The Big Chill 2009

[Voley]

Got a right slating last year, I know, but this year's line-up appeals to me quite a lot.

I'd love to see David Byrne doing a load of old Talking Heads stuff. Elsewhere Orbital, Dub Syndicate, Lamb, Mr Scruff, Dylan Moran, Calexico - plenty of things to get me excited there.

Will it be enough to outweigh the shit security and general naffness though?

I'm tempted, I must admit ...

 

[Orang Utan]

I really fancy going one of these days. I think I'm old enough now.

 

[Ground Elder]

Pharaoh Sanders almost tempts me, but only almost.

 

[Voley]

I didn't even know he was still alive, I've gotta be honest.

 

[Orang Utan]

They have good line ups and the venue looks nice - so why does it get flak again?

 

[Voley]

Too posh, too middle class, all of that. But last year's got a particularly bad slating for being poorly organised, too crowded and bad for crime. There were some horror stories about the security employed, too - people alleged that they were the source of some of the crime.

This is what concerns me, tbh. There's a good crew of us who quite fancy going (to see David Byrne and Orbital, mainly) but I really don't think I'll enjoy myself if it's gone the way of the V's and Reading's of this world.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

I really fancy going one of these days. I think I'm old enough now.

 

[William of Walworth]

We went last year because we'd had tickets to the much cheaper but flood-cancelled Sunrise Celebration and we were allowed into the BC in compensation.

The site is absolutely stunning, best thing about it. There was plenty of excellent music too, looks like the choice is damned good this year also.

Tort and one or two others among our lot found the security moodier than we did, but they are definitely a downer -- close searches between campsites and inner arena, plus their general unfriendliness.

Risk of thefts was also definitely a big concern for some (we were OK though).

The biggest drawback to us was that food and drink almost everywhere on site was pretty damned expensive. There's also only only one tent with any real ale.

However to make up for that the Burrowhills Cider Bus was there -- watch the ultra steep hill leading up to it though

 

[William of Walworth]

NVP -- IMO, it didn't seem nearly as bad as Reading or V in terms of corporate soullessness. And there are far fewer trashed teens

 

[Voley]

Thanks for that, William. Sounds alright for me then. I'm not into drugs (other than Burrow Hill's excellent fayre) much any more so I doubt security will be bothering me.

If it's sunny, I'll enjoy it I expect. The site is beautiful, I agree. I really liked the one I went to a few years back.

 

[May Kasahara]

Now that we've got a kid me and the mister feel practically obligated to go to this Went a few years ago and the site is indeed very beautiful. Not sure if we'd survive with an 11 month old though, what do the experienced festivalling parents think?

 

[Yetman]

I might work it this year, it is bloody good. Love the art trail as well

 

[May Kasahara]

omg, you mean i might actually get to meet you if i go?

<faints>

 

[Sweet FA]

Now that we've got a kid me and the mister feel practically obligated to go to this Went a few years ago and the site is indeed very beautiful. Not sure if we'd survive with an 11 month old though, what do the experienced festivalling parents think?

You'll be OK I reckon, the mob I we usually go with included 2 under 1s last time round. You need to get there early though to get a decent spot on family camping (and a car park space in family parking). By early I mean around midday on Thursday. We got there around 3 last year and it was already pretty busy and was full by the evening. The parking was full even ear;ier than that. I wouldn't fancy pushing pram + babystuff up and down the hills to the other camping areas. Family camping's really quiet after 8ish (but obviously wakes up pretty early...). The kid's tent is at the family camping end of the site too and the music on the stage in that field is usually quite folky/acoustic.

 

[fen_boy]

You'll be OK I reckon, the mob I we usually go with included 2 under 1s last time round. You need to get there early though to get a decent spot on family camping (and a car park space in family parking). By early I mean around midday on Thursday. We got there around 3 last year and it was already pretty busy and was full by the evening. The parking was full even ear;ier than that. I wouldn't fancy pushing pram + babystuff up and down the hills to the other camping areas. Family camping's really quiet after 8ish (but obviously wakes up pretty early...). The kid's tent is at the family camping end of the site too and the music on the stage in that field is usually quite folky/acoustic.

I think they've changed the parking this year so you can book specifically for the family bit, although how well observed that will be I don't know. They've also added another field or two of camping.
We went in 2004 pre-children and this year we're going with a 4 year old and a 2 year old.

 

[Tort]

Photos & miniblog from last year here:-

www.pbase.com/tort/festivals

David Byrne, Orbital & Lamb would usually sway it for me but apart from spending time with some wonderful people it really wasn't my cup of tea last year.

 

[Yetman]

omg, you mean i might actually get to meet you if i go?

<faints>

*looks around*

Are you talking to me miss?

 

[May Kasahara]

But of course!

 

[mwgdrwg]

Now that we've got a kid me and the mister feel practically obligated to go to this Went a few years ago and the site is indeed very beautiful. Not sure if we'd survive with an 11 month old though, what do the experienced festivalling parents think?

Last year my boy was 18 months, and my daughter was 7. Had a brilliant time, even if it was crowded and expensive. Gonna make my own food this year, which will be my 4th visit

 

[Yetman]

But of course!

Well then the feeling is totally mutual! I very much look forward to it

 

[Sweet FA]

I think they've changed the parking this year so you can book specifically for the family bit

They did this last year & it didn't work...People were waving family camping/parking tickets around on Friday but no joy. The whole situation caused big traffic jams around the site, police got involved & it all got a bit stroppy.

 

[Larje]

They did this last year & it didn't work...People were waving family camping/parking tickets around on Friday but no joy. The whole situation caused big traffic jams around the site, police got involved & it all got a bit stroppy.

Big Chill in not being able to organise a piss up in a brewery shocka.

This year will be my first in 6 years that I'm not bothering, which is a bit of a pain as the line up looks pretty tasty. But the festival took a massive turn for the worse last year. Rubbish left everywhere, too many ignorant arseholes (both amongst the crowd and especially security on the arena gates), fucking outrageous prices (£24 for a pitcher of watered down cocktail) and way too busy. Less the Big Chill, more just the Big.

Also thought that for the price of the event and the relatively low profile (and therefore cost) of the acts performing somebody somewhere is raking it in at the punter's expense.

 

[ajk]

I understand the criticisms completely, the rubbish last year was awful and it is too expensive, but I still had an ace time. I'll be there this year.

 

[Shirl]

I was there last year and loved every minute of it. We had no hassle with security and the site was brilliant. The steep hill up from our van to the stages was a bit of a bugger but then I had my leg in plaster!
I'm going to be there again this year, can't wait

 

[fractionMan]

Now that we've got a kid me and the mister feel practically obligated to go to this Went a few years ago and the site is indeed very beautiful. Not sure if we'd survive with an 11 month old though, what do the experienced festivalling parents think?

I took lil fraction when he was just a few months old and it was fine. The family field has it's own shower block and toilets so that kind of stuff is easy. The site itself is at the bottom of a valley and the kids field is on the level with that so it's easy to get around too.

The secret is to have a kids that can sleep through anything

 

[Lazy Llama]

We went last year and are going again this year.

In fact, I just went to the Post Office and picked up our tickets.

This year we'll be taking wasp repellent...

 

[slaar]

The hour of Tom Middleton last year made all the rubbish etc worthwhile.

 

[sojourner]

Bollocks

Just realised that this and the Moor festival are both on dates that my staff have already booked off.

So no Dylan Moran or Calexico for me

I am going to book my fucking holidays for next year I think. They do this every year - book all the best fucking festie dates

 

[r0cky]

This year we'll be taking wasp repellent...

Good call! They were a right pest last year!

seems to be a different insect infestation each year though. Year before I remember millions of beetles, then before that lots of small spiders spinning threads everywhere.

 

[May Kasahara]

it was earwigs when i went.