Kendal Calling 2010

[eFestivals]

hi Andy,

Thank you for taking the time to respond to the posts that've been made here.

However, I'm going to take you to task about this....

I did spend a few hours on the Sunday going from stall to stall speaking to traders and everyone I spoke to was happy with the exception of one caterer (who had very good advice for resolving his particular problems for next year) - I appreciate that's not the sentiment here online so would ask that you email me personally at andy@kendalcalling.com with feedback so that we can improve. As a trader though, you will know that it's not the festival that books, charges, liaises and sites the traders or caterers.

... because the bit I've bolded is a complete and utter cop-out.

Whoever might run your trader concessions, they're doing so on your behalf - it doesn't much matter what your precise deal with them is, ultimately they're the managers for you of your trader concessions. As such, you either stand behind them as doing the job to a satisfactory standard, or you say they messed up (and from that decide how it'll be handled next year).

Just because you've sold on in some manner the rights for traders, they don't not become the festival's responsibility. It's YOUR festival.

[naarjtie]

My apologies that it came across that way Neil, in my head I was replying directly to Refusal's comment that "You know the organiser is in talks with people about pitch fees and location" as this is not the case - fees and location are handled by an outside concessions chief.

I am accepting that the buck stops with us as organisers, so I did (and do) encourage traders to email me on the address mentioned so that I have something detailed to take to those in charge of concessions and thus any problems can be addressed for next year.

[eFestivals]

My apologies that it came across that way Neil, in my head I was replying directly to Refusal's comment that "You know the organiser is in talks with people about pitch fees and location" as this is not the case - fees and location are handled by an outside concessions chief.

I am accepting that the buck stops with us as organisers, so I did (and do) encourage traders to email me on the address mentioned so that I have something detailed to take to those in charge of concessions and thus any problems can be addressed for next year.

Nice one.

Apologies for jumping down your throat - just having read it back it sounds far harsher than I meant it.

[llcoolphil]

To be fair, you would pay the same amount or more at most festivals for a can, the real ale was just priced correctly.

[llcoolphil]

quote name='naarjtie' timestamp='1280931222' post='3383515']

Regarding security attitudes, If anyone has any specific comments, please get in touch at the above address as this is something we will be looking at.

[llcoolphil]

Review here

http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/kendalcalling/2010/review-overview.shtml

[LOCHLAND5]

I found the attitude of security anywhere between fine and fun. However, Id be interested to know why people were searched down to socks and shoes entering the arena

This for me could be a real downfall for the festival. You price tickets at £85 and have a line up to sell tickets to young uns, who have the least to spend at a festival. You get older festival goers in with things like the Kaylied stage who have the money to spend over the bar, and that subsidises the cheap ticket price. But the pricing and no alcohol in the arena positively encourages massive binge drinking between acts on the campsite for those that cant afford bar prices and behaviour deteriorates - its what happens when you're young, drunk and stupid, we've all been there. And that puts off older punters from returning. £3.50 for a pint of ale - good enough, especially for the quality. £3.20 for a can of carlsberg is taking the piss - it's 80p retail in the spar round the corner, so your mark up on wholesale is extortionate.

And can you explain why if I bought 4 they all had to be opened?

[llcoolphil]

They open them because HSE states it, un opened they can be used as a missile opened they are far less dangerous. Most large arenas take bottle tops off soft drink bottles for this reason now it's life where there's blame there's a claim !

[eFestivals]

They open them because HSE states it

Then this is something you need to challenge them on. It's ridiculous.

If you challenge them over it, they'll back down - there's plenty of examples you can put forwards of things no less available on a festival site that could be used as missiles (and which don't cost!), yet aren't.

If you roll over for them they'll just turn the screw ever tighter. I think you might be surprised how well they react to 'no' over something quite so ridiculous, from what other festie organisers have said.

Alternatively, just get barrels next time.

Edited August 4, 2010 by eFestivals

[refusal]

The Sunday night singer I believe would have been Louis Barabbas - she played twice that day with both Bling Dog Daddy-O and The Bedlam 6.

Edited August 4, 2010 by refusal

[cavey]

Review here

http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/kendalcalling/2010/review-overview.shtml

[LOCHLAND5]

Then this is something you need to challenge them on. It's ridiculous.

If you challenge them over it, they'll back down - there's plenty of examples you can put forwards of things no less available on a festival site that could be used as missiles (and which don't cost!), yet aren't.

If you roll over for them they'll just turn the screw ever tighter. I think you might be surprised how well they react to 'no' over something quite so ridiculous, from what other festie organisers have said.

Alternatively, just get barrels next time.

[Churchills_Mohican]

It is a shame that some people have had such a negative experience at Kendal Calling this year.

Yes, of course, there are things that need sorting before next year (Take note KC organisers pretty please )- but other than that I had a fantastic experience.

Problemo uno as mentioned before; underage drinkers. It was such an issue. Fair play there might be some underagers who drink responsibly, or abide by the law 100% and don't have a drink - so kudos to them. However, there were a lot that I saw that I spoke to who were as young as 15/16 lugging crates around - bottles of vodka, sneaking it in their hoods into the arena. Maybe attempt to implement a system of asking for ID - time consuming I know, but otherwise its just going to ruin the festival for people, and generally end up taking up time of first aiders, st Johns etc treating planks who shouldn't sup so much illegally and end up on their arse by like six o'clock.

Next thing that needs tackling I think - and just to point out, I'm not gonna rant all the way through this message - I just want to help Kendal get better in every way possible - stewards. A conversation upon entering the sight went like this.

Steward - "Do you have glass bottles?"

Friend - "No"

Steward - "Any drugs?"

Friend - "No"

Steward - "BBQ?"

Friend - "No"

Steward - "On you go."

Friend was carrying in front of the steward a box containing two glass bottles of vodka & two glass bottles of wine. Literally all the steward had to do was open the box and they could have had all of that confiscated. Of course I'm not wanting anyones weekend to be s**t up by arsy stewards confiscating everything, but they seemed to be so relaxed on rules they probably should have been more stringent in enforcing - simply to make sure that Lowther Deer Park stays as beautiful as it should.

So yeah. I think thats me.

I'll be returning next year - ok, the toilets smelled, and there were a few prats peeing in the bushes, singing, shouting - being a bit stupid, beer was extortionatly priced & the chavalance at Calvin Harris was horrible - but nobody is perfect.

There were some brilliant bands on in the smaller tents if you wanted to avoid the munters in the main arena - as there are at so many other festi's. Baked A La Ska, The Semonela Pilchards, Louis Barrabas..

And then you get the brilliantly fantastic King Blues on the main stage (Who - for future reference KC peoples - I would quite like to have had a longer set ) - politically genious, ska-bopping, folk ukeleleists on the main stage. They were bob on.

For what you pay & what you get Kendal's not half bad

[Betsy]

It is a shame that some people have had such a negative experience at Kendal Calling this year.

Yes, of course, there are things that need sorting before next year (Take note KC organisers pretty please )- but other than that I had a fantastic experience.

Problemo uno as mentioned before; underage drinkers. It was such an issue. Fair play there might be some underagers who drink responsibly, or abide by the law 100% and don't have a drink - so kudos to them. However, there were a lot that I saw that I spoke to who were as young as 15/16 lugging crates around - bottles of vodka, sneaking it in their hoods into the arena. Maybe attempt to implement a system of asking for ID - time consuming I know, but otherwise its just going to ruin the festival for people, and generally end up taking up time of first aiders, st Johns etc treating planks who shouldn't sup so much illegally and end up on their arse by like six o'clock.

Next thing that needs tackling I think - and just to point out, I'm not gonna rant all the way through this message - I just want to help Kendal get better in every way possible - stewards. A conversation upon entering the sight went like this.

Steward - "Do you have glass bottles?"

Friend - "No"

Steward - "Any drugs?"

Friend - "No"

Steward - "BBQ?"

Friend - "No"

Steward - "On you go."

Friend was carrying in front of the steward a box containing two glass bottles of vodka & two glass bottles of wine. Literally all the steward had to do was open the box and they could have had all of that confiscated. Of course I'm not wanting anyones weekend to be s**t up by arsy stewards confiscating everything, but they seemed to be so relaxed on rules they probably should have been more stringent in enforcing - simply to make sure that Lowther Deer Park stays as beautiful as it should.

So yeah. I think thats me.

I'll be returning next year - ok, the toilets smelled, and there were a few prats peeing in the bushes, singing, shouting - being a bit stupid, beer was extortionatly priced & the chavalance at Calvin Harris was horrible - but nobody is perfect.

There were some brilliant bands on in the smaller tents if you wanted to avoid the munters in the main arena - as there are at so many other festi's. Baked A La Ska, The Semonela Pilchards, Louis Barrabas..

And then you get the brilliantly fantastic King Blues on the main stage (Who - for future reference KC peoples - I would quite like to have had a longer set ) - politically genious, ska-bopping, folk ukeleleists on the main stage. They were bob on.

For what you pay & what you get Kendal's not half bad

[eFestivals]

Your reply makes you sound like I'm connected to the festival I'm not in any way! I'm just a fan ! I think the KC crew may of had a hard time off the HSE a guy delivering plant got his crane out under electrical power lines then electrocuted himself the KC crew saved his life! It wasn't KCs fault but I would imagine the HSE then made them dance to their tune.

You all go on about the rubbish on site I made all of the wooden bag holders all over the site 50 in total I did this for free and in return they put me on the guest list next year if they want more they can have them , I call it work in kind mr efest or do you want to pick holes in this too.

Wind ya neck in buddy efest !

My apologies for mistakenly thinking yours was a post by Andy. That's the second time I did that sort of thing yesterday, must try harder.

But anyway, what I said stands. If opening the cans was a H&S stipulation as you said, it's ridiculous, and one the fest should be able to get over-turned without difficulty if they try to.

As for the rest, I've made no comment at all about rubbish (cos I wasn't there to see it), so it seems you're as good at making posts back at the wrong person as I am.

But unlike you I'm mistakenly telling no one to "Wind ya neck in".... well, I wasn't. Wind ya neck in.

[MickeyMo]

Thanks, firstly for that, and secondly for responding with such honesty and calmness. It always makes a bad situation better when concerns are listened to, so thanks.

PS it wasn't Louis Barabbas, or it sounds very different online, she was with a guy on double bass and one on drums, soul/jazz sunday quite late about 12-1ish I reckon.

[LOCHLAND5]

My apologies for mistakenly thinking yours was a post by Andy. That's the second time I did that sort of thing yesterday, must try harder.

But anyway, what I said stands. If opening the cans was a H&S stipulation as you said, it's ridiculous, and one the fest should be able to get over-turned without difficulty if they try to.

As for the rest, I've made no comment at all about rubbish (cos I wasn't there to see it), so it seems you're as good at making posts back at the wrong person as I am.

But unlike you I'm mistakenly telling no one to "Wind ya neck in".... well, I wasn't. Wind ya neck in.

[MickeyMo]

Right. Having had a few days to consider my thoughts (and having posted some already!) I would like to make the following points and observations as suggestions for making the festival even better. Bear in mind this was my first festival after over 30 years of gig going!

Plus Points

1. The setting was excellent, the layout of the arena was good and the location was easy to find, with very little queuing to get to the car park.

2. The lineup was generally excellent. There were some decent sized bands on the main stage I wanted to see but the real positive for me was the opportunity to see bands I'd read about (Pulled Apart By Horses, Seal Cub Clubbing Club), seen before (Underdogs, Sound of Guns, Stan's Magic Foot, Louis Barabbas) or never heard of(Micky P Kerr, General Fiasco, Tankus The Henge, Baked A La Ska) in a smallish venue without overcrowding.

3. There was a good choice of food available, which whilst not cheap was not outrageously priced.

4. The smaller tents such as Kaylied and Riot Jazz were great for taking a breather and recharging your batteries.

5. The Holy Quail, with its excellent selection of local real ales, was a massive plus point for me. £3.50 for a pint? Again, a bit pricey but not extortionate. It was well kept, at a good temperature and the bar was well staffed. Obviously supplies ran out but hopefully that's a lesson learned for next year. Top marks for all the beers I sampled.

6. The weather was a surprise. We probably had not much more that 10 or 15 minutes of rain per day, excluding the night time. This was another massive bonus as most of the forecasts in the week leading up to it had been for rain pretty much constantly. We didn't even need to use our newly purchased wellies.

7. I was there with my 15 year old son and he had a ball. He didn't go off on his own, but we managed to find loads to do together (and all without him felling the need to get wasted!).

8. A generally good vibe. The Saturday fancy dress was inspired - I just wish we had taken more notice of this in advance and could have come prepared. Next time!

9. I had no issues personally with security. I thought they were generally good humoured and tolerant, although I've read a few horror stories (obviously only told from one perspective). This probably had more to do with my age and the fact I had my son with me. If anything I'd have liked a stricter approach on the boozing, noise and rubbish front.

Minus Points

1. On arrival just after 9am on Friday we found the campsite was not yet open. There was a big queue to get in but once inside, we wanted to pitch in a quiet area. There were no signs indicating where this was (I saw none the whole time we were there although I have seen reference by other board members to some being up later).

2. It was only much later on, having pitched the tent and unloaded the car, that we realised we were between two large groups. One of these turned out be a gang of 15/20 lads in their teens whose main aim appeared to be to drink as much as possible, deposit the rubbish in a large pile and try to outdo each other in sexual innuendo or just blatant obscenity. Friday night was particularly bad as they were shouting, not just talking, well after 4am. I invested in a pair of ear plugs for the next two nights.

3. This leads to a general point about underage drinkers. Many of those I saw drinking copiously were obviously underage yet I never saw anyone challenged. This did lead to an unsettling atmosphere at times. I must admit that this was not what I was expecting here. If it had been Leeds, for example, I would have been less surprised. Why do people feel the need to throw missiles at the band when they are performing? Or even around the crowd? It might only be water, although it happened with full cans of lager too, but it's annoying and uncalled for. Jimi Goodwin of Doves took a hit with a bottle of water early on and I could see it went over him. When you're playing expensive instruments it's not what you want and I wouldn't have blamed him for walking off. He did have a goa at someone in the crowd a bit later, presumably for trying something similar.

4. Such an eclectic mix of music styles, whilst being generally great, can lead to tensions. I'm no fan of dance music generally yet a lot of the young, heavy drinkers appeared to be there for that. This is a difficult one as I'm trying not to stereotype, but for me the festival would not lose anything if the dance tent was replaced with more venues such as Riot Jazz and Kaylied. Probably controversial for some, but just an opinion. I'm not suggesting a cosy, middle-class festival but just an audience with more people who showed some courtesy and respect.

5. The rubbish piled up outside tents was not a great sight. It's not too difficult to put a beer can in a bin bag is it?

6. The toilets were smelly, but that was not a surprise! The best £2 I spent all weekend was that which I paid to use the compost toilets!

Overall I had a great time - the fact it still occupies my thoughts after nearly four days back speaks volumes. Next year I would like to come back with some friends who also have kids. The family area would probably be unsuitable as there would be 15/16 year olds. It would be great to think that we could chill outside the tents at night without being rowdy and disruptive (can we have an area just for this purpose please!!!) but there is a fine line and one group's chilling out is probably another's unacceptable levels of noise.

Bands for next year please - King Blues with a longer set, Lancashire Hotpots again, Half Man Half Biscuit would be wonderful. Who else? Elbow would work, Cherry Ghost, Dawn Chorus, Frank Turner, Teenage Fanclub - trying to keep it realistic at least! The smaller bands were brilliant - kudos to whoever decided on the bookings.

All in all a success from my point of view, just one that could, and hopefully will in the future, be even better.

Edited August 5, 2010 by MickeyMo

[eFestivals]

If you wernt there why stir the pot?

I'm doing no such thing. I'm making a suggestion based on knowledge gained which I feel is of use to the organisers.

It was good in my opinion , I just hope it's on next year cos there's now talk of a petition which would be shame!

Buddy efest I guess you won

eh? Are you REALLY suggesting that I'm wanting Kendal Calling to fail?

As the person running this website, I can assure you that I want EVERY festival to be a huge success.

But that doesn't ever mean that any event is beyond criticism for what they might have done better. After all, success comes from doing things well, not from disappointing the attendees with one or more aspects of any event.

You really do have some bad neck problems.

[LOCHLAND5]

I'm doing no such thing. I'm making a suggestion based on knowledge gained which I feel is of use to the organisers.

eh? Are you REALLY suggesting that I'm wanting Kendal Calling to fail?

As the person running this website, I can assure you that I want EVERY festival to be a huge success.

But that doesn't ever mean that any event is beyond criticism for what they might have done better. After all, success comes from doing things well, not from disappointing the attendees with one or more aspects of any event.

You really do have some bad neck problems.

[SharonStoned]

Only 3 concerns from me:

Thursday night was a shambles, no signs, no information nobody knew what was going on. We were told we could camp in a particular spot and had to dismantle 2 big tents as was told later we couldn't. We actually had an early night on the Thursday as we couldn't be arsed going to the arena after pitching twice. Saving a space for our friends was a nightmare (which was the only reason we went on Thursday so a complete waste of money) and we ended up spread out. My daughter went to Sonisphere on the Thursday too and got much better treatment - and it was only a fiver

Security kicked out 2 knobs who were camped near us - they appeared to lose their ability to count to 2 and were seen to throw all of our chairs in the trailer with the knob head's tent (I think they took 8, could have been more, other people around us were also missing their chairs). This left us with nothing to sit on and we were camped in a huge patch of nettles so we were literally sharing 2 chairs between 12 of us so had to sit in our tent or stand up when we were not in the arena.

Drinks. There were 2 kids with us - one 5 & one 7. When they bought a drink they had the lid removed so ended up wasting most of it as kids only take sips. Bollocks to h & s. As Phil says there were rocks all over the site which could have caused a lot more damage than a half inch lid thrown by a 5 year old.

Other than that we had a ball, went with some lovely people and met some lovely people when there

The site was lovely, the staff/security/police were very friendly.

Toilets were far better (but could have been a bit more spread out in the camp site?)

Will be back next year.

[Churchills_Mohican]

Maybe it seems that Kendal was just trying to run before it could walk - perhaps got a little too big in too short a space of time - obviously only on a few things though.

Spoke to someone today who's boyfriend works for Cumbria police - they apparently accredited Kendal weekend as a "success" - having only arrested 85 people. I'm going to take this figure with a pinch of salt, and too I'm not sure as to whether to take this figure as a good thing or not; if they did arrest 85 out of a crowd of 8000 (which was more likely 8000+ as some tits decided to sneak in) that is is only 1%, which is a tiny proportion of the people there behaving like they shouldn't have. Keeping the crowd under control, OR, not working hard enough to catch the plonkers?

Oh, and Sharonstoned - your daughter got Soni tickets for a fiver? That is a bargain!

[goonerming]

i for one had a great time as did my group of about 20 friends,and the only problems we saw were the underage chavs pissed on two lagers,simple solution for this,no under 18's allowed in without parents,check all i.d's before allowing into the festival,state clearly on website and tickets no under 18's,more security checking randomly for i.d's,and when caught kick em out,if the chavs think the only way they are going to get in is with parents they won't want to go anyway.I'm sure fellow e-festers can add their own solutions on how to deal with, what in my opinion is very small problems at this festival.

[MickeyMo]

i for one had a great time as did my group of about 20 friends,and the only problems we saw were the underage chavs pissed on two lagers,simple solution for this,no under 18's allowed in without parents,check all i.d's before allowing into the festival,state clearly on website and tickets no under 18's,more security checking randomly for i.d's,and when caught kick em out,if the chavs think the only way they are going to get in is with parents they won't want to go anyway.I'm sure fellow e-festers can add their own solutions on how to deal with, what in my opinion is very small problems at this festival.

[duwey]

Apologies if someone's mentioned this but I haven't been on here for a few days and don't have the time or patience to read through 3 pages of the thread!

People have complained about the price of lager but said the price of the ale was fine. I was fairly drunk for the majority of the weekend but I'm pretty sure the bar to the left of the main stage was selling pints of Tuborg (i.e. slightly stronger Carlsberg) for £3.50, the same as the ales. Although not exactly the best lager in the world I thought that was a decent price for a festival.