Feedback 2010

[blackcapsteve]

Well.

This was my second visit to Endorse It. I loved it. Here is some feedback..

Good Stuff

Much better wristband/ticket exchange.

Stewards / Security polite and efficient.

I could have watched the blond with her hair tied back in the DD stage all night as she efficiently removed glass bottles from people and moved them back if they were smoking.I was even tempted to spark up myself when she was on duty just to get her attention. I felt safe.

Nice Friendly People

There is an honesty about endorset which I love. There are lots of different sorts of people, from the 'lost boys' to the 'green wellies', who attend this event. They all seem to get on so well together. On ladies day I am flabbergasted at the effort put in by almost everybody. Its fantastic.

Strummerville

I love this section.. I had most of my best chats with strangers here. Between bands its a chance to get to the edge of all the action, and take a break.

Litter/Bins / toilets

he people who kept the place tidy certainly worked hard. I left one night (Saturday) and it was like a tip. The next morning it was pristine again. The toilets remained serviceable till the end. Those urinals... fantastic.

Food/Eating/Drinking

Once again I tried to sample most things (i'm a veggie) and once again I did not have a disappointing meal the whole weekend. Brilliant bar staff.

The Bands

A real good mix. Loved The Mopes, Sarah Griffin, Los Albertos, Love Grocer, Eskimo Fires etc..

Could do Better Stuff

Sound Levels

At one time watching an accoustic set at the Wildcat Stage, I could hear the constant pounding of the music in the beer tent, or in Purple Forge. It was like everyone was competing. To walk past the Beer tent to get from the Wildcat to the DD was like a gauntlet of assailing sound. There was even a trader right opposite the Beer tent who had his own sound system at full chat too. At one time when waiting for my cider to be delivered in the beer thent there was some sort of very loud trance stuff. I said to the woman next to me "Is it me or is this mind numbing shit that is being played?" She said - "Its not you, it is actually mind numbing shit". You may have discovered a cure for Binge Drinking. Make it the law for every bar in the land to play loud unpleasant music. Maybe its just that I dont much like Rave, I'm prepared to accept that.

Ideally the music in the tent needs to be just for the people in the tent, with maybe another zone of about 40 feet for people who want to listen outside. You need some sort of sound steward who knows what they are doing to wander around. The Purple Forge seemed to be shouting all the time. The Bus Bar equally was trying too hard, that the sound was very rarely not distorted, by pushing the system too hard.

[Flounder]

Well.

This was my second visit to Endorse It. I loved it. Here is some feedback..

Good Stuff

Much better wristband/ticket exchange.

Stewards / Security polite and efficient.

I could have watched the blond with her hair tied back in the DD stage all night as she efficiently removed glass bottles from people and moved them back if they were smoking.I was even tempted to spark up myself when she was on duty just to get her attention. I felt safe.

Nice Friendly People

There is an honesty about endorset which I love. There are lots of different sorts of people, from the 'lost boys' to the 'green wellies', who attend this event. They all seem to get on so well together. On ladies day I am flabbergasted at the effort put in by almost everybody. Its fantastic.

Strummerville

I love this section.. I had most of my best chats with strangers here. Between bands its a chance to get to the edge of all the action, and take a break.

Litter/Bins / toilets

he people who kept the place tidy certainly worked hard. I left one night (Saturday) and it was like a tip. The next morning it was pristine again. The toilets remained serviceable till the end. Those urinals... fantastic.

Food/Eating/Drinking

Once again I tried to sample most things (i'm a veggie) and once again I did not have a disappointing meal the whole weekend. Brilliant bar staff.

The Bands

A real good mix. Loved The Mopes, Sarah Griffin, Los Albertos, Love Grocer, Eskimo Fires etc..

Could do Better Stuff

Sound Levels

At one time watching an accoustic set at the Wildcat Stage, I could hear the constant pounding of the music in the beer tent, or in Purple Forge. It was like everyone was competing. To walk past the Beer tent to get from the Wildcat to the DD was like a gauntlet of assailing sound. There was even a trader right opposite the Beer tent who had his own sound system at full chat too. At one time when waiting for my cider to be delivered in the beer thent there was some sort of very loud trance stuff. I said to the woman next to me "Is it me or is this mind numbing shit that is being played?" She said - "Its not you, it is actually mind numbing shit". You may have discovered a cure for Binge Drinking. Make it the law for every bar in the land to play loud unpleasant music. Maybe its just that I dont much like Rave, I'm prepared to accept that.

Ideally the music in the tent needs to be just for the people in the tent, with maybe another zone of about 40 feet for people who want to listen outside. You need some sort of sound steward who knows what they are doing to wander around. The Purple Forge seemed to be shouting all the time. The Bus Bar equally was trying too hard, that the sound was very rarely not distorted, by pushing the system too hard.

[5co77ie]

I actually quite liked the fact you could hear stuff going on pretty much every where - agree the Caravan stage was a bit too close though. Loved the re-design Strummerville was also my favourite area - a much better location for it.

Band of the weekend for me were Symarip - fantastic!

Loads of other acts that I also liked, see my review once it's online for more details. The festival felt busier to me this year, either that or there was less open space. My only slight gripe is that the stage times on the DD seemed to keep going out, and with good acts on all stages it was a case of miss the act I wanted to catch in order to see another - did Credit to The Nation play?

That food stall next to to the merchandise and Kastaway had lovely food, and all the food I tried was excellent again this year!

Some of the scrumpy was rather good, so good in fact I kept getting a decent night's sleep every night.

The surprise act was a great choice too - although I liked the clue of a photo of them on the advert for the official 2010 DVD - very subtle!

Great weekend and indeed the costumes on Sunday were excellent - rather too excellent obviously for the guys camped next to us, who didn't want to change out of their dresses on the Monday! They did look very fetching

[Flounder]

I actually quite liked the fact you could hear stuff going on pretty much every where - agree the Caravan stage was a bit too close though. Loved the re-design Strummerville was also my favourite area - a much better location for it.

Band of the weekend for me were Symarip - fantastic!

Loads of other acts that I also liked, see my review once it's online for more details. The festival felt busier to me this year, either that or there was less open space. My only slight gripe is that the stage times on the DD seemed to keep going out, and with good acts on all stages it was a case of miss the act I wanted to catch in order to see another - did Credit to The Nation play?

That food stall next to to the merchandise and Kastaway had lovely food, and all the food I tried was excellent again this year!

Some of the scrumpy was rather good, so good in fact I kept getting a decent night's sleep every night.

The surprise act was a great choice too - although I liked the clue of a photo of them on the advert for the official 2010 DVD - very subtle!

Great weekend and indeed the costumes on Sunday were excellent - rather too excellent obviously for the guys camped next to us, who didn't want to change out of their dresses on the Monday! They did look very fetching

[purplepurge]

Well.

This was my second visit to Endorse It. I loved it. Here is some feedback..

Good Stuff

Much better wristband/ticket exchange.

Stewards / Security polite and efficient.

I could have watched the blond with her hair tied back in the DD stage all night as she efficiently removed glass bottles from people and moved them back if they were smoking.I was even tempted to spark up myself when she was on duty just to get her attention. I felt safe.

Nice Friendly People

There is an honesty about endorset which I love. There are lots of different sorts of people, from the 'lost boys' to the 'green wellies', who attend this event. They all seem to get on so well together. On ladies day I am flabbergasted at the effort put in by almost everybody. Its fantastic.

Strummerville

I love this section.. I had most of my best chats with strangers here. Between bands its a chance to get to the edge of all the action, and take a break.

Litter/Bins / toilets

he people who kept the place tidy certainly worked hard. I left one night (Saturday) and it was like a tip. The next morning it was pristine again. The toilets remained serviceable till the end. Those urinals... fantastic.

Food/Eating/Drinking

Once again I tried to sample most things (i'm a veggie) and once again I did not have a disappointing meal the whole weekend. Brilliant bar staff.

The Bands

A real good mix. Loved The Mopes, Sarah Griffin, Los Albertos, Love Grocer, Eskimo Fires etc..

Could do Better Stuff

Sound Levels

At one time watching an accoustic set at the Wildcat Stage, I could hear the constant pounding of the music in the beer tent, or in Purple Forge. It was like everyone was competing. To walk past the Beer tent to get from the Wildcat to the DD was like a gauntlet of assailing sound. There was even a trader right opposite the Beer tent who had his own sound system at full chat too. At one time when waiting for my cider to be delivered in the beer thent there was some sort of very loud trance stuff. I said to the woman next to me "Is it me or is this mind numbing shit that is being played?" She said - "Its not you, it is actually mind numbing shit". You may have discovered a cure for Binge Drinking. Make it the law for every bar in the land to play loud unpleasant music. Maybe its just that I dont much like Rave, I'm prepared to accept that.

Ideally the music in the tent needs to be just for the people in the tent, with maybe another zone of about 40 feet for people who want to listen outside. You need some sort of sound steward who knows what they are doing to wander around. The Purple Forge seemed to be shouting all the time. The Bus Bar equally was trying too hard, that the sound was very rarely not distorted, by pushing the system too hard.

Edited August 11, 2010 by purplepurge

[sadwitch]

I agree with everything blackcapsteve said. It has a lovely atmosphere and everyone's friendly from security to punters. Massively different atmosphere to Boomtown Hell. The toilets are clean until Monday morning, messy people still nice to each other. Security not getting unreasonable at any point. Good range of booze and food.

Couple of things to add;

I felt that this year, compared to when I've been before there was a little bit less variety in the music- there was A LOT of punky ska dub (as the programme declared everything to be ) and less skiffley, bluegrass, folky, hoedown style stuff though there was a bit more on Sunday.

The music/noise clash- especially in the area by the dancetent/bar was insane sometimes. There were quite a few areas where you could hear all the stages and bars. Is there no way to reduce this somehow? point them in different directions?

The music in the Pixie Chill area. I know this is not down to the organisers but that are would have been much nicer without the incessant creepy electronia. Actually it was quite funny and it was chilling I guess.

Edited August 10, 2010 by sadwitch

[glazz]

had a brilliant time and obviously more 'ladies' on sunday (myself included!)

the car park was back to an easy location (crop rotation? weather??)

wristband exchange was a doddle - great improvement (linked to the car park arrangement?)

stewarding was much friendlier (although i've never had a problem)

the music was excellent as ever - loved los albertos, inner terrestrials, the highliners.

great to see rhythm-ites, credit to the nation and the damned (after 26years) again (they were funnier than sham last year!)

never come across n.u.m.b (get a kit drummer!) and the junk (great kit drummer!!!) before

the wigon seemed more 'at home' after last years move

amazing vibe and (most important to me) my kids had a great time for the 5th year in a row

nice one eiid, see you next year

x

[politepixie]

I agree with everything blackcapsteve said. It has a lovely atmosphere and everyone's friendly from security to punters. Massively different atmosphere to Boomtown Hell. The toilets are clean until Monday morning, messy people still nice to each other. Security not getting unreasonable at any point. Good range of booze and food.

Couple of things to add;

I felt that this year, compared to when I've been before there was a little bit less variety in the music- there was A LOT of punky ska dub (as the programme declared everything to be ) and less skiffley, bluegrass, folky, hoedown style stuff though there was a bit more on Sunday.

The music/noise clash- especially in the area by the dancetent/bar was insane sometimes. There were quite a few areas where you could hear all the stages and bars. Is there no way to reduce this somehow? point them in different directions?

The music in the Pixie Chill area. I know this is not down to the organisers but that are would have been much nicer without the incessant creepy electronia. Actually it was quite funny and it was chilling I guess.

[guypjfreak]

top of the range apart from sound clashes which has already been said . best part for me was doing wrist banding on friday and meeting some great people .

only bad bit for me was my bipolar got the best of me and the panic attacks got me ahhhhhhh .

thanks for a great week end till next time

peace guy

[Flounder]

top of the range apart from sound clashes which has already been said . best part for me was doing wrist banding on friday and meeting some great people .

only bad bit for me was my bipolar got the best of me and the panic attacks got me ahhhhhhh .

thanks for a great week end till next time

peace guy

[sadwitch]

Pixiechill "creepy electronica" was just a very small chilled section of our music output and complemented the "John Cooper Clarke Tribute" and the "Jews Harp Orchestra" both live on our tiny stage. A fine acoustic 3 piece band "Aztec Shaman" also played on the saturday for us......

sorry if you caught the creepy bits...........but at least it wasn`t lost in the sound clash.

many thanks to EIID....the pixies enjoyed every minute of it

[5co77ie]

I felt that this year, compared to when I've been before there was a little bit less variety in the music- there was A LOT of punky ska dub (as the programme declared everything to be ) and less skiffley, bluegrass, folky, hoedown style stuff though there was a bit more on Sunday.

[5co77ie]

eFestivals' reviews are here:

http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/endorseitindorset/2010/reviews.shtml

and galleries are here:

http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/endorseitindorset/2010/galleries.shtml

[Dorset Bear]

What A Fantastic Weekend!

This was also my second visit to Endorse It and it won’t be my last. As well as the kids, we also brought a couple of ‘festival virgins’ with us. Having seen Gasto on the TV they had never been tempted by festivals, especially as they listen mainly to ska at home, but we tempted them with tales of fun & frolics from last year’s festival. They had a great time & even brought a dress for ladies day.

The Stewards & Security people were polite and very efficient, full marks for creating an environment that felt safe & well organised but was also as relaxed as Amsterdam’s Vondelpark. I love the mix of people of all ages that come to EIID and everyone gets on so well. I didn’t see any fuss or bother & most people joined in and dressed up in their best party frocks.

It was great to have more stages to visit from the large main stage to the gazebo sized Strummerville & La Boite Arts de la Rue – I only regret not having more time to visit them all.

Strummerville was in a much better position at the bottom of the field and I hope it becomes a regular feature. It’s a great spot to chill out & I stumbled across some good bands which was a nice bonus. I would spend longer here if there wasn’t so much great music elsewhere on the site to see.

Have you been slipping viagra to the main stage? It looked a lot bigger with plenty of room to get in & dance. It looked like you’ve also been working on the light show and we had some great dance sessions late into the night.

I would agree with the comments about the sound overlap between Wildcat Stage/Purple Purge/Beer Tent, [although, unlike blackcapsteve, I enjoyed the music there & often dropped in for a pint of Ringwood but then stayed for a bop]. There was also an overlap between The Bus Bar & La Boite Arts de la Rue – which was a shame as it was the most entertaining caravan I’ve ever seen.

While I’m mumbling and grumbling - Maybe I was unlucky but there appeared to be periods when I walked from stage to stage to find they were all setting up or a tad punky for my tastes - but don’t take me too seriously, I‘m nit-picking. I’d be interested to read what others thought.

There was a great mix of bands and music styles with Eat Static, Symarip, Dreadzone Soundsystem & Subgiant being the stand-out acts for me. I also loved The Dammed & Subhumans who were far better punk headliners than last year’s Sham 69. Los Albertos, Pronghorn, Urban Voodoo Machine and Hobo Jones & The Junkyard were as entertaining as always but please please please don’t schedule Hobo Jones for Sunday next year – the sight of those big hairy shoulders in a little black dress was too much for a Sunday morning.

The Guns Of Navarone were really tight this year after playing regular gigs and I could have done with a much longer set. The pleasant surprises for me were Scubaroots, The Curst Sons, Dead Plants, & Chicken Shed Zeppelin - I‘ll be looking out for more of their stuff. Which brings me to … Where was the merchandise? I took a pocket full of cash to buy lots of new Cds and all I could find was EIID stuff and a handful of Cds that I’ve already got. I heard bands saying they’d got Cds for sale but they never appeared at the merchandise stand? I only came home with 1 cd this year, although at £5 for the festival 2 disc compilation is was good value.

Pauling Black was too ‘middle of the road’ for me and a disappointing choice to close the festival – but at least I got an early night for once. Hopefully we’ll get Zion Train back next year or give the job to Subgiant.

Putting lights over the porta-loos made a big different as enough of the toilets remained serviceable to the end of the night – it wouldn’t hurt to top-up on loo rolls more often and perhaps more hand-washing or hand-gel next year? The urinals worked well, although it did look odd when you walked past them on Sunday and saw them packed with big hairy ‘ladies’. The stewards must have worked really hard to clear up as there was an unnecessary amount of litter around the site – I just don’t understand why people drop so much litter around the arena and the top camping field when there are plenty of bins around.

There was a good selection of beers & cider served by friendly bar staff. Good food and mostly at a reasonable price – I never felt that I was getting ripped off. The stands with seating appeared busier than those without - more tables please!

The Kids area and circus tent was popular with my girls and I’m feeling pleased with myself because I learnt how to spin a plate and I’m getting better at the Diablo. The graffiti artist & EIID were good too, but my kids favourite was the pottery in the woods.

I get the feeling that EIID listen to the comments made which all goes towards creating a great festival.

EIID 2011 feels like a long way off.

[just7]

-our second visit to EiiD, and we had another great time

-I liked the fact the ringwood best didn't run out this time

-I really liked the dance tent in the beer tent, beer + a bop, brilliant!

-liked the range of bands that were on, but favs were Eat Static, Sub Giant, Dreadzone sound system, Hobos, Pronghorn and Fat Drunk Stupid

-only complaints were that some of the loos were getting a bit iffy by Sunday and should have been emptied out, no excuses on that one

-also, last year there was a covered area for eating, together with seats, should have had that this year

-lastly, Comedy tent, pretty sparse, no signage

-perhaps there should be a seperate dance tent (+bar) and put the comedy on in the bar tent?

-ready to buy my early-bird tickets for next year....when are they on sale?!!!

[5co77ie]

-also, last year there was a covered area for eating, together with seats, should have had that this year

[guypjfreak]

Sorry to hear about that - hope you're feeling better now xx

[sadwitch]

With all of Saturday being a punk day dedicated to Malcolm Maclaren - I would have thought there would be more 'punky' acts

Edited August 12, 2010 by sadwitch

[5co77ie]

It's a fair point

But surely if there was as much of a variety as I remember in the past Friday and Sunday should have been practically punk free!

Also don't blame me for the descriptions, did you read the programme? Genius. Not really complaining anyway, I don't really go for the music especially other than to have a bit of a stomp as the mood takes.

[emmaamj]

Well, we had a fab time! The first "proper" festival I've taken my girls to. (Been to Latitude with them but it's huge!) And my 12 year-old was in the thick of it, discovering Eat Static!

It was easy & safe for them to run about and plenty of landmarks for meeting up. They saw bands & comedy they wouldn't see elsewhere. Learnt circus skills. And made new friends on the Bus.

And Ladies Day was brilliant. Guys, you all looked wonderful, and some of you looked just a bit TOO good

So long since I've enjoyed a festival so much. Thank you!

[johneboy]

Another awesome year at Endorset. Great acts with Dreadzone Sound System, Subgiant and the Subhumans being my highlights. The reviews further up this topic say it all.

My only minor gripe was the state of the toilets by the wristband office. The ones on the live-in side were pretty manky to say the least by the end of friday, and only got worse until they were cleaned on sunday. They could have done with an extra clean on saturday morning.

Is there any chance that the big open air stage of years gone by will make a return? It's definitely something that the festival lacks.

[Flounder]

Another awesome year at Endorset. Great acts with Dreadzone Sound System, Subgiant and the Subhumans being my highlights. The reviews further up this topic say it all.

My only minor gripe was the state of the toilets by the wristband office. The ones on the live-in side were pretty manky to say the least by the end of friday, and only got worse until they were cleaned on sunday. They could have done with an extra clean on saturday morning.

Is there any chance that the big open air stage of years gone by will make a return? It's definitely something that the festival lacks.

[centro]

Thought you might like some feedback (no pun intended) from a bands point of view. We (Dirty Bristow) played on The Bus Bar Stage on Saturday and loved every minute of it! We wouldnt have to be asked twice to play here again!

A few things we felt need a bit of improvement are communication/organisation with the Stage Managers. They didnt have a clue what time we or any band before or after us were due to play. The programme said we were on at 9.30pm, but we started our set at 6pm. Only Jack Daniels had the nouse to take control and organise an itinerary – well done that man!

The sound on stage was good, but the drums really need to go through the PA properly. A Bass drm mic and a few overhead mics were not enough. I could hardly hear the drums when watching other bands in front of the stage.

I have read previous comments about how there should have been more Punky bands on the Bus Bar (as it was a Punk theme) - Maybe they planned their evening around the programme listings and missed bands like Archive 45 and Dirt Bristow?

Hope this is helpful and is by no means a rant!

Hope to see you again next year as Punter or Player!

Cheers

Dirty Bristow

http://dirtybristow.com/

[5co77ie]

at reminds me at some point around early afternoon on Sunday the Bus Bar PA was only working through the right set of speakers (as you look at the bar) the left set - nearest the shagging sheep) weren't emitting anything. I mentioned it to Cran and noticed it had been fixed later in the day.

[Dorset Bear]

... Also the marquees we use are hand made and built in a way that can reflect the music back into the crowd, which helps with sound pollution.

...so probably not, no.