The Merry Muse Wine Bar usually allows you to see some of the better acts (booked and chalkboard) in more intimate surroundings.
The Dance program is extensive and the kids pavillion is usually well worth a visit.
Try to get a map of the site and as soon as you get your program mark out where you want to be at what time each day. Also familiarise yourself with the placement of necessary amenities in relation to your campsite/lodgings and or the venues you wish to visit.
Poet's breakfasts are good way to nurse your hangover until you are ready to face the tunes/beer again.
Otherwise as bb said the session bar is always good for a wander through...
There are dozens of different styles of National attendance.
My first year I attempted the 'use a highlighter pen' method of marking everything I wanted to see and do. Which meant I was up at 7 for a yoga session, then off to choir workshops, then instrument workshops, then concerts.....about 18 hours of tight scheduling each day....and I ran from one side of the site to the other trying to catch everything. It was EXHAUSTING! I lost a stone (14 pounds) in the five days (best exercise regime I've ever been on).
The next year I then met people who take completely the opposite approach and stake out a spot on one spot like the Troubadour Wine Bar or Merry Muse.....and wait to see what appears before them!
Then of course there are the complete tune-heads (a term of endearment not abuse, bb) who NEVER emerge from the session bar and playing 20 hours a day.
And then there are those who are volunteering....some for a free ticket.....and some because they just love being in the middle of stuff....the stage manager team especially.
I reckon you pick a couple of things from the program, and then just relax and go with the flow. It isn't possible to see or do everything....so just pick a couple of things you don't want to miss....and then use your ears, eyes, nose and 6th sense to guide you to the magical 'discoveries' that emerge....because not everything that is fantastic jumps out at you on paper!
McKnowall's Bodhran tent is always worth a visit. Bring an instrument and a cold beer and drop in for a chat.............make that two cold beers!
Hey,Curveyfiddle, drop in for a tune and a chat, and don't worry about the beer.
Also Celtic Southern Cross have a great range of music, CDs and instruments, evening visits to their tent are always pleasant,take a bottle of red.
"The National"
"The National"
Workload allowing, cross fingers, am planning to crawl out of the woodwork for the National Folk Festival.
Never been before.
What are the must-sees and must-dos for the 2007 Festival?
# Posted on January 17th 2007 by Tish
Re: "The National"
Kevin Burke and Ged Foley are going to be there.
Also Ben Stephenson and Adrian Barker are doing their 'Undertones' (which is Irish trad collected from around Australia - well worth Checking out.
I'm prob not the best one to answer- I never manage to make it out of the Session bar.
# Posted on January 17th 2007 by bb
Re: "The National"
Tish it depends on what other sort of music interests you, but for the Irish stuff just follow the above around as Beebs suggests.
# Posted on January 17th 2007 by Donough
Re: "The National"
The Merry Muse Wine Bar usually allows you to see some of the better acts (booked and chalkboard) in more intimate surroundings.
The Dance program is extensive and the kids pavillion is usually well worth a visit.
Try to get a map of the site and as soon as you get your program mark out where you want to be at what time each day. Also familiarise yourself with the placement of necessary amenities in relation to your campsite/lodgings and or the venues you wish to visit.
Poet's breakfasts are good way to nurse your hangover until you are ready to face the tunes/beer again.
Otherwise as bb said the session bar is always good for a wander through...
# Posted on January 17th 2007 by Greenwiggle
Re: "The National"
You going this year GW?
# Posted on January 17th 2007 by bb
Re: "The National"
Hope too...have a few hoops to jump through first though
# Posted on January 17th 2007 by Greenwiggle
Re: "The National"
There are dozens of different styles of National attendance.
My first year I attempted the 'use a highlighter pen' method of marking everything I wanted to see and do. Which meant I was up at 7 for a yoga session, then off to choir workshops, then instrument workshops, then concerts.....about 18 hours of tight scheduling each day....and I ran from one side of the site to the other trying to catch everything. It was EXHAUSTING! I lost a stone (14 pounds) in the five days (best exercise regime I've ever been on).
The next year I then met people who take completely the opposite approach and stake out a spot on one spot like the Troubadour Wine Bar or Merry Muse.....and wait to see what appears before them!
Then of course there are the complete tune-heads (a term of endearment not abuse, bb) who NEVER emerge from the session bar and playing 20 hours a day.
And then there are those who are volunteering....some for a free ticket.....and some because they just love being in the middle of stuff....the stage manager team especially.
I reckon you pick a couple of things from the program, and then just relax and go with the flow. It isn't possible to see or do everything....so just pick a couple of things you don't want to miss....and then use your ears, eyes, nose and 6th sense to guide you to the magical 'discoveries' that emerge....because not everything that is fantastic jumps out at you on paper!
But DO bring an instrument Tish.
# Posted on January 17th 2007 by TheCurvyFiddle
Re: "The National"
McKnowall's Bodhran tent is always worth a visit. Bring an instrument and a cold beer and drop in for a chat.............make that two cold beers!
Hey,Curveyfiddle, drop in for a tune and a chat, and don't worry about the beer.
Also Celtic Southern Cross have a great range of music, CDs and instruments, evening visits to their tent are always pleasant,take a bottle of red.
# Posted on January 17th 2007 by mcknowall
Re: "The National"
Heh, beebs, you're a sober-sided matron now though, aren't you? :P
# Posted on January 17th 2007 by Tish