AllTogetherNow Festival 2018

alastair · 06-08-2018 01:49PM

Just back home.

Great weekend. Killer site/setting. Is it catering for the older/middle-aged festival goer? Without a doubt. Is it a better experience as a consequence? Yes it was. Saw no aggro and little messiness over the weekend. Not sure how it will cope with bigger numbers though. The stage sizes are limited by the layout, and were just okay (or not, in the case of the comedy spiegletent) with the current numbers. Parking and camping areas need to be extended. The luxury of the short walk from general camping to the arena was great, as was the removal of security hassles on account of the freeflow policy. Lots of booze being bought too - which should underscore that it’s a sensible policy.

Spotted Karl Hynde and Kevin Roland out and about - actually noticed Kevin Roland’s serious northern soul clobber before copping it was him. Great gigs from both. Ran out of steam after Jimmy Cliff (despite the awfulness of ’Reggae Nights’ and still not knowing his band’s names, he has the pipes and the tunes to pull off a great performance). The kids were grand by me - and provided great entertainment at the Arcadia kids party, with the flossing etc. Loved the bandstand - Bring your own Brass, New York Brass Band. Saul Williams, and Singalong Social. The Waterford choir were pretty bad (sorry), and Roisin Murphy didn’t do it for me on the night - Maribou State worked as a great substitute for Roisin’s slot. Definitely going next year.

Chelon · 06-08-2018 02:14PM

Did Tommy Tiernan play last night at 9.00? We tried to see the Bingo later and were met with an empty tent. Steward said all comedy for rest of night was cancelled and Tiernan did not play. He didn’t know reason for any of it....

Arne_Saknussem · 06-08-2018 02:37PM

EP 2005 probably beats it on lineup alone but in every other aspect that's the best festival i've been to in Ireland.

The setting & grounds are spectacular, lovely chilled vibe about the place. Incredible weekend.

Agree with Jimmy Cliff moving to last on the bill in Something Kind of Wonderful was brilliant, he blew the roof off.

phatkev · 06-08-2018 02:41PM

Just back in the door, fantastic weekend all round. I'd happily make it an annual thing if it kept to the same vein

Captain Red Beard wrote: »

Jimmy Cliff last night had the whole tent eating out of his hands, amazing end to the festival.

I second this! I wasnt sure what to expect, but ended up having some good time

dlnv27 · 06-08-2018 02:41PM

Just back from this. It was my first festival and have to say we were spoiled with the location and the weather. Will definitely be back next. General camping was packed in like sardines. Thinking about boutique camping next year. Anyone able to tell me what were prices like for the boutique camping sites. Cheers

Stillill42 · 06-08-2018 02:47PM

Great weekend. Can't vouch for the camping as I stayed off site but everything ran very smoothly from what I saw. I'd say the shuttles were a pain when there were big numbers looking to leave at the same time but we never waited more than 10 minutes either in or out. Our taxi guy looked after us all weekend which was a Godsend. I can imagine the problems if you had nothing booked.

Friendliest festival I've been at, security, vendors etc. all dead on. Unbelievable site, really beautiful. Lots of chill out areas, down around the bandstand was great, lovely little stage. Nice to see All curious minds in the middle of the action and not pushed into it's own little area.
I also caught those Tongue Fu guys, brilliant stuff.
I have to say, I missed the musical choice I get at EP. Saw Mogwai, Oscar Jerome, Ghostpoet, Roisín, AE Mak, David Keenan, Isaac Gracie, Fufanu, Saul Williams, the Lost Brothers and NPG. All great but I'm not used to having 2 hour stretches where there's nothing I'm really arsed with. Minor quibble.
More jacks for the ladies, my missus spent a lot of time queuing, cameras for the big screens at the main stage.
Site felt full. They'll need to expand it if they're increasing numbers.
All in all, 5 stars for all concerned.

Toast · 06-08-2018 02:50PM

dlnv27 wrote: »

General camping was packed in like sardines. Thinking about boutique camping next year. Anyone able to tell me what were prices like for the boutique camping sites. Cheers

Any of the larger tipi like tents won't be less than twice the price of the ticket and goes up from there. Did they have pink moon/tangerine fields at this? Usually they are about half that price.

General camping was very messy where we were. People pissing outside tents, mushed food into the ground, rubbish everywhere.. someone pumping out Ibiza classics '96 till 7am in the morning. Had nothing taken from the tent or anything but was in fear of it. Fancy Camping is now being discussed.. I'd rather we didn't have to as I like having a camp with mates rather than being all separated up. Dunno how you stop people being messy feckers. Perhaps have a team of grannys go around and give out to them about the state of the camps.

Anyway keep the capacity as is and ensure it never rains and I reckon we will keep coming back.

alastair · 06-08-2018 03:06PM

Toast wrote: »

General camping was very messy where we were. People pissing outside tents, mushed food into the ground, rubbish everywhere.. someone pumping out Ibiza classics '96 till 7am in the morning. Had nothing taken from the tent or anything but was in fear of it. Fancy Camping is now being discussed.. I'd rather we didn't have to as I like having a camp with mates rather than being all separated up. Dunno how you stop people being messy feckers. Perhaps have a team of grannys go around and give out to them about the state of the camps.

Irish people don’t do well in festival camping. There’s far too many dirty pigs who presumably are used to someone else clearing up after them. I was back to camping after a few years of fancy camping, and the intended camper option fell though. Was unlucky in that my neighbors were a pretty big group with a penchant for litter, cocaine, and post-Arcadia ghetto blaster sessions until dawn. But to be fair, there was little pissing, guy rope tripping, or falling onto your tent, that seems to come with EP camping.

sally cinnamon89 · 06-08-2018 03:08PM

Just Home and Showered had a great weekend.

The set up was brilliant but I noticed there was some nosebleed during David Keenan's set which is something that could be addressed for next year. The weather made it a brilliant experience. Loved the bandstand stage with Sing Along Social and Bring Your Own Brass being highlights. Thought the main stage was a good size with the location excellent for the general camping. Some of the food was brilliant but maybe some more options for next year. Loved exploring around the forest and finding some great locations to chill out. The location of the hand craft village was very fitting. Spent Friday night at Arcadia as the tent was too packed for HMD. Also spent time in the comedy tent (Get a bigger venue for next year) and the Hot Press tent (great idea and very chill). Music highlights would be Fleet Foxes, Maribou State, Biig Piig, Fufanu and Villagers. Great festival and glad we chose it over EP this year. Looking forward to seeing what the organisers come up with for next year as this was one of the best festivals experiences i've had.

Bravo POD
*****

MadYaker · 06-08-2018 03:17PM

Good to hear ye all had a good weekend, seems like they pulled it off. Is it over 20s? If not it should be. I think that would go along way to keeping it geared twoards an older crowd.

Stillill42 · 06-08-2018 03:19PM

Over 21s. You'd feel it.

blaa85 · 06-08-2018 03:25PM

dlnv27 wrote: »

Just back from this. It was my first festival and have to say we were spoiled with the location and the weather. Will definitely be back next. General camping was packed in like sardines. Thinking about boutique camping next year. Anyone able to tell me what were prices like for the boutique camping sites. Cheers

I paid about 650 for the luxury bellepad in Podpads for two. It was gigantic, could have fit 10 people in there easily. It had a double bed, electricity and lights, carpet and rugs, bed clothes, pillows, towels, chairs and table. We were delighted with it.

I would have expected better toilets and showers in the boutique area for the money paid though. It was nothing like the ones in the pink moon area in EP. Would have been nice if it had its own bar as well.

While 650 was expensive, they had an installment plan. There was a good few cheaper options but having electricity to charge everything was nice. After going to pink moon for the last 2 years at EP, I could never to back to general camping.

Stillill42 · 06-08-2018 03:41PM

blaa85 wrote: »

dlnv27 wrote: »

Just back from this. It was my first festival and have to say we were spoiled with the location and the weather. Will definitely be back next. General camping was packed in like sardines. Thinking about boutique camping next year. Anyone able to tell me what were prices like for the boutique camping sites. Cheers

I paid about 650 for the luxury bellepad in Podpads for two. It was gigantic, could have fit 10 people in there easily. It had a double bed, electricity and lights, carpet and rugs, bed clothes, pillows, towels, chairs and table. We were delighted with it.

I would have expected better toilets and showers in the boutique area for the money paid though. It was nothing like the ones in the pink moon area in EP. Would have been nice if it had its own bar as well.

While 650 was expensive, they had an installment plan. There was a good few cheaper options but having electricity to charge everything was nice. After going to pink moon for the last 2 years at EP, I could never to back to general camping.

650 is some whack though. I had a house in Piltown for 300 for the 3 nights. 10 minute taxi then the shuttles.

Wanderer78 · 06-08-2018 03:42PM

Stillill42 wrote: »

650 is some whack though. I had a house in Piltown for 300 for the 3 nights. 10 minute taxi then the shuttles.

did you have the taxis pre-booked?

Stillill42 · 06-08-2018 03:44PM

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Stillill42 wrote: »

650 is some whack though. I had a house in Piltown for 300 for the 3 nights. 10 minute taxi then the shuttles.

did you have the taxis pre-booked?

I did.

Blu2015 · 06-08-2018 04:03PM

Well hats off to John Reynolds. Super festival. Super fun. Very well put together. My picnic days are definitely over now. Roll on next year. Hope they don't increase the capacity. Only one gripe and that would be lack of signage on way in

Michellenman · 06-08-2018 04:16PM

dlnv27 wrote: »

Just back from this. It was my first festival and have to say we were spoiled with the location and the weather. Will definitely be back next. General camping was packed in like sardines. Thinking about boutique camping next year. Anyone able to tell me what were prices like for the boutique camping sites. Cheers

We did tangerine fields which is literally just rent-a-tent but it’s in the boutique area so slightly quieter and has its own toilets and showers and it was €100 between us for 2man tent. You can pay extra again to get an air mattress and sleeping bags if you really want but we didn’t bother. Next year I think we might Pay the extra and get the yurts or pod things. My back is broken and a tent just doesn’t regulate temperature well at all so we would wake up with the cold at night and then sweltering in the morning so I was miserable until about 2 when the painkillers/cans kicked in.

I had visions of general camping to be like the jimmy Hendrix campsite at EP and that’s my idea of hell so wanted to avoid it at all costs but had friends who stayed in general camping at ATN with zero issues.

ghostdancer · 06-08-2018 04:17PM

was there no Eco campsite?

eplady2017 · 06-08-2018 04:23PM

Michellenman wrote: »

We did tangerine fields which is literally just rent-a-tent but it’s in the boutique area so slightly quieter and has its own toilets and showers and it was €100 between us for 2man tent. You can pay extra again to get an air mattress and sleeping bags if you really want but we didn’t bother. Next year I think we might Pay the extra and get the yurts or pod things. My back is broken and a tent just doesn’t regulate temperature well at all so we would wake up with the cold at night and then sweltering in the morning so I was miserable until about 2 when the painkillers/cans kicked in.

I had visions of general camping to be like the jimmy Hendrix campsite at EP and that’s my idea of hell so wanted to avoid it at all costs but had friends who stayed in general camping at ATN with zero issues.

Thinking of tangerine fields from next year. I assume they are similiar to pink moon at EP, tent up when you get there and laid out in an orderly manner... Was the camp site quiet?? What were facilities like (toilets/showers/food etc)?? Worth it???

Conor Bourke · 06-08-2018 04:25PM

Blu2015 wrote: »

Only one gripe and that would be lack of signage on way in

This was something that bugged me too. Taking the blue route was pleased to see the electronic signs on the way into Waterford and the big signs at the roundabouts but after that they weren’t great, too few and far between IMO. On the N24 there was a turn near the one for Fiddown which I took accidentally, as I took it I spotted a “cul de sac” sign so quickly turned back out onto the road and saw another car do the exact same in front and behind me. When I was in Fiddown I panicked as there was nothing (that I could see) to remind me to turn left across the bridge. I was wary of following sat nav in case roads were closed and I was made turn back, and the map provided on the website/Facebook was way too inscrutable to try to follow while driving. Also, much closer to the entrance there was a sign saying “next left” just before a left turn onto a tiny lane which I almost took before spotting the car ahead doing the same then cancelling the indicator as there was a much bigger sign ahead showing the entrance was nigh.

May seem insignificant to some but I’m from the opposite end of the country, I’m not familiar with the area and was already stressed as I left home a lot later than I would’ve liked so I just wanted to get there but I was not reassured by the skimpy signage.

Really hope the capacity isn’t expanded over the next few years, tents were fairly squashed in the general camping area which is concerning considering it wasn’t sold out AFAIK. Also, I dread to think why kind of cesspit the toilets at the bottom of the hill from “Both Sides Now” would’ve been had it rained. The walk from Arcadia to the House itself etc would’ve been rotten in the rain too and those parents using the trolleys for kids would’ve been absolutely poxed, we were without a doubt blessed with the weather.

That said though, I fully intend to be there with bells on next year

Michellenman · 06-08-2018 04:33PM

eplady2017 wrote: »

Thinking of tangerine fields from next year. I assume they are similiar to pink moon at EP, tent up when you get there and laid out in an orderly manner... Was the camp site quiet?? What were facilities like (toilets/showers/food etc)?? Worth it???

Yeah that’s it exactly! Not as spacious as pink moon, there was just about room in front of our tent for 2 chairs and for people to walk by. There was only 6 (i think?) showers which was crap tbh and they weren’t working on Saturday morning or this morning so we were using the boutique ones instead. Toilets were grand all weekend except this morning.. Overall it would have been perfect with a little Londis like there is in the general camping, that would have made it 100% IMO. There was a little coffee shop and a pizza place but other than there was no food places so for breakfast stuff we were walking in to the main food area by the big house.

Campsite was quiet for the most part except when a big act finished and lots of people arrived but that’s totally Understandable and nothing that earplugs couldn’t help with! We didn’t have anyone around us playing loud music or even just sitting up singing/chatting any time past 2 or 3am.

Totally worth it if you ask me.

eplady2017 · 06-08-2018 04:46PM

Michellenman wrote: »

Yeah that’s it exactly! Not as spacious as pink moon, there was just about room in front of our tent for 2 chairs and for people to walk by. There was only 6 (i think?) showers which was crap tbh and they weren’t working on Saturday morning or this morning so we were using the boutique ones instead. Toilets were grand all weekend except this morning.. Overall it would have been perfect with a little Londis like there is in the general camping, that would have made it 100% IMO. There was a little coffee shop and a pizza place but other than there was no food places so for breakfast stuff we were walking in to the main food area by the big house.

Campsite was quiet for the most part except when a big act finished and lots of people arrived but that’s totally Understandable and nothing that earplugs couldn’t help with! We didn’t have anyone around us playing loud music or even just sitting up singing/chatting any time past 2 or 3am.

Totally worth it if you ask me.

Thanks Michellenman. They seemed good vaule too. Not as expensive as Pink Moon

D.Q · 06-08-2018 05:31PM

I was camped with decent people for the most part. Except for the Sunday night. Crowd of very posh sounding young lads playing ****ing crazy frog and talking about getting "the product".

****.

Other than that mild inconvenience, it was the best festival I've ever been to. Perfect size, never really in any queues, perfect weather.

Arcadia was great fun every night.

Underworld stole the show for me.

If I had my way I'd have a tent with some independent Irish rock/indie bands though. Just to vary it slightly. Was a very electronic based weekend for me.

Bit of a random mish mash of thoughts there but my brain feels like wet cake so gimme a break

Synode · 06-08-2018 06:18PM

Gutted we didn't go in the end. Sounds like it was great. Roll on next year

Furious-Red · 06-08-2018 06:35PM

Didnt go to this at all but will more than likely going to my last EP this year and will grab a ticket for this.

Dixon Bainbridge · 06-08-2018 06:57PM

Didnt go myself ,was at beatyard,but from reading the last few pages have decided im goin to this next year,getting tired of the picnic. Whens tickets on sale?

lbj666 · 06-08-2018 07:02PM

Furious-Red wrote: »

Didnt go to this at all but will more than likely going to my last EP this year and will grab a ticket for this.

You of little faith.

The slogan for the weekend was "i am done with the Picnic"

To be honest it was as good as imagined and hoped it would be and had really high hopes for it.

What really blew away was the projections on the house, which I imagine didn't come cheap but added so much to the aesthetic at night time.

The view looking up the hill from the bottom at nighttime when Arcadia was at full blast was also spectacular.

Speaking to a security lad on Saturday (who was also blown away mind) the festival is going to grow next year but the campsite is going to be pushed further back to allow for a bigger arena.
Its not something i worry about, the estate is massive there should be tonnes of room for everything.

El Director · 06-08-2018 07:34PM

I think this will be my last time camping in the campsite I think, the heat was a killer. Are the pods/yurts cooler inside?

D.Q · 06-08-2018 07:42PM

For anyone who suffered with the hear, I can't recommend the quechua fresh and black tents enough. Had a pop up, very cool all day inside the tent. Even in that sun. Was no problem at all sitting in the tent during the heat.

MadYaker · 06-08-2018 07:51PM

El Director wrote: »

I think this will be my last time camping in the campsite I think, the heat was a killer. Are the pods/yurts cooler inside?

How do you know its going to be hot again next year? You can buy tents that have a refelctive outer coating that are cooler on the inside. Like the Fresh n Black ones from Quechua.

AllTogetherNow Festival 2018

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