Comments on: Ely Folk Festival Review 2008

By: Paul Mardell

Paul Mardell — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 22:16:24 +0000

Thanks to all involved in the organisation of the festival. It was my first and I will be back! The music was stunning from start to finish .. such a wide variety of performers. There were many highlights but seeing Martin Simpson was very special and Show of Hands played a wonderful set .. the atmosphere in the marquee was quite something that night. I have come away really inspired and much the wiser. Thanks again .. see you next year!!

By: Russell Moden

Russell Moden — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:30:40 +0000

Really enjoyed the festival this year I think the best one since I have been going (this was the 6th), good report and pictures Jon and Karl see you in the beer tent next year

By: John Glover

John Glover — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:23:55 +0000

Hi Helen – the trains are punctual but full. Nothing changes.

While I’m here I’d like to answer a question I raised with regard to Spiers & Boden:

“To finish the weekend it was Folk WunderKidz, Spiers and Boden. Lee and I spent the first five minutes trying to work out where the bass whoomp was coming from and we worked out it was from a footpad. Is that allowed in Folk?”

Well, Lee has done some research and the whoomp was produced like this:

“For the stomp box we use a square of strong plywood (about a square yard but could be smaller) and 4 pieces of 4″x4″ pine cut so it fits together with a mic inside it. It’s stuck together with velcro. We also pad the top parts of the supporting pine with foam to make it less clacky. We use an Audio-Technica ATM87R condenser mic (designed for bass drums) Generally to get our type of sound you need to turn down all the treble and mid on the desk and whack the bass up as far as you can without getting feedback – this gives a bassy dull thud, if you want some attack to the sound then put some mid back in.”

I stand corrected.

By: Helen Blake (nee Palin)

Helen Blake (nee Palin) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:34:44 +0000

Oh, hell! I left Ely/Little Downham about 4 years ago. I discovered the band Show of Hands sort of recently (Johnnie Walker played ‘Roots’on his part-time radio show) and I would have liked to see them live. Looks like I have missed a really good chance. I stay on the Isle of Lewis (Outer Hebrides) and we have a celtic fesitval each year in Stornoway. I don’t suppose the boys would consider playing up here next year? They may have a few problems if they were to trott out ‘Roots’at the big tent but I think they would be able to look after themselves!

Looks like the Ely Festival was an excellent gig. PS How are the trains these days!