198 replies to this topic

[perfectpassion]

asita, on 24 April 2012 - 10:03 AM, said:

Your opinion of EOTR really has fallen a long way if you're accusing them of being liars. It does explain your colossal overreaction though.

Personally I don't see how 50 day tickets could affect a festival given the number of guest list tickets that bands get anyway. Mainly I'm just excited as hell about the whole weekend :  )

Owch that was a bit harsh... I guess Seadragon is a bit disappointed, afterall we all want to belong to one big happy family ....

It does all seem a bit strange, seeing as asking for special favours is not the way HRH operates and there is nothing on his fan forum about it.

But so what, if its 50 or 500 it is their festival and they can sell day tickets if they want. I would buy one if I wasn't going on honeymoon!!!

[asita]

sorry if that came across as harsh but i just found seadragon's suggestion that he was being lied to to be an extreme overreation.

i think there's a good chance we're overthinking a situation that we have too little information about. as you say, it doesn't seem likely that hawley would really be requesting special favours, and if EOTR really wanted to recoup some money on the festival then this would not be the most efficient way to go about it. 50 day tickets sold exclusively through richard hawley's website is not going to break the festival and all the people involved have delivered some really good times to all of us. in the absence of anything bad actually happening beyond a little confusion i think they've earned the benefit of the doubt.

as to the size of EOTR these days, and the general repetitiveness of the lineup, i do understand seadragons disappointment, but its important to see it in context. yes EOTR has gotten big but that's why they started NDH, which will probably be the smallest festival in the country to feature an act that's played the RFH. as to the lineups, i do wonder how much of that is down to who they can book for money that wont bankrupt the festival. having good relationships with the bands must make it easier to convince them to play your small festival for less money than latitude offers. the NDH lineup isn't as dramatic as the first EOTR one but then that festival lost a barrel load of money, and NDH has quality running all the way through it, even if it is familiar to some of the regulars. i doubt i'll ever get bored of andrew bird or dirty 3.

i guess what i'm saying is that it's easy to loose perspective when talking about something that means as much to people as these festivals. i recall some of the joanne newsom discussions last year getting pretty heated too! i'm still pretty sure everything will turn out ok - if not this year then next (assuming NDH gets a second year, which is a whole other but significant worry).

Edited by asita, 24 April 2012 - 12:32 PM.

[geofelgie]

[asita]

geofelgie, on 24 April 2012 - 02:06 PM, said:

:  )

[ljsawyer]

Seeing as seadragon's made his point (for about the 10th time now), can we all just move on and look forward to both festivals?

[seadragon]

asita, on 24 April 2012 - 10:03 AM, said:

Your opinion of EOTR really has fallen a long way if you're accusing them of being liars. It does explain your colossal overreaction though.

Personally I don't see how 50 day tickets could affect a festival given the number of guest list tickets that bands get anyway. Mainly I'm just excited as hell about the whole weekend :  )

asita, on 24 April 2012 - 11:49 AM, said:

sorry if that came across as harsh but i just found seadragon's suggestion that he was being lied to to be an extreme overreation.

i think there's a good chance we're overthinking a situation that we have too little information about. as you say, it doesn't seem likely that hawley would really be requesting special favours, and if EOTR really wanted to recoup some money on the festival then this would not be the most efficient way to go about it. 50 day tickets sold exclusively through richard hawley's website is not going to break the festival and all the people involved have delivered some really good times to all of us. in the absence of anything bad actually happening beyond a little confusion i think they've earned the benefit of the doubt.

as to the size of EOTR these days, and the general repetitiveness of the lineup, i do understand seadragons disappointment, but its important to see it in context. yes EOTR has gotten big but that's why they started NDH, which will probably be the smallest festival in the country to feature an act that's played the RFH. as to the lineups, i do wonder how much of that is down to who they can book for money that wont bankrupt the festival. having good relationships with the bands must make it easier to convince them to play your small festival for less money than latitude offers. the NDH lineup isn't as dramatic as the first EOTR one but then that festival lost a barrel load of money, and NDH has quality running all the way through it, even if it is familiar to some of the regulars. i doubt i'll ever get bored of andrew bird or dirty 3.

i guess what i'm saying is that it's easy to loose perspective when talking about something that means as much to people as these festivals. i recall some of the joanne newsom discussions last year getting pretty heated too! i'm still pretty sure everything will turn out ok - if not this year then next (assuming NDH gets a second year, which is a whole other but significant worry).

Sorry, I'm the one overreacting? Reading the subsequent posts in this thread I don't really see how that is. I don't recall saying anything about anyone lying, I was simply saying that the festival isn't what it used to be. It used to be based on very good communication and one of it's selling points has always been that it's weekend ticket only. I just merely stated that I found it strange and disappointing that they make a point of saying no day tickets when they are clearly available. I'm not calling anyone a liar, I'm merely pointing out the hypocrisy of it.

As for it being a festival attracting 'bands that have played the RFH', sorry that doesn't impress me particularly. There are dozens of amazing small bands, who needs RFH headliners? If money is a concern then book smaller bands. I'm sure all the people who love the festival so much would be more than happy with that.

ljsawyer, on 24 April 2012 - 03:11 PM, said:

Seeing as seadragon's made his point (for about the 10th time now), can we all just move on and look forward to both festivals?

I do apologise, I thought this was a forum where opinions could be expressed? You're right though, maybe it's time I moved on from here. I am starting to find the continuous praise for the festival on here a little bit disturbing. All the people who used to post here and were perfectly capable of a debate seem to have disappeared and been replaced with clones who do nothing but continuously tell everyone how amazing EOTR is and jump on anyone who criticizes any aspect of it.

Edited by seadragon, 25 April 2012 - 07:24 PM.

[Fareham Grecian]

Seadragon, you may not 'recall' accusing anyone of lying but I think most reasonable people would interpret your earlier posting as doing exactly that.

You've made a big thing of the fact that you have taken your ball home as far as the festivals are concerned, so why are you bothering to post still? And why does it bother you so much that the rest of us still expect them to brilliant?

(Having said all that, I reserve the right to be as grumpy as you when I am beaten up by 50 rogue Richard Hawley fanclub members...)

[ElGanzo]

seadragon, on 25 April 2012 - 07:18 PM, said:

I do apologise, I thought this was a forum where opinions could be expressed? You're right though, maybe it's time I moved on from here. I am starting to find the continuous praise for the festival on here a little bit disturbing. All the people who used to post here and were perfectly capable of a debate seem to have disappeared and been replaced with clones who do nothing but continuously tell everyone how amazing EOTR is and jump on anyone who criticizes any aspect of it.

Why is continuous praise disturbing? Surely you can appreciate that some people don't agree with your opinions on the lineup and the festival? I love EoTR, have done for many years. It's nearly always my favourite weekend of the year and one I look forward to every year almost without fail. The lineup is nearly always brilliant, at least according to my tastes.

That said, I always believe constructive criticism to be a positive thing, and if a lot of people on here have misgivings about something then of course the organisers should pay attention. You could say they have done this when the "scientology issue" arose this year, quckly diffusing any worries people had. The main criticisms people have seem to be in relation to The Woods Stage and the repetition of the lineup. On the first point, I think most people are in agreement that The Garden Stage was a much nicer main stage. Despite this I personally enjoyed last year as much as any other. Regarding the repetition, its true that we've seen bands like The Low Anthem, Tindersticks, Dirty Three and Midlake before. However people seem to be ignoring the significant number of bands who have not played before, big names like Grandaddy, Grizzly Bear and Beach House along with some elder statesmen like Roy Harper and Van Dyke Parks and a large number of the undercard like Dirty Beaches, Veronica Falls, Hannah Cohen and Stranded Horse, all whom I'm looking forward to seeing this year.

So overall, very excited for September! If you're that disappointed with the lineup, its probably best to avoid it this year, that's certainly what I'd do in that situation. Regardless of how nice the festival is, if the lineup didn't appeal then it wouldn't be for me.

[RedRockRick]

It looks like rain.

[seadragon]

Fareham Grecian, on 25 April 2012 - 08:25 PM, said:

Seadragon, you may not 'recall' accusing anyone of lying but I think most reasonable people would interpret your earlier posting as doing exactly that.

You've made a big thing of the fact that you have taken your ball home as far as the festivals are concerned, so why are you bothering to post still? And why does it bother you so much that the rest of us still expect them to brilliant?

(Having said all that, I reserve the right to be as grumpy as you when I am beaten up by 50 rogue Richard Hawley fanclub members...)

Let me clear up a couple of things and then I'm out of here. Firstly - NDH website says 'no day tickets are available'. The website of someone who is playing is clearly selling day tickets. And despite my earlier point that I was simply highlighting the contradiction of those statements....ok yes, despite that not being the point I was making, I have to agree that that is clearly a lie. What else would you call it then? I'm sorry, a big thing I've liked about these festivals in all the years I've been going and enjoying them is that they're weekend only.

As for why I still come here...habit I guess, having been to EOTR for the last 4 years. Oh, and because there used to be a lot of great people posting here who had good music recommendations to make and there used to be some interesting discussions. I guess I've been hoping that as announcements have been made for EOTR this year those people might return, but sadly not. Now the place is just full of tetchy people who only ever post and get upset when someone has an opinion. It's a forum, the purpose of it is discussion is it not?

As for you thinking I have a problem with anyone looking forward to the festival, of course I don't, that'd be stupid. I hope everyone who goes has a great time and I'm not really sure why me having an opinion when I post here is being interpreted as being grumpy.

ElGanzo, on 25 April 2012 - 09:31 PM, said:

Why is continuous praise disturbing? Surely you can appreciate that some people don't agree with your opinions on the lineup and the festival? I love EoTR, have done for many years. It's nearly always my favourite weekend of the year and one I look forward to every year almost without fail. The lineup is nearly always brilliant, at least according to my tastes.

So overall, very excited for September! If you're that disappointed with the lineup, its probably best to avoid it this year, that's certainly what I'd do in that situation. Regardless of how nice the festival is, if the lineup didn't appeal then it wouldn't be for me.

Of course I appreciate that some people don't agree with my opinion and I've never once run down anyone who thinks the lineup is great. Perhaps my problem is that I've stuck around longer than all the other people who were also of the opinion that the lineup is not up to its usual standard, in the hope that something would be added that excited me. But it hasn't, so yeah I won't be going this year for that reason. I do of course hope everyone who goes has a great time.

Anyway, I'm done posting here. I've met some lovely people at EOTR over the past years, but it's not for me anymore. Enjoy the festivals all who are going, I honestly hope you have two great weekends

[GeordieMartin]

I'm kind of with Seadragon. I think it's unfair of No Direction Home (NDH) to clearly advertise that there are no day tickets yet there are day tickets available from Richard Hawley's site. So, call it a lie or an 'untruth' or whatever you like, either way you look at it there clearly ARE day tickets available and so it shouldn't be advertised as saying otherwise. Wht if someone bought a weekend ticket on the back of seeing Richard Hawley play and then they found out later they could have just bought a day ticket (if they wanted to?)

The problem i have with day tickets is that many of the people who buy them are generally there to see one person and so often just wander round talking through other people's sets until 'their' act comes on (don't DARE talk near them during that time though) and so therefore not getting into the spirit or for want of another word, 'vibe' of the festival. A festival i think should be just that, a 3/4 day trip away seeing your favourite bands and getting into the whole atmosphere that that brings.

So i say get off Seadragons back a bit, we are all entitled to our opinion (don't get me started on the Bella Union Day) and while we all agree EOTR is still a great little festival that we all enjoy but there are always going to be some things we like and other things we don't.

Ok, as you were....

[wolfamongwolves]

Im also with seadragon. He is just giving his opinion and he,s entitled  to it. Since I have been using eotr e festivals forum I have always enjoyed reading seadragons posts.

[eagles69]

I don't mind the line-up 4 both festivals though mayb a whole day for Bella Union at the EOTR is a little disappointing I am with Seadragon also!! Every1 is entitled to an opinion and if their is day tickets available 4 NDH then why wasn't people informed. I am only going to EOTR so I'm not that fussed about NDH though the line-up is not bad. I hope Seadragon continues to go to the EOTR in future years.

[GeordieMartin]

Bella Union Day or in other words 'Hipsters day out taking vintage photos on their iphones, talking (loudly over the music) about just how brilliant the latest venue is in Shoreditch where they charge £96876.49 for a 'real ale'  EOTR used to be proud of their no sponsorship ethos and although they still may not have an 'official' sponsor, it may as well be Bella Union.


Still a great festival, just Bella Union get on my wick a bit, As soon as someone gets signed on that label they are all over the press as being some new Bob Dylan or something when in reality, if they weren't on Bella no one would give a shit. they have some great acts on there, don't get me wrong but a lot of it (in my opinion) is average, at best.

Ok, mini rant over...

Edited by GeordieMartin, 26 April 2012 - 06:39 PM.

[perfectpassion]

I missed you GM....

I still haven't got the hang of this years EoTR, Bella Union??? I am still confused never heard of them.

I keep thinking oh yeah I've got Richard Hawley to look forward to, plus Laura J, The Crookes, etc... and then I remember they are not playing EoTR. I think that there are some good act playing, I just cannot remember who.

And the bloody Wave Pictures, I love the Wave Pictures like a madman but they are not playing EoTR too....

AND as I am not going to NDH why the hell am I still posting on this thread...New Topic Heading Required.

Edited by perfectpassion, 26 April 2012 - 07:04 PM.

[Infinite Jest]

I could have sworn seadragon was a woman, but maybe I'm just confused again. Either way, I like seadragon and hope she finds something of value to bring her back to this forum and next year's EoTR.

On the actual issues: I sort of see the point about day tickets, but I'm not toooo worried. If there are only 50 tickets available through Hawley's site, that's a small fraction of the total people on site (less than 1 in 50 of all ticket sales). And that assumes they all sell - are many people going to buy a £40 (including post etc) day ticket if they just want to see RH? When they could see him at the Forum for £20? Or at Latitude etc? Or buy a three-day ticket.

Not sure I see the problem with Bella Union - I don't know too much about 'em but I love most of the acts on their roster and they're obviously EoTR-friendly acts, so sounds good to me....(hopefully GeordieMartin is wrong about the hipster quotient ...)

PP: honeymoon at the damn festival, you know it makes sense

Edited by Infinite Jest, 26 April 2012 - 07:12 PM.

[perfectpassion]

Thanks IJ but honeymoon already booked ages ago. Anyway I just cannot face those Hawley fans again (all 50 of them). GM's description of Bella Union Day is lovely. And I think the point I was trying to make is that I just feel all wishy-washy this year about the line up and for me NDH has taken something away from this forum.

[GTG]

Well, I've got my NDH ticket in hand.  Is it time the festival had its own forum, or at least a sub-forum, rather than this rather fragmented thread?

[perfectpassion]

I wish it had its own forum, but I think that EoTR prefer to use fb? As i said before it just makes it all too confusing to have both festivals on here. MY BRAIN HURTS. I don't care about NDH