Cropredy 2024

[mickf]

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.

[Tasha]

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.

[Lubiloo (Lorna)]

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.

[Andy]

YouTube: Fairport's Saturday evening set at Crops 24

[Lubiloo (Lorna)]

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  

[Amethyst (Jenny)]

YouTube: Fairport's Saturday evening set at Crops 24

How fantastic that we can relive some of the best moments, thank you xxx

[Glen S]

YouTube: Fairport's Saturday evening set at Crops 24

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.

[hendo (Dave)]

As someone who wasn’t there I’d love some more reviews of tge bands, favourites etc…..

[iandiddams]

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

[Shane (Skirky)]

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.

[Lubiloo (Lorna)]

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.

[hendo (Dave)]

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…..

[Sue & Chris]

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.

[davidmjs]

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'...

[Tasha]

 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]

[davidmjs]

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

[Tasha]

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

[Sue & Chris]

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?

[hendo (Dave)]

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…..

[davidmjs]

Anybody miss out on a BBT Cropredy tee?  Well, Burning Shed have got some...(as long as your a Med or an XXL) https://burningshed.com/store/bigbigtrain/big-big-train_cropredy-2024_t-shirt