Hi guys!
I want to see everyones opinions on the festivals around and about during the year, as there are so many and it would be great to have different views. I've only really been to about 3, including the all-ireland fleadh. But any suggestions would be greatly apreciated
Thanks
I personally love the East Durham Memorial Day Festival. Not big compared to most, but I always like the band lineup. Different tents, different types of bands, something for everyone. Plus, the Blackthorne Resort is my home away from home, so I'm a bit biased!
I also like the Celtic Classic in Bethlehem (last weekend in September). They usually have a great lineup, and also the Highland Games, which are always great to watch.
I really enjoyed the E. Durham Irish Arts Week last year, but really have found that any festival is lots of fun so long as I make friends and get in lots of music.
My favorite festival of all time was the Irish Cultural Festival in Canton MA in 2004, the first year they moved to their new site (they used to hold it at Stonehill College). That year, they let local music host Brian O'Donovan pick the musicians, and within a few hours of a Saturday afternoon, I heard Joe Derrane, Solas, John Doyle, Eoman Coyne, Alisdair Fraser, Tony McManus, and more. The festival also features free carnival rides for kids, athletic events, and one of the biggest tents full of Irish-related stuff for sale that I have ever seen. They also have ceilidhe bands and dancing going on all day long. Unfortunately, the musical selections for the festival have varied widely over the years, and that particular year stands out as unique in its high quality. But still, it is a fun day out for folks in the region.
No news, other than dates, for this coming year's festival, but here is their web site: http://www.irishculture.org/festival/.
Two Cambridge festivals,1974 and 1975 .Planxty,The Boys Of The Lough,Martin Carthy,Dick Gaughan,Arlo Guthrie,Country Gazette,Malicorne,The David Bromberg Band,The Dransfields,Davy Graham,Steeleye Span,Alan Stivell,The Albion Country Band,Loudon Wainwright,Jack The Lad,Nic Jones,Tom Rush,Leo Kottke,Richard And Linda Thompson.Great days!
Only one I've been to [Besides the Newport Irish Festival which is kind of eh. It's THAT kind of festival.] is Wille Week. Not exactly a festival but close enough!
Never have I seen so many musicians before. I made some badinage [hah, vocab chapter 8!] with Joe Ryan on a few occasions and had the pleasure of meeting a few people from the session as well as had Mickey Dunne as a teacher for the pipes... Lovely!
... Man. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I want to go back so bad. I must see my friends again!!! =[
I have only been to the North Hero Piper's Gathering, but it was absolutely fantastic, and I want to go back sometime. Even though it's not in North Hero anymore, I bet it's going to be even better at Stowe, or wherever they are having it next year.
The All-Ireland Fleadh in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Ireland during the last weekend of August. Thousands of musicians
there. Will be there again during the same weekend next
August. Great.
Zinafest. A one and only --- which we hope to get as a regular sesh...erm...wait a minute, who's this "we" oh shut, it's me...ok guys, I'll go and do it....
In truth, I think I only went to one this year, and that was the Lewisham gig of Teada plus Helen Roche plus some members off of here with members of Hungry Grass. That was great. I think I played one or two, can't remember. Just found out an acquaintance from way back died of CA pancreas. Was a dentist, was also an alcoholic. Younger than me. Yeaagh! Scary. NIce guy, too. Very bright.
Cross-posting Zina. As much as I lueoeurve you, I would be doing it for us not you :-}
The Stinky Pinky will be blinkin' in a wink extincted from the sphincter. ie I'll get my finger out, in other words, I'll get working on that one..I'll Haul Ass. It's a gamble. Right now there are certain things about a local session here that I'm ill at ease with. Maybe it's time I got myself a new "project".
Ballyshannon 1977. Must have been their first one.Can't remember who was on but it was all terribly exciting.
Edinburgh FF 1980. Ennis Fleadh.
Rudolstadt 1990, their first one after the fall of the wall.
I went to Saltburn last year in Cleveland England.Saw Vin Garbut for the first time, he was great. I'm seeing him in concert this Sunday also.Got a free ticket which makes it even better!
I remember Cambridge '74, '75', also '76, where I plighted some sort of unspoken troth with the lady who is now my SO............
But remembering the Good Old Days is not enough, it's up to us all to make the next one wherever good enough for the young folks coming up to be able to say" Remember the XXXFestival in '06 ?" So, go team !
Towersey last year was good, Cropredy was weird ( one stage, no sessions, that's a festival ? ), Ely is little and nice and friendly. Guess which ones I went to last year ? From my distant memory ( like 30 years ) the Fleadh is chaos, interspersed with fine music. I think I'm too old to face that again. But then, I felt like that at Cambridge a couple of years ago.
stewpot - someone else who knows where saltburn is!!! i'm so happy. i live in markse just next to it (when i'm not in camden). i went to school with Vin Garbutts grandson/nephew (don't remember which). never been to see him myself. i must make the effort to go. x
I'd have thought that Evart Michigan's dulcimer music festival on a hot July evening at a jam session of over a hundred poeple was about as good as it got, but I started listening to recordings of the jamming at the Walnut Creek Music Festival in Windfield Kansas http://www.carpazon.com/C2_Tundex_fr.htm to see I may be wrong. The quality of the sessions are like, wow! I may not ever get there in September but at least I can participate by their mp3 tunes.
Seisiun na hEireann has got to be one of the most exciting new festivals around. It's held in the quaint little village of Quin, Co. Clare at the end of Sept. Mighty music coupled with a real welcome to join in the fun and enjoy the best of Irish trad music. They also ran a local art exhibition, the area is full of talent. Music lovers - this is not one to miss, great weekend of truly the best music you'll hear around, it is held in Co Clare of course, the home of trad! See you there 2006!!
I'm not sure that there IS a "best", as so much depends on the particular constellation of musicians and instructors who come together at any one time and place for such things. But anyone who is interested in a real "pure-drop"experience in a drop-dead lovely location here in the U.S. should check out the Friday Harbor Irish Music Camp, www.fridayharborirish.com. The photos and instructor lineup speak for themselves, and the sessions are---in a word---fabulous.
Ive been to festivals all over the world and I guess its true - home is where the heart is. And its for the reasons Zeens spoke of before - its the one time a year all the tune players from Brisbane, sydney and melbourne and New Zealand all get together and just play tunes all day and night for 5 days straight. its great fun. Its called the National Folk Festival and is in Caneberra over Easter.
best music festival you have been to...
best music festival you have been to...
Hi guys!
I want to see everyones opinions on the festivals around and about during the year, as there are so many and it would be great to have different views. I've only really been to about 3, including the all-ireland fleadh. But any suggestions would be greatly apreciated
Thanks
# Posted on January 11th 2006 by fluter
Re: best music festival you have been to...
I personally love the East Durham Memorial Day Festival. Not big compared to most, but I always like the band lineup. Different tents, different types of bands, something for everyone. Plus, the Blackthorne Resort is my home away from home, so I'm a bit biased!
I also like the Celtic Classic in Bethlehem (last weekend in September). They usually have a great lineup, and also the Highland Games, which are always great to watch.
# Posted on January 11th 2006 by irishfiddler32
Re: best music festival you have been to...
Do you care which continent they're on?
I really enjoyed the E. Durham Irish Arts Week last year, but really have found that any festival is lots of fun so long as I make friends and get in lots of music.
# Posted on January 11th 2006 by Zina Lee
Re: best music festival you have been to...
My favorite festival of all time was the Irish Cultural Festival in Canton MA in 2004, the first year they moved to their new site (they used to hold it at Stonehill College). That year, they let local music host Brian O'Donovan pick the musicians, and within a few hours of a Saturday afternoon, I heard Joe Derrane, Solas, John Doyle, Eoman Coyne, Alisdair Fraser, Tony McManus, and more. The festival also features free carnival rides for kids, athletic events, and one of the biggest tents full of Irish-related stuff for sale that I have ever seen. They also have ceilidhe bands and dancing going on all day long. Unfortunately, the musical selections for the festival have varied widely over the years, and that particular year stands out as unique in its high quality. But still, it is a fun day out for folks in the region.
No news, other than dates, for this coming year's festival, but here is their web site: http://www.irishculture.org/festival/.
# Posted on January 11th 2006 by AlBrown
Re: best music festival you have been to...
Oh that's easy to answer... 2005 Zoukfest in New Mexico...
Maybe because that's the only festival I've actually been to though.
(But it really was fantastic. Very small festival with John Carty, Randal Bays, Luke Plumb, Roger Landes, Matt & Shannon Heaton, etc.)
Pete
# Posted on January 11th 2006 by Reverend
Re: best music festival you have been to...
Two Cambridge festivals,1974 and 1975 .Planxty,The Boys Of The Lough,Martin Carthy,Dick Gaughan,Arlo Guthrie,Country Gazette,Malicorne,The David Bromberg Band,The Dransfields,Davy Graham,Steeleye Span,Alan Stivell,The Albion Country Band,Loudon Wainwright,Jack The Lad,Nic Jones,Tom Rush,Leo Kottke,Richard And Linda Thompson.Great days!
# Posted on January 11th 2006 by dafydd
Re: best music festival you have been to...
Cincinnati Celtic Festival. Teada. Solas. Le Vent Du Nord. 'Nuff said.
# Posted on January 11th 2006 by Zazzaliss
Re: best music festival you have been to...
Festival Inter-Celtique in Lorient and the Oireachtas without a doubt.
# Posted on January 11th 2006 by Roger O' Miller
Re: best music festival you have been to...
Only one I've been to [Besides the Newport Irish Festival which is kind of eh. It's THAT kind of festival.] is Wille Week. Not exactly a festival but close enough!
Never have I seen so many musicians before. I made some badinage [hah, vocab chapter 8!] with Joe Ryan on a few occasions and had the pleasure of meeting a few people from the session as well as had Mickey Dunne as a teacher for the pipes... Lovely!
... Man. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I want to go back so bad. I must see my friends again!!! =[
Cheers,
Armand
# Posted on January 12th 2006 by fiddlinviolinin
Re: best music festival you have been to...
I have only been to the North Hero Piper's Gathering, but it was absolutely fantastic, and I want to go back sometime. Even though it's not in North Hero anymore, I bet it's going to be even better at Stowe, or wherever they are having it next year.
-Dirk
# Posted on January 12th 2006 by dirk
Re: best music festival you have been to...
The All-Ireland Fleadh in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Ireland during the last weekend of August. Thousands of musicians
there. Will be there again during the same weekend next
August. Great.
# Posted on January 12th 2006 by crosc
Re: best music festival you have been to...
Zinafest. A one and only --- which we hope to get as a regular sesh...erm...wait a minute, who's this "we" oh shut, it's me...ok guys, I'll go and do it....
# Posted on January 12th 2006 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: best music festival you have been to...
LOL -- Danny, you really do have to get something together at the Crown and Cushion, so I have something to come back to!
# Posted on January 12th 2006 by Zina Lee
Re: best music festival you have been to...
In truth, I think I only went to one this year, and that was the Lewisham gig of Teada plus Helen Roche plus some members off of here with members of Hungry Grass. That was great. I think I played one or two, can't remember. Just found out an acquaintance from way back died of CA pancreas. Was a dentist, was also an alcoholic. Younger than me. Yeaagh! Scary. NIce guy, too. Very bright.
# Posted on January 12th 2006 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: best music festival you have been to...
Cross-posting Zina. As much as I lueoeurve you, I would be doing it for us not you :-}
The Stinky Pinky will be blinkin' in a wink extincted from the sphincter. ie I'll get my finger out, in other words, I'll get working on that one..I'll Haul Ass. It's a gamble. Right now there are certain things about a local session here that I'm ill at ease with. Maybe it's time I got myself a new "project".
# Posted on January 12th 2006 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: best music festival you have been to...
Ballyshannon 1977. Must have been their first one.Can't remember who was on but it was all terribly exciting.
Edinburgh FF 1980. Ennis Fleadh.
Rudolstadt 1990, their first one after the fall of the wall.
# Posted on January 12th 2006 by kuec
Re: best music festival you have been to...
I went to Saltburn last year in Cleveland England.Saw Vin Garbut for the first time, he was great. I'm seeing him in concert this Sunday also.Got a free ticket which makes it even better!
# Posted on January 12th 2006 by Justintime
Re: best music festival you have been to...
I remember Cambridge '74, '75', also '76, where I plighted some sort of unspoken troth with the lady who is now my SO............
But remembering the Good Old Days is not enough, it's up to us all to make the next one wherever good enough for the young folks coming up to be able to say" Remember the XXXFestival in '06 ?" So, go team !
Towersey last year was good, Cropredy was weird ( one stage, no sessions, that's a festival ? ), Ely is little and nice and friendly. Guess which ones I went to last year ? From my distant memory ( like 30 years ) the Fleadh is chaos, interspersed with fine music. I think I'm too old to face that again. But then, I felt like that at Cambridge a couple of years ago.
# Posted on January 12th 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: best music festival you have been to...
Frankie Kennedy winter school in Gaoth Dobhair, every time
# Posted on January 16th 2006 by Lizzy
Re: best music festival you have been to...
stewpot - someone else who knows where saltburn is!!! i'm so happy. i live in markse just next to it (when i'm not in camden). i went to school with Vin Garbutts grandson/nephew (don't remember which). never been to see him myself. i must make the effort to go. x
# Posted on January 16th 2006 by flisstle
Re: best music festival you have been to...
I'd have thought that Evart Michigan's dulcimer music festival on a hot July evening at a jam session of over a hundred poeple was about as good as it got, but I started listening to recordings of the jamming at the Walnut Creek Music Festival in Windfield Kansas http://www.carpazon.com/C2_Tundex_fr.htm to see I may be wrong. The quality of the sessions are like, wow! I may not ever get there in September but at least I can participate by their mp3 tunes.
# Posted on January 16th 2006 by jrathbun
Re: best music festival you have been to...
Seisiun na hEireann has got to be one of the most exciting new festivals around. It's held in the quaint little village of Quin, Co. Clare at the end of Sept. Mighty music coupled with a real welcome to join in the fun and enjoy the best of Irish trad music. They also ran a local art exhibition, the area is full of talent. Music lovers - this is not one to miss, great weekend of truly the best music you'll hear around, it is held in Co Clare of course, the home of trad! See you there 2006!!
# Posted on January 20th 2006 by craic
Re: best music festival you have been to...
I keep saying that I HAVE to make it to that, but it keeps being when I can't make it, craic!
# Posted on January 20th 2006 by Zina Lee
Re: best music festival you have been to...
I'm not sure that there IS a "best", as so much depends on the particular constellation of musicians and instructors who come together at any one time and place for such things. But anyone who is interested in a real "pure-drop"experience in a drop-dead lovely location here in the U.S. should check out the Friday Harbor Irish Music Camp, www.fridayharborirish.com. The photos and instructor lineup speak for themselves, and the sessions are---in a word---fabulous.
# Posted on January 21st 2006 by yarrowflute
Re: best music festival you have been to...
Ive been to festivals all over the world and I guess its true - home is where the heart is. And its for the reasons Zeens spoke of before - its the one time a year all the tune players from Brisbane, sydney and melbourne and New Zealand all get together and just play tunes all day and night for 5 days straight. its great fun. Its called the National Folk Festival and is in Caneberra over Easter.
# Posted on January 22nd 2006 by bb