Reveiw of Bella 08

[clanger 2]

i would just like to say that i really enjoyed belladrum 08 -

weather - fine - actually had to use suncream at one point.

straw - good idea - very little mud.

quality of food stalls, drink, and other stalls - great

queues for tokens/drink - pretty non existent which is always good

individuals met - june, steve & family, rab & family, dug, heavy metal fan (john??), all made things alot more enjoyable/crowd in general - easygoing

toilets - alright, although wouldn't have made the decision to turn these around so that there was limited access on the very last morning of festival

camping/tents - very spacious, gazebo very good idea.

bands - excellent mix - favourites - twilight sad, root system, dreadzone, lemonheads, edwin etc etc

noise/trouble levels - no probs, not always enjoying hearing people bet eachother cash to jump over tents especially my tent - while i am in tent, but nevertheless, no harm done.

security - not imposing at all, in fact, what age can you join the police these days, or am i getting old?

fireworks - amazing

hope those injured in 'blast' recover soon - i stated that i would have enjoyed going in a helicopter too, but that really was a statement which was taken out of context, i wish for them a speedy recovery.

[pissheadtrev]

Brilliant weekend, noticed a few folk saying The Infadels were their highlight and totally agree, what a great set, very lively, the songs off their new album are so catchy and the 2 covers were class (Steady As She Goes and Sweet Dreams), apart from them my band highlights were Attic Lights, Broken Records, The Wallbirds and i did kind of enjoy Cold War Kids, mainly for Hospital Beds, what a tune, but i thought they came across as right miserable buggers and didn't seem happy to be there at all!

Non musical highlights was just everything else going on around us really, the atmosphere, the people, all the random fancy dressed folks, random free hugs, the security in the campsite arena actually being fair, friendly and sensible!, the macaroni cheese in that loch fyne area (i also tried an oyster for the very first time out of curiousity and they tasted exactly like i imagined, slimy, salty, fishy and rank! dunno what i expected!)

Definately plan to go back for my 4th bella next year, and if they happen to get a few bands i really like its just a bonus!

[Spooner]

Free hugs! I got duped. A wee boy asked my friend and i for a free hug.............then went running back to his mates saying "told you i would do that dare"

[stuc]

Yeah it was a great festival. I must admit, like other posters here, i was very close to not going this year as the lineup seemed so shite, but in the end decided to go anyway. I had a great time, and everyone i was with really enjoyed it too. Idlewild had the best lively crowd ive ever seen at Belladrum(crowdsurfers and all!) and were my band of the weekend by far. Wish i saw Twin Atlantic too as i heard they put on a good show, but the tent was full. Sons and Daughters cancelling was a blow as they were the band i wanted to see all weekend, but went and enjoyed shutter in the seedlings tent instead. I never saw any of SFG but the Waterboys were better than i thought they would be.

Food was great, i love that Loch Fyne tent - was at rockness and T in the park too. Security were excellent and all staff seemed very friendly compared to Rockness/ T in the Park(bunch of assholes). Overall a brilliant festival, cant wait to go back.

Edited August 11, 2008 by stuc

[cloud factory]

......big Derek would be a better one tho'

[anna72]

started badly, driving up there got lost 5 minutes from home (kid ye not) then went over the big bridge (kessock?) at inverness and got even more lost. Had decided at 11 am to take myself & 2 bairns up to see what B was all about. After frantic packing, shopping, raking thru garages/lofts to find tent (with poles), dashing to get a tkt we headed off.

As soon as we got there calm was restored. Car park guy let me temporarily illegally park so i wouldn't have to carry stuff miles. Girls at campsite help me put up tent (thank you). Into main site, so much going on, girls had a fantastic time. Highlight on Fri night was the tent with the dance music and drums (who were they?) Bonfire there was great, felt so relaxed.

'Cos I was with 2 kids, didn't get to see all the bands I wanted to... "Why would I want to watch a man with a stinky guitar?" -Milly aged 5. Why indeed...Thought I'd be bored but wasn't. Purely 'cos of all the decent people we met there. Met all kinds of folk and ALL were good people. That's what made this festival for me, the people.

Will be back

PS my dream line up for 09

Cinematic Orchestra

Belle & Sebastian

Patrick Watson

Polar Bear

zz top (he he!)

[rollergirl]

started badly, driving up there got lost 5 minutes from home (kid ye not) then went over the big bridge (kessock?) at inverness and got even more lost. Had decided at 11 am to take myself & 2 bairns up to see what B was all about. After frantic packing, shopping, raking thru garages/lofts to find tent (with poles), dashing to get a tkt we headed off.

As soon as we got there calm was restored. Car park guy let me temporarily illegally park so i wouldn't have to carry stuff miles. Girls at campsite help me put up tent (thank you). Into main site, so much going on, girls had a fantastic time. Highlight on Fri night was the tent with the dance music and drums (who were they?) Bonfire there was great, felt so relaxed.

'Cos I was with 2 kids, didn't get to see all the bands I wanted to... "Why would I want to watch a man with a stinky guitar?" -Milly aged 5. Why indeed...Thought I'd be bored but wasn't. Purely 'cos of all the decent people we met there. Met all kinds of folk and ALL were good people. That's what made this festival for me, the people.

Will be back

PS my dream line up for 09

Cinematic Orchestra

Belle & Sebastian

Patrick Watson

Polar Bear

zz top (he he!)

[A D Lewis]

Glad you had a good time after the horrible start Also glad to hear the bonfire was there again, was always a part of bella that me and the little one enjoyed

[crafter]

Saw Kissmet at the Hotrod Stage. Thought they were fantastic.