shoebox

I've managed to pick up cheapo tickets for James and Happy Mondays this Friday. Anything I should know about arrival times? What sort of set times did JAMC/Primal Scream have last week?

Or maybe it's just RHLSTP

It is a scientific fact. But I will once again refuse to pack shorts and a hat in order to force glorious weather.

It's alright. Moz will cancel because of the Rotisserie Chicken stall

It's a good pact, but those that do perform there only do a couple of songs. Usually one of theirs and a cover. And it's all filmed by The Line Of Best Fit, so there is a lot of setting up that happens around the same time. Can be a bit of a time drain, but special if you do happen to catch a "set". I, personally, wouldn't chose one of those secret sets over a full set I wanted to see elsewhere.

There's just not a huge amount to say at the moment, other than pointless speculation about the ??? act. It will liven up again when they announce the food vendors. I guess a lot of us are veterans of the festival, so we know what to expect and therefore some of the "excitement" is tempered somewhat. But rest assured, we are very much looking forward to it

These are the newest The Itch I can see on there, and something about them just seems a bit "not Visions":

Doesn't look like I checked much in but those I did...

Rates decidedly average across the board on Untappd doesn't it? But then I probably overrate so much on there. I'm not expecting anything amazing. Metroland was "fine" if somewhat unexciting. I'm expecting something quite similar here. We're not going to be getting DIPAs on all the taps now are we? Not like the year Lupuloid launched. That was carnage! In a good way!

No idea, but I'm a craft w*nker, so whilst I'd agree that it is probably overpriced, I probably wouldn't class it as pisswater

Competition on Instagram suggests that it's Bristol Beer Factory providing the booze this year as opposed to Two Tribes

I've heard that the festival is in serious jeopardy because Simon has, personally, cut down half of the woods to accommodate the increased number of punters wanting to see acts on the Boat Stage. They've also switched out the straw bales for hay bales, but only the pedants in attendance will notice.

Sorry to be an absolute pain in the arse, but that latest link has also been reset. Could someone reshare please?

I've always found this very difficult to do when I'm enjoying something. Plus it's Thursday night, the first time me and mates have been together for a while so I suspect that I'll be going with the majority. Or they'll be relying on me for suggestions so the pressure will be on!

Probably my most frustrating clash of the whole weekend is Wilco against HMLTD. I've seen Wilco a few times and they always put on a brilliant show, but that latest HMLTD album is one of my favourites of the year. Don't know what to do!

I think that's really difficult to gauge as I simply don't get the appeal of UMO, but they're clearly very well regarded. Think you may see a generational split between the two, maybe the younger crowd go to UMO and us oldies go to Angel.

It's not Jeffrey Lewis. I asked him when I saw him in May and he said "not this year". And as much as I love him, he would not be subbing on the Woods Stage.

That would be a sweet addition. Cancelled their tour earlier this year and I never saw a reason why. Was supposed to be seeing them in Margate and was well up for it

It's not too bad with regards to sound-bleed. The closest stages are probably the Big Top and Woods, but with the way that acts tended to be staggered, it's rare that the pair of them have anyone on at the same time. More chance of sound-bleed for the secret sets in the woods at the Piano stage. The only bar with any real sound-system in the main arena is the cider bus and that only really cranks it up after the main acts have finished. But even that only really affects the Folly Stage (formally the Tipi Tent), unless you're Joanna Newsom

Woods->Garden is probably the greatest distance and you're looking at a brisk 5-minute walk between the two (maybe longer if you're on the barrier or at the end of a set with everyone else leaving at the same time). There are also a couple of stages in the woods (Talking Heads and Boat), which may take a little longer due to the windy nature of the terrain, but never too long Lots of bars scattered around the place. The main brewery tie-in for the past few years has been Two Tribes, serving their Metroland IPA at all bars, plus having some alternatives at their dedicated bar. The other bars all have a range of ales, there is a rum bar, cider bus and a gin garden. You're probably looking at around 6 quid a pint these days. The bars all stay open late, until 2/3am I think Everywhere takes cashless payments, but network issues have caused problems in the past, so it is worth having cash for those times. Try to avoid using the cash machines on site because they charge you. Last resort only.

Erm, I think you're forgetting the most important thing! FOOD AND DRINK!

Michael Stipe

I wasn't that enthused about them headlining initially, mostly because the amount of albums they have thrown out since Nonagon Infinity has been so overwhelming that I've lost track. But that new album is incredible. Bring on the heavy! That's what I say!

All that said, I hope I'm very wrong, because I would love them to play

Not sure it will be The Walkmen. Feels like one that GM and EOTR are unlikely to share. The timings always were perfect for them to play EOTR and it was surprising when they weren't announced, so why would that change now? GM has sold out, EOTR hasn't. Announcing The Walkmen might be the act that shifts the last tickets, so why hold them back?