area loads of room and a lovely , 'village area', real ale bar etc, Really friendly, 1500 people, fest.

[Sir Martin]

Well I've been asking somebody who's been to Cropredy for 17 years and is still under 30. She says what we need is 'Of Monsters and Men'. She's seen them twice this year and they were great.

I'd voter for that.

Looking forward to Marillion, interested in AS, not interested in C&D.

[fat Billy(Bill)]

I saw Chas and dave at cambridge FF in the early eighties, they have been a guilty pleasure ever since. Fantastic musicians and a great act, they will go down a treat at Cropredy.

[hendo (Dave)]

Each to their own I suppose.

If you just go for the music then I reckon who's on matters loads.

For me its breakfast at the school, the walk over the bridges after the days events. Sitting in the Brasenose garden, or playing sardines if Letherat are on. The Walk along the canal path. Goan Fish Curry, (once a year treat), wearing a hat (another once a year treat , and I don't care there all laughing). Not having to be in charge and make decisions(another once a year treat).

We know the bands will all be good , sometimes not our cup of tea though, but we know that on Saturday evening it will end well with fairports.

No , for me the only factor between a great Cropredy and a good one is the weather , and to me that's as important as which of the 20 odd bands hits the spot.

Ah stage 1.
I had about 18 yrs in that stage! (Goan fish curry didn't exist, never missed a band on main stage so Brase was only Thurs evening, when a 2 day fest, always cooked own b/fast for 18 and I always wear the hat! bought Cropredy '93....apart from that........ )

[GubGub (Al)]

Well I've been asking somebody who's been to Cropredy for 17 years and is still under 30. She says what we need is 'Of Monsters and Men'. She's seen them twice this year and they were great.

I'd vote for that.

Yes, me too. That might be a game changer for me. I love their album.

[Dan O.]

Well I've been asking somebody who's been to Cropredy for 17 years and is still under 30. She says what we need is 'Of Monsters and Men'. She's seen them twice this year and they were great.

I'd vote for that.

Yes, me too. That might be a game changer for me. I love their album.

Another vote from me - saw them earlier this year in Bournemouth, they'd be a great festival band.

[Nick Reg]

Merry Hell please.
Saw them again last night . Wonderful.
We've actually taken things into our own hands and will be booking them ourselves .

[fat Billy(Bill)]

I rather enjoy the line ups being announced, The chaps always seem to get it mostly right.
You guys are still gonna moan about it though no matter who is announced.  

[PeteD]

I was at Kneb as a boy on the same day.  I didn't quite sleep through but didn't take a lot of notice of the band who opened.  I understand they slit up shortly after.  My mate said I wouldn't like them so didn't take much notice, silly me.  Southside Johnny was good but not Commander Cody.

In that case you were there on the 4th August (as was I) and not the 11th. The opening band that split up shortly after only appeared on the 4th.

Sorry for being the Date Police!  

[Bridgwit (Bridget)]

Merry Hell please.
Saw them again last night . Wonderful.
We've actually taken things into our own hands and will be booking them ourselves .

I shall be checking these out on YouTube tonight - I've heard lots about them  

[Penguin (Dunc)]

I'd have thought Marillion's main problem at Cropredy will be that their normal audience is a very committed very knowledgeable one.  How they'll cope a) in a field and b) with an audience who very largely don't know their product or do, but only what they made 30 years ago aren't aware they don't play most of that any more will be interesting.

Don't think this will be a problem. Saw Marillion at a free festival in Richmond in 2002. They were in a field playing to an audience that only knew Kayleigh, and I still rate it as one of the finest performances I seen from them.

[davidmjs]

I'd have thought Marillion's main problem at Cropredy will be that their normal audience is a very committed very knowledgeable one.  How they'll cope a) in a field and b) with an audience who very largely don't know their product or do, but only what they made 30 years ago aren't aware they don't play most of that any more will be interesting.

Don't think this will be a problem. Saw Marillion at a free festival in Richmond in 2002. They were in a field playing to an audience that only knew Kayleigh, and I still rate it as one of the finest performances I seen from them.

That's good to hear  

[Gouty (Gary)]

I saw them at Glastonbury in 1983, and remember thinking them tedious beyond measure. But different folks have different tastes, of course.

Indeed and that is exactly why you should at least listen to the band playing at Cropredy (who will have been together for a quarter of a century next year) as they have virtually nothing in common (apart from personnel) to the one featuring Fish (which lasted about a quarter of that duration) that preceded it.

So, am I right in thinking that Marillion are actually Genesis-in-reverse in the sense that their 'Gabriel-era' output is now deemed a tad outmoded while their 'Collins-era' stuff is considered quite good?  

[Tasha]

Merry Hell please.
Saw them again last night . Wonderful.
We've actually taken things into our own hands and will be booking them ourselves .

I shall be checking these out on YouTube tonight - I've heard lots about them  

Was rather dissapointed when I saw Merry Hell at the GBFF couple of years ago.  

[GubGub (Al)]

Merry Hell please.
Saw them again last night . Wonderful.
We've actually taken things into our own hands and will be booking them ourselves .

I shall be checking these out on YouTube tonight - I've heard lots about them  

Was rather dissapointed when I saw Merry Hell at the GBFF couple of years ago.  

Was that their first or second appearance. First time out they were outstanding but the following year they were badly let down by the sound and were clearly rattled by it.

[Paul]

I have seen Merry Hell twice at Wickham, and they have been excellent both times.

Paul

[JeremyRS]

There are lots of things about Merry Hell that I don't like: the co-ordinated clothes, the cheesy "we're raising merry hell" singing at the start and end of the set, the songs, singing and playing being no better than average.  But somehow live they mamage to transcend all of that and I've always enjoyed them whenever I've seen them.