[So how was it?]

I posted most of this on the other thread, but...

We queued for an hour and a half in the rain on Thursday afternoon to get in, but it wasn't such a big deal. In fact, after an hour, the kids asked if we could come again next year. That was about 2.30, but by 5 when we went back to get some stuff from the car there was no queue at all. Bit annoying to have the peg hammer removed, but it was an old one, so not that fussed. I saw someone near me using one anyway, so I suppose it was down to personal honesty.

After pitching the tent on Thursday we went down and did all the "kiddie" rides as there were no queues anywhere. Had some good food and craic and watched some of the ceilidh bands at the Black Isle tent.

The rest was superb. Highlights for us- The Phantom Band, Admiral Fallow and then Kid Canaveral (instead of Texas) on the Friday night- each were totally brilliant, with Admiral Fallow shading it from KC and that only because Louis came down to sell t-shirts at the side and he signed two of my daughters' t-shirts, making their day. Hoodja were excellent, CW Stoneking sublime, Dry the River a delightful surprise, We Were Promised Jetpacks raucously brilliant and we finished with Roddy Woomble instead of Deacon Blue or Kassidy, and he was totally brilliant, backed by some very accomplished musicians. We caught the second half of Frank Turner and really enjoyed that, but didn't really enjoy the randomness of Guillemots. We were on our way to the Dangleberries when we heard them and then thought "nah" and turned around.

When we went to the Hothouse for the Phantom Band, Ed Sheeran was on and that was ridiculously stowed out with screaming teens. Couldn't get near the place. Happily thinned out for the Phantoms, though the pumping dance beat from the Jock the Reaper could be heard quite loudly in the tent when Admiral Fallow etc were playing. And yes, the dance music seemed to go on and on much later than last year.

Overall, the rain didn't come into it. It was brilliant. Our 12, 11 and 7 year old girls had a superb time too.

Only one minor complaint- the "family" zone seemed to have more than its fair share of youngsters intent on heavily drinking all day long and the pile of cans etc by their tents was terrifying. Didn't spoil the weekend, though, especially after the guard told them to be quieter on Thursday night, which they did. The toilets were stretched a little thinner as there was a whole new section in the Hielan' Fields, with another free Folk Stage, which we saw a few good acts on. The toilets in the art/craft area were a lot less busy and a lot cleaner. As it was, over the three nights, I didn't have any major issues with any of the toilets I used, though early Sunday morning, my wife had a pretty grim one.

In terms of organisation etc, we didn't have any problems though I see others did. The staff/security we encountered were incredibly helpful- one of the guys on the tower came down Sunday morning and handed me three plastic macs for the kids as I was getting the tents down in the rain. We got out early - on the dot of 8 o'clock on Sunday- and had no problems. Other than the drunken litter louts, who really were more of an aesthetic annoyance than anything, it was fine.

We did think there were a lot more groups of drunken teens wandering around than there were last year, but we didn't cross paths and didn't have a problem.

For Scots bands, it was terrific musicwise and there was enough other stuff to keep us happy during the day (even the Rooty Tooty Big Swing Band or whatever they were called). To be honest, we weren't at the main stage much at all.

Food etc as always was tremendous- we also listened to one of the authors in the Prose Bed, which was really interesting and also the debate on the future of music in the Verb Garden, which was also really fascinating.

In the end, the initial disappointment over the headliners was irrelevant to us as a family- we saw four of our favourite acts in the Phantoms, Admiral Fallow, Roddy Woomble and Kid Canaveral and left the place soaked but grinning like idiots.

Debate is already on over going next year or trying somewhere else.

[Bella Pics]

We made it out early Sunday morning of the green zone, complete with wet socks, wet tents and happy souls.

Had a total ball, despite the hour and a half queue in the rain on Thursday afternoon to get in. In fact, after an hour, the kids asked if we could come again next year- bit of a curveball...

Anyway, the two days were superb. Highlights for us- The Phantom Band, Admiral Fallow and then Kid Canaveral on the Friday night- each were totally brilliant, with Admiral Fallow shading it from KC and that only because Louis came down to sell t-shirts at the side and he signed two of my daughters' t-shirts, making their day. Hoodja were excellent, CW Stoneking sublime, Dry the River a delightful surprise, We Were Promised Jetpacks raucously brilliant and we finished with Roddy Woomble instead of Deacon Blue or Kassidy, and he was totally brilliant, backed by some very accomplished musicians.

The rain didn't come into it. It was brilliant.

Only one minor complaint- the "family" zone seemed to have more than its fair share of youngsters intent on heavily drinking all day long and the pile of cans etc by their tents was terrifying. Didn't spoil the weekend, though, especially after the guard told them to be quieter on Thursday night, which they did.

*edit* Forgot to mention the excellent Frank Turner too. The "won't sit down" ending was great.

[2nd announcement]

Okay, I am now officially a very happy bunny- The Phantom Band and We Were Promised Jetpacks added this morning according to twitter.

That is icing on the cake for me. Brilliant news.

[Belladrum Tartan Heart 2011]

Don't forget Raghu Dixit..!

Got over my initial disappointment quite quickly. Looking forward to it now. Especially Roddy Woomble, Admiral Fallow, Frank Turner, Anna Calvi and Guillemots.

Kids are champing at the bit.

[Frightened Rabbit]

Gomez are doing Euro festivals in August to promote their new album. Any chance?

[First Announcement]

Problem solved.

[First Announcement]

B*gger.

Reading the Joe Gibbs interview it seems Deacon Blue and Frightened Rabbit headline at the same time.

That's me sh*gged, then.

*rse.

[First Announcement]

Well, I'm happier at least. Not that we weren't going to go anyway, but Frightened Rabbit and Anna Calvi suddenly make life a bit more exciting.

By the time it came, I would have been back into the Deacs anyway.... roll on.

[First Announcement]

I've already got our tickets, so not going to cut my nose off to spite my face. I think probably getting too excited by the names being chucked around. Never was a fan of Texas, but Deacon Blue were faves- 20 years ago....

Can't abide Newton Faulkner- production line singer/songwriter, but not heard of most of the others, so will get some stuff and see if we can't get into it. I like Admiral Fallow.

Last year's lineup with the likes of Dick Gaughan, Levellers, Stornoway, Wailers, Divine Comedy... just seemed so much more... meaty.

Never mind. Kids will have a ball.

Makes me laugh when the likes of Elbow and stuff were being mooted, though and end up with 20+ year old acts.

Maybe another odd gem to come, though.

[First Announcement]

After waiting with such baited breath for this morning, our house is now filled with a sense of crushing disappointment.

Oh well. Hope there's some extras over the next few months to start looking forward to.

[Hopes for Bella 2011]

Where in Edinburgh was it? I've seen them a fair few times and I have always enjoyed them.

I'd think The View would be in with a chance of playing, Glasvegas I'm not really sure about and Kassidy have played the last 2 years and I would imagine given the decent crowds they got at bella and the gigs at the qmu they would get a nicer slot if they do.

[Hopes for Bella 2011]

Saw Gomez in Edinburgh Nov 09. They suffered from needing a bigger stage, so Bella would be perfect. I think they hang around the US too much these days, but would be a terrific set.

Interesting to hear how folk think last year's lineup was poor. Makes me look forward to this year even more with that in mind.

[Hopes for Bella 2011]

I hope that it is as good an experience as our first one was last year. The kids had a ball and I managed to catch most of the music I was after, though missed the Levellers and Dick Gaughan sadly.

I doubt The Decemberists will be there, though that would be amazing. I am going to see them in Glasgow in March as they tour to promote The King Is Dead, so I imagine they'll be touring Europe/US after that.

As for who I'd like to see... difficult to say. Oyster Band would be good. Mumford, Noah and the Whale... Roddy Woomble. That Petrol Emotion would be a personal little sweetener. Frightened Rabbit, Eeels, Malcolm Middleton.... lots of options. Looking forward to it already and excitement tangibly rose when the tickets arrived on Saturday.