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Post by carolbscotland on Sept 13, 2010 23:07:35 GMT
I love Beatleweek, im not what you would call a veteran, I know some of you have been going for 20+ years! Only been going since 2005, but i think 6 consecutive years is not too bad and have a few things I noticed about this year I was dissapointed in. I dont like the fact that the Friday gigs were not held in the Adelphi. Am I alone here? I always loved checking in on the Fri and going downstairs for a few drinks and watching the bands. The Casbah is too small to accommodate everyone, do you not think? I didnt like the fact the Overtures were not playing the VIP party on Monday night. I love them in the Adelphi, going back and forward to the bar for drinks, dancing about the ballroom to my favourite Beatleweek band. Sitting down in a theatre watching them just isnt the same! Again, am I alone in this opinion? I loved Pepperland, they are fab, but missed the tradition of the Overtures. I missed Fridays bar being used, and the American bar. I just dont like the Crosby suite. Ok moan over, I had a brilliant few days, Il be going back next year, and the year after that. Just a few wee differences this year. Not a bad thing some people would say. What does everyone else think? Am I a grump?
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Post by The End on Sept 14, 2010 0:14:16 GMT
Hi Carolbscotland... you won't believe this, but I agree with you on every single point!!! It was nice visiting the Casbah (my first time), and once I got over the initial claustrophobia I really enjoyed seeing the Beatlelles, Tearaways, Nube 9 and Clube Big Beatles there. But you're right, there must have been loads of people that didn't fancy cramming into that tiny little space - I actually had no idea it was that small! We had a great drunken sing-along with Nube 9 on the bus home though! LOL
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alix
I'll Be On My Way
Posts: 340
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Post by alix on Sept 14, 2010 1:13:45 GMT
There's a reason a bunch of us nicknamed the casbah the 'inverse TARDIS'. In '99 (the last time it was used for BW) they ran it in 2 blocks with Hamish Stuart playing in the Adelphi as an alternate for when it wasn't your turn there. They also tried to limit you to about 20/30mins inside so everyone got a chance to go in. Oh & they had a no photo policy inside (so glad that was dropped as it's got better lighting than the cavern club or pub!).
As for the Overtures, i first saw them BW98 Saturday afternoon at the L2 & since then i've seen them in Adelphi siderooms and MSF stages- so any time slot/venue seems reasonable to me. Except Tuesday afternoon cavern back that's just cruel to everyone. Although i must agree the VIP has somewhat become their home in the last few years. I'm also aware that a few people don't like what many deem being the official close of the festival not being a 'purely Beatle' event - personally i'm glad to hear anything but by that stage.
The Friday afternoon gig has moved around a bit -Saturday's Night Club (In the Adelphi basement until there was a fire), Bar Celona (now Quiggins shop), Rawhide Comedy Club (behind Quiggins - whole building used to be Central Hall - where i think pre-97 the friday welcome event used to be), and of course the Adelphi Ballroom.
One thing i've learnt in the time i've been going - and that's only since 97 - is BW is always changing, sometimes it's down to availability of bands and venues sometimes it's down to the size it's grown to. Trips out to places like the casbah, strawberry fields, Quarrybank generally aren't feasible any more due to the number of people. They either end up finding a group of venues near to each other (eg. Penny Lane Festival or Wirral the Squiral(!)) or one big venue like Alma de Cuba or Chavasse Park (when it was still there!). I miss the outings they almost feel like school trips.
My main request is that they stop using the philharmonic - it may be a great venue for classical music but the acoustics are shit for rock'n'roll. Although that being said - they're limited on alternate venues for the evening 'showcase'/'centre piece' gigs, Empire is possibly a bit too big with no atmosphere & very expensive, the Royal Court has lost a lot of it's capacity in one of its refurbs, the L2 is limited on seating (some people believe in chairs!), the Echo Arena is WAAAAYYYY too huge, LIPA main auditorium is in use Friday & saturday afternoon for the auction & would be too small anyway, no idea what happened to the good ole State Ballroom which was used in 97, tho that's probably too small now too.....
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Post by carolbscotland on Sept 14, 2010 8:59:57 GMT
Thats a really good point about venues. In the years ive been going they have used the following - Empire Theatre, Royal Court, Carling Academy, (02), Philharmonic. I like the 02, but youre right, not enough seats. Which isnt a problem for me but other people who have been on the go all day might want a seat. I totally agree about the Overtures in the Caver that Tuesday, it was terrible! I was front row and was covered head to toe in sweat, and most of it came from the band! Yuk!
I also enjoyed going 'away' for the day, the last one I remember was the Penny Lane festival in 07. I love Alma de Cuba as a venue, good atmosphere, lovely building. Hope they continue to use this for bands.
I dont know if the reason for not using Fridays and American bar is because numbers are down and they want to contain us all in one area so its busier? Not sure about this one. It certainly seemed very very busy in the bars at night, but there was only 2 open. Booking for next year and for the first time will be staying 6 nights, instead of our usual 5.
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Post by mrmustard on Sept 14, 2010 10:15:07 GMT
I don't book a package as I live locally but I have to agree with the points raised here.
I too was disappointed with the fact that there was no Friday afternoon in the Adelphi. We took our young daughter there last year and the Ballroom was absolutely ideal for her there. There is not much else a two year old can (should) be exposed to at Beatleweek but that was ideal. We took her to the Cavern Friday afternoon instead this year but she just ended up running round the pillar in the back room and up and down the ramp and we were on tenderhooks all the time!
They never used Cromptons Foyer bar this year for bands at the convention which was a shame as I felt there wasn't as much choice of bands to see on the day. It's not an ideal room but no worse that the Crosby suite. They have used the room opposite the Crosby suite for bands in years gone by but that is now used as an extension to the market now. However I thought this room worked very well for seeing bands. I am not sure if the Derby suite works with a stage in. That was always just the bar area and quiet zone and perhaps should stay as that.
That said, I do believe the Adelphi is the only place that the Beatles convention should ever be held. There isn't a venue in the city that could offer the same space and versatility. Even though it only ever sells Fosters on draught!!!
Alix, you are right about your comments on the Philharmonic; rock bands do not work there. The city is struggling for that slightly bigger venue needed for Beatleweek. One possibility is the Olympia (next to the Grafton Ballroom). Named bands have started to play there (Robert Plant is on in October, Echo and the Bunney Men in December). I haven't been (going in October) but from what I hear it could fit the bill perfectly.
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pat
And That's A Start
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Post by pat on Sept 15, 2010 12:53:24 GMT
I have gotten to a stage where I cant do the coming and going to all sorts of places, so I stuck largely to the Adelphi and The Cavern this year, and I really think that most of the events can be accomodated at the Adelphi, even if they have no clue how to run a bar! There is no reason why all the available rooms could not be used, and one of the main reasons people always loved it was because of the variety offered in 1 place, alternatively it is so much easier for people with access issues to stay in 1 place and let the bands come to them!
I also REALLY hated the sensible closing times in the Adelphi, what is THAT all about? We always loved staying up late chatting to the bands and having a sing song at least 1 night of the weekend, and that aspect of the festival has virtually gone now.
In saying all that, it is a fantastic festival and takes an enormous amount of time, energy and dedication on the part of CCT to put it on, this year was better organised that ever, and I know that whatever they do, I will still keep turning up. Oh, and I didnt like the amount of Rolling Stones that was played at the 'night night' gig, although I love the Tearaways, but we love the party atmosphere of the Overtures party, so leave it to the Overtures!
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Post by The End on Sept 15, 2010 13:42:31 GMT
I didnt like the amount of Rolling Stones that was played at the 'night night' gig, although I love the Tearaways, but we love the party atmosphere of the Overtures party, so leave it to the Overtures! Totally agree with you there Pat! I think it was as much a surprise to the Overtures as everyone else that they weren't playing the finale.
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Post by carolbscotland on Sept 16, 2010 18:26:15 GMT
Pat - I totally agree! What was with the security in the hotel all about? I previous years we were always able to mingle after the last band came off, and have a drink in the American Bar. This year all the non residents were ferried out the side door, while we had no choice but to go to bed! I always stay in the Adelphi but have friends who do not, and cant get the chance to have a chat and a drink together!
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alix
I'll Be On My Way
Posts: 340
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Post by alix on Sept 16, 2010 23:09:30 GMT
From what i noticed on the function board on the way into the Lounge (Cavern Syndicate - i found a hilarious), i think the Adelphi had booked a few conferences in during BW. Which would have restricted the amount of space they could allocate to CCT, plus that would mean that they would need to monitor noise and disturbance for nonBW guests.
If they did try and book other events in during the bank holiday it was stupid of them, as even back in 1997 (when that fly on the wall doc was done) due to BW the bank holiday weekend was their busiest and most lucrative weekend second only to the Grand National and BW's grown a lot since then.
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Post by mrmustard on Sept 19, 2010 16:52:08 GMT
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Post by revolverdundee on Sept 20, 2010 11:25:32 GMT
The adelphi stage has 2 engineers Mrmustard. FOH, and monitors. The engineer at the side only does the monitor mix, it's sepereate for out front.
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Post by mrmustard on Sept 20, 2010 12:09:03 GMT
The adelphi stage has 2 engineers Mrmustard. FOH, and monitors. The engineer at the side only does the monitor mix, it's sepereate for out front. I know this. I was referring to the crosby suite, cavern club(front), cavern pub. There is no excuse for this especially when the mix is wrong.
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Post by revolverdundee on Sept 20, 2010 13:09:08 GMT
Fair point! The Cavern Pub could REALLY use monitors across the front of the stage too! Can't hear a thing up there!
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Post by mrmustard on Sept 20, 2010 18:24:23 GMT
As there is barely enough room for stage monitors, you would think the least CCT would supply is some inner ear monitoring! You would have to share with the other bands mind!
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Iain
I'll Be On My Way
Posts: 154
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Post by Iain on Sept 21, 2010 22:53:25 GMT
The Cavern Pub sound was as bad as ever - the sound engineer really could not be bothered going out front to check th equality (or lack of!). He wouldn't be told either!!! This is a shame. Ross is right about The Adelphi Ballroom though - it was first class!!
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Post by mrmustard on Sept 21, 2010 23:45:58 GMT
The Cavern Pub sound was as bad as ever - the sound engineer really could not be bothered going out front to check th equality (or lack of!). He wouldn't be told either!!! This is a shame. Ross is right about The Adelphi Ballroom though - it was first class!! This is what I am saying. It's really poor. Is it the case that the sound engineers everywhere else other than the Adelphi Ballroom are all on work experience from LIPA!
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Post by The End on Sept 21, 2010 23:48:21 GMT
Is it the case that the sound engineers everywhere else other than the Adelphi Ballroom are all on work experience from LIPA! I've heard that too, is it true?
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Post by revolverdundee on Sept 22, 2010 8:32:41 GMT
To be honest, i've found young enthusiastic sound engineers to be helpful and keen to get it sounding as good as possible. It's the guys who have been doing it for 30years who think they know it all, or can't be arsed that are the worst....
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Post by mrmustard on Sept 22, 2010 10:12:17 GMT
Yes, you may be right about that. My humblest apologies to anyone studying sound engineering at LIPA!
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Iain
I'll Be On My Way
Posts: 154
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Post by Iain on Sept 22, 2010 12:15:25 GMT
We also found the young guys (and Gals!!) enthusiastic and keen to help. It was the older guys - especially in the Cavern Pub who couldn't be bothered! Which was a real shame!
Maybe he was just fed up trying to get any decent sound with the poor quality equipment that he had to work with!!
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