Its interesting that all the dates so far announced by CH are festivals. Is this a deliberate policy?

With festivals you're normally playing to new audiences whereas with a solo tour I expect the majority of the audience are confirmed CH fans anyway and may well have seen them played them before. And will buy the new albums anyway.

I actually think its very positive that CH are trying to attract new audiences. I think Glasto did CH a world of good. I won't go to a festival to see CH when they tour the UK this time. And I will buy their album anyway. I would go and see a solo tour though.

Thoughts??

Well, I'm hoping a miracle happens and they end up at the Edmonton Folk Fest this summer. One of the organizers told me he's tried to get them in the past, so I'm hoping he tries and succeeds this year!

I volunteer in an area backstage that guarantees me a view of the show up close, and, well.....I'm backstage! It's very common for performers to wander over to my area, because it's a good spot for them to watch other performers on the mainstage, plus we're right next to the backstage porta-potties. I like meeting bands under those circumstances....when they just wander over to my area....because the way I interact with them is far more natural, and I don't feel like some nutty groupie hanging around.

I think it's completely conceivable that the Crowdies could be in the Edmonton area the second weekend in August! My fingers are certainly crossed!

not to rain on your parade or anything, half-full, but i don't think they're going to come thru our chunk of the world.

just a hunch.

i think it's a good idea though, to get some big anchor dates with these festivals. not only would they reach somewhat of a new audience but a very very large audience which may have a trickle down effect of creating some new die-hard fans

i always enjoy the big pub shows (500 people) way more than the arena shows, regardless of where I end up sitting or standing. The smaller shows are a lot more fun and the electricity of "anything can happen" is tangible. The arena shows -- the atmosphere is sort of "entertain me...if you can"

i'm at a loss to predict what's going to happen this time around but i just have a feeling that especially now with the recession, cities who in the past have had a poor attendance record probably won't rate another show at this point.

I realize I'm probably hoping for too much, but a girl's gotta dream!

Honestly, I expect that any Canadian dates will just mean Vancouver and/or Toronto. Which means I need a financial miracle if they announce any such dates too soon.

So the idea of them coming to folk fest sort of keeps my spirits up in the mean time.

Martine,

You raise a good point actually. I suppose festivals are far less risky for a band as well.

I really hope CH don't just concentrate on London, Manchester, Birmingham, Dublin and Glasgow - the normal 5 the big bands normally concentrate on.

I'm not really a festival goer - although I did see CH's comeback at Hyde Park - but that was a one off. Festivals are normally too far away for me and its difficult as a Dad with a young family to take so much time off.

I'm actually really keen this year to take my boys to see CH at a small venue if poss. I took them to see u2 at Wembley which was OK but CH in a smaller venue would blow my boys away I think!

i'm not saying they won't do smaller cities, where they know the fan base is large (ish) and loyal and i will definitely eat my hat if edmonton and winnipeg get a nod

and at my age you wouldn't catch me dead at a festival unless i could get in and out with a modicum of ease without having to drag any survival gear with me or risk being turned into hamburger down the front by moshy people waiting for Rage Against the Machine

half-full, i've said it before and i'll say it once again--get your passport in order and start saving your pennies, girl.

I think we're going to get an arena tour in the UK again, which will be OK if we get access to decent tickets via a pre-sale, plus appearances at a few festivals, which will be good, in terms of wider audience, especially with TV coverage.....so long as it isn't limited to WWY!

I don't think we got a fan club gig last time round in Europe/UK, so that would be excellent!

Flower Singing Man - if Brighton Arena is a venue this time round again, go for it, it was the smallest venue (4000 capacity, I think) on the last tour & if you're lucky enough to get decent tickets (I managed row C @ the last show), your boys will love it!

I'd rather not do the arena thing, but it appears that's likely what we're going to get.

However, I bet if he does an entire tour of arena shows, he'll miss the smaller shows

Or at least we can hope.....

I don't think an arena tour is a done deal yet, by any means, and who knows, a summer of UK/European festivals may be interspersed with a few club/theatre gigs to keep us loyal but prudent fans happy. Certainly I would guess that autumn will probably see them cover most if not all the main areas - Aus/NZ, US/Can, Europe and UK - a bit like last time, but I'm not sure which way the venues question will go.

Definitely praying for a theatre tour, mind.

On the festivals issue, I think it's a good point about trying to still reach out to new fans, and Glastonbury last time around did look like good fun, but then you get days like Coachella where it all goes a bit pear-shaped because they end up playing a warm-up slot. It's an interesting, positive and slightly brave strategy..

i'm sure the band views arena shows as a necessary evil and probably, like us, prefer the smaller gigs.

my wish is to see multiple shows over a few nights in one spot. that would be fabulous

That's my wish too Complete with a fun group of Frenz to share the experience. I know my daughter is hoping to come if I travel this time around for concerts. I hope I can make that happen too.

I do hope there will be some solo UK/European tour dates and not just festivals . Festivals tend to mean a shorter slot (1 hour max) and a more limited play list. It is nice to see the guys outside though - the UK 2008 forestry tour was fantastic

Quoted above by Linzimoor :-

quote:

the UK 2008 forestry tour was fantastic

Sorry, I hated it! We got stuck at the back (blame it on the traffic!) @ Thetford so couldn't see the stage for the picnic hampers/deckchairs & tartan rugs! There seemed to be too many people there for the social gathering and weren't interested in the music.

Prepared to give it another go though, so long as we get there early, down the front and amongst Frenz!

Howe many UK 'outdoor shows' did CH play in 2008? Thetford, Westonbirt, Sherwood, Glastonbury - any more?

Bart,

I was at the Brighton Centre gig and yes it's an ok venue but I prefer Pompey Guildhall where I first saw CH.

Unfortunately I've moved to Peterborough now. So I guess it will be Nottingham, Birmingham or if there is a God, Cambridge corn exchange

quote:

Originally posted by Martine:
not to rain on your parade or anything, half-full, but i don't think they're going to come thru our chunk of the world.

Hey, you never know. It wouldn't shock me entirely if they decide to give the whole US a pass this time, considering how utterly ridiculous the security measures to get into this country have become. Maybe the whole North American part of the tour will take place in Canada this time.

Posted by Flower Singing Man

quote:

if there is a God, Cambridge corn exchange

Yep, with you on that one, assuming they pass on the Halstead Empire!!!!

There are plenty good venues in Tampa, FL. Just saying.

quote:

Originally posted by Flower Singing Man:
Its interesting that all the dates so far announced by CH are festivals. Is this a deliberate policy?

I'd guess that festivals just get announced earlier, because of the amount of organisation involved. I'm sure 'proper' gigs will be announced later. Hopefully not too much later.

I'm not really a festival person, and I certainly wouldn't pay £150 plus travel for the IOW. I could get 4 gig tickets for that, or a plane ticket to somewhere...

quote:

Originally posted by brownie:
It wouldn't shock me entirely if they decide to give the whole US a pass this time, considering how utterly ridiculous the security measures to get into this country have become.

Very true. It's put me off another little trip to New York, should the need arise - although that's not to say I've absolutely ruled it out

quote:

Originally posted by BART:
Posted by Flower Singing Man

quote:

if there is a God, Cambridge corn exchange

Yep, with you on that one, assuming they pass on the Halstead Empire!!!!

Cambridge Corn Exchange!!! Yes Please.Put me down for that one.
I don't do festivals.Too much frustrating hanging around waiting for other bands to get off when all you want to see is the Crowdies.

I'd definitely prefer smaller indoor venues. Really can't be bothered with the struggle inherent in a festival and the inevitability that I'm not interested in most of the other bands. Would far rather they did 20 smaller shows than 5 large arena shows.