Good afternoon one and all.
I haven't posted here for quite a while, but this thread has prompted me to have a word
My wife and I returned to Cropredy this year for the first time since 2019 (various reasons for that) and it was, I'm happy to say, quite lovely to be back in one of our happiest places.
I happily watched the majority of artists this year and watched the whole FC set for the first time in quite a while, because of the long gap, maybe, familiarity can breed contempt.
Being a died in the wool prog fan, Big Big Train were the stand out act for me, I'm also a long time fan of Elles Bailey so thoroughly enjoyed her (despite the over plug) but I also thought Baskery & The Spooky Men were exceptional.
We also, nipped off to take in a bit of the fringe from time to time. Dreadzone were very enjoyable at the Brase, but I can telly you now, there were not 3,000 people there - maybe that was they're total numbers over 3 days?
As for the future, I agree that tweaks are needed - the Thur/Fri headliner pool definitely needs some refreshment and I think it is achievable within the festival budget (as much as I love Duran Duran I think they might be out of the price range!).
I do have suggestions for newer bands that I think would go down a storm and possibly bring in a younger demographic whilst also appealing to the older generation - myself included (hit my 60's this year).
The Big Moon - great female harmonies and good tunes.
English Teacher - A bit of everything! Fresh out of the can - saw them at Bearded Theory this year and they blew me away.
The Last Dinner Party - A bigger name, get them before they get too big.
Green Lung - old school hard rock who make me smile a lot!
I may think of some more along the way.
Hope everybody has a lovely weekend.
Steve