No Direction Home - post-festival thoughts...

[liarliar]

As regular EOTR-goer, it was really good to see the same charm present here. Really liked the site, the stages were great and so were the stage-timings (I agree with the person who mentioned this point on the FB page for NDH).

Food was excellent, with just the one negative. Bhatti Wrap was great, the mexican place was very good. PurePie (or whatever they're called now) was hit and miss. Everyone in my group enjoyed theirs, but my Chicken & Ham should really have been labelled Pea and Leek for the amount of meat in it! Mine was very poor, others were not so.

Beer very good...the Portland Black was a winner...as was the hot cider (as always).

Oh...The Welbeck Shop. Aces! Everything in this shop was fantastic....the bread, the chutney, the cheese, the pork pies... The sun coming out for the Sunday led to a terrific picnic in front of The Wave Pictures (pretty good) and Martin Carthy (I know others will hate this but I thought this olde / trad folk was just interminable...)

Anyways...

Music?

I really enjoyed the following:

Richard Hawley

Gruff Rhys

Austra (even though I only saw about 15 minutes)

Django Django

Laish

Andrew Bird

Special praise go to:

Josh Tillman

Euros Childs

Joe Gideon And The Shark (oh, the shark...)

And, imo, performance of the festival goes to:

Other Lives!!!!!

Now, one whinge...no fault of the festival organisers or anything, but, why the f**k do people scramble towards the front of the crowd to see someone perform and then, at the moment they start singing, start to chat! This only really happened at the Andrew Bird set, though, thankfully. Firstly there was this one kid (with a shocking 13 year old boy style bum-fluff moustache) clearly off his face on drugs giggling like an 8 year old at a Bieber concert (I guess?), but he did shut up in the end. However, there must have been around a dozen adults continually chatting through the whole blasted act. Grrr.

Overall, fantastic, I thought. The car park being right next to the camping area was a boon. The weather turning out better than forecasted was an even better boon!

[and the two "sketches" from John-Luke and Nadia also very very good).

Ll.

[Lonepinksock]

Too many children! In contrast to EOTR when you don't see quite as many...

Parents with those trolley things who drag them out into the middle of the electric dustbowl tent and get all snarky when people accidentally bump into the damn thing.

I am not a children nazi by any means but sometimes it was very difficult to enjoy certain bands with babies and kids screaming over the top. Not very relaxing!

Other than that I loved it. Musicians and comdedians were top notch.

[wolfamongwolves]

I thought it was ok.food was good. Nice walk from car to camping. Easy on the legs. After going go eotr for last five years the location of ndh was just alright. But it is very hard to top location of eotr. Found after a couple of times walking round there was not that much to look at, the line up did not do it for me really and i would not have bought tickets but my mom wanted to go.

Dirty three for me easily the best performance.watching jim white on those drums is beautiful.

Andrew bird

Gruff ryhs

Trembling bells

Cinema loved it

Welbeck shop.

Edited June 11, 2012 by wolfamongwolves

[sadwitch]

I really liked the site, it came into it's own in the sun! lots of shade and space but didn't feel too empty.

Really good things were:

The farm shop which was a great idea really well executed, lovely staff who could be persuaded into making you a sandwich, decent coffee with no queue and the covered haybales next to it. #

The two main stages sound didn't overlap too much and the staggered start times worked well as did the positioning of them.

The logs and fires at the bars were a nice touch

The ground held up to the rain except in the obvious bottleneck and woodchippings were put down swiftly.

Reasonable food selection though a bit slack for vegan/vegetarians in comparison to other festivals;too many primarily meaty stalls for me.

Crafting workshops were a lot of fun and we had a good time at the comedy on friday. Bit of a shame there was no Sunday evening slot of any kind.

All the people working on site were very friendly and helpful despite the cold and wet.

Everyone seemed to clear up after themselves and look after the site

Great to see the swifts, housemartins and skylarks. Went looking for owls in vain.

The creepy/sad guard owl.

Great location for the cider bus and fires.

Musical highlights: the Wave Pictures, David Thomas Broughton of course (boyfriend was utterly dumbfounded that anyone would enjoy this!) Sunday evening at the Boat House Stage, Rachel Dadd, Martin Carthy and Diagrams were my favourites. Andrew Bird and The Low Anthem made pleasant headliners.

Room to improve:

The Boat House Stage was a bit of a let down on friday, you had to queue to get into it, one in one out, which is crazy when one of the two bars is situated down there, the hill entrance was really slippy (though this was sorted out by the end of the weekend), it looked very unfinished taped off with construction tape and at various times we weren't allowed to use the toilets without any explanation. It would be nice if the smallest stage was somewhere you could drop by to see if you liked an act that's new to you a bit more easily.

The "secret" stage isn't very secret it's right there, lit up and catches the sound from the main stage which is presumably why the sound was uncomfortably loud there for an intimate gig, the campfire there was a good idea though.

Most kids on site were well behaved the exception being the gang of them running around screaming at the aforementioned secret stage, hurling torches at each other. Bit inappropriate there but hey.

I think a lot more people would have liked to get into the comedy yurt at various times but couldn't as it was pretty small. I liked the bookshop on the side though.

No hoquets?

Personal musical lows:

I don't like the Unthanks. There I said it. I've tried and I can't enjoy them and I spend a stupid amount of time at the English Folk Dance and Song Society so it should be right up my street but no. Turns out I only like Slow Club's first album. Was hoping Woodpigeon would be better than just alright. Moon Duo not my thing. Not a single banjo did I see.

Interesting how it's like a tiny EOTR in a good way but the very different site gives it such a different feel.

[Fareham Grecian]

Surprised at the lukewarm praise on here - I thought the entire event was superb, easily the match of the best EotRs and better than 2011's.

The setting - maybe missing that last little touch of magic that the woods and the Garden Stage give to EotR, but very nearly as good. Coped brilliantly with the initial wet weather. Slight question mark over the boathouse area - bit concretey/cramped and maybe not the ideal location for the second real ale bar.

The lineup - for me, the range and quality of music surpassed any of the 3 EotRs I've been to. Highlights - Richard Hawley was amazing, Unthanks likewise. I loved Martin Simpson (esp the ?impromptu set/talk down by the boathouse), Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog, Urusen, A better range than EotR of indie-ish bands like Crookes. Other headliners: getting a bit bored of Low Anthem doing pretty much the same set, and didn't think Andrew Bird ever quite caught fire.

The staff/volunteers - every single person I saw/heard dealing with the public was superb, really friendly and polite. Site was kept immaculately clean.

Bars - well staffed, Welbeck beers superb. Until they ran out of course! Sure more will be ordered for next year. Logs were a great idea for informal seating.

I shall be buying my earlybird fro 2013 tomorrow!

PS Can we have a separate NDH forum please now it's cut the cord and lives independently??

[SweepingTheNation]

POSITIVES

It felt like a mini-EOTR, which is all you could ask of it

Dirty Three, Other Lives, Andrew Bird, Slow Club, The Wave Pictures (and the sight of people dancing to David's guitar solos), Gruff Rhys, Lanterns On The Lake, Beth Jeans Houghton, The Cornshed Sisters, Dad Rocks!, David Thomas Broughton (after a slow start)

Long sets, finely spaced out

Managed to go the whole three days without having to don wellies - all about anticipating the slightly drier bits, though that was a test in itself nearer the food stalls. The place looked lovely once the sun came out. Remarkably, I'm told there was a downpour round about 9-10pm as close as Worksop on Sunday

Pleasant atmosphere - even for all the costumed people the vast majority seemed to get what it was about

Cleanliness like you'd never imagine from a festival site. Good stewarding

The farm shop (apart from the local crisps which were £1.10 and I had to throw away)

Josie Long and John Robins singing karaoke to Josie's iPod for ages in the comedy tent on Friday night. Cold drinks may have been taken

NEGATIVES

All 'first year of new festival site' stuff, pretty much. There didn't seem a lot to do when there was someone on you weren't keen on, especially after the comedy/workshops finished

Sound bleed - probably not much can be done about putting a marquee that big anywhere else on the site but it was galling to hear the odd Dustbowl soundcheck at a similar level to something on the main stage, or vice versa

The secret stage was a nice idea but there didn't seem to be anyone notable (unless they turned up much later) and the music on Sunday night could be heard from not too far away from the main stage. Recreate the piano/late night Tipi sets by all means, but do something with them

Not as sculptured an area as EOTR, but that's pretty much to be expected. Lots of big empty space beyond the cinema/Post Office/comedy bit

WHO GAVE THAT SODDING CHILD A DUCK CALL?

[GTG]

With the sun shining down on a lovely Sunday evening I couldn't think of a more appropriate soundtrack than the mighty Briggus - even 'Floral Dance'! - with the beautiful voices of the Unthanks. They clearly are a bit of a Marmite band but they are one where I truly can't see what's not to like. Mind, as a high, they were easily topped by Hawley's majestic finale, broken leg and wheelchair or not.

Personally, I also loved Martin Carthy's set. Nothing new, obviously, but he fitted the mood nicely for me.

I liked the Boathouse - the bar had different ales, the cafe was cheap and the whole place just had a different feel to it. Two of my highlights occurred there - the amazing Ichi (never seen anything like him and won't even bother to describe him) plus the funniest moment of the weekend. During the very enjoyable Quiz Olympics, I had suggested David Thomas Broughton as a possible answer to one question, shortly afterwards I saw him wandering around and suggested we ask him. We didn't because that would have been cheating, but a couple of minutes later, as he wandered into the bar, the quizmaster was reading out the answers and as he came to the one which was indeed DTB he wheeled around looking totally bewildered as to why this man had just called out his name! Probably the first time he has ever been the answer to a quiz question, I suppose.

Anyway, I thought the site was absolutely lovely, loved the scale of it (and the fact that it was 250 miles nearer to me than Larmer Tree). I don't know how people set about looking for suitable sites because when we see them everything just looks right, with stages that slope naturally away from each other and a nice flat bit in the middle and some quiet places in the woods etc, etc. For a festival of that size (and it could comfortably have been a bit fuller) I thought it was hard to beat. Access and exit were wonderfully easy, despite the conditions. My perspective may have been skewed by the fact that I had a very comfy bed in a nice caravan for the weekend - though I could see the Happy Campers flag from our conservatory! Not having to put up my tent in the rain was a big plus.

As a festival, it clearly wasn't better than EOTR (despite Hawley's mischief making) but it was smaller and cheaper (both good) and pretty damn good in terms of the entertainment on offer. Musically I seem to have very similar tastes to Liar Liar. Things that WERE better than EOTR were the cinema (and I'd be surprised if the Lost Picture Show don't take over at EOTR though they would need a much bigger theatre). Gorgeous place, great coffee and cakes and comfier seating than our multiplex (plus loads of mattresses and cushions) plus excellent picture and sound quality. Saw a great film there, Sound It Out, about the last independent record shop in Teesside which all the vinyl fans here in particular would enjoy immensely. Also, the fact that a lot of the beer was produced on the estate as well as the farmshop produce, which could be sampled at the excellent 'Artisan Food Workshops' - the cheese class was fabulous! Talking of food, less choice than usual but old favourites Bhatti Wrap, Moorish and La Grande Bouffe were present and the pie shop was spot on if you ate the Lamb & Mint (though I was very close to trying the Chicken & Ham which might have changed my view!). Thought the vegetarian options were canny, to be honest, plenty of options on the Moorish/LGB and Pizza stalls and at least one stall that was exclusively vegetarian. I confess to having no idea how much of it was vegan-friendly though.

Anyway, a fine first effort and the early birds are out this week so it should continue to develop into a small, but beautifully marked companion bookend to the EOTR summer finale.

[GTG]

Just thought, the problems getting into the Boathouse on Friday were due to flooding/Health & Safety issues. The downpour on Sunday apparently closed the M1 not far away with flooding and debris washed onto the road, we got away with that one.

Did any of the advertised acts actually turn up at the bonfire stage or was it strictly an unsigned/buskers thing? I liked it up there, though only saw it post 2.30 (comedy closing) on Fri/Sat and had to flee last night when someone started murdering Tim Buckley.

The beginning was very strange, can't have been more than 100 people watching the Welsh folk who replaced Futur Primitif. By the time DIagrams played, however, the buzz was there - their big budget packets of balloons at the end worked brilliantly, every bit as good as Flaming Lips!

[killyourtv]

A big thank-you to Simon, Sofia and the team for such an enjoyable festival, particularly as I can't make EOTR this year. I hope it was viable enough to continue; crowds seemed decent even if the large number of small children (to be encouraged) aren't yet paying.

The rain and cold was a bit of reality check for me after last EOTR's glorious late summer, but I thought that this was a great little festival. My two sons (13 and 10) said they had a really good time, despite rarely venturing out of the circus/pucket/craft tents, and therefore missing Wet Nuns and Moon Duo.

The things I loved were the general quality of the artists I was discovering, the great food, pleasant staff and the sense that people weren't trying too hard to be "festival-goers", though there was a bit more chatter in the front rows than I remember from EOTR.

Best food for me was the warm morning croissants from the farm shop, coffee from the bus, and the fish and chips were gorgeous. I was recovering from earlier real ale excesses but can agree that the Portland Black from Welbeck was the beer of the festival.

Song of the weekend was Dodecahedron by Beth JH, but only because I can't give you any song names from the wonderful set(s) by David Thomas Broughton, which was one of the best and most unexpected hours of my life. Opinions on DTB urgently sought.

[sadwitch]

Thought the vegetarian options were canny, to be honest, plenty of options on the Moorish/LGB and Pizza stalls and at least one stall that was exclusively vegetarian. I confess to having no idea how much of it was vegan-friendly though.

[poppins]

Okaaaaay

/ramble on ...

Wonderful drive into the site from the entrance to the estate, it just seemed to go on and on ... in a good way.

Beautiful site, at least it was once it stopped raining and the sun finally came out. Fantastic sunset on the saturday night, with both the main stage and the boathouse stage being well placed to appreciate it. Loved the logs, loved the fires. As mentioned by others, a bit of sound bleed going on, timings on the main two stages usually reducing the problem, but the start of Austra vs the end of the Low Anthem was a particular clash, even right down the front of the main stage ... followed the "if you can't beat them ..." motto in the end and headed off for a bit of a boogie. Felt the sound was a bit quiet, or ummm ... "short-distanced" at the Flying Boat House Society stage too, sat on the benches by the lake you could barely hear any vocals, and ... well ... everyone needs a sit down every now and then! Toilets generally very clean, nearly always stocked with tissue and handwash, and rarely preceded by significant queues.

Food ... Farm shop fantastic, can't believe I only tried it out on the last day. One of the best choc croissants I've ever had anywhere ... let alone at a festival! Bhatti Wraps tasty as ever. Massively disappointed there were no beef/buffalo burritos to be found though (I have an attachment to the usual EotR burrito shack not dissimilar to many forumites' attachment to the cider bus), and every time I tried the stall advertising 100% Beef there seemed to be precisely 0% of their beef available ... unlucky timing I guess. Seemed a good veggie selection to me, but I guess I was only alternating to avoid the meat-sweats rather than going the whole weekend meat-free.

Oh, and this was the year I finally saw the point of Hot Cider (still, not sure I could drink more than one every couple of hours ... a bit sickly-sweet towards the bottom!)

Atmosphere, great and chilled out as expected ... but was it just me, or was there a lot more chatter than EotR? I share LiarLiar's frustrations with people chattering away down the front where you'd expect a bit more love and respect for the artist, and there seemed to be quite a lot of this ... I suspect it may be because, compared to other festivals, it was pretty easy to get very close to the front, so people who maybe weren't that fussed found themselves in amongst the fans without much effort. Then again, how many times have I witnessed people go the effort and expenditure of going to a gig, then not even pausing for a breath in their inane chatter when the act they've come to see starts performing, finally noticing the band only when they play their best known track, throughout which they loudly exclaim, "I love this track! This band is awesome! I'm so hip! Etc!" Too times, too many bloody times! grumble grumble bloody other people, etc, etc.

Where was I before degenerating into a rant? Ah yes, chattering ... not just down the front, but throughout (including in the campsite at night) it seemed more than EotR, even though there was plenty of space for people to spread out away from the main crowd with a good view/sound from either of the main stages if they wanted more of a picnic-chatting-with-background-music vibe. Not really complaining, as it's still so much better than other festivals and absolutely no fault of the promoters, but I am curious as to the difference, as it's something EotR is famously so good for. Could it be that it's because it's a new fest? Therefore a slightly more haphazard group of people not sure what to expect? What was EotR like in the first year old-timers? Could it be because it was a bit cheaper so people don't feel as committed? Because of the lack of Glasto? Because it was (in theory) a sunnier time of year? More of a staggy time of year? (There seemed to be quite a few stag groups ... though, as mentioned by someone else, once you looked past the costumes they were mostly harmless). I have to admit, quite likely it's just because I'm older and grumpier than I was 9 months ago!

Music ... great. Django Django, Wave Pictures, Cold Specks, Boat to Row, Cornshed Sisters, and Laura J Martin, Urusen and Rachel Dadd were all fantastic discoveries for me (with a little pre-fest help from spotify). David Thomas Broughton was a wonderful accident ... saw him unexpectedly in the Hoquets replacement set down by the lake, having previously dismissed his recordings as too-folky-even-for-me I was blown away by his live act. Austra, Other Lives, Dirty Three and Beth Jeans all familiar favourites. I have a justifiable-man-crush on Andrew Bird so I loved his set even if I longed as always for a few of my older favourites (Armchairs, Scythian Empires, Nervous Tick Motion, almost every track on Noble Beast) especially as I'd already been to the Barbican gig earlier in the year which was primarily a play through of the new album, so I felt entitled to some oldies! Disappointments ... really just the Low Anthem, so refreshing at EotR 2010, so flat at NDH ... I guess two or three years touring pretty much the same material can really take the edge off (as they admitted on their website ... a year ago now ... and they're still playing the same stuff). And while playing an uptempo number at a downtempo pace can often be revelatory, was it wise to slow down "The Horizon is a Beltway" transforming it into yet another slow number in a set lacking any tracks with anything like the energy of the original? Other musical disappointments were entirely my own fault, missing Liz Green and Martin Simpson because I couldn't face getting out into the cold and wet (sounded good from the tent though), missing Diagrams, Peter Wolf Crier and Zulu Winter because ... well, I'm not entirely sure why I missed them. Also, as always, kicking myself for seeing barely any comedy (Tony Law and Josie Long were fab though), hearing no talks, failing to set foot in the cinema tent, and not catching anyone on the not-that-well-hidden-at-all stage near the campfire. "Next time" I always think to myself, and next time I always do exactly the same.

Actual useful feedback? Intertwining the showers and toilets at the entrance to the campsite was foolish ... led to mass queue confusion and was a little unsavoury! More logs please! And, in fact, more seating in general please. There was a massive space nearer the Electric Dustbowl and the food stalls, why not throw some tables and chairs there which we don't feel bad about not eating food-stall-food at? Ideally covered ... unless I'm imagining it, they had something like this at EotR. Beef Burritos! Bigger Comedy Tent ... or at the very least a bigger entrance to avoid the congestion with everyone having to take their wellies on and off. 2nd hand book sellers at EotR were *much* better (the bookshop in the Literature tent was pretty good, but unsurprisingly a bit pricey as they were all pristine new editions) ... I got through two and a half books over the weekend (having forgotten to pack any) so I may be making more of this than most.

So, early bird tomorrow? I don't think so, I had a great/lovely time, but whilst the more relaxed, not-so-much-going-on-right-now-so-why-not-chill-out-and-read-a-book-or-two vibe was great with just my girlfriend and I, I can't imagine enjoying it with a group of mates so much (although paradoxically, it seemed a bit livelier through the night than EotR ... or did it just seem that way because the late DJs were nearer the campsite than at EotR?) ... so I'm definitely going to keep an eye on it for next year, and will consider going again if we are both free (and still together!), I'm not going to risk buying a ticket at this stage.

/ramble off

In conclusion, great festival, not bad for a "first attempt" (even if they've had a bit of practice!), glad I went, would consider going again. Is it for me? Yes. Is it for my festival buddies? Possibly not (sadly).

[GTG]

Song of the weekend was Dodecahedron by Beth JH, but only because I can't give you any song names from the wonderful set(s) by David Thomas Broughton, which was one of the best and most unexpected hours of my life. Opinions on DTB urgently sought.

[sadwitch]

So, early bird tomorrow? I don't think so, I had a great/lovely time, but whilst the more relaxed, not-so-much-going-on-right-now-so-why-not-chill-out-and-read-a-book-or-two vibe was great with just my girlfriend and I, I can't imagine enjoying it with a group of mates so much (although paradoxically, it seemed a bit livelier through the night than EotR ... or did it just seem that way because the late DJs were nearer the campsite than at EotR?) ... so I'm definitely going to keep an eye on it for next year, and will consider going again if we are both free (and still together!), I'm not going to risk buying a ticket at this stage.

/ramble off

In conclusion, great festival, not bad for a "first attempt" (even if they've had a bit of practice!), glad I went, would consider going again. Is it for me? Yes. Is it for my festival buddies? Possibly not (sadly).

[poppins]

Just remembered something else I liked: this is possibly the first festival I've been to in a decade without a bloody "alternative healing area" tacked on to it!

[GTG]

Strangely, the only evening I didn't get very pissed off with groups of selfish arseholes was the Sunday, day trippers and all, when the Unthanks set passed undisturbed and everybody seemed devoted to Mr Hawley.

Sorry, but I don't tolerate this at gigs and despite repeatedly telling myself "Relax, it's a festival" I was extremely abrupt with a group of bright young things near the stage during Low Anthem. They actually seemed genuinely surprised that they were annoying anyone, unbelievable. To their credit they were very apologetic afterwards, well, except for one ......

The gang during Andrew Bird, stage right, close to front, were just too big for me to be effectively rude to and too oblivious to anything other than themselves - the ones dancing around with sparklers during the song he dedicated to Levon Helm with one guy shouting "We love you, Andrew" after destroying each song for everybody nearby. w*nkers.

[Infinite Jest]

The gang during Andrew Bird, stage right, close to front, were just too big for me to be effectively rude to and too oblivious to anything other than themselves - the ones dancing around with sparklers during the song he dedicated to Levon Helm with one guy shouting "We love you, Andrew" after destroying each song for everybody nearby. w*nkers.

[SweepingTheNation]

I love him - the friend I took to the tent to see him for the first time hated him. It wasn't quite up to the standard of his Garden Stage set with the bananas a couple of years ago, though! The only song that sounded familiar was the one that started 'Lost My Job' or something similar. I didn't see his Boathouse set - any details anyone?

What really puzzled me was what on earth Mr Woodpigeon and his mate were doing onstage. Were they part of a little jape, or the victims of one because I am pretty sure that everything we heard came from DTB and his loops?

[poppins]

Oh, the songs are there and identifiable, you just kind of... well, have to really know his whole back catalogue so you can recognise the odd riff or lyric. I think the other two were contributing the odd bit of picking and bass as there seemed to be a little more going on when they were playing. It's inevitable that he won't be for everyone - couple of friends of mine left after ten minutes, one commenting "it's like he isn't bothered!"

[sadwitch]

I heard a couple of dbt songs I knew (dustbowl set) but I only have one album though have seen him a few times. He has increased the performance aspect quite a lot I would say. I like Unmarked Grave a lot and also "I wouldn't take her to an execution..."

I noticed them doing some very subtle vocals but nothing very vital.

[killyourtv]

Oh, the songs are there and identifiable, you just kind of... well, have to really know his whole back catalogue so you can recognise the odd riff or lyric. I think the other two were contributing the odd bit of picking and bass as there seemed to be a little more going on when they were playing. It's inevitable that he won't be for everyone - couple of friends of mine left after ten minutes, one commenting "it's like he isn't bothered!"

[clareandguy]

Just bought ealy birds. That says enough really.

[clareandguy]

oh, well, not quite enough. Agree about the gig-chatterers, more so than EOTR (maybe not 2011 though). One minor quibble personally - a penalty for drinking halves is annoying. If you want to sample many (or all!) of the ales, a 40p per pint penalty is downright annoying, and led in our case to not doing so - or even anything like it.

Family highlights:

Guy : Joe Gideon and the Shark. OK, mostly the Shark. She was amazing!

Clare: coming across Eyes and no Eyes shooting video in the actual boathouse. She says it's the best thing she's seen since she started going to festivals in 2005.

Rose (age 4) : Django Django - she loves them, and is looking forward to seeing them again at Summer Sundae. Also making crowns. And the Red Bus tea stop, which she tookone look at and said "it looks redder". Turns out it had been resprayed. Just shows what she was really paying attention to at 3 EOTRs.

Anna (age 1) : Obsessively splashing in puddles at the boathouse stage, meaning we got there less than we'd have liked. Nice feature.

Thoroughly agree with early poster re lack of Woo. Enjoyed not having to explain to a 4 year old why we weren't going near the "healing" area. And the inevitable "over the head" digression into why the NHS shouldn't be funding homeopathy.

Having run away from the Galtres festival last year (first time that mud has got the better of us), it was great to see how such a well selected site and well planned event dealt with adverse conditions.

Lovely behaviour on campsite, we thought, although have heard that some had problems with people camping in the wrong section - just raise the signs above tent level EOTR/NDH.

Liked the spread of art installations into the campsite - incorporating the campsite more into the whole festival experience is lovely, and could maybe be done in other ways too.

[baroquepop]

Highlights:

The beautiful Welbeck estate and their contributions to the festival via their food stall, the foodie lectures and of course their beers. I hope they are inspired to be even more involved next year.

The Lake stage had a strong late afternoon line-ups, particularly the last day with Wave Pictures and Slow Club giving lively and fun shows, both deserve to be better known.

Andrew Bird did a great set, certainly my favourite of the main six headliners. Such a pity he's apparently so unknown to even many seasoned music fans. His last album from which much of the set comes is really strong and accessible.

Less good/disappointing:

There were lots of children and generally I like the atmosphere this creates. Annoyingly there was lots for them before mid-day, but almost nothing for adults to do, so I found the mornings rather dull. I mean, do they really want middle-aged men spending their morning watching children play with hula hoops?

Is it really necessary for the disco tent to go on to 4am? Particularly when the children on the campsite commence their ritual crying and screaming at 6am! I did not sleep well this weekend and felt (looked) like the living dead on my long train journey back to the highlands.

The boathouse area. What a concrete mess! And could somebody have tried to clean up the water and muddy mess a little? What should have been the most intimate and cozy of places (with some fine acts) was a real disappointment. Would have preferred the mat-floored marquee as per EOTR.

[riverlodge]

I'd no knowledge of DTB before Saturday....... T

he Boathouse show was just staggering, though I did miss Hoquets !

[phastie]

The gang during Andrew Bird, stage right, close to front, were just too big for me to be effectively rude to and too oblivious to anything other than themselves - the ones dancing around with sparklers during the song he dedicated to Levon Helm with one guy shouting "We love you, Andrew" after destroying each song for everybody nearby. w*nkers.