Cropredy 2023 - General thoughts

[Will S]

Just a couple of random thoughts that struck me through the weekend:

1) The number of bands who mentioned who pleased they were to be playing Cropredy, and thanked Fairport. I remember one year, a few years ago, when almost no one did, and it seemed like it was becoming just another festival on the circuit.  (I guess everyone wants 'their' festival to be a bit special.  This year it felt a bit more like it really is again!)

2) Before covid, there used to be a lot of groups, especially further up the field, who hardly seemed to interact with the music, especially earlier on during the day.  They'd just sit there - sometimes with their backs to the stage - drinking, reading their newspapers and talking.  I noticed a lot less of that this year (and last), even though I was sitting further back than I normally do, owing to being with friends with a dog who doesn't like very loud noises.

[Adam]

I thought that it was the most enjoyable overall lineup that I can remember; there wasn’t a single band or performance to prompt me to ‘go for a wander’. The younger acts were really impressive, especially Joshua Burnell and Morganway, who I will definitely go and see live when I can.

[Nick Reg]

Before this year my 2 favourite Cropredy sets ever were Little Feat and FC92 (Saturday). This year 3 leapt straight into my top 5 - Merry Hell (somewhat obviously), Morganway and The Young Uns.

[Sue & Chris]

Agree with the points above.

Would add that I think Anthony John Clarke should be given a rest from compering. To me, he just sounds fed up of the whole thing. I also find the endless instructions to applaud people for having got married/had a baby/come to Cropredy lots of times/come to Cropredy for the first time/etc rather tiresome.

Well done to the organisers of the bar for learning from last year and ensuring good staffing levels throughout. Never had to queue for long.

There also seemed to be plenty of space this year. Would be interested to know if attendance numbers were down, but it did make for a comfortable experience.

[iandiddams]

Would add that I think Anthony John Clarke should be given a rest from compering. To me, he just sounds fed up of the whole thing. I also find the endless instructions to applaud people for having got married/had a baby/come to Cropredy lots of times/come to Cropredy for the first time/etc rather tiresome.

I thought we got far less of AJ this year that normal. Wondered if he was OK? Hope he is...

There also seemed to be plenty of space this year. Would be interested to know if attendance numbers were down, but it did make for a comfortable experience.

Thats interesting - because we thouyght it was WAY busier ...  either cos its not well past post-lockdown and covid concerns (not intending to start a lockdown/covid debate there!) or its not blisteringly hot keeping people off the field. It just felt rammed to the gunnels. Getting back to the sides and up the field after Fisherman's friends was really difficult and at the back there seemed no space until very very late ie last act.  The queues for many of the food outlets were long all the time (again, until maybe the last act).

Juist interesting how we can all have different perceptions

[barton cobbler]

I thought it was one of the best for a few years, was looking forward to Peat & Diesel and they didn't disappoint. One down side for me was the number of dogs, I can see that people of my generation, their children have gone and they've bought a dog. I will say that most of the dogs were very well behaved, but it's a problem when it gets dark and loads of people are walking around, it becomes very easy to trip over a dog or it's lead. It is a recent thing, 20 years ago there were hardly any dogs but now you see people with 2 or 3 each, just my opinion.

[Lubiloo (Lorna)]

Would add that I think Anthony John Clarke should be given a rest from compering. To me, he just sounds fed up of the whole thing. I also find the endless instructions to applaud people for having got married/had a baby/come to Cropredy lots of times/come to Cropredy for the first time/etc rather tiresome.

I thought we got far less of AJ this year that normal. Wondered if he was OK? Hope he is...

There also seemed to be plenty of space this year. Would be interested to know if attendance numbers were down, but it did make for a comfortable experience.

Thats interesting - because we thouyght it was WAY busier ...  either cos its not well past post-lockdown and covid concerns (not intending to start a lockdown/covid debate there!) or its not blisteringly hot keeping people off the field. It just felt rammed to the gunnels. Getting back to the sides and up the field after Fisherman's friends was really difficult and at the back there seemed no space until very very late ie last act.  The queues for many of the food outlets were long all the time (again, until maybe the last act).

Juist interesting how we can all have different perceptions

If I remember rightly, Smon Nicol mentioned 11000 people in the field during his RO interview, which made me think sales may have been down.

[iandiddams]

I thought it was one of the best for a few years, was looking forward to Peat & Diesel and they didn't disappoint. One down side for me was the number of dogs, I can see that people of my generation, their children have gone and they've bought a dog. I will say that most of the dogs were very well behaved, but it's a problem when it gets dark and loads of people are walking around, it becomes very easy to trip over a dog or it's lead. It is a recent thing, 20 years ago there were hardly any dogs but now you see people with 2 or 3 each, just my opinion.

The real issue wasnt the dogs so much, but the owners who put down a blanket/chair right on the edge of the mosh pit (!) area (clearly the in fornt of the sound stage thing is well gone ) and then huddled protectively aropuidn their frightenmed dog as people exited/entered/danced/jumped etc.

This is not an anti dog post, nor a whinge at chairs-in-front-of-the-sound0stage .  more of a "why put your dog in such a silly place" post!  

[Nick Reg]

I thought it was one of the best for a few years, was looking forward to Peat & Diesel and they didn't disappoint. One down side for me was the number of dogs, I can see that people of my generation, their children have gone and they've bought a dog. I will say that most of the dogs were very well behaved, but it's a problem when it gets dark and loads of people are walking around, it becomes very easy to trip over a dog or it's lead. It is a recent thing, 20 years ago there were hardly any dogs but now you see people with 2 or 3 each, just my opinion.

The real issue wasnt the dogs so much, but the owners who put down a blanket/chair right on the edge of the mosh pit (!) area (clearly the in fornt of the sound stage thing is well gone ) and then huddled protectively aropuidn their frightenmed dog as people exited/entered/danced/jumped etc.

This is not an anti dog post, nor a whinge at chairs-in-front-of-the-sound0stage .  more of a "why put your dog in such a silly place" post!  

I love dogs but dislike the owners as much as I dislike cyclists who come up behind you on a bike without a bell and moan because you dont get out of the way.

[Sue & Chris]

I thought it was one of the best for a few years, was looking forward to Peat & Diesel and they didn't disappoint. One down side for me was the number of dogs, I can see that people of my generation, their children have gone and they've bought a dog. I will say that most of the dogs were very well behaved, but it's a problem when it gets dark and loads of people are walking around, it becomes very easy to trip over a dog or it's lead. It is a recent thing, 20 years ago there were hardly any dogs but now you see people with 2 or 3 each, just my opinion.

The real issue wasnt the dogs so much, but the owners who put down a blanket/chair right on the edge of the mosh pit (!) area (clearly the in fornt of the sound stage thing is well gone ) and then huddled protectively aropuidn their frightenmed dog as people exited/entered/danced/jumped etc.

This is not an anti dog post, nor a whinge at chairs-in-front-of-the-sound0stage .  more of a "why put your dog in such a silly place" post!  

Plus it can't be much fun for the dog, given the sound levels down at the front.

[iandiddams]

I love dogs but dislike the owners as much as I dislike cyclists who come up behind you on a bike without a bell and moan because you dont get out of the way.

Though of course there is no legal requirement for a bell on a a cycle. (though there is to SELL a new cycle with one!)

The legal requirement is for an audible device.

Though the lack of using a voice in your scenario is of course, spot on for your point :-)

caveat: unless the law has changed since 2011 when I last delivered Bikeability anyway!

[iandiddams]

Plus it can't be much fun for the dog, given the sound levels down at the front.

*LIKE* button.

[Jim]

I thought it was one of the best for a few years, was looking forward to Peat & Diesel and they didn't disappoint. One down side for me was the number of dogs, I can see that people of my generation, their children have gone and they've bought a dog. I will say that most of the dogs were very well behaved, but it's a problem when it gets dark and loads of people are walking around, it becomes very easy to trip over a dog or it's lead. It is a recent thing, 20 years ago there were hardly any dogs but now you see people with 2 or 3 each, just my opinion.

The real issue wasnt the dogs so much, but the owners who put down a blanket/chair right on the edge of the mosh pit (!) area (clearly the in fornt of the sound stage thing is well gone ) and then huddled protectively aropuidn their frightenmed dog as people exited/entered/danced/jumped etc.

This is not an anti dog post, nor a whinge at chairs-in-front-of-the-sound0stage .  more of a "why put your dog in such a silly place" post!  

I love dogs but dislike the owners as much as I dislike cyclists who come up behind you on a bike without a bell and moan because you dont get out of the way.

Spot on Nick.  Also why do grown men insist on riding on the pavement even when the roads are quiet?

[vince42]

As one of those with two dogs with them I can't disagree with your comments.  We generally keep up the back (conveniently near the ice cream and the loos...) and the dogs get a bit more space and a bit less noise.  Plus this year we had a new one with us and only had them down part time giving them the evening off.  Seemed to work for them and us.


On point I thoroughly enjoyed this year.  There was a really chilled atmosphere, people seemed to be happy rather than just released and relieved like last year.  Took my usual Saturday wander round the village which seemed quiet but that might have been the rain, didn't go in the pub - think the Lion was full at the time.

Vince

[Will S]

My big disappointment was not getting to see the Sandy Denny exhibition, or to hear the Sandy Denny project, or the new Songbird album launch. Any comments on those from those who did go?  I went into the village, but only in the morning, when it wasn't yet open, and the concerts clashed with ones I wanted to hear on the main stage. Choices, choices...

[iandiddams]

Spot on Nick.  Also why do grown men insist on riding on the pavement even when the roads are quiet?

not just men either!  LOL.

As a cyclist myself, who has instructed Bikeability in the past, its the trait that hacks me off most - pavement cycling.
And dont start me on shared paths ...  whoever thought that putting 80+kg adults on inherently unstable machines in the immediate proximity of the frail and young needs some specialist care!

[Nick Reg]

Friends of ours walked to Banbury and caught the bus back, as we have done in the past. Their bus passes were not accepted and they were Charged £5 each one way!! They also said that the canal towpath was in a terrible state.

[davidmjs]

Friends of ours walked to Banbury and caught the bus back, as we have done in the past. Their bus passes were not accepted and they were Charged £5 each one way!! They also said that the canal towpath was in a terrible state.

Can we just have a "Broken Britain" thread and be done with it.... (It's not funny really)

[PJayBe]

.....especially Joshua Burnell and Morganway, who I will definitely go and see live when I can.

Two great acts who I would loved to have seen on the Cropredy stage.

[Andy]

Would add that I think Anthony John Clarke should be given a rest from compering.

I suggest you ask AJ how he feels, rather than speculating. He's very communicative and honest on FB.