John L

I’ve been to Shiiine on once. I felt quite at home due to the enormous number of other middle aged bald fat blokes. I enjoyed it but it did feel very “lads” to me. It was a very very big weekend on the beers! I like this year’s line up but in Butlin’s weekender terms it’s very pricy. Rockaway Beach at Bognor in January is a much more laid back (better) experience IMO.

Congrats to Portsmouth. League 1 Champions!

Wow that would make it £ 88 for a day ticket including the booking fee. It’s an astonishing increase over 3 or 4 years ago. Just can’t see the locals making a late decision stumping up that amount of cash.

Went to Pennfest once. Stayed in Wycombe and got the shuttle bus in and out. Fairly standard small/medium sized Fest mainly for locals. Decent enough. It was one that seemed to have grown organically so a bit surprised it’s bitten the dust. The UK Festival market is massively saturated and increasing costs are making it difficult to make them viable. Not helped by the Festival Republic/AEG/Superstruct cartel harvesting acts.

Arcade Fire possibly? In Ireland a couple of days later. Announce it late in case there’s any push back. Personally think it would sell.

What makes you say that? Or are you just referencing the upcoming price increase?

+1 Although TBF I was already old.

I’d certainly be requesting a refund pronto and hoping it turns up. How is it going to be easier next year? It’s not is it unless the festival is massively scaled down. Agree with previous poster. Sadly this has all the makings of another one biting the dust.

After Mumfords were announced this is effectively the next announcement to where we are now from last year. I think McFly were added as secret guests later, so really there doesn’t look to be much more for the two main stages. The reintroduction of the Seaside Stage/Bandstand could change that a bit, but while our local festival goers reckon it’s geographically possible, there’s been nothing from the organisers to suggest it’s happening.

I was hoping for a bit more heritage Indie like Franz Ferdinand/Travis/Echo and the Bunnymen but there doesn’t seem room for much more on the two main stages. I’ll be asking for recommendations on the newer bands… The Last Dinner Party’s album was out today and sounds like it would be great live. See they are at Reading on the Saturday and Leeds on Sunday. Wonder if a trip to Pompey on the Friday might be possible?

Is this a complete guess or an educated guess? I’ve not seen anything that states the Seaside Stage is back this year?

That Death Cab for Cutie line up is excellent. A bit of regret I’ll be at Victorious now.

How many names do we think we’ll get? They announced more than usual in the first drop didn’t they? Wonder if we’ll get 15 or 16 more tomorrow and the same again at the start of March which would probably complete the Main stages? Do we know for sure whether the Seaside Stage or whatever it was called is making a comeback?

I have been but it was in 2016 so it might have changed since then. Very family friendly and the arena is quite small so easy to get around. They had a BMX display the year I went which was actually pretty good. It appears that this year they have ditched those horrible pay wristbands they introduced over the last few years - now a cashless festival but with debit cards. Summary if you’re looking for something relaxed good. If you want an all night rave with loads of 15-25 s probably not for you.

Obviously take care if buying tickets off Facebook etc. There are a LOT of scammers about.

Would it have looked better if Pixies and Jamie T swapped stages? Don’t forget you also have Courteeners who are certainly headline level for the more Northern festivals.

This is not my scene at all so I could be miles out but is this something Chris Brown could do? Last two emojis are Sweetheart.

Still over half the line up to come of course. Think comparing any UK Festival to Glastonbury is a bit harsh as Glastonbury is completely unique. I agree it doesn’t represent the value it once did, particularly for us non-locals, but it consistently delivers a line-up that is generally to my taste.

I always use Harry Law Halls. It’s the cheapest - three nights single room is £180 (I have an extra night on the Thursday to settle in which is plus £60). The rooms are fairly basic but they are clean, have a bog and a shower, WiFi and power. I find the 15 or so minute walk back from the Festival quite refreshing after a few beers during the day. You can camp but it’s a way away and I think they’re clipping people for the shuttle bus this year too.

Managed to book my accommodation this morning although it’s fair to say it wasn’t the easiest to navigate! 33 pc more expensive than when I last went in 2022 but still decent value compared to the hotels I suppose. Not a cheap Festival anymore with the extra bits and bobs but looking forward to it nonetheless. Hoping for a bit of Indie fodder in the next announcement - Travis and Echo and the Bunnymen would be good starts for me.

Anyone know when the University accommodation goes on sale? I’ve decided to give this a go next year but can only afford the Uni places as the hotels are so expensive and camping is not for me these days! So I can’t really book Festival tickets until I’ve got the Uni sorted yet Festival tickets are due to go up in price soon which seems a bit harsh?

No chance I’d say. APE is an AEG event and Lytham is a Festival Republic event. They very rarely cross over.

Victorious has a much larger capacity than Latitude but I agree £ for £ offers much better value. I can see why the loyal regulars are sad that Latitude has just become a Radio 2 Festival.

The Monday is a Bank Holiday…

Well, let’s hope they read this and stick Pixies under Courteeners or between Courteeners and Jamie T and they can stick some pop on against Jamie T on the Castle.