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Post by rogerio on Aug 21, 2007 19:11:59 GMT
All right, the mud....Has anybody here been to Womad this year? That was a terrible indeed, but I think Green Man was actually fine. The bits between main stage area and main entrance were horrible, but on the top, on the park areas, there were still lots of green areas with no mud at all. So, seriously, it was not that much of an issue for me, and with so much great stuff going on I can't believe that that much mud could have put anyone off, really. My only complaint: the service in the bar was a bit confusing, and on the last evening there was no ale....That can be improved next time.
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Post by cyfarthfa on Aug 21, 2007 19:49:42 GMT
Iawm wrote:
...and finally, STILL not getting seasick steve. anyone can play a bit of slide and put on a southern accent.
I wouldn't mind being able to play a abit of slide like that, or to be able to sing like that, in whatever accent.
Also, Seasick Steve was one of those performers, the main others being Victoria Williams and Shirely Collins, who didn't seem to be totally dependant on technology. I would imagine they'd sound that good anywhere with no mic or amps or Macs or sequencer or mixer. The word I suspect is authenticity. They communicate the sense that they mean it. But it's all taste isn't it. A friend of mine persuaded me to go and see Battles. I'd sooner bite my own arm off than repeat the experience, but I can see why people like them and what they get out of them. But it's not for me, its too mathematical and cold. But I'm glad to have had the chance to find that out for myself.
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Post by Chris on Aug 21, 2007 20:37:05 GMT
That's one of the great things about festivals, isn't it? Loads of acts to see, and even though none of us are going to like everything, it's only a case of wandering over to have a look.
Personally, although I saw a few things I wasn't impressed with, the ratio of good to bad was more than satisfactory. Taking the whole experience in general, I would do it every weekend if I didn't know for a fact that I would be dead within a year through liver damage and sleep deprivation.
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Post by peridot on Aug 21, 2007 23:55:56 GMT
Highpoints:Joanna Newsom (very average indeed) Glad you said it mate - I reckon it was her wailing that pi**ed of the gods above such that they decided to drown us on Saturday. Only caught the end of her act (appropriate description) as I was wandering back from seeing the genius Martin Stephenson at the GM Cafe (he should have been on the main stage!) Nevertheless it was a fantastic festival. Mr Plant was THE highlight for me, but there were many many others. Sorry not to have met any of you - I did wander around the cafe on Thursday evening but didn't see any flags or recognisable faces. Let's sort out some mobile numbers for next year because I'll certainly be back
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Post by Chris on Aug 22, 2007 0:01:06 GMT
Yeah, I was particularly narked to have not met you, peridot, since you seem to be a top geezer here on the forum. The meet-up was a bit low-key, and no flags were visible. Next year I'll take my Norwegian flag along.
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Post by peridot on Aug 22, 2007 0:15:22 GMT
The oft-mentioned five minute walk from the parking lot was more like half an hour. ... Someone could have made lots of money for charity with a equipment carrying service. Kathpaint - I'm sorry that you had a bad experience at GM. Your suggestion is excellent. Some golf carts or quad bikes with trailers could run a shuttle from car park to site making life a lot easier for people. I'd be very interested in the End of The Road Festival but with the car park half a mile from the camping area it's not an option as far as I'm concerned. I'm also aware of two incidents at GM where tired kids lugging camping equipment were wandering into the path of vehicles going off site, so there's a serious safety issue too. In many respects GM sets the standards for others to follow so perhaps through this forum we can get something organised for next year
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Post by lizdogood on Aug 22, 2007 7:04:45 GMT
i have been going to festivals for 20 years , but i can honestly say greenman 2007 has to be the best so far !!! ;D, i could not fault any thing about the festival. oh one thing ,they run out of cider on sunday but all was well as they found a barrel at the cafe stage bar at about 9pm , so decided to hang out there till the aliens ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D best weekend ever!!!!
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Post by daniel on Aug 22, 2007 8:34:07 GMT
Magical, just magical. High points for me were: Dead Meadow (got there in time for the last two songs, unfortunately. Bloody Argos tent.) Joanna Newsom (spellbinding) Victoria Williams (erratic, brilliant) Seasick Steve John Renbourn (referred to us as 'a bunch of weirdos' Devendra getting the Newcastle lass from the crowd up to do a song Spicy lamb burgers Cider (till it ran out!) The brilliant record tent just past the Green Man Cafe Vashti Bunyan The Aliens (despite the atrocious sound) Robert Plant (the hair remains the same) Sea shanties 'round the bonfire on Sunday night Cheery staff and shortish queues for the beer tent 'the vibe' Plus the Prussian and the prettyboy, the two loveliest and most photogenic punters there. It was divine, see you all next year (when I will bring wellies and a decent tent)!
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kerry
Contributing member
Posts: 97
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Post by kerry on Aug 22, 2007 8:42:40 GMT
I'm also aware of two incidents at GM where tired kids lugging camping equipment were wandering into the path of vehicles going off site, so there's a serious safety issue too. when leaving the carpark, I was advised to weave in and out of parked cars rather than drive on the main track out of site as it was less muddy - this could have been part of the problem... it also involved me trying to drive up one of the steep hills and giving up because my car kept rolling back down
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Post by kidpresentable on Aug 22, 2007 11:29:38 GMT
I don't really understand the complaints on here - there are always going to be difficulties involved in an outdoor festival ie.British Weather, Mud, the fact that Ten Thousand people can't all park their car by their tent, but I thought this year was fantastic. Especially when you compare the set-up to other festivals, where getting to the car for repeated trips is barely even possible.
One of the main things I feel that sets Green Man apart is the way as a visitor, you are treated. At the more comercial festivals, you are constantly treated with hostility from the security staff. You can't even get to the stages at T In the Park or Leeds without being frisked and having your bag turned inside out, just to make sure you aren't bringing something they could sell you. I know someone who went to V Festival this weekend and they wouldn't let him bring his camping stool into the main area, not because you can't use them, but because you have to buy one once you get there! At Green Man I feel well looked after, it's one of the few festivals these days where they actually WANT you to have a good time.
I was over the moon with it this year, as I was in 2006.
Highlights: -Gwildor -Slow Club -The Beep Seals -Broken Family Band -Robert Plant -Soft Hearted Scientists -Malcolm Middleton -Gruff Rhys -Stephen Malkmus -Singing songs in our splinter-group near the campfire until the sun came up on Saturday morning -Bring a chair, never done that before and beats sitting on wet grass -Catching up with our kid -Endless 4-Berry Smoothies
Lowpoints Hardly anything I can think of, apart from some drunk idiots hassling us during Malkmus. There's always one...
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Post by yanianyan on Aug 22, 2007 12:10:38 GMT
i'll get the lowpoints out of the way.
WATER. ok people, you know who you are, it doesnt take 5 litres of water to brush your teeth. have you any idea how much water you waste as you stand at the water tap, brushing your teeth while the water happily pisses away? perhaps the hose-pipe ban i'm always reading about down south is a load of crap, it seems that way to me. a terrible waste of water. the mud around the taps was bad enough without adding to it. and as for the bright sparks who wash their wellies under the tap...and then walk straight back into the mud...DUH!!!!
LITTER. what a total mess. cant people just walk over and use the bins? perhaps some were full (i didnt see any although i didnt spend that much time checking) last year there was hardly any rubbish but this year it might as well have been the reading festival. inside the folkey dokey tent was awful, especially people who leave half eaten plates of chinese food for everyone else to sit on. selfish lazy bastards!!! early on during the festival i tried to pick up some of it but it was a losing battle. wish i could dump some of my crap and rubbish in some of those peoples gardens.
highpoints....everything else
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Post by palesaint on Aug 22, 2007 12:50:07 GMT
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Post by woodenrabbit on Aug 22, 2007 15:52:39 GMT
i'll get the lowpoints out of the way. LITTER. what a total mess. cant people just walk over and use the bins? perhaps some were full (i didnt see any although i didnt spend that much time checking) last year there was hardly any rubbish but this year it might as well have been the reading festival. inside the folkey dokey tent was awful, especially people who leave half eaten plates of chinese food for everyone else to sit on. selfish lazy bastards!!! early on during the festival i tried to pick up some of it but it was a losing battle. wish i could dump some of my crap and rubbish in some of those peoples gardens. I was so angered by the litter issue that I am composing the start of a new thread on that very topic. We were some of the very last people to leave the site on Monday afternoon and some of the stuff left lying around was a total disgrace.... but more of that anon...
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Post by johnnyboy on Aug 22, 2007 16:24:12 GMT
To quote Seasick "it's all good".
Back at work today but rummaging the internet trying to find reviews, buy cd's of bands I saw and generally do stuff other than hurt my brain by actually working.
Well, we all know the weather was poop but at least I got my moneys worth by getting full use of the ten pound wellies I bought back in July. Didn't break my spirits but kept thinking what a nice bit of sunshine would do.
Highlights are far too many to mention but defo include:
Devendra Banhart (seemed well juiced and funky) Seasick Steve Dead Meadow Arbouretum Vetiver The Earlies Saying hello to a gorgeous Joanna Newsom (she's tiny and beautiful - her set wasn't as great as the Barbican show for me tho, wandered off towards the end) Watching the tripped out dudes wearing the animal masks Meeting loads of lovely people Dancing in the Rumpus Tent each night The bubbles ......I know there's more bands to say but I can't recall them all..... The immodium on day two after eating Nachos Wasn't sure about Robert Plant, bit embarrassing really Steve Malkmus was better than expected but then a trip to see The Aliens made me see what I'd been missing! Great band
All in all a fantastic festival. Will go again next year for sure.
Biggest downsides were:
weather my mate snoring the cold on Sunday night/Monday morning the horribly hard slog from carpark to campsite - really thought I was going to die on Monday morning doing the walk back!
Hugest downside:
it had to end
xx
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Post by peridot on Aug 22, 2007 21:21:58 GMT
I was over the moon with it this year, as I was in 2006. Agree totally with your post Rog. To be fair the complaints are fairly low key and everything can be improved so I'm happy to see some debate of these points. Having personally endured the horrors of Guilfest earlier this summer, I can see how it's possible to ignore any proper organisation for a festival and still have the punters coming in droves, so all due respects to everyone involved in making GM so wonderful.
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Post by theinvisiblegirl on Aug 22, 2007 21:30:15 GMT
If you have a look in the green man related gigs, shes supporting jeff lewis in september
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Post by palesaint on Aug 22, 2007 21:35:39 GMT
If you have a look in the green man related gigs, shes supporting jeff lewis in september I will be at that one, i have seen Beth twice now...... i didn;t see her performance at GM.....
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Post by theinvisiblegirl on Aug 22, 2007 21:43:07 GMT
Will you bring Cat?
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Post by rayrad on Aug 23, 2007 8:57:43 GMT
isn't devendra bringing people up on stage getting a bit tired?
i've seen him do it a bunch of times now - and it's just old
the first time it was charming - someone not being able to believe they were up there
but now there's someone just waiting for their spot
and making sure they get a plug in for their myspace page
and even correcting dev's pronunciation of their name
to make sure the punter's can find them on line
it's careerist and boring
and also - if you only have a 45 minute set
and the organisers have paid you for a 45 minute set
it's lazy to get someone else to play five minutes of it for you
i thought he was pretty terrible this year anyway
he looked like he'd had a handful of quaaludes before coming on
we've seen devenndra be absolute magic
but that wasn't it
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Post by palesaint on Aug 23, 2007 9:06:05 GMT
Will you bring Cat? i'll ask maxi to, if he is going.....
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