The Park

[stuartbert two hats]

Following on from the other thread on improving the festival, it got me thinking about Emily's microcosm festival, The Park. It was tweaked a bit in 2008 and no doubt will have been refined again this year. What would you change about it? Here's what I'd do:

• Bring back the couches. Ok, they didn't really work in 2007, what with all the mud, but would have been fab last year with the better weather.

• Don't try to cram so much in. I like the eclectic mix and I like the idea of lots of bands, but the reality of more bands means more time overall involved in setting up, so less actual music. It also means that bands run late, so you get Franz Ferdinand "surprising" people who are waiting for Dizzee Rascal, who is already late!

• Better walkways at the bottom gate in. I know there is a balance to be drawn between the affect on the land and the laying down of walkways, but in 2007 this area was seriously muddy. Got away with it last year, but that was luck.

• A Brother's Bar and the moon on a stick!

That is all

[srvman]

personally id change not alot, maybe put the piano in tune.....

oh and move the stage about 20ft back....or 10 ft higher

when its busy its probably one of the few stages where u could barely see the stage when busy, if you didnt know where to stand, memories of not being able to see FF last year kinda f**ked me off....

but content wise it was one of my favourite stages.....maybe have a screen even?

[Hellborne]

I'd definitely agree with your 2nd point. I saw CSS at the Park last year and because of delays they could only do a really short set which was a bit dissapointing.

There's not much else I'd change though as it's a really good setup. I particularly like the "bus-shelters" where you can chill out and still hear the bands on the stage.

[IRISHMANC]

never got down there myself...someone sum up the vibe and surroundings?

[Wooderson]

The baker in the dress and bad eyeliner serving nuclear-strength measures in the Bimble Inn to be cloned and installed as bar manager on a pan-site basis.

[paulo999]

never got down there myself...someone sum up the vibe and surroundings?

[cdm22]

I think the Park had it pretty much right last year....also loved the tent with the Hip Hop Kareoke in it

[Petewasbristol]

I would say the mud, going uphill (and to the side) was a bit of a problem. Maybe the need to have a better walkway?

[dunc55]

Following on from the other thread on improving the festival, it got me thinking about Emily's microcosm festival, The Park. It was tweaked a bit in 2008 and no doubt will have been refined again this year. What would you change about it? Here's what I'd do:

• Bring back the couches. Ok, they didn't really work in 2007, what with all the mud, but would have been fab last year with the better weather.

• Don't try to cram so much in. I like the eclectic mix and I like the idea of lots of bands, but the reality of more bands means more time overall involved in setting up, so less actual music. It also means that bands run late, so you get Franz Ferdinand "surprising" people who are waiting for Dizzee Rascal, who is already late!

• Better walkways at the bottom gate in. I know there is a balance to be drawn between the affect on the land and the laying down of walkways, but in 2007 this area was seriously muddy. Got away with it last year, but that was luck.

• A Brother's Bar and the moon on a stick!

That is all

[General Lee]

Better organisation of the running times - I turned up to see Battles and MGMT were still playing into Battles supposed start time. With the changeover Battles only then managed a 4 song set despite being second from top of the bill - I imagine they found that well worth flying in from America for...

[Alcatraz]

Better organisation of the running times - I turned up to see Battles and MGMT were still playing into Battles supposed start time. With the changeover Battles only then managed a 4 song set despite being second from top of the bill - I imagine they found that well worth flying in from America for...

[stuartbert two hats]

Better organisation of the running times - I turned up to see Battles and MGMT were still playing into Battles supposed start time. With the changeover Battles only then managed a 4 song set despite being second from top of the bill - I imagine they found that well worth flying in from America for...

[ToxicJesus]

Agreed 100% with trying to put too much on and messing up stage times. I missed Dizzee because of the whole Franz debarcle, can't stand Franz either so it was an all round shitfest, that's no way to treat a band as good as Battles either! Also Hip Hop Karaoke on for longer, and every day. Also if these Animal Collective rumours are true then give them a 5 hour set

[staggerlee]

The Park was my favourite area along last year. I thought the set up, especially the Rabbit hole was tip top.

[stuartbert two hats]

Agreed 100% with trying to put too much on and messing up stage times. I missed Dizzee because of the whole Franz debarcle, can't stand Franz either so it was an all round shitfest, that's no way to treat a band as good as Battles either! Also Hip Hop Karaoke on for longer, and every day. Also if these Animal Collective rumours are true then give them a 5 hour set

[Neville Street]

We spent a lot of time in The Park last year, even though we were camped in Kidney Mead! Echo much of the above.

In defence of the timings I think the "secret" FF slot messed up the running order that night, and the Damon Albarn thing the other night, but I could be confused....by the hidden frozen Marguerita bar in the big noisy tent bar at the top

Bimble Inn was also excellent, 3DM at 0100

Watching the sandscape develop over the week

So, not much to change, but my main agree/disagree would be: move back the stage 10-20ft, we were saying this ourselves when we were there, and my disagree is no screen please.

[Kate Mc]

Like everyone else I really enjoyed the Park area last year, it's much calmer and more chilled out than the rest of the site. I loved the Rabbit-Hole and the Tree House Cafe too.

I would agree and say maybe move the stage slightly though.

Oh and I would say they should definitely keep the random ice cream van and trolley that was concreted to the floor !