Monday 24/03/08 After the recent windy weather the job of clearing fallen branches from the fields needed to be done before rolling the grass and firming the ground after the Winter frost lift. The next few weeks will be spent grabbing days to cut the fields of grass down to a fine lawn finish. Most days on the myspace.com/lodestarfestival site I receive messages from artists based all around the world and I do my best to answer each one. I find the response inspiring, in planning the festival and the months of organising, the roller coaster ride the job brings, it is great to take a moment and focus on one of the reasons I began LodeStar. March has seen quite a run of friends and family Birthdays, several people have told me that theirs falls over the 29-31 August weekend. Good reason to celebrate and enjoy a break especially if you don't have to travel far. As I have said before I'm always interested in your favourite artists and even the reason an event is chosen, artist, event atmosphere, cost, distance to travel to, friends going, other entertainment, interested to see a new event, believe in supporting up and coming artists, knowing you were there from the beginning, long running and always go, and so on. Do please email me with a list in order of why you choose a festival, what you look for. I thank you for your time, I can't promise to answer but will try.
Monday 25/02/08 Another week of meetings and travelling a couple of days to London on the train. To break away from the organisational aspect of LodeStar, I was inspired by a recent BBC program article on the Mazzard Cherry variety being saved in a community orchard. On the farm we have a field called Trixie Tree and from my childhood the older men that had long worked on the land told me the name came from an apple variety. I had never seen apple trees growing around the field. In the days it takes ploughing and tilling the land your mind drifts to what may have been before. Imagining everything from who worked the land, what they may have looked like, their thoughts, dreams, hopes, lifestyle etc.
Having a time of isolation can give a stereotypical view of people, but equally this philosophical environment can also surpass a potential insular view on life and allows us to never stop learning. I am concerned with the time people spend in front of a screen, but read on! Motivated at the thought of bringing people together at a festival, I do prefer to call it an event because people have a chance to come together which in itself is an 'event'. At this point, as Ronnie Corbett says, "I digress". So carrying on, after forty odd years a strange and beautifully blossoming apple tree suddenly appeared at the end of the Trixie Tree field around the time I started bringing LodeStar together.
It obviously means something to me, I hope you all have small symbolic moments in your life to believe in something "more than this" or at least wonder. Looking at the world over my lifetime, it is bitter sweet. Constantly changing with so much beauty it holds for us, an early sunrise to a candlelit dinner with friends, and a look in the depths of a lover's eye.
Our roller coaster ride mixes personal experiences with news from around the world of suffering and war. At the time of the Vietnam and Cold War's artists songs powerfully conveyed the fear of the world ending, hung with a dark shadow of a four-minute warning. News always seems negative if good (not glossed) was also reported it could change how we interacted with others. Being more positive, and from small acorns as they say. Considering our global communications and people's intelligence compared to the stone age you would think by now we would all realise no one wins, if "how can I help you and what can we do together" was asked, it does or should make you wonder..... perception and priorities. Hmm, all this from a story of an old apple tree. The music that inspires me usually holds a message, makes a statement or captures a mood, no matter what the genre, and any artist that can do that is a headliner.
Monday 18/02/08 Last few weeks taken up with gaining a Personal Licence and the usual round of meetings. Programming has been intense but it is satisfying when the artists billing starts coming together. It feels a bit like Dirac coming up with an equation, but obviously not as ground breaking! It has been very encouraging to have received emails from volunteers already. On the myspace.com/lodestarfestival website I have artists from around the globe contacting me daily wishing to perform at LodeStar. It's great that the festival has recognition of its ethos and the work going into it.
Monday 14/01/08 Discussed LodeStar's recycling strategy such as preferred materials to use for what purpose and make full use of the latest organic based containers and bags to cut down the logistics of segregation as well as the environmental effect and land fill. It does concern me that sometimes more energy and pollution comes about in the battle to tackle our environment issues. Interviewed a new member of the LodeStar team. Rest of the week travelling around London discussing artists for LodeStar. I will always try and answer your emails. If you would like to be part of LodeStar in any way let me know as it is a very exciting project that aims to benefit community, charities and the up and coming artists. You will find it very rewarding being part of one weekend that has such a great positive effect.
Monday 07/01/08 Busy with office work and meetings followed by flying round the underground in the evenings to look at the new artists on the scene for 2008. I guess I must be on the right track as twice now I have turned up at a gigs that had sold out, note: book a ticket!
Tuesday 01/01/08 Happy New Year! Not sure what happened to the cold spell and snow predicted. A big difference compared to years ago when we had 4 metre snow drifts and 200mm of ice in the stream. Yep! Lode village.."a river runs through it", actually a stream or 'lode' beside it, hence the given name LodeStar, the guiding star. A new year has begun.
December seems to have just flown by. It has made me realise I need to keep this a weekly diary. As I mentioned below about the Facebook group 'LodeStar' the same applies to myspace.com/lodestarfestivalgoer. As I am writing this and look at the clock I realise it is only seven hours away from the New Year, it does feel like turning the page in a book to read a new chapter. A few Meg Ryan films among others capture the feeling well.
November was a flurry of meetings and gigs at the end of the day, I prefer to utilise my carbon footprint and time as much as possible. Started a LodeStar facebook group, if you are reading this and become a member it may be advantagious in the future!
Monday 29/10/07 Idlewild at the Junction but missed them, it always seems I have more chance of seeing a band in London than on my doorstep! I thought Wednesday was going to be a bit tricky but it all turned out a treat by midnight. The Whip at the Soul Tree and Simone White at the Boathouse, Saturday Flambouyant Bella at the Graduate.
Monday 22/10/07 Leaving Manchester I travelled straight on to London attending the last two days of a three day industry conference which meant missing The Bees at Norwich's Waterfront venue.
Monday 15/10/07 The Macabees at the Junction. Wednesday travelled to the Showmans Show as it's a great opportunity to see staging, lights, wristband design etc. just about everything needed for outdoor events. Not being able to attend Ruskin this coming year ;-) meant missing out on the Freshers Ball with Scouting For Girls. Friday saw The Hoosiers at the Soul Tree. Left early Saturday morning for Manchester's "In The City" three day extravaganza of up and coming bands. The atmosphere there just seems ripe with the nostalgic air of legends. It confirmed how lucky we are to have new bands adding each year to this Country's creative and exciting line up.
September 2007 Well what a great 'Indian Summer', just as I predicted, but where are our Summers going? Sitting on green grass on a hot sunny day listening to some great music, what could be simpler and more pleasing. If you would like to email me which artist and genre you like or what would be at your ideal festival I would of course be interested and will try to answer. I have a few ideas and also thoughts on recognising people that bought tickets this year, forever very special to me.
Rest of August 2007 I was really pleased by the support from people that had bought tickets or were going to. Gutted was the main word and I couldn't think of any other fitting expression. It was quite something to me that so many had spent time in phoning in or emailing their support and wish for LodeStar 2008 and recognising the ethos and my wish to create a happening and a memorable time in peoples life. I felt it showed a connection and that my 'ramblings' on here made sense to others on what I was trying to achieve. This was also picked up by the great individuals that make up the music industry we have in this country and for that I am grateful. I believe that a festival although only on for a few days can have such positive impact for so many and it is great because there is nothing better than listening to live music and seeing the artist give their all for that performance.
Monday 06/08/07 Busy letting people know about LodeStar and carrying on with harvest work on the farm, not much else to say.
Monday 30/07/07 Most of the weekend and today spent evaluating the position bearing in mind the weather to date. Tuesday 31/07/07 My birthday and the day that I took the decision to cancel LodeStar 2007. Despite advertising in music magazines and newspapers the constant rain wasn't inspiring for people to book a ticket to an unknown festival. I felt numb and unable to even listen to music for several weeks. After looking forward to running a festival since a teenager it is just my luck to choose the worst year for 200 years! I had such a cutting edge, raw line up of bands that put the mark on LodeStar and what I feel a festival is about, a great time with great music that benefits as many people as possible and of course great memories. My saddness was for the 'loss' to others as much as my own personal emotions. Hardworking hospital staff were giving up their spare time to run a marquee in aid of a baby resusitation unit and other charities as shown on this website were part of my dream and wish to be able to support. It is a fantastic happening that covers so many aspects in our life for just a brief moment in time, one weekend that can capture the heart and mind.
Monday 16/07/07 Prep for Tuesday's press day on the LodeStar Festival site. On the day everyone was shuttled down to the site on a tractor and trailer where in a marquee we had Fugazirum, Under the Street Lamp and Darwyn performing. Everyone chatted and were excited about the beautiful area where soon some great bands will be performing. I had interviews with journalists who asked me about the site, where stages were positioned and how the days will run. Wednesday back in the office before leaving for London to attend a convention. Finishing off the week I met staff from Addenbrookes who are coming here on the LodeStar weekend to raise money for a baby resuscitation unit, they have some great ideas, enthusastic and innovative. This was a chance for me to stop for a moment and reflect through all the hard work why and what LodeStar meant to me. I reccommend everyone to visit their marquee as I can't believe all the fun things they are coming up with. I am not telling you now though, ha! I answer all emails sent to me and keep very hands on in every aspect of the festival, unfortunately on Friday time went on and I missed seeing The Runners in Hertford's Marquee.
The new road leading to LodeStar's Back Stage area, in the distance is the Main Arena, a small part of the camping area to the left with the Acoustic Marquee and Trixie Tree Stage to the right (both off picture).
Monday 09/07/07 LodeStar team meeting but before that an interview with Jeremy Sallis on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. In the evening Phil and Holly invited me to Radio 209 for an interview, it was funny as he asked questions in a 'Mastermind' style for some of the interview. Busy booking more artists.
Monday 02/07/07 Busy with festival office work. More interviews, some over the phone and a recorded a radio interview with Laura (not my daughter) actually on LodeStar Festival site with the sound of the construction machinery in the background. Constant work has meant I missed The Dykeenies at the Portland in Cambridge, The Cambridge Film Festival and George Pringle at 39 Gt East Street on Friday, this was due to taking my daughter Laura and her friends on a tractor pulled float to the Bottisham Village College Leavers Ball, it was a very poignant moment and stirred thougths of St Elmos Fire, years go by quickly and the event reminded me to enjoy and treasure moments with family and friends. I guess that is also part of being at a festival such as LodeStar. The weekend saw Live Earth and Oxegen, I remember watching The Killers on television there in 2005 for the first time performing all my favourite songs and at the end Brandon said to the festival-goers "have a wonderful day!" They had! Sunday night I went to the Portland Arms to see The Strange Death of Liberal England, Adam has such a vocal range, I can't wait to see them on The BBC 6 Music Hub Stage here at LodeStar on the 2nd of September.
Monday 25/06/07 Arrived home from Glastonbury, went to bed and two hours later was up to see to the contractors M Dickerson who arrived at LodeStar Festival site and cracked on preparing the site for easier and safe access for everyone coming the first weekend in September to LodeStar 2007. later on in the week the machinery was moved down the fen to lay a hard road all the way to the backstage areas! Tuesday I went for an interview with Anna from www.localsecrets.com/ezine.cfm?ezineid=889 was the result, Anna has more talent at writing than me! The afternoon was taken up with a meeting to finalise the water supply and placement for LodeStar to cover the camping, stage and caterers. Wednesday meeting to finalise details with the professional car parking company CSP. Missed Wire Jesus at the Purple Turtle. On Thursday Karen and I travelled to London Kings Cross, it still amazes me that it only takes about 3/4 of an hour from Cambridge Train Station. After an underground journey to Earls Court we attended London Calling talks and met Elle and Henry from HiFlyer. Moved on to the Cobden Club when Nizlopi walked into the room and Luke begun to sing before they moved to the stage, everyone enjoyed their performance.
Monday 18/06/07 Newmarket Journal Newspaper sent out a photographer to take a picture of me, still not use to that as I prefer to be the other side of the camera taking holiday photos of the family! Went to The Loft in Cambridge to see Tiny Dancers, great vocals from the band. Thursday we left for Glastonbury 2007. Arrived at 8pm on the Kidz Field. Thanks to Jamie and all the crew that arrived a few days earlier and put up our tent. Masses of colurful bunting strung out along the main pathway through the Kidz Field was held high on poles that had been worked on by the same crew. Gill my wife and I spent time each day as Stewards helping the others that had attended Glastonbury for many years. The rain needless to say never really stopped and as the mud raised up we grabbed straw to keep a walkway for the children coming to the field. At night the Fire Show was quite spectacular. Managed to see The Rakes, what a wall of sound. Spoke to a few people watching who were really enjoying the music, it caused several smiles when Alan singing said "watch the hands" and everyone copied his slick robotics. I went at night to see The Killers and tried to find and meet up with my wife Gill, OK so there were a few hundred thousand there! I gave up in the end but bumped into Terra Naomi and a few other celebrities in my search. Went to the John Peel Stage and caught The Maccabees and Mumm-Ra performing "She got you high" love it! Other days The Pigeon Detectives and Good Shoes, spoilt huh!
In the Acoustic tent we managed to see KT Tunstall, it was packed out. Unfortunately I missed Catherine Feeny, really looked forward to seeing her but my duties were in the Kidz Field stewarding. For the same reason much of the Pyramid Stage artists were missed although we could hear them from the Kidz Field, it was great to see The Fratelli's, a great band. It did look surreal in its own right of Glastonbury art standards to see some people sitting on chairs in the middle of the large wet mud plains as if by the seaside. Other missed performances were Amy Winehouse, The Answering Machine and The Wombats. We left for home Monday morning at 2am.
Monday 11/06/07 Announcement that LodeStar is associated with BBC 6 Music, travelled to meet the 6 Music team, they are very passionate about their music which fits well with me! We spent the afternoon chatting about LodeStar. Great to have them on board! Thanks by the way for all the emails coming in from everyone looking forward to LodeStar, I recognise the same buzz they feel and the line-up keeps growing! Loads of late nights as usual in planning every detail of the festival, it's a top priority for me, naturally! Friday 15 Drove to Norwich Arts Centre to see The Human Value and The Neutrinos, great night! Met up with some friends by chance that I had sent a text that day, how's that for good fate!
Monday 04/06/07 More Artists announced and added to the website line-up. Still booking artists who will be announced as soon as possible! LodeStar is rising fast on the festival scene and I'm glad to receive all the great emails from people across the country and abroad! I talked on local radio about LodeStar, the number of stages planned and artists coming. It's great that soon in the fields of LodeStar we will all be listening to amazing bands and acoustic artists, it's just excellent dude!
Saturday 9th June was my brothers birthday it was also the wedding day of my niece Abbie and Lee, a beautiful day!
Monday 28/05/07 Wet Bank holiday, nothing new there! Wed. helping out using telehandler to setup this year's Strawberry Fair being held on Saturday. Getting ready for an exciting LodeStar announcement at the end of the week.
Monday 21/05/07 Tickets went on sale. Usual office work! Tue 22nd Air Traffic and The Pigeon Detectives at the Junction, it was hot! Missed the rest of the weeks live music in Cambridge.
Had a couple of days doing maintenance on the grass cutter, it's like a bowling green on the LodeStar fields. I have planted the seed of this years site decoration, can you guess what it might be?
Monday 14/05/07 Getting ready for the ticket release date and announcement. Thursday through to Saturday at Brighton's fantastic Great Escape Festival, really exciting event I have looked forward to going to since I first attended last year.
Monday 07/05/07 Bank Holiday managed a family day! Tuesday was a LodeStar team meet resulting in enthusiastic members detailing plans for the festival. It was a full day and I missed Terra singing at The Enterprise, also on the 22nd. Rest of the week was taken up with booking artists and answering emails or messages on myspace. It makes a welcome break to hear peoples thoughts and excitement of LodeStar, it is without doubt a great boost and means a lot to me, thanks!
Monday 30/04/07 Busy booking and confirming artists. Felt the need for music and inspiration which I managed to find in the Portland Arms in Cambridge. A Strawberry Fair support gig with Clara Kousah, Ellie Walker rounded off with The Pony Collaboration. Friday night travelled to Hitchin's Club 85 (love the illuminous art work there) just in time to see Black Cherry and The Wombats, that was one hot night!
Monday 23/04/07 Soul Tree, Cambridge. Arrived late catching The Young Plan and Mumm-ra. Great night!
Missed rest of the weeks gigs due to festival work load, had to smile to myself........no music to create a music festival!
Friday 20/04/07 Norwich Arts Centre, Spidersmilk, Hush the Many (Heed the few), Fields. The ambience of performance blended with the venue's architecture and was fab.
LodeStar is here to offer a weekend that will be full of fun and will contrast from dancing under the stars to chilling out on the grass in the warm summer sun where every note and wistful lyrics wafts over you. It is a place and moment to share with friends. I am dedicated to making LodeStar a festival that is one to be loved. It's for the artist and for you, the festival-goer.
I started this venture to showcase the enormous musical talent in this country at the moment. To build a festival for all music lovers and promote the great work of charities, and I am pleased to say that Lodestar is GO. I'd like to express my gratitude to all of you that have had faith in my dream becoming a reality. We are going to have such a great time!