Cropredy 2024

[Shane (Skirky)]

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***

[davidmjs]

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).

[simon frisby]

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.

[David W]

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

[Dan O.]

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...]

[Wandering Steve]

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.

[davidmjs]

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?

[Amethyst (Jenny)]

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!

[Field 7 is Heaven (Trev)]

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 .

[davidmjs]

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...  

[Dan O.]

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.

[Amethyst (Jenny)]

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.

[Andy Leonard]

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.

[Wandering Steve]

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

[RobertD]

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.

[Wardi]

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?

[barryanorak (Julian)]

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.

[Dubai Danny]

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...

[Will S]

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).

[Adam]

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.