No Direction Home - post-festival thoughts...

[baroquepop]

... and another (negative) thing ...

The Lost Picture Show was great, apart from lamentably bad time-keeping and general technical glitches. Don't they understand that we have other people to see, places to go, all of which manage to keep to a schedule. On balance I prefer EOTR's plainer but more functional movie tent.

[Maoster]

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.

[Christophales]

The festival (and any festival) would benefit MASSIVELY from not allowing any children near those duck call things. Oh my god that noise did my head in.

I haven't read all the way through the above stuff, so apologies if some of this has been covered.

It was very good overall, had a great weekend. Farm shop has been mentioned and was indeed great, get a couple of them in for EOTR I reckon. Lovely to have the campsite right there, I think the site is just about perfect for a festival this size.

This will probably annoy a lot of people and it is down to opinion but my biggest gripe is what is with the obsession with the Low Anthem? On the posters they are put on a level billing with Dirty Three and there is no way they should even be billed there, let alone playing after Dirty Three. Probably the dullest band I have ever heard and the only thing that annoys me at every single EOTR they have played (which is nearly all of them) and now NDH as well. I was genuinely pissed off that Dirty Three didn't play at the end when it was dark because Low Anthem got to go on after them. Anyway, rant over.

[talulah]

Great weekend and loved the general 'feel' of the festival. Wonderful location although had to endure the journey from hell up a very busy, waterlogged M25/M1 to get there and what should have taken about 3 hours turned into nearer 6 (think we may have got caught up with the traffic to the Download festival!)

General highlights:

Involvement of Welbeck - farm shop had a great selection of stuff, reasonably priced and the artisan school talks were interesting (and popular). Think more activities like this might be a good idea next time.

Cinema - loved the decor and very friendly staff serving proper cups of tea/cake

Toilets and general cleanliness - superb work by the voluntary staff

Musical highlights

Josh Tillman

Richard Hawley

Django Django

David Thomas Broughton (although my friends didn't 'get' him)

Martin Simpson

Negatives:

Far too many children out when it was obviously past their bedtime - looking cold and bored and I was surprised to see so many little ones without any ear protection (no excuse for this I'm afraid - that music was loud!) Ear protectors were on sale.

The boathouse didn't work for me at all and the little acoustic stage is probably something that could be developed (but perhaps needs to be a bit further away?)

There was some sound bleed and I think this led to sound levels in the Dustbowl being ramped up at one point - I really felt for the poor buggers in the pizza place next door.

Overall a great weekend - not sure I'm up for an early bird just yet though ...

Edited June 12, 2012 by talulah

[acstalker]

Will wait and see about next year. Hopefully the lineup will be a bit deeper. At times it was like watching an extended episode of Sheffield's Got Talent.

Talking of which, what motivated Django Django to keep referring to the audience as 'Sheffield'? I'm pretty certain I wasn't in Sheffield.

Highlights:

Moon Duo

Josh Tillman

Richard Hawley

Also enjoyed:

Woodpigeon

Django Django

Peaking Lights

Disappointed by:

The Low Anthem

Spectrals (sounded so tinny compared to the album)

Couldn't stand (but I knew this would be the case):

Martin Carthy (can't abide English folk music)

Unthanks (English folk music and the Floral Dance - aargh)

Dirty Three

Completely bemused by:

DTB (almost felt guilty to be watching someone so clearly afflicted with ADHD)

Felt there was a severe lack of alt country and bluegrass.

Food was good, toilets kept pretty clean. Generally well organised. Many thanks to the bloke in the Range Rover who towed me in my motorhome out of the mud on Friday. Getting out on Monday was a bit disorganised though - who let the trucks in to block the exiting stream of traffic?

I see it's a week earlier next year, presumably to coincide with mid term school holidays. No escape from the screaming kids, then.

[riverlodge]

Firstly, I’m going to have to own up – I only went for a day and a half in the end as I had to help out with a house move (how inconsiderate was that of those people?). Ideally I’d have liked to try and say hello to lots on here, but failed. Pretty sure I spotted Geof striding purposely between stages (but I couldn’t catch up, laden as I was with bhatti wrap) and think Nigey and Claire were in Joe Gideon (but didn’t want to interrupt, as Nigey just accuses me of stalking him ).

I liked what I experienced, but I’m not sure it is as good as EOTR (accepting that there are size differences). The key difference has been touched on by a number of people above, is a bit subjective and is to do with the isolation. Larmer Tree is a trek – relatively - for people to get to, and it seems to me as a result there are very few people coming and going there compared with Welbeck, which made it less distinctively “festival”. But then I didnt do a whole weekend, so hmm.

Don’t get me wrong, it was great to just drive an hour up the road vs two and a half to Dorset, and it was a great set up. It is also good that proximity to Worksop & Sheffield meant there were obviously families that could access a festival around the corner which made a major difference to them being able to experience a festival at all.

Finally, my real “delight” finds: David Thomas Broughton’s amazing, continuous stream of consciousness set at the Flying Boat; The Shark and Joe Gideon (first time seen live and now I get the point); Gruff Rhys (lovely set that almost made me like him finally ); Dirty Three (‘nuff said) and of course Other Lives (Just class, but pitied poor Jenny obviously not wanting to take her duvet coat off in our “summer” weather!).

So, good and no real gripes, but I can’t wait for EOTR (and to be honest even though its heresy, with the line up I really can’t wait for Latitude either).

Edited June 12, 2012 by riverlodge

[baroquepop]

The big top would have improved both sides of the sound bleed if they hadn't had the front fully open. Jeez! The Unthanks got some rather unwelcome accompaniment (sound check) in addition to the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band. This could also have kept the night times a little quieter. I was wandering around in the early hours and discovered less than 20 people enjoying the 'disco'. Disturbing the peace of the many for the pleasure of a few is just plain wrong.

[Christophales]

I was wandering around in the early hours and discovered less than 20 people enjoying the 'disco'.

[landowner]

Not bad at all, really. Musically, it was 'best til last' for me - Hawley followed by a humdinger of a set from Mikal Cronin in the Big Top.

Their rather good shop and beers aside, surprised at how little info & involvement there was about the Welbeck estate itself. Could have been anywhere, really. Standing at the couple of vantage points where the house was visible I heard the same 'who?' 'how?' 'when'-type questions being asked over and over. Maybe they should incorporate some talks about the history (and future) of Welbeck into the rotation of flatbread-making workshops.

The closest we got to some local colour came from Mick Jackson in the Literature tent, talking about his book based on the eccentric 5th Duke of Portland. It was fun listening to him describe his researches including interaction with the then owner ('Lady Frangipan-or-whatever-her-name-was') - with Lady Anne Bentinck's granddaughter actually sitting cross-legged right in front of him, saying nothing...

But good to see the family out in force on Sunday and queueing for their pizzas like the rest of us...

Note to Brewery: double (at least) the order for Portland Black

[baroquepop]

Big Top was busy Saturday night, I was in the middle of it until at least 4am. Apologies

[GTG]

Let's not take chances, TRIPLE the order of Portland Black. What a fine brew that is!

[GTG]

Something else that I thought was lovely but which I've only just remembered - did anyone else see all the Chinese lanterns they released onto the lake after Hawley's set? A really nice touch.

Did anyone attend the finale in the cinema, with Woodpigeon doing a live soundtrack to 'Modern Times'?

[killyourtv]

And another thing - big thanks again to the lovely people in the Farm Shop who gave out free warm sausage rolls, a great accompaniment to Gruff Rhys.

2 things emerging from comments so far; a nation in thrall to dark beers (yes !), and the already legendary status of DTBs unannounced 2nd set at the Boathouse (current audience 3,000 and rising).

One question on EOTR/NDH etiquette. I was more than a bit disappointed by the lack of modern classic "Keep on Trying" in the Lantern's otherwise great set. Is it ever acceptable to ask a band for your favourite, or should you just accept they're allowed to be obtuse ?

[Nigey_boy]

The beer was great (Portland Black and the No Direction home brew were favourites)

I'll be posting my thoughts soon but this was one of the performances of the weekend:

[staffop]

Thought it was remarkable what a beautiful time we had as a family considering how weather conditions could have put a downer on things. Cinema tent was great, well curated and soooo cozy....Also, loved using the secret postal service - our children were blown away when someone turned up with cards for them out of the blue.

Welbeck Estate was stunning as were the farm shop offerings.Choice of ales was also great. Loved the set up - one big field basically, separated into well spaced accessible areas.

Unfortunately we had to leave early Sunday, but musically Gruff, BJH, Dirty 3, Moon Duo, Trembling Bells and Django Django were great (wasn't disappointed by anyone really)

Although a seasoned EOTRer, i was really impressed by the love, thought and effort that had gone into the whole thing - intimate, inspired and so relaxed - just don't get too big if you can help it..x

PS How many sleeps until September?

[killyourtv]

10 minutes of David Broughton Thomas in the tent gives just a small hint of great it was;

Am still bemused by where all that guitar was coming from.

Note also relentless chatter !

[GTG]

Completely bemused by:

DTB (almost felt guilty to be watching someone so clearly afflicted with ADHD)

[Nigey_boy]

Videos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nigesphotobox/sets/72157630070756287/

Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nigesphotobox/sets/72157630070756287/

After a refreshing overnight stay in Nottingham we arrived at the gate to No Direction Home in good time and wondered if we were the first ones there! We drove down a beautiful long winding estate road and then waited for 10 minutes as the wet weather was slowing things down, but we got parked up after a bit of “rally driving” at just after 10am. We pitched the tent up quickly before the rain started which is always a bonus. The arena was very small and compact and easy to walk from stage to stage, we checked out the food outlets and stalls most of which were not open for business yet!

The first band we saw on the open air Lake Stage was Cowbois Rhos Botwanng (6/10) who were a pleasant enough alt country band from Wales. Next up was

(8.5/10) who was much noisier and louder. The drummer was great and the sat down guitarist/singer belted out some great riffage. It was raining quite moderately by now so we ventured over to the undercover Electric Dustbowl stage to see Boat To Row (5/10) who were pleasant enough in a Mumford and Sons sort of way but nothing to write home about. We had a bit of time so headed over to the Comedy Tent which was quite small and after taking shoes off and finding space to sit we enjoyed the rather brilliant Josie Long (8/10) who had us in tears of laughter all the way through her ½ hour set! After pizza we checked out

(9/10) who were superb at End Of The Road last year and again they made a brilliant sound with 3 guitars, fiddle and bass and the guy playing his guitar with a bow was outstanding! We headed over to the Boathouse Stage where there were a good selection of Real Ales and today’s guest beers were from Nottingham. Instead of the louder Wet Nuns we thoroughly enjoyed

(9/10) set with just him, a violinist and harmony singer. It was quite outstanding to hear the songs stripped down and really was a special set. Back at the Electric Dustbowl we saw the first 20 minutes of Peaking Lights (6/10). The trance inducing electronica was a bit much for us so we headed down to the Lake Stage to catch some

(7/10) where the legendary Warren Ellis was doing his best Jim Morrison impersonation, in fact, all three were basically playing a different song/jamming. It was entertaining to watch but like The Fall at EOTR, not one to really see again! Back in the Electric Dustbowl we caught the start of

(8/10) who were much more melodic and played some great indie guitar led anthems. Really enjoyable! Back to Lake Stage for

(6.5/10) and although very intricate and multi talented instrumentalists didn’t really push my buttons as much as I thought they might! Lastly we caught electronic dance outfit

(7/10) who were very similar to their set at EOTR last year with the exception of one new song. Good all the same!

Saturday arrives with some brightness but then some more of that rain! Laish (6/10) were the first on the Lake Stage so we watched them play their pleasant alternative folk. Over to the Elctric Dustbowl next for another calming folky sort of duo – Tiny Ruins (7/10) who were quite captivating. We ate at the Wide Awake Café and I was amazed at how good the (Vegan) Chickpea Curry was – really tasty stuff!! We caught

(9/10) again at the Rough Trade stall doing an acoustic set for 20 minutes and had a smily chat afterwards…Brilliant! We heard the mutterings of Martin Carthy in the distance and so fled to the Boathouse Stage to watch

(8/10) with her brand of alternative folk – a little like Regina Spektor in a good way! Time for something a little more lively now and

(7/10) at the Lake Stage was enjoyable for it’s folky electronic.

(9/10) were next and last time I saw them was in the Tipi Tent at EOTR which was a very intimate set, but on the big stage they sounded sensational and suited it superbly with fantastic sound (yep I liked em!). After that went back over to the Electric Dustbowl to see duo

(7.5/10) guitarist/singer and dynamic drummer – The sound of those skins was brilliant. We stayed on for

(8/10) who I really dug with their Krautrock/Suicide sound and just 2 lasers backlighting them both for the whole set…In the end they did drag a little but definitely a tonic for too much nice folky stuff earlier in the day http://www.efestivals.co.uk/forums/uploads/emoticons/default_wink.png' alt=';)'>. We bailed out during Andrew Bird’s (6/10) set and could hear Pyramids back at the tent who actually sounded really good….it was also really, really cold…in June FFS!

Sunday greeted us with some welcome sun and was dry all day and quite warm ! The whole festival became one huge picnic for most of the day which also raised a lot of smiles amongst the crowd…indeed it was the most fun day of the 3! We started off with

(7/10) at the Lake Stage who provided us with a rather cold set of psychedelic folk. Next up was the brilliant

(9.5/10) whose voice was spellbinding and very strong. She will be huge by the end of the year I think. More fun next with

(8.5/10) who seemed much happier here than at EOTR last year. She was suitably dressed in hotpants, wild blonde hair and half a ton of make-up! Even more fun at the Lake Stage next with

(8/10) – I love the guitar solos of the lead singer and they looked as if they were really enjoying the sunshine! Sat on the logs outside the Pizza stall next lapping up the sunshine listening to The Crookes (7.5/10) next door – I went in the tent for the last few songs and they looked good and sounded great so another tip for future greatness. Watched a little of

(6/10) but was much more keen on watching

(8.5/10) at the Lake Stage. Last time I saw them at Latitude they were just a Twee Indie Band but now they have transformed into a harder edged much more fun band and I loved them. The Unthanks with Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band (5/10) was a bit of a letdown especially when they did a cringy Floral Dance – Would like to have seen them at least seperatly especially The Unthanks. Got right to the front to await

(10/10) who has rediscovered his guitar. On he came in a wheelchair as he recently broken his leg in Barcelona! This did NOT stop him rocking out for a fantastic set…mind-blowing and just about the perfect headliner for Sunday night. The festival didn’t finish there as we headed over to the Electric Dustbowl to have a boogie to Mikal Cronin (9/10) who sounded a perfect cross between The Ramones and the Beach Boys

[acstalker]

Am still bemused by where all that guitar was coming from.

[killyourtv]

Loops.

[Furrbags]

Following the complete, unadulterated joy of 3 relaxing days at NDH, it would have been criminal not to have joined the conversation and express my thanks to all involved in putting it on.

After arriving at around 1pm on Friday and queued in the traffic for probably not much over half an hour I had wondered if the organisation was a little bit haphazard similar to my arrivals at the last 2 EOTR. Pleased to say again, I was totally wrong and the security / stewarding was just having to deal with the circumstances and were actually friendly / helpful / well on the case. All the staff, whether volunteers or professional, were so friendly but were clearly sticking to their respective jobs to deliver an experience that kept up the highest of EOTR standards.

Cheers to everyone

[acstalker]

I've posted my recording of the Father John Misty set on Dime.

[acstalker]

Moon Duo set is now up on Dime.

[liarliar]

I've posted my recording of the Father John Misty set on Dime.

[Nigey_boy]

Thanks so much for this. One of my highlights... 6/10 from Nigey_boy? Pfft...

Ll