Musical holidays

Bob-Dubery

Things are falling into place rather unexpectedly and the better 5/8 and I will be at two nights of the week-long Meltdown Festival in London in June. We'll be seeing Richard Thompson and Loudon Wainwright III ("Loud 'n Rich") on the 19th, and on the 17th we'll be taking in the evening of political songs that has Martin Carthy heading the lineup. With a bit of luck we'll get to see Martin Simpson a little later in the month in Hampshire.

Southbank Center's booking system crashed and screwed up my earlier attempts at booking. I sent them a complaint via e-mail expecting that not much would happen. It took them a while but they are making a big effort to get me the tickets that I wanted in the first place - though the rare solo show by Elvis Costello remains a sell out so I will miss that unless there is a cancellation.

In any event it's looking to be a fine musical holiday this year. I had wanted to pay another visit to the Beverley Festival that we enjoyed so much last year, but the attractions in London on the same weekend were irresistible for me (Wainwright being the main attraction as I have seen Thompson and Carthy before). Martin Simpson is headlining Beverley, but I may get to see him anyway (and in a smaller venue).

Beer is now at a scandalous 3 pounds >☹ a pint. I hope a coalition government comes in and the pound declines even further.

Bob-Dubery

Lekker! We are definitely off to see Mr Simpson and his band as well. They will be playing in a little village by the name of North Boarhunt.

This is the local folk club. I admire people like Carthy and Simpson who could get bigger gigs elsewhere but choose to support the club scene that they themselves emerged from.

racman

I am so envious Bob - sounds like you are going to have a great time. Enjoy!!

PeteM

Sounds fantastic Bob.

Riaan

I hope a coalition government comes in and the pound declines even further.

Looks like you may be able to enjoy more beer Bob! Enjoy!

guitarboy2828

Do you do this yearly Bob? Great idea! ?

Bob-Dubery

guitarboy2828 wrote: Do you do this yearly Bob? Great idea! ?

We have the last few years. Started in 2007 when we went to the Lewes Guitar Festival. There are a small number of acts that I tell I myself I really WANT to see. Wainwright is one of those. (I've seen Thompson 3 times now so seeing him again is great but he's no longer on my list of things I must see before I die.) But you never know how things are going to work out. Martin Carthy was not on my notional list, but a couple of years ago I was in town when he was playing and his reputation is considerable and so although I'd never heard anything that he'd done I went along. And it's a good job I was sitting down because I'd have been blow clean off of my feet - not by the volume but by the potency and emotional punch of the performance. Remarkable. I hope I get more surprises like that but you can't plan them. Last year we saw 6 bands/artists in 3 shows and I only knew anything about two of them (and not that much about the one) and we enjoyed ALL of the performances.

I don't think the AIM of the holiday is to go to the shows. Rather I work them into the greater fabric of the holiday. This time of year (June through to end August) there are loads of festivals in England, and most of them a lot smaller than Glastonbury. So with a bit of planning you can always get in some good live music.

Just about everybody you can think of has a web site that will list their gigs, and most venues offer on-line booking these days (or have a contract some on-line booking agency) so once you've decided you're going on holiday you can start seeing who is on tour and then refine your plans.

Interestingly things are not necessarily better organised in the first world. Some of these venues are quite chaotic and difficult to deal with. Others are not EG The Beverley Festival that we went to last year which had good food concessions, ran like clockwork but was very friendly with it, and even had plenty of toilets that were kept clean (this is not something you should take for granted when going to a music festival)

guitarboy2828

X-rated Bob wrote:
guitarboy2828 wrote: Do you do this yearly Bob? Great idea! ?
We have the last few years. Started in 2007 when we went to the Lewes Guitar Festival. There are a small number of acts that I tell I myself I really WANT to see. Wainwright is one of those. (I've seen Thompson 3 times now so seeing him again is great but he's no longer on my list of things I must see before I die.) But you never know how things are going to work out. Martin Carthy was not on my notional list, but a couple of years ago I was in town when he was playing and his reputation is considerable and so although I'd never heard anything that he'd done I went along. And it's a good job I was sitting down because I'd have been blow clean off of my feet - not by the volume but by the potency and emotional punch of the performance. Remarkable. I hope I get more surprises like that but you can't plan them. Last year we saw 6 bands/artists in 3 shows and I only knew anything about two of them (and not that much about the one) and we enjoyed ALL of the performances.

I don't think the AIM of the holiday is to go to the shows. Rather I work them into the greater fabric of the holiday. This time of year (June through to end August) there are loads of festivals in England, and most of them a lot smaller than Glastonbury. So with a bit of planning you can always get in some good live music.

Just about everybody you can think of has a web site that will list their gigs, and most venues offer on-line booking these days (or have a contract some on-line booking agency) so once you've decided you're going on holiday you can start seeing who is on tour and then refine your plans.

Interestingly things are not necessarily better organised in the first world. Some of these venues are quite chaotic and difficult to deal with. Others are not EG The Beverley Festival that we went to last year which had good food concessions, ran like clockwork but was very friendly with it, and even had plenty of toilets that were kept clean (this is not something you should take for granted when going to a music festival)

Bob, That's so cool. Just watched a couple video's of Martin Carthy, i like his style. ? Really great that you're able to see some guys like that while you're over there! ?

You've inspired me, I'm going to the USA later this year as a part of business (sort of), so I'm going to see if there are any gigs around and see if I can get in. ?

Bob-Dubery

X-rated Bob wrote: Interestingly things are not necessarily better organised in the first world. Some of these venues are quite chaotic and difficult to deal with. Others are not EG The Beverley Festival that we went to last year which had good food concessions, ran like clockwork but was very friendly with it, and even had plenty of toilets that were kept clean (this is not something you should take for granted when going to a music festival)

And the people at the Forest Folk Club in Hampshire are great. I've got tickets reserved, a map, the secretary's cell number in case I get lost, and they gave me a tip off about a nearby hotel where they book in their guest artists and which gives special rates on certain nights - so that saved me 40 pounds or so on accommodation. Fab.

Bob-Dubery

guitarboy2828 wrote: You've inspired me, I'm going to the USA later this year as a part of business (sort of), so I'm going to see if there are any gigs around and see if I can get in. ?

Don't just think in terms of famous big venues and festivals. There are reliable, well run circuits of smaller venues which a lot of artists with good reputations are working. Admittedly you're not going to get Bono popping in, but this kind of venue is often a better deal because prices are lower and you're closer to the action.

If you've got dodgy knees or just like your creature comforts then check to see if the venues have seating. Some clubs will offer standing room only. Ditto for festivals - a lot of them have big marquee tents and there may or may not be seating.

Get there early unless the seating is reserved. Even for small venues.

Bob-Dubery

Well it's all booked now. Prices in England are up quite a bit in a year, but the rand strengthening against stirling has made things a little more bearable. The musical content all comes early on, after that I'm just going to sit in rural pubs, drink real ale, read newspapers, do crosswords and look at the odd castle. I'd have preferred to spread out the musical side of things a bit more, but without spending more time in London (expensive) or driving long distances I couldn't find another combination that appealed to me as much - and we want to see some of Wales which constrains us a little as to where we can be and when.

I am also venturing away from my usual practice of going to small shows. The shows in London are the Royal Festival Hall, which is not that small a venue (though it's also not the 02 arena). But these are one off shows and so I can't be fussy about the venues. I have no idea how big the folk club in North Boarhunt is, but I suspect it won't be that large so I hope to get a good gander at Mr Simpson.

The day after booking to see Martin Simpson and making all the accomodation arrangements that go with that I got offered a ticket for the Elvis Costello solo show....

The UK is going world cup crazy. Show times, festival dates and just about everything else are being shifted so that nothing clashes with the big (from a UK perspective) soccer matches.

Squonk

Enjoy it Bob

The rural pubs and real ale have me sold, I will be speaking to the wife about a trip possibly next year to the UK.

Simpson, Wainwright, Thompson, Carthy and now Costello, this will be a very rich musical experience.

Talking about Loudon, I have been making quite a couple of converts by just playing them "White Wino's"!

Also had a peep in Royal Festival Hall when I was there 2 years ago, Didn't feel like forking out 15 Pounds for the wheel so walked in and met up with some friendly staff. The acoustics sounded quite good in there, they were setting up some philharmonic orchestra. Lots of wood everywhere.

Then proceeded on to Waterloo station and got stuck in the London Rush Hour, not easy finding which platform to catch the train to Basingstoke!

[deleted]

Squonk wrote:
Then proceeded on to Waterloo station and got stuck in the London Rush Hour, not easy finding which platform to catch the train to Basingstoke!

Waterloo? Couldn't escape if you wanted to?

Squonk

Stratisfear wrote:
Squonk wrote:
Then proceeded on to Waterloo station and got stuck in the London Rush Hour, not easy finding which platform to catch the train to Basingstoke!
Waterloo? Couldn't escape if you wanted to?

Nah, ...I was defeated....

Bob-Dubery

Squonk wrote: Enjoy it Bob

The rural pubs and real ale have me sold, I will be speaking to the wife about a trip possibly next year to the UK.

Simpson, Wainwright, Thompson, Carthy and now Costello, this will be a very rich musical experience.

Well I was offered a ticket to see Elvis, but only after other arrangements are made. So I couldn't accept the offer. Such an interesting prospect - Costello solo. He's a pretty good player and his songs are fab so I can easily seem him producing an interesting, memorable show.

Talking about Loudon, I have been making quite a couple of converts by just playing them "White Wino's"!

Loudon Wainwright III is a fab songwriter - IMO one of the best and most consistent of the last 20 years at least. I am stoked to be able to see him play live.

The whole Wainwright famdamily is going to be in town. Loudon was married to the late Kate McGarrigle, and their kids Martha and Rufus (both carving out careers for themselves and in their own right) are going to be performing (with Emmy Lou Harris, amongst others) at a star studded tribute to their mother.

You playing White Winos yourself or showing folks a youtube clip?

Bob-Dubery

Stratisfear wrote:
Squonk wrote:
Then proceeded on to Waterloo station and got stuck in the London Rush Hour, not easy finding which platform to catch the train to Basingstoke!
Waterloo? Couldn't escape if you wanted to?

Perhaps gazing on the sunset, being in paradise.