Simon finally says something

[airwaves]

But regretfully it's not in reply to any of the comments on here.

From a BBC web article on whether headliners sell festivals - http://www.bbc.co.uk...t-arts-14854666

Simon Taffe, organiser of the End of the Road Festival, takes a similar approach.

"We don't always go for the big name," he says of the small, independent event, held in Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset.

Shunning the noisier end of the charts, he focuses on Americana and alternative rock. Headliners this year include Scottish experimentalists Mogwai and eccentric folk musician Joanna Newsom.

"We try to give a chance to a band that might not necessarily headline another festival," says Taffe.

And the approach seems to work: "Half our tickets are sold without even announcing the headliner. A lot of people buy into what we do now. There's a lot of trust."

Mmm - wonder if the trust is wearing a little?

Edited September 12, 2011 by airwaves

[SweepingTheNation]

Given how quickly the early birds sold out, no. That's not strictly a quote about headliners, though, is it? EOTR is one of unfortunately few festivals that in the mind's eye of the average festivalling punter can get by whoever headlines.

[Maoster]

I'm not so sure anymore. Used to be that I booked before knowing anything about the line up. Now will wait and see how compares to GM etc before deciding. It does seem to have changed in terms of communication - must be reasons but seems odd nothing at all from organisers before or after EOTR 2011, given all the changes.

[Pink_Tequila]

It seems to me people like moaning about anything that appears different. Criticising lack of communication is a bit harsh considering people have only been off site for a week at most. I am sure questions will be answered in time but I have read very few real criticisms of the festival here. Festivals are a growing form not static, during changes some things will not be perfect but those can be worked on in future years. To try and recreate the same festival each year would be suicidal, just look at other festivals that have gone bust. I think it was an excellent festival that with a few changes changes next year will be even better. What communication are people looking for anyhow? I assume you are not expecting a "yeah you are all right" we will go smaller, get rid of the road through a farmer's field and wreck his field instead, and may as well get the same headliners as year one as well. I loved Glastonbury in the 1990s but hell I don't want it to go back to that; we move on. Are people really considering not going to this brilliant festival because of some minor quibbles that you give people no time to answer?

[clareandguy]

It seems to me people like moaning about anything that appears different. Criticising lack of communication is a bit harsh considering people have only been off site for a week at most. I am sure questions will be answered in time but I have read very few real criticisms of the festival here. Festivals are a growing form not static, during changes some things will not be perfect but those can be worked on in future years. To try and recreate the same festival each year would be suicidal, just look at other festivals that have gone bust. I think it was an excellent festival that with a few changes changes next year will be even better. What communication are people looking for anyhow? I assume you are not expecting a "yeah you are all right" we will go smaller, get rid of the road through a farmer's field and wreck his field instead, and may as well get the same headliners as year one as well. I loved Glastonbury in the 1990s but hell I don't want it to go back to that; we move on. Are people really considering not going to this brilliant festival because of some minor quibbles that you give people no time to answer?

Edited September 15, 2011 by clareandguy

[GTG]

...... and they DID promise a map would appear on the website 2 or 3 weeks before the festival, so I think that complaint at least has some justification.

However, regarding the lack of communication since, I'm sure I read something inviting comment but saying that they wouldn't be able to respond for a while.

[perfectpassion]

It seems to me people like moaning about anything that appears different. Criticising lack of communication is a bit harsh considering people have only been off site for a week at most. I am sure questions will be answered in time but I have read very few real criticisms of the festival here. Festivals are a growing form not static, during changes some things will not be perfect but those can be worked on in future years. To try and recreate the same festival each year would be suicidal, just look at other festivals that have gone bust. I think it was an excellent festival that with a few changes changes next year will be even better. What communication are people looking for anyhow? I assume you are not expecting a "yeah you are all right" we will go smaller, get rid of the road through a farmer's field and wreck his field instead, and may as well get the same headliners as year one as well. I loved Glastonbury in the 1990s but hell I don't want it to go back to that; we move on. Are people really considering not going to this brilliant festival because of some minor quibbles that you give people no time to answer?

[Yokel Again]

I'm not sure how anyone can really make a post along the lines of 'there's loads of people moaning' - any criticism on here has still referenced how good the festival still is and has generally been very very well balanced.

[Maoster]

It seems to me people like moaning about anything that appears different. Criticising lack of communication is a bit harsh considering people have only been off site for a week at most. I am sure questions will be answered in time but I have read very few real criticisms of the festival here. Festivals are a growing form not static, during changes some things will not be perfect but those can be worked on in future years. To try and recreate the same festival each year would be suicidal, just look at other festivals that have gone bust. I think it was an excellent festival that with a few changes changes next year will be even better. What communication are people looking for anyhow? I assume you are not expecting a "yeah you are all right" we will go smaller, get rid of the road through a farmer's field and wreck his field instead, and may as well get the same headliners as year one as well. I loved Glastonbury in the 1990s but hell I don't want it to go back to that; we move on. Are people really considering not going to this brilliant festival because of some minor quibbles that you give people no time to answer?