Just back from Big Session

[Bartholomew Banks]

Hello all,

Spent an enjoyable Saturday at the Big Session which is the sister festival to the Summer Sundae here in Leicester but have been talking to various people in the know and I'm really concerned that the new organisers of Summer Sundae are changing things for the worse. Got a half price ticket from the Council.

It's shocking but people from the real ale tent have been telling me that they're not coming back to this years Summer Sundae. The organisers have decided to make more money by plumping for a yuppie bar from Henley who have never served a pint of real ale before. It'll mean that each pint of ale will cost us at least £4. Clearly a disgusting travesty.

I was with somebody who tried to give a CD of their music to both Rob Challis (the new organiser) and Andy Black (fringe organiser). Both were rude were to her and keener on talking to their London types whilst drinking copious amounts of Old Rosie cider. She said that their attitude was disgusting and compared it the old organiser Richard Haswell who always had a warm and welcoming word for her.

Apparently, there's all sorts of other differences as well. They won't be the Phrased and Confused tent this year. The promoters of this tent are really big friends with Richard Haswell and refused to do it. Rob Challis didn't mind because he's not at all interested in the things outside of music. That might explain why the poetry hour at the Big Session was on at 11.30 in the morning rather than its usual afternoon slot.

There's all sorts of other changes as well apparently. Different MC's apparently really bland commercial radio DJ's because Richard isn't going to be there, different DJ's (because they're friends with Richard and didn't want to work it if he wasn't) and different staff. Ken isn't working because he's too closely aligned with Richard.

Hoping this all isn't true because I love Summer Sundae and the friendly vibe that it has. I can see that change is a good thing but all of these changes seem to suggest that Summer Sundae is being run by committee by London types and their acolytes rather than the people who know.

Barty

Edited June 21, 2010 by Rob ic

[Ed Leaf]

Who are you Barthy?

Clearly a first time post on this site being a complete hatchet job based on, hearsay and they say, on this year''s festival is questionable. A little bit of honesty/transparency goes a long way with this kind of post. PM me if you like.

I would say that any artist trying to push their stuff on a festival that announced it's bill two months ago isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer. If I were in Rob's shoes I'd have teased them about this. Rob was running BS so I guess his priorities lay elsewhere.

Ed.

Edited June 20, 2010 by Ed Leaf

[Tim Hill]

Hello all,

Spent an enjoyable Saturday at the Big Session which is the sister festival to the Summer Sundae here in Leicester but have been talking to various people in the know and I'm really concerned that the new organisers of Summer Sundae are changing things for the worse. Got a half price ticket from the Council.

It's shocking but people from the real ale tent have been telling me that they're not coming back to this years Summer Sundae. The organisers have decided to make more money by plumping for a yuppie bar from Henley who have never served a pint of real ale before. It'll mean that each pint of ale will cost us at least £4. Clearly a disgusting travesty.

I was with somebody who tried to give a CD of their music to both Rob Challis (the new organiser) and Andy Black (fringe organiser). Both were rude were to her and keener on talking to their London types whilst drinking copious amounts of Old Rosie cider. She said that their attitude was disgusting and compared it the old organiser Richard Haswell who always had a warm and welcoming word for her.

Apparently, there's all sorts of other differences as well. They won't be the Phrased and Confused tent this year. The promoters of this tent are really big friends with Richard Haswell and refused to do it. Rob Challis didn't mind because he's not at all interested in the things outside of music. That might explain why the poetry hour at the Big Session was on at 11.30 in the morning rather than its usual afternoon slot.

There's all sorts of other changes as well apparently. Different MC's apparently really bland commercial radio DJ's because Richard isn't going to be there, different DJ's (because they're friends with Richard and didn't want to work it if he wasn't) and different staff. Ken isn't working because he's too closely aligned with Richard.

Hoping this all isn't true because I love Summer Sundae and the friendly vibe that it has. I can see that change is a good thing but all of these changes seem to suggest that Summer Sundae is being run by committee by London types and their acolytes rather than the people who know.

Barty

[andyblack]

Hello all,

Spent an enjoyable Saturday at the Big Session which is the sister festival to the Summer Sundae here in Leicester but have been talking to various people in the know and I'm really concerned that the new organisers of Summer Sundae are changing things for the worse. Got a half price ticket from the Council.

It's shocking but people from the real ale tent have been telling me that they're not coming back to this years Summer Sundae. The organisers have decided to make more money by plumping for a yuppie bar from Henley who have never served a pint of real ale before. It'll mean that each pint of ale will cost us at least £4. Clearly a disgusting travesty.

I was with somebody who tried to give a CD of their music to both Rob Challis (the new organiser) and Andy Black (fringe organiser). Both were rude were to her and keener on talking to their London types whilst drinking copious amounts of Old Rosie cider. She said that their attitude was disgusting and compared it the old organiser Richard Haswell who always had a warm and welcoming word for her.

Apparently, there's all sorts of other differences as well. They won't be the Phrased and Confused tent this year. The promoters of this tent are really big friends with Richard Haswell and refused to do it. Rob Challis didn't mind because he's not at all interested in the things outside of music. That might explain why the poetry hour at the Big Session was on at 11.30 in the morning rather than its usual afternoon slot.

There's all sorts of other changes as well apparently. Different MC's apparently really bland commercial radio DJ's because Richard isn't going to be there, different DJ's (because they're friends with Richard and didn't want to work it if he wasn't) and different staff. Ken isn't working because he's too closely aligned with Richard.

Hoping this all isn't true because I love Summer Sundae and the friendly vibe that it has. I can see that change is a good thing but all of these changes seem to suggest that Summer Sundae is being run by committee by London types and their acolytes rather than the people who know.

Barty

Edited June 20, 2010 by andyblack

[Joe-]

How were stornoway?

[butchwade]

That's a helluva first post Barty!

Most people ease themselves onto the forums, not dive straight in with such a severe tone.

It does look like you have an axe to grind somewhere.....

You seem to know an awful lot of background information.

Are you going to post anything further to prove you are a genuine e-fester, or is it (hatchet) job done for you?

I simply refuse to believe that Andy Black was rude to anyone, he has never ever been anything but friendly and charming as far as I know, even during last year's fringe when he was extremely stressed!

Yes,Andy, how were Stornoway?

[beautifulloser]

Thank God i hate real Ale!

seriously, strikes me that there was more to that post than meets the eye and i for one have taken it with a pinch a salt. An axe to grind somewhere maybe?

It does throw up the thought though that the festival will probably have to change slightly and become a little more commercially aware if it wants to survive and if it means we can still get 3 days of great music in Leicester with a lovely chilled out vibe then i for one will accept a little more sponsorship around the place.

however answer the important questions:

1. how were stornoway

2. How was Miles Hunt?

[andyblack]

I simply refuse to believe that Andy Black was rude to anyone, he has never ever been anything but friendly and charming as far as I know, even during last year's fringe when he was extremely stressed!

Yes,Andy, how were Stornoway?

[Kaybee]

I didn't see Miles Hunt or Stornoway, if that's any help.

Wowser first post OP - I'm not going to dignify it with much of a response other to to say that I don't think your sources are up to much - of the bits I do know about, you're way off the mark. And the 5th para gave me the biggest laugh I've had in ages.

Oh and a half price ticket from the Council - how does that work exactly? I'm intrigued....

[beautifulloser]

I didn't see Miles Hunt or Stornoway, if that's any help.

[seantizz]

Yep - I can only echo what others have said. I feel a bit sorry for you that you weren't able to just enjoy the fabulous entertainment at the Big Session rather than trying to stir things up on here.

[Ed Leaf]

Mind you, poetry hour moved to 11.30 in the morning? This is a bad thing? Oh strike me down with your big rhyming wordy words you underfed liberal dilettantes. If it was down to me it would be poetry half hour with no change over time and a good scrap at the end whilst I stick a tenner on the winner. Just like it was a Big Session 2007.

[andyblack]

you mean the year you programmed the orange tree tent for the big session?

that was the stupidly muddy year wasnt it?

Edited June 21, 2010 by andyblack

[Rob ic]

Hi Bartholomew,

Glad you had a good time at Big Session.

Just to clarify, you are stating that you obtained a "half price ticket" from the Council to attend Saturday at Big Session and then joined the messageboards at 8.15am on Sunday; subsequently posting hatchet job on the festivals to show your appreciation?

Your email contains a whole number of untruths, which I am not going to reply in full to, but I will reply to some points:

- I've returned to Herts (not London) with a handful of CDs. Would be good to know what act is claiming that they tried to give me a cd. Why don't they or you send a link?

- I don't remember seeing many/any "London types" at Big Session.

- The two festivals have a working group of individuals who have worked on the festivals over many years. Not a committee of "London types".

Whatever you are inferring does not sound very complimentary.

As for all the other information re djs, mcs, bars etc. I don't know where you are getting your information from, but it's full of a number of inaccuracies.

So you know, I also know the people who run Phrased and Confused. I've known them for over 10 years. Needless to say I am upset by your comment. You may or may not know but I've worked on Summer Sundae for 10 years and Big Session for 6 years. As one of the founders of both festivals I don't think your assertion that I care only about the music holds water. So you know, Phrased and Confused received funding to present their stage at Summer Sundae in 2008 and 2009; that funding was not available this year. That's the sole reason they are not here.

If you personally care so much about the festivals perhaps you should reveal why you have such an axe to grind at this moment? We've just produced a great weekend and you are intent on spreading a negative message.

all the best

Rob

[beautifulloser]

Hi Bartholomew,

Glad you had a good time at Big Session.

Just to clarify, you are stating that you obtained a "half price ticket" from the Council to attend Saturday at Big Session and then joined the messageboards at 8.15am on Sunday; subsequently posting hatchet job on the festivals to show your appreciation?

Your email contains a whole number of untruths, which I am not going to reply in full to, but I will reply to some points:

- I've returned to Herts (not London) with a handful of CDs. Would be good to know what act is claiming that they tried to give me a cd. Why don't they or you send a link?

- I don't remember seeing many/any "London types" at Big Session.

- The two festivals have a working group of individuals who have worked on the festivals over many years. Not a committee of "London types".

Whatever you are inferring does not sound very complimentary.

As for all the other information re djs, mcs, bars etc. I don't know where you are getting your information from, but it's full of a number of inaccuracies.

So you know, I also know the people who run Phrased and Confused. I've known them for over 10 years. Needless to say I am upset by your comment. You may or may not know but I've worked on Summer Sundae for 10 years and Big Session for 6 years. As one of the founders of both festivals I don't think your assertion that I care only about the music holds water. So you know, Phrased and Confused received funding to present their stage at Summer Sundae in 2008 and 2009; that funding was not available this year. That's the sole reason they are not here.

If you personally care so much about the festivals perhaps you should reveal why you have such an axe to grind at this moment? We've just produced a great weekend and you are intent on spreading a negative message.

all the best

Rob

[Tim Hill]

I like the way Bartholomew hasn't rushed back to defend himself wonder why?

I also find it rather amusing that he has an obvious soft spot for poetry yet has blatant disregard for spelling and grammar.

[Ed Leaf]

He's probably been at school all day. Or shopping up the precinct with his mum.

[Tim Hill]

Anyhow, i thought The Big Session this year was the best yet,i particularly enjoyed seeing Julian Gaskell And His Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, great call Rob.

[RichardH]

hey, its nothing to do with me - first time i've looked for ages - but apart from messrs wade, hill and loser (respect guys), are there actually any paying customers commenting on this thread?

[rob372]

As a paying punter, one very important question.

Real ale bar for summer sundae, yes or no ?

[LeeRaynor]

As a paying punter, one very important question.

Real ale bar for summer sundae, yes or no ?

[butchwade]

Likewise concerned. How else would we re-hydrate in the August sunshine...!

[Tim Hill]

What about the cocktails?

Niblet and I demand to have some cocktails!

Edited June 26, 2010 by Tim Hill

[Rob ic]

As a paying punter, one very important question.

Real ale bar for summer sundae, yes or no ?

[butchwade]

There will be a real ale bar at Summer Sundae with full range of ales. This was never in doubt. More info will be announced next week.