Cropredy 2025 News

[hendo (Dave)]

Cropredy hasn't had  a sell-out for years. I'd be surprised if as many as 10,000 paying punters attended last year. So, 6,500 not a third of last year.

I put that down to some clumsy marketing including a "special guest" that really wasn't, a less than stellar lineup and some shitty weather.

If you see 15 acts, £220 works out as £14.66-odd per act. That's a cheap gig. Even if you only like half of them, ~£30 is still less than we pay for most gigs these days. So it's still not bad value, it's just more expensive than before. £20 per night for camping isn't unusual either. Let's face it, the Premier Inn charges about £500 for the festival nights these days.

It’s the going rate for a lot of smaller fests.
Between the Trees, Beardy etc

[davidmjs]

Is that a genuine feeling?  

Why would I lie?

Anyone else there have an opinion?

I haven't accusing you of lying (I suppose I meant 'generally accepted'), but I don't remember much conversation at the time suggesting the festival was at half capacity last time.  Yes, quieter but not 50% under the limit...so my understanding was several thousand higher.

[abby (tank girl)]

Much like Hendo, my last Cropredy was 2019, having been to the previous 18, so I feel like I'm allowed to voice my opinion.
I can see how this will divide the stalwart patrons.....
For a lot, the smaller more intimate setting with familiar folk heroes on the stage will suit perfectly.
For some, the lack of a single Saturday ticket will mean they just won't go at all, mobility and camping being a major decider.
I wonder just how exactly it will impact the fringe, field 8 and the traders as the figures don't add up.
Forgive my approximate maths (I had to ask Google to help).

There is a 27% price increase.
There will be approximately 2/3 fewer punters on the field.
Stall holders are charged 50% less.
Will  field 8 continue and become a separate  entity?
Will people still go to the Brase and the Red Lion?
Will the last 3 still go ahead at all?
There are more questions than answers here and I personally would like to see these questions answered before I parted with my hard earned

 

[Field 7 is Heaven (Trev)]

Cream of the Crop is fine.. Already planned and sending out early communication  re booking for 2025. The Brasenose Fringe has announced acts and sold early bird tickets. Both went ahead when the main festival didn't in the second Covid year.

No need to worry , all will be well.

[davidmjs]

Much like Hendo, my last Cropredy was 2019, having been to the previous 18, so I feel like I'm allowed to voice my opinion.
I can see how this will divide the stalwart patrons.....
For a lot, the smaller more intimate setting with familiar folk heroes on the stage will suit perfectly.
For some, the lack of a single Saturday ticket will mean they just won't go at all, mobility and camping being a major decider.
I wonder just how exactly it will impact the fringe, field 8 and the traders as the figures don't add up.
Forgive my approximate maths (I had to ask Google to help).

There is a 27% price increase.
There will be approximately 2/3 fewer punters on the field.
Stall holders are charged 50% less.
Will  field 8 continue and become a separate  entity?
Will people still go to the Brase and the Red Lion?
Will the last 3 still go ahead at all?
There are more questions than answers here and I personally would like to see these questions answered before I parted with my hard earned

 

They've effectively already let the cat out of the bag about more tickets being made available if it sells out in super quick time (massively counterproductively, I'd suggest as I suspect some people who'd have done what they needed to in order to buy them immediately might hedge their bets?) so I really don't think the field will have approximately 2/3 fewer punters.  The fringe are self supporting independent events now, with much smaller capacities so they'll be fine.  The interesting ones will be the breakfast suppliers, shop etc.  Less people in the village might affect them negatively?

[fat Billy(Bill)]

Some interesting debate here, I don't really have anything to add.
having not been for a while due to logistics, cash and a significant other with camping issues, I don't feel like I can say much.
It would be nice if the festival survived in some way, it's a special thing although I do fear this could be the start of a wind down for both the band and the festival.

[Shane (Skirky)]

Is that a genuine feeling?  

Why would I lie?

Anyone else there have an opinion?

You were there, I wasn't. It's difficult to tell the size of the crowd from listening to Radio Oxford.

[abby (tank girl)]

Much like Hendo, my last Cropredy was 2019, having been to the previous 18, so I feel like I'm allowed to voice my opinion.
I can see how this will divide the stalwart patrons.....
For a lot, the smaller more intimate setting with familiar folk heroes on the stage will suit perfectly.
For some, the lack of a single Saturday ticket will mean they just won't go at all, mobility and camping being a major decider.
I wonder just how exactly it will impact the fringe, field 8 and the traders as the figures don't add up.
Forgive my approximate maths (I had to ask Google to help).

There is a 27% price increase.
There will be approximately 2/3 fewer punters on the field.
Stall holders are charged 50% less.
Will  field 8 continue and become a separate  entity?
Will people still go to the Brase and the Red Lion?
Will the last 3 still go ahead at all?
There are more questions than answers here and I personally would like to see these questions answered before I parted with my hard earned

 

They've effectively already let the cat out of the bag about more tickets being made available if it sells out in super quick time (massively counterproductively, I'd suggest as I suspect some people who'd have done what they needed to in order to buy them immediately might hedge their bets?) so I really don't think the field will have approximately 2/3 fewer punters.  The fringe are self supporting independent events now, with much smaller capacities so they'll be fine.  The interesting ones will be the breakfast suppliers, shop etc.  Less people in the village might affect them negatively?

Which essentially means there will be more than 6500 available, right?
Because you can't move the goalposts and alter the infrastructure, right?
The more I think about this the more it bothers me......

[davidmjs]

Is that a genuine feeling?  

Why would I lie?

Anyone else there have an opinion?

You were there, I wasn't. It's difficult to tell the size of the crowd from listening to Radio Oxford.

I was, as you know full well, talking about the numerous reports on here, in much greater number on FB etc., and in the press.  I heard several reports stating the crowds were down, but I don't remember any stating the numbers were at anything approaching half capacity.  I guess it is certainly true that a crowd of 10k in 1997 doesn't compare with a crowd of 10k in 2024 - people certainly have a lot more 'stuff' these days, so that could have helped mask a greatly reduced capacity.  However, from tales of the queues and sell outs at the merch stall, one might have imagined it was sell out...

[mickf]

I was there last year and it definitely felt that significantly less people were there than before. Whether it was 10k or 12k, I haven't a clue, but I'm sure it was no more than about 12k. I might not go, due to other commitments this year, so I might be one of those leaving it until after the 6500 have all gone and seeing how I can fit it in. Also, as I've been glamping the last two years, and that always sells out quickly, I'll have to have a real think about accommodation, as I'm afraid regular camping is probably out for me.

[davidmjs]

I was there last year and it definitely felt that significantly less people were there than before. Whether it was 10k or 12k, I haven't a clue, but I'm sure it was no more than about 12k. I might not go, due to other commitments this year, so I might be one of those leaving it until after the 6500 have all gone and seeing how I can fit it in. Also, as I've been glamping the last two years, and that always sells out quickly, I'll have to have a real think about accommodation, as I'm afraid regular camping is probably out for me.

Can't remember when the last sell out was - I think there have only been 2 or 3 haven't there?  So - if 10-12k was last year, what would have been the previous few, do we think?

[davidmjs]

I was there last year and it definitely felt that significantly less people were there than before. Whether it was 10k or 12k, I haven't a clue, but I'm sure it was no more than about 12k. I might not go, due to other commitments this year, so I might be one of those leaving it until after the 6500 have all gone and seeing how I can fit it in. Also, as I've been glamping the last two years, and that always sells out quickly, I'll have to have a real think about accommodation, as I'm afraid regular camping is probably out for me.

A response on FB from somebody who writes that "in case anyone was wondering I enquired if
Brook Bell Tents would still be offering their glamping services in the light of the overall reduction in capacity. I'm glad to say I had a lovely email from Jason to say that they will still be offering their services. I know it's not something everyone uses but for some of us we are very happy to use their services."

[Shane (Skirky)]

Which essentially means there will be more than 6500 available, right?
Because you can't move the goalposts and alter the infrastructure, right?
The more I think about this the more it bothers me......

From what I understand of the licensing agreement, permission for 20,000 attendees has to cover infrastructure for twenty thousand people including bands, crew, stewards and traders as well as renting fields to accommodate this theoretical capacity, no matter how many people actually show up. If for example you know how many bar staff, scouts, crew and musicians you are expecting in advance (say 3,500) you can apply for a license for 12,000, reducing the number of security people, lighting rigs, portable cabins and toilets you have to promise to have in order to fulfil the licensing conditions, and still have wiggle room to extend the guest list and/or sell a few hundred extra tickets.
      

[davidmjs]

Which essentially means there will be more than 6500 available, right?
Because you can't move the goalposts and alter the infrastructure, right?
The more I think about this the more it bothers me......

From what I understand of the licensing agreement, permission for 20,000 attendees has to cover infrastructure for twenty thousand people including bands, crew, stewards and traders as well as renting fields to accommodate this theoretical capacity, no matter how many people actually show up. If for example you know how many bar staff, scouts, crew and musicians you are expecting in advance (say 3,500) you can apply for a license for 12,000, reducing the number of security people, lighting rigs, portable cabins and toilets you have to promise to have in order to fulfil the licensing conditions, and still have wiggle room to extend the guest list and/or sell a few hundred extra tickets.
      

Gareth stated to the BBC after this festival that "The licensed capacity of the Cropredy site is 20,000."  So, presumably that is the total including all those mentioned above by Skirky...so a sell out would be e.g. 18k ticket sales or whatever  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c86lw5v3pyvo   Do we know if there is a rolling cost for licenses that alters the greater or lesser the number?  i.e. would they just apply for another license for 20k as they can obviously get one or would it save them money to get a license for, say, 10k?

[Nick Reg]

Which essentially means there will be more than 6500 available, right?
Because you can't move the goalposts and alter the infrastructure, right?
The more I think about this the more it bothers me......

From what I understand of the licensing agreement, permission for 20,000 attendees has to cover infrastructure for twenty thousand people including bands, crew, stewards and traders as well as renting fields to accommodate this theoretical capacity, no matter how many people actually show up. If for example you know how many bar staff, scouts, crew and musicians you are expecting in advance (say 3,500) you can apply for a license for 12,000, reducing the number of security people, lighting rigs, portable cabins and toilets you have to promise to have in order to fulfil the licensing conditions, and still have wiggle room to extend the guest list and/or sell a few hundred extra tickets.
      

Gareth stated to the BBC after this festival that "The licensed capacity of the Cropredy site is 20,000."  So, presumably that is the total including all those mentioned above by Skirky...so a sell out would be e.g. 18k ticket sales or whatever  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c86lw5v3pyvo   Do we know if there is a rolling cost for licenses that alters the greater or lesser the number?  i.e. would they just apply for another license for 20k as they can obviously get one or would it save them money to get a license for, say, 10k?

Would extra toilets still be available if a late decision is made to add extra tickets. There are  a lot of admin points to be addressed before a lot of folk will buy tickets , not insignificantly details of line up and announcement dates. My borderline ADHD worsens as I get older and is kicking in already. Due to my AF and Mrs Reg's failing Knees we will need to know the disabled arrangements too.

[Will S]

Which essentially means there will be more than 6500 available, right?
Because you can't move the goalposts and alter the infrastructure, right?
The more I think about this the more it bothers me......

From what I understand of the licensing agreement, permission for 20,000 attendees has to cover infrastructure for twenty thousand people including bands, crew, stewards and traders as well as renting fields to accommodate this theoretical capacity, no matter how many people actually show up. If for example you know how many bar staff, scouts, crew and musicians you are expecting in advance (say 3,500) you can apply for a license for 12,000, reducing the number of security people, lighting rigs, portable cabins and toilets you have to promise to have in order to fulfil the licensing conditions, and still have wiggle room to extend the guest list and/or sell a few hundred extra tickets.
      

Gareth stated to the BBC after this festival that "The licensed capacity of the Cropredy site is 20,000."  So, presumably that is the total including all those mentioned above by Skirky...so a sell out would be e.g. 18k ticket sales or whatever  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c86lw5v3pyvo   Do we know if there is a rolling cost for licenses that alters the greater or lesser the number?  i.e. would they just apply for another license for 20k as they can obviously get one or would it save them money to get a license for, say, 10k?

That was the impression that I got from something that was written somewhere, but I'm no expert so am ready to be corrected by anyone who knows better.

[Shane (Skirky)]

I suspect it wouldn't be the cost of the license so much as that if you changed the capacity once it had been granted you would have to start the whole process again with the revised requirements.

 

[hendo (Dave)]

Further thoughts….
The argument seems to be that many festivals have folded in last few years.
Devils advocate that may be cos there was more supply than demand.
I am a regular at Warwick Fest. Very much a folk fest …..whatever that is, I have  watched a very wide church at Warwick. Great site in castle grounds , beautifully run, best fest campsite toilets and showers I have come across etc. They know their audience.
I am now going regularly to Between the Trees in S Wales. 1500 people. 2 Stages in a wood , proper alternative vibe should you want your chakras balanced or a bit of gong bathing and I saw some fabby acts.
So can Cropredy go back to a smaller fest when it was about celebrating Fairports and how much of that audience still exists? It also puts real emphasis on Fairports ,when their almost 4 hr sets were Fairport and Friends and were very much the raisin detre for the fest.
Trust me I have enjoyed bands outside the folk genre at Cropredy , Osibisa will,long stay with me but Quo, Alice, Australian Floyd, Wakeman, etc did not attract me.
So if they try and stay an eclectic fest it will be interesting to see the audience demographic.
This is old f**t stuff but the fest changed when it went to 3 days, partly for economic reasons. Yes I know it’s 20 yrs ago but does 6500 people mean going back to a pre 2003 ethos and will there be an audience for it.

[Nick Reg]

As the fencing boundaries  apart from the top, are not permanent in the most part I wondered if the dimensions of the concert field have changed much over the years. This can affect ones impressions of how full it is. And also allow more old gits into the disabled field!

[hendo (Dave)]

As the fencing boundaries  apart from the top, are not permanent in the most part I wondered if the dimensions of the concert field have changed much over the years. This can affect ones impressions of how full it is. And also allow more old gits into the disabled field!

I ve known it since late 80’s Nick and it’s always felt the same……just a growth of camping fields .
Again old f**t stuff, apologies but it felt different when they started having the field closed before the fest .2003 I think..
Eg people started queuing and then running for their favourite spots. Before that you could wander on to the field and set up early in morning if that was your wont, so people took more space, there wasn’t the seried banks of chairs ,i could get up off a blanket then etc etc. Tempis Fugit .
The cynic in me goes ‘ due to,popular demand we have sold our initial 6500 tickets and are now able to offer further places’. Just basic , sound economics. Sell 6500, cover your costs, see where you are.