Now Booker Announced

[mrtourette]

http://www.efestivals.co.uk/news/12/121109a.shtml

Previously worked on The Great Escape and Wilderness festivals, and while both are smaller they tend to share some acts with R&L and have other eclectic stuff.

More reference to changes next year from Melvin - "this is an exciting time for the festivals, with a fresh look for next year".

[jump]

I predict Prodigy, Daft Punk & Fatboy Slim to headline with 7 dance stages next year now.

[mrtourette]

The title should say 'New' of course.

Also agree with the Prodigy, especially after they were booked to headline last year but then pulled out to do Download, makes them a cert for this year.

[thetime]

I predict Prodigy, Daft Punk & Fatboy Slim to headline with 7 dance stages next year now.

[jump]

Now that would be good.

[thetime]

I wouldn't of thought you a Daft Punk & Prodigy fan after your Muse are an empty flashy experience talk.

[eFestivals]

More reference to changes next year from Melvin - "this is an exciting time for the festivals, with a fresh look for next year".

I guess that with a change of booker it's a good time for a revamp.

That change of booker will definitely see a change in what is booked no matter how hard the new guy might try to imitate Pengelly - in every case where I know the booker has changed, there's been a perceptible shift in what is booked (tho it might not be so obvious in the first year).

[jump]

Just did a google search on him and every page brings up the below over and over again. Lazy journos!

"Jon McIldowie is the event director and co-founder of The Great Escape. He has been promoting gigs and clubs since the age of 16, first in his home town of Birmingham and then as a student in Liverpool before moving to London. In 1999 Jon joined the Barfly Club as assistant and then Head Promoter for the London venue. Jon has now moved into the position of Promotions Director as part of MAMA Group. In 2006 Jon jointly founded The Great Escape Festival and Convention and oversees the event in addition to tour and festival booking including Lovebox."

Edited November 9, 2012 by jump

[thetime]

in every case where I know the booker has changed, there's been a perceptible shift in what is booked (tho it might not be so obvious in the first year).

[mrtourette]

I think I read that Neil Pengelly is staying on in an advisory role until March, so I wouldn't expect next year to be that different.

[eFestivals]

Wouldnt a big chunk of the lineup already be booked?

probably not, but I suspect that anything that is booked has been done or at least had the involvement of Jon anyway.

[jump]

Wouldnt a big chunk of the lineup already be booked?

Its whats been needed at reading for 5 years or more, a fresh outlook can only be good.

[eFestivals]

I think I read that Neil Pengelly is staying on in an advisory role until March, so I wouldn't expect next year to be that different.

I would, on the basis of how things have worked with other booker switchovers.

A good example is with Big Chill when FR took it over. It still had Katrina Larkin involved - sitting on the desk opposite of the new booker, so he told me (I forget his name now) - but what was booked was distinctly different. If you weren't aware there was a new booker you might not have realised that it was taking a different direction that first year, but for the 2nd year it was exceedingly obvious that things had changed.

There's other instances of a change of booker I know of where much the same has happened.

[jump]

I would, on the basis of how things have worked with other booker switchovers.

A good example is with Big Chill when FR took it over. It still had Katrina Larkin involved - sitting on the desk opposite of the new booker, so he told me (I forget his name now) - but what was booked was distinctly different. If you weren't aware there was a new booker you might not have realised that it was taking a different direction that first year, but for the 2nd year it was exceedingly obvious that things had changed.

There's other instances of a change of booker I know of where much the same has happened.

[eFestivals]

Could Jon's influence already be felt tho possibly due to the new stages and more dance talk Melvin has been making recently?

yep, I suspect that's all part of the same thing.

[evilduck]

Thats great, Lovebox and Great Escape have always had lineups that appeal to me

[jump]

Thats great, Lovebox and Great Escape have always had lineups that appeal to me

[mrtourette]

The new stages and more dance stuff may be the new guy's ideas but I can't see the main stages being that different next year. It will be a gradual approach, they won't change everything straight away.

[thetime]

Lovebox always looks a bit w*nk imo (Groove Amarda every fucking year!??!?!) to me but every year I intend to go to Great Escape and never do.

[thetime]

The new stages and more dance stuff may be the new guy's ideas but I can't see the main stages being that different next year. It will be a gradual approach, they won't change everything straight away.

[eFestivals]

Lovebox always looks a bit w*nk imo (Groove Amarda every fucking year!??!?!)

erm ... you do know that Lovebox is a festival that Groove Armada set-up, don't you?

You might as well ask Fairport Convention always headline Cropredy and why The Levellers always headline Beautiful Days.

[jump]

Isnt that just the same as levellers at beautiful days?

Edited November 9, 2012 by jump

[LondonTom]

But i like 4 white guys with guitars (And Dubstep...there should be lots more dubstep!)

I don't like change

[5co77ie]

Melvin's also been quoted as saying festivals need to be more than just hosting bands in fields - I wonder if both events are going to include more other entertainment and a greater festival vibe? I wonder how much Jon has been brought in to instil that.

[mrtourette]

Liking four white guys with guitars is racist, sexist and probably means you love NME/Radio One instead of all the other cool and interesting medium out there. Get with the program.