Forgotten Fields 2015

[Keva]

Hey all,

 

I'm travelling down from Wiltshire solo and it'll be cool to meet others who are going as well

 

The lineup looks amazing, can't wait!

[Flaminglippy]

Still debating this one. As its organised by the Kendal guys will undoubtedly be quality though! 

[Vamagus]

Just survived Kendal Calling and we're desperately trying to get it all washed in time for Forgotten Fields

See you there.....

[Lynsey Cox]

See you all down there..once the tickets arrive 

[cdm22]

Soooo, thoughts people?

 

Good - Beer prices were pretty good, main acts on main stage were all good, the weather (apart from it being too hot in our tent after 9am!)

 

Bad - Campsite was waaaaaay too crowded, toilets were mostly crap (pun intended), no food in campsite area, lack of veggie options, car park quite far away for a small festival and on a hill, bit of a lack of anything to do during the day with no music at all anywhere at some points.

 

I think it could be good with a few easy changes but most problems should have been easily avoided especially when the organisers have had 10 years of experience with Kendal Calling!

[Vamagus]

Can't really disagree with the above post.

Good - great beer/cider at a good price, decent food (helped by being carnivores but can see the veggie issue), some really great acts (big shout out for BSP's bears)

Bad - lack of food in campsite, loos were bad (particularly on Friday - got a bit better after that), camp site was a joke especially boutique camping, dull between bands as not much to do

We'd done Kendal Calling the week before so really surprised at the poor organisation - seemed almost amateurish.

Edit - oh yes forgot about the builders rubble - what was that all about?

Edited August 10, 2015 by Vamagus

[loosechange]

I was a bit surprised, given the KC connection, how amateurish the the organisation was.  

Was there really only the one water tap for the entire campsite?  Granted I didn't go looking for another one after I'd found it and filled up, but it seems extraordinary only having one tap for 4000 people...

If I'd realised there was no need whatsoever to actually have a CV ticket then I could have saved myself £70 up front - wasn't really ever expecting the full 7m x 7m pitch included in the cost of the CV ticket, but the advertised chemical disposal point would've been nice.  As would not being completely boxed in, on a hill, by other 'vans and unable to leave, in what was supposed to be the overflow car park.  At least the toilets turned up on day two.  

All easily rectified in future though, I'm sure.  

Still, some great acts on the main stage, not too crowded, good fun friendly crowd.  

PS.  Did anyone find the cinema tent?         

[Lynsey Cox]

Me and my other half had an ok time, although we were gutted by the fact that it took us an hour to get into the CV field only to be boxed in right next to the loos.  They were not checking CV tickets either.  A group infront of us just had a van with a mattress thrown in the back.  CV toilets were foul.  They were only cleaned once on the Friday at around 5pm.  Hopefully these can all be rectified for next year.   

 

Basement Jaxx were fab.  Made our weekend...just a shame about the shabby organisation.  

[cdm22]

Basement Jaxx were suprisingly awesome! We were expecting to do a few songs and wander off but we stayed dancing glowsticks aloft til the end

[freeak]

I had a great time there with my family, some great music, great beers (although the breweries and ABVs were mixed up), great weather. Good childrens area which will hopefully be more spaced out next year.

 

Campsite didnt seem too overcrowded to me although it would have been good to have some more paths running through it. There was also a set of 3 taps near to where we camped (close to where the gypsy disco stage) that few people were aware of. 

 

Hopefully it will be back again next year.

[ianlash]

Had trouble finding the entrance, and we live locally!  It's not at Eridge, it's near Frant - 10 miles round the the other side of the park.

 

Where was the family camping?  Best for everyone if you separate the families from those wanting to have more fun (and not be woken early by young kids).  Couldn't get into the arena area until 10:10am on the Saturday, so no breakfast until then - again, not good if you have kids.  Not a lot of room for the tent either, and we were there by 2:30 on the Friday.  Felt very sorry for later arrivals trudging round trying to find some space, before they opened the extra room.

 

Were there really only 4000 people there?  Seemed like a lot more to me.  Not bothered, but it seemed they couldn't cope with the large numbers.

 

Some toilets were bad.  Do bears $hit in the woods?  Well, Forgotten Fielders do.

 

I didn't have a problem finding the water taps.  There seemed to be quite a few around.

 

The cinema was in the kids tent (there was a big sign outside), and starting showing films about 9pm.  We saw the start of Indiana Jones, but it was so blurred, we gave up.  Other films seemed to be in focus.

 

Beer/cider was very good, and the bar staff were nice.  Food was good, although I agree it helped being a carnivore.

 

Best of all though, the music was great.

 

Edit - forgot to say a big thank you to the litter pickers, who did a great job.

Edited August 11, 2015 by ianlash

[Keva]

Fab weekend, the Gypsy Disco was amazing! Spent most of my weekend in there

 

Only bad thing I can think of is that it should be more spaced out.. and more veggie options please!

 

Security were great too.. even managed to give me a lift on a buggy on the Monday.. saving my poor legs

 

I herd that it was lucky not to be shut down at one point. Think 3000 tickets were sold online but a few thousand more on the gate... oops.

Edited August 12, 2015 by Keva

[Homer]

I looked up reviews and found this earlier as was intrigued to go myself but couldn't. Bit hit and miss according to this, seems to reflect the mood on here:

 

http://www.theartsdesk.com/new-music/theartsdesk-forgotten-fields-2015

[cdm22]

Forgotten Fields 2016 has been cancelled. Judging by the complete lack of posts about the festival on here it probably comes as no suprise!

[johnl]

The market is becoming saturated again. Thought it was a decent line-up for the money but they just don't seem to be able to sell tickets in Kent. Hop Farm went the same way.

[5co77ie]

29 minutes ago, johnl said:

The market is becoming saturated again. Thought it was a decent line-up for the money but they just don't seem to be able to sell tickets in Kent. Hop Farm went the same way.

becoming? It hasn't stopped being since 2011

[djwhisky]

Fairly gutted as we enjoyed it last year and had tickets for this year... it had a nice vibe about it and with a bit more organisation compared to last year it had quite a lot of potential. It would've been nice for our 5 year old to go to a smaller festival to compare to Glastonbury that we're taking him to this year as well... 

[LondonTom]

6 hours ago, 5co77ie said:

becoming? It hasn't stopped being since 2011

Saturated or just people can't be bothered to spend/afford on how much a festival costs to put on these days? I guess a bit of both really.

[5co77ie]

9 hours ago, LondonTom said:

Saturated or just people can't be bothered to spend/afford on how much a festival costs to put on these days? I guess a bit of both really.

both but saturation reached it's peak around 2008, and the latter since 2012 - they may tell you we're not in a recession but an audience at most festivals is made out of a lot of public sector workers - or was they ain't got the money anymore

[cb4747]

kent just seems to kill music festivals. It's a shame because it seems like a good location for them. 

[ianlash]

I agree, although Forgotten Fields was in East Sussex.  I think so many people had mixed experiences last year, it has put them off this year.  I was one of them.