Conference marvin::uk_music

    Yes, it might keep those old crusty tarts away (Starship??) but
    will it keep the can throwers away?........hope so.
    
    Are you going to Glastonbury?. Now that's what I call a festival!.
    

    I decided last year that I'd had enough of festivals.  I was at
    the Amnesty bash at Milton Keynes, and the campsite was awfull.
    A couple of loos, which broke down on the first day, and in the
    hot weather seemed like a serious health risk.  I've also had it
    with sitting around in the rain and mud .  Reading is as far as
    I'll go this year, then I can go home each night and have a hot
    bath and a comfy bed.  Guess I'm just getting old!!!
       
    Mike

Well,well,well!!.The line up for this years fest is being put together
and it is the Mean Fiddler who are organizing it. It shows too. How's
this for starters :

New Order, The Pogues, The Mission, The Wonderstuff, The Bhundu Boys,
Le Negresses Vertes (brilliant!), New Model Army.
    
That's all I can remember from this week's Sounds but there are a few
more "name" indie bands. Looks pretty good to me.
                               
    

    This year's Reading Festival is being organized by the Mean Fiddler,
    bands so far confirmed include New Order, The Pogues, The Mission,
    Billy Bragg, Mary Coughlan, Transvision Vamp, and New Model Army.
    
    Sounds a little more like it doesn't it ?
    
    John.

    
    
    Sounds like a great weekend.
    
    Saw Mary Coughlan last year in Dublin.
    A great voice, but a foul mouth !
    
    - Who's topping the bill ?
    

    
   -1 >> Sounds like a great weekend.
             
    Sounds cr*p, not a decent band playing. Its supposed to be Reading *Rock*.
                                             
    There are other good rock bands other than the "clapped out American
    bands".                                  

    
    And I'll save you all the bother of repling with "what decent rock
    bands".
    
    It would be predictable if someone said that wouldn't it ??

    
    
    	As you've saved us the bother of asking the question why don't
    	you answer it .
    
    
    
    	-	Am I asking for trouble here ???
    

    
       -1 � -	Am I asking for trouble here ???
          
    Not at all, I just fail to see why a bunch of non-rock bands are
    being put on Reading Rock's bill this year thats all.

    
    
    	Point taken.
    
    	In recent years the festival has been known as 'READING' rather
    than 'Reading Rock'. Notice this in the title of the topic.
    Perhaps this is because the demand for pure ROCK music has been
    on the decline and the organisers are catering for the popular demand
    now.
    
    Remember that at the end of the day these festivals have to make
    money to survive and pleasing everybody has always been difficult.
    
    	Tony.
    

                            
    
    Sure. I can appreciate that, but why not have the old format of,
    say one day reserved for "rock" music, one for other (for example)
    Pogues/Fairground Attraction type bands and another for, "gothic"
    type bands or whatever ?         
                                      
    That way, everyone is pleased.  But if they are after a big crown 
    (and therefore bit bucks) they haven't used there heads very well 
    with the present formating.
                            
    -Tony                   

    
    Re .11
    
    Sounds like an excellent idea. I must admit, I've never been because
    the bands on don't, as a combination, appeal, even though one or
    two do. If I want to see A band I go to one of their concerts.
    
    A festival has to appeal to as wide a range as possible, and a day
    a style would ensure that everyone could see a few bands who appealed
    to them rather than sitting through act after act that they hated
    until their favourites came on.
    
    Mark

re .11

    >That way, everyone is pleased.  But if they are after a big crown 

	Probably pleases no-one as a three-day festival is turned into
	3 one-day festivals depending on your taste.

	Could be worth taking up with the organisers.


	Personally I would like to see a mixture of bands on each 
	day representing a wide spectrum of musical tastes.
	(EXCEPT C&W, RAP and Status Quo).

	Tony.

    Lets not forget that the Reading Festival has been going for years,
    and has not always been totally devoted to HM/Rock/whatever.  The
    line up for the past couple of years has been pathetic, for want of
    a better word.   This time looks like more of an intelligent mixture.
    
    I agree that the mixture should be general, not three one day events,
    just like the old festival used to be.
    
    Mike
            
    

    As far as I can remember the festival's proper title was The national
    Jazz, Rock & Blues festival 
    
    
    (oh wouldnt it be nice if some decent blues and Jazz did actually
    appear without being canned off the stage by ignorant drunkards)

    re -1  Yeaahhh,  that would be perfection, we need a decent large
    scale jazz fest, like the holland/north sea bash.
    Mike.
    ps , catch my man Miles at the Royal festival Hall, july 11.  Announced
    today, so should be some tickets left.

    Re .the last two.....
    
    You're talking my language, man!
    
    Unfortunate thing is, the jazz festivals we do have get pathetic
    attendance. 
    
    Tony (Jazz fan)

    What's all this Jazz and Rock mumbling going on here then!
    
    Don't you realise what's happening at this years festival ?
    
    Didn't you read the note properly or something ?
    
    
    THE POGUES ARE COMING TO TOWN !
    
    
    Now THAT'S what I call MUSIC!
    
    
    
    				Jamie.

    >>    THE POGUES ARE COMING TO TOWN !

    
    Maybe you would be safer locking up your sons !!

    Maybe we should lock up Tony 8-)
    

    Yes, please do !

    
    The line up for Reading:
    
    Friday 25th August: New Order, The Sugarcubes, House of Love, That
    Petrol Emotion, Swans, My Bloddy Valentine, Spacemen 3, Gaye Bikers
    on Acid.
    
    Saturday 26th August: The Pogues, New Model Army, Billy Bragg, Green
    on Red, The Men they Couldn't Hang, Les Negresses Vertes, Mary
    Coughlan, Bhundu Boys, Something Happens.
    
    Sunday 27th August: The Mission, The Wonderstuff, Voice of the Beehive,
    Butthole Surfers, PWEI, The Mighty Lemon Drops, Jesus Jones, World
    Domination Enterprises.

Stuart, is this anything like the summer festival over here?

    
    This is 10 times better than your ficticious Summer Festival.
    

    Yeah, you tell him !!!!!

    Whats all this about jazz ??
    
    Admittedly Reading doesnt get the big bands any more (though they
    have had a pretty impressive past, Thin Lizzy, Alex Harvey ) but
    remember when they used to hold the festival over four days and
    have a jazz day on the Monday, which was attended by a splattering
    of ardent fans and the severly drunk that were probably still there
    from the previous evening, in the end they stopped it.  I wonder
    why ??
    
    Personally I'll be there this year throwing up and hurling cans
    at the really poxy bands like Deacon Blue who appeared briefly last
    year.  A real insult to anyone who likes music.
     
                                                   

    re .-1
    
    > Personally I'll be there this year throwing up and hurling cans     
    > at the really poxy bands like Deacon Blue who appeared briefly last 
    > year.  A real insult to anyone who likes music.                     
    
    
    I don't think it's an insult -- carry on and enjoy yourself!
    
    
    Richard.
    

    Let's not get into the "my band is better than your band" syndrome
    again. You don't have to like everyone, but comments such as the recent
    Deacon Blue ones are purile and unnecessary. OK kids?
    
    KAE, your oh-so-friendly moderator

    
    I thought CHEFS::WYARDK was referring to people throwing up and
    hurling cans being a real insult, not duff bands.
    
    Mind you, people throwing up and hurling cans does provide a great
    excuse for avoiding Reading for a week or so...
    
    Richard

    				{ TICKETS }
                                
     	Hi, New Noter Here,
    
    	Can anyone tell me where to buy tickets for this event ?
    
    	Also is it possible to buy daily/non-residential(?)tickets ?
    
    			Cheers Helen.

     
>>    You don't have to like everyone, but comments such as the recent
>>    Deacon Blue ones are purile and unnecessary. OK kids?
    
    
    Think you're a bit OTT here Keith, the comments on Deacon Blue are
    valid critisisms made by people who have bought and liked the band's
    albums, but were bitterly disappointed with their live performing.
    
    Insinuating that they are childish insults is not on.
    
    Read the notes again.

    
    Michael
    

    Michael, the comment that spawned my comment is below. I do appreciate
    that the majority of people are expressing themselves in an acceptable
    style. I don't mind discussing this further if you want, but let's do
    it in note 4 rather than rathole this one further.
    
    Keith
    
.28�    Personally I'll be there this year throwing up and hurling cans
.28�    at the really poxy bands like Deacon Blue who appeared briefly last
.28�    year.  A real insult to anyone who likes music.
    

    
    
    Re .32
    
    You can buy tickets from most ticket agencies or by Mail.
    
    Contact the Mean Fiddler in London for more details.
    
    BTW : Daily tickets are not camping tickets.  Only the season tickets
    are.
    
    I'll try and find out more details of places you can buy them from
    if you tell me where you live Helen.
    
    Paul.

    				{..at last}
    
    Re.35
    
    Thanks for the information Paul - much appreciated.
    
    I'm living in Reading, so ......where do I go ?
    
    puzzled, Helen.

    Try Listen records upstairs in the Butts,  or  the Hexagon often
    has tickets on sale.
    
    Mike

    
    Yeah, Listen Records in the Butts do tickets.  I cant remember how
    much the daily tickets are but I know the Season ticket is 32.50
    plus 1.50 booking charge.
    
    There is no drink or food allowed into the arena this year (bummer)
    but you can buy stuff in there (food and drink I mean)
    
    Should be good this year.
    
    Paul.
    

    Can't buy single day tickets until the day, and then only by queing
    at the gate.  they are going to be #15 each.
    
    Are the waterboys turning up?
    
    Mike

    
    I dont think the Waterboys were lined up to go on.
    
    -.24 has the line up details
    
    Paul I-cant-be-bothered-to-type-them-out-again

    'An insult to any one who likes good music' refers to Deacon Blue
    not the throwing up.  I've supported the festival for the last ten
    years or more, and have listened to many and varied bands, some
    that I didnt like but I could appreciate that some people would.
    The MAJORITY of the audience last year did not wish to hear
    the terrible din that Deacon blue thought was 'live music'. Surely
    its the majority that matters, and surely if a band cannot perform
    live it should not play at a festival.
    
    

    
    
    I know what you mean, but I cant seem to forget bands who have played
    at Reading who were let down by poor mixing of their sound.
    
    I don't particularily like Deacon Blue's style of music but I think
    any band should be given a second chance.  If they're cr*p the next
    time well then they've had their chance.
    
    Am I being too diplomatic ?
    
    Paul

    I agree with 2nd chances.
    
    I'm not a mad Deacon Blue fan but I had the fortune of
    catching them on Saturday night at a large pub/nightclub
    venue here in Sydney. They put on an execelent show, playing
    for the better part of two hours.
    
    The crowd was mainly a bunch of homesick poms (backpackers and
    travelers) who where obviously alot more familiar with the 
    band than myself.
    
    There was certainly nothing wrong with the mix and over all was
    a very professional gig.  They even did a couple of excellent
    covers.  Good enough to temp me to look into buying an album or
    two.
    
    Brian

    Re: Deacon Blue, Saturday evening at last year's Reading Festival.
    As far as I can recollect, Deacon Blue were on stage for less than
    one whole song before they retired bruised and battered from a
    barrage of cans and bottles. Okay, so the sound mix may not of been
    perfect, but they could of at least been given a chance ! The people
    who claim that they canned them because of their live sound are
    in my opinion talking cr*p, they're searching for excuses to explain
    their peurile, selfish and extremely childish behaviour. I would
    have liked to have seen the band live, unfortunately I could not
    due to the actions of a small number. If any of these people are
    reading this mail (sorry about the long words) be aware that your
    tastes are not neccesarily those of others, and if you don't like
    a band you can always retire to the bar, there is no need to try
    and disfigure the musicians involved !  

    Is it still possible to get 3 day tickets for Reading?
    
    juju
    xxxx
    

    Yes
    

    
    May as well recycle topics, so here goes.
    
    Any word on the line-up this year?
    
    Paul

    There's a rumour that Inspirals will be there.
    
    
    matty
    
    (let's start a rumour that Madonna's coming!)

    Anyone got anything firm on Reading ?
    
    1 - Loop will be there again (Saviours of mankind!)
    2 - Inspirals will be too..  (Saviours of past fashion & Flares)
    
    Does anybody know where I can gert tix ?
    
    Juju
    xxxx
    

    Listen  in Reading have tix - 37 quids each.  The Weddoes will also be
    there, tho' I think the Cramps are a bit weak as headliners for the
    Fri...no one seems to be in the major league like last years (NeW
    Order).  I'll probably go anyway.
    
    Mikef
    

    Heres the line up:
    
    Friday:
    
    The Cramps
    Faith No More
    Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
    Dinosaur Jr.
    Mudhoney
    Janes Addiction
    Megacity 4
    An emotional Fish
    
    Sat:
    
    Inspiral Carpets
    The Wedding Present
    The Buzzcocks
    Billy Bragg
    Ride
    The Young Gods
    The Chills
    Pere Ubu
    Psychic TV
    
    Sun:
    
    Pixies
    The Fall
    Jesus Jones
    Tack>>Head
    Loop
    Living Colour
    Stereo MC's
    The Telescopes
    Thee Hypnotics
    The Senseless Things
    
    Not as good as last year but worth it for the pure blitzed state
    I'm gonna be in all weekend!
    
    Rich
    

    Surely they could have got a much better lineup by deleting Friday,
    and making it a 2 day event. 
    
    Juju
    xxxx
    
    Can you buy individual tickets from Listen, or just 3 day passes?
    
    Juju
    xxxx
    

    Just 3 day I'm afraid.  Day passes are on thegates only, and will
    probably cost 16 - 17 quids.
    
    Mikef
    
    PS - get there early for your wrist band.  Last year I missed two bands
    thru queueing.

    
    You can only get 3 day tickets in advance. Last year they claimed
    that there would be no day tickets but they did sell them on the
    gate.
    
    Heres a few numbers
    
    0225 444118
    071 379 4444
    081 741 8989 
    081 963 0940
    071 734 8932
    071 240 0771
    
     All Credit card nos.
    
    Reading festival info 081 963 0797
    
    Rich.

    
    Damn, Mr. Unreliable[8-)] beat me to it.
    
    Ok heres my handy hint to all: Try to avoid driving, Reading turns
    into a nightmare for that weekend so its best to find another mode
    of transport.
    
    Rich.
    

    Mike, You missed two bands waiting for a band?!?
    
    								:-)
    
    Rich, how do you suggest travelling? Flying carpet?
    
    								:-) :-)
    
    Ed, Mr. Reliable, reliable at god-knows what!

    Ed
    
    After I wrote that note I just knew someone would take the P***
    
    Matty
    
    You lived in Basingstoke and you never saw Papa Brittle????
    You must stand trial!
    
    Rich.
    

    There is some good stuff going on in the tent at Reading...Tom
    Robinson, Band of Holy Joy, Martin Stephenson, Jonathon Richman, and
    err, lots of other stuff.
    
    All you have to do is avoid the Frank Sidebottom fans.
    
    Mike ( MR Unreliable - still pugging)