View Full Version : Wick's First Music Festival - Where Is the Publicity
Bill Fernie
31-Jul-06, 09:03
Can anyone tell me anything about this festival that is apparently happneing on Saturday 5th August.
First I knew about it wa when I was handed leaflet along with detailsof the Seven Gates on Friday evening.
I have had lots of information about the Big Gig at the Dammies in Thurso on 13th August but nothing at alll about a festival in Wick. The leaflet even says tickets from The gate and online at www.caithness.org Either this is a hoax or someone somewhere is falling down onthe advertising/publicity. I have not seen any posters for this event and know nothing of any of the 15 bands the leaflet says are playing on the day.
If anyone knows who is organising this can they let me know even if it is a bit late in the day for 5 August.
The leaflet does not say who is organising the event or have any contact details at all.
If this is festival is on it says it runs from 2.00pm until 1.am at the Riverside.
The idea is fine but the PR is non existent until this leaflet or have I missed something? We are always happy to advertise local events but someone need to let us know when it is on etc. Nothing has been added to the what's on on the web site? This all follows the usual line we hae seen with many bands over the years since we started the web site. Many of them fall down on the publicity and everyone assumes someone else is doing it. So 15 bands and nothing sent to us so it - looks like everyone is once again assuming someone else is doing it.
There is still time to put something on the web site if anyone cares to get in touch.
Hope it all goes well and the weather holds up.
Naefearjustbeer
31-Jul-06, 09:46
Listening to MFR last night coming home from work at approx 1am and they were talking about the gig and they too quoted this site as a place for more info
I'll forward you on an e-mail address Bill. My band are playing at it, but I have no idea who else is playing. I have no idea how much it costs etc.
nutty da drummer
31-Jul-06, 11:11
all stitched up are playing at it and estrella also. then a band from wick, all guy band, not sure there name. theres no advertising at all though i was told it was being talked bout on the radio. not sure who else though
Kev_Plastic_Food
31-Jul-06, 17:30
I'll forward you on an e-mail address Bill. My band are playing at it, but I have no idea who else is playing. I have no idea how much it costs etc.
Last I heard, we're playing at it too. Have no more info than you guys though.
Bill Fernie
31-Jul-06, 22:35
I received an email from Phillip Wilson saying an email sent a couple of weeks ago. I never received it.
the leaflet I have seen says tickets from Caithness.org. We know absolutely nothing about this. He also says something is on this board. As do notlookat this section very often that is daft way to let us know about a music festival.
Can some get something to move to let us know what is on on Saturday - list of bands - etc etc.
I emailed back immediately this morning after I was asked to confirm I received the email but still nothing has come back.
It seems odd to me to have two music festivals one after the other but maybe that is OK as they are in different towns. Will is cut the audience for both festivals?
We are happy to advertise anythingin Caithness but someone has to get the information to us. It seems to be very difficult for this event.
roblovesplastic
31-Jul-06, 22:50
..we should get it on Caithness.org.
Gogglebox
01-Aug-06, 02:13
Perhaps next year if they are planning to make this an annual event like Thurso Town Improvements as part of the participation in Highland 2007 Year Of Culture they could contact us and we could maybe collaborate and make a weekend of it showing off bands from all over the county and maybe attracting a major headline act
I have to say the response we have had from the local bands has been fantastic and i am delighted with their attitude, approach, and suggestions and they have really helped pull it together and worked with us on the style of the day, advertising, equipment etc- -Thanks ALL
To all the bands playing at both events Good Luck and hope it all goes well for both events ( for my sake im praying every night The Big Gig does) and the charities profit from all the hard work that goes into making this happen - -Maybe the Wick Organisers can get in touch with us if the fancy a collaboration next year !
THE BIG GIG @The Dammies 13th August Noon -10pm
FREE ADMISSION, ALL AGES WELCOME
LICENSED BAR
For Further details See www.thurso.org for details or http://www.caithness.org/fpb/july2006/dammies.htm
Local Press, MFR and posters everywhere
Bill Fernie
01-Aug-06, 09:29
I now have all the information regarding the Wick Music Festival and wil have it on the site by tonight. Other things on today mean it must wait till this evening. 15 bands are listed for the event.
Thanks to all who got in touch follwoing my request for info.
The Pepsi Challenge
02-Aug-06, 00:01
Well, well, well...
Not only is the Belladrum festival taking place on the same weekend as the Thurso Big Gig (a casual oversight, and no real big deal, really), it now looks as if Wick have performed a professional foul and put on their own 'Big Gig', so to speak. Is this for real? I wouldn't be surprised if it's a wind-up; however, knowing the rivalry between the two towns - or Wick's petted lip in this case I presume - it's hardly surprising. To have pretty much the same bands playing at a similar sized outdoor event within a week(?) of each other is just crazy. No, really, it is. The county can barely subsidise to towns of this size, and to try and entice people to come to both within such a small time frame is just taking the wee-wee. For example, a band who play King Tuts in Glasgow for example, wouldn't be allowed to play another Glasgow venue a week before their Tuts show. Why? Because you wouldn't attract as many people. Maybe next year Wick and Thurso should join forces and put on a gig jointly organised. No? Me neither. A bit like putting a few Edinburgh Festival shows in Glasgow. Madness.
Yeah, it's for real. What I find unreal is the price. £5? Why? Really... why?
I think the Thurso gig has the upper hand on this part. Wait 7 days and see the bands at gig that costs nothing. What a deal.
Most people from Thurso won't be heading through I think. Gala night in Thurso on the 5th. Something I tried to make them aware of but they took no notice.
The Pepsi Challenge
02-Aug-06, 14:32
A fiver? That really does raise the bar of idiocy. Good luck to the Wick gig team, but I wouldn't bank on it being a success, no matter how they measure it. To hell with it anyway, Jeid, come Big Gig time it'll be us having all the fun. Back in the late 80s/ early 90s Thurso had, probably, the most diverse and ecletic bands... ever. Back then, everyone helped each other out, rarely bitched and always supported each others' shows. When I moved to Edinburgh I thought it would be a smililar scenario. No deal. It actually proved to me, that, Thurso had one of the best music scenes in Scotland at any time. I hope that all the bands taking part on the day - and even the ones who aren't - all get together, get the craic, share a few beers and appreciate each others' music. I will, anyway. You with me?
A fiver? That really does raise the bar of idiocy. Good luck to the Wick gig team, but I wouldn't bank on it being a success, no matter how they measure it. To hell with it anyway, Jeid, come Big Gig time it'll be us having all the fun. Back in the late 80s/ early 90s Thurso had, probably, the most diverse and ecletic bands... ever. Back then, everyone helped each other out, rarely bitched and always supported each others' shows. When I moved to Edinburgh I thought it would be a smililar scenario. No deal. It actually proved to me, that, Thurso had one of the best music scenes in Scotland at any time. I hope that all the bands taking part on the day - and even the ones who aren't - all get together, get the craic, share a few beers and appreciate each others' music. I will, anyway. You with me?
Ach Pepsi, you'd bring tears to the eye of a tattie. In 1956 there was the Burnside Stompers and no-one else. Then came the Teenagers from two streets away and the battle began. Enemies immediately. Nothing has changed since. Both bands came from the Glebe BTW.
A fiver? That really does raise the bar of idiocy. Good luck to the Wick gig team, but I wouldn't bank on it being a success, no matter how they measure it. To hell with it anyway, Jeid, come Big Gig time it'll be us having all the fun. Back in the late 80s/ early 90s Thurso had, probably, the most diverse and ecletic bands... ever. Back then, everyone helped each other out, rarely bitched and always supported each others' shows. When I moved to Edinburgh I thought it would be a smililar scenario. No deal. It actually proved to me, that, Thurso had one of the best music scenes in Scotland at any time. I hope that all the bands taking part on the day - and even the ones who aren't - all get together, get the craic, share a few beers and appreciate each others' music. I will, anyway. You with me?
We live for that kind of... can't say it... but yeah, we'll be up for that malarky!
I think the Wick Festival is to raise funds for their Memorial Garden and knowing the community spirit in Wick they will get a good support. And it being the summer, I think both events will attract a lot of people even with similar bands.
The Pepsi Challenge
03-Aug-06, 01:22
Fair dos, Ann; however it does seem mightly suspicious.
i have seen posters for this event and heard about it on MFr. It is £5 for adults and £3 for children, beer tent and food all day and lots of music.
Aye, they've only gone up this week.
Fair dos, Ann; however it does seem mightly suspicious.
Oh dear Pepsi challenge, cynicism in one so young is truly a disappointment
to the soul. :~(
The Pepsi Challenge
03-Aug-06, 09:25
Seeing as very little is (was) known about the Wick 'thang' - the nature of the event and its timing - I wouldn't call it cynicism... more searching for the truth.
Seeing as very little is (was) known about the Wick 'thang' - the nature of the event and its timing - I wouldn't call it cynicism... more searching for the truth.
As ma owlde mither used to say Pepsi, feels an bairns shouldna see things half done. Very well publicised all over the town the North and the media in plenty of time.
The week of the gig is hardly what I'd call plenty of time.
The week of the gig is hardly what I'd call plenty of time.
You call it what you want. Time will tell.
I'm not saying there won't be a big turn out. I'm saying that more of an effort could have been made to advertise earlier.
Kristafur
04-Aug-06, 19:48
festival ??
dont make me laugh, not a decent band there.
most of them got brown noses too...
I wont be going, got no eggs to throw..
wick-festival
04-Aug-06, 20:41
I'm not saying there won't be a big turn out. I'm saying that more of an effort could have been made to advertise earlier.
Radio, TV, banner accross town, posters on almost every lampost, almost every shop, fly posting in car parks, fly posting to houses, businesses, B&B's, hotels, hospitals, newspaper coverage...
If no-one turns up then the joke is on us, but experience with past events teaches us that selling tickets in advance and spending months promoting an event isn't the most efficient way to do it, it's expensive and very difficult to get volunteers on a continual basis. If people decide to go to Thurso Gala instead, they would have decided that months ago, same with the Mey games - our plan was simple, mass publicity at the latest possible moment to whip up a frenzy. Even if no-one turns up, it has worked the way we intended - every shop, every petrol station, hotel & B&B is talking about, just stand in a queue and you'll see...
There have been some cock-ups no doubt, but to put on a concert of this scale with the organisation being done by only two people who both have full time jobs is well...no easy job. If no-one turns up then you'll get a great practice session in the outdoors with an 8kw PA.
Have fun...
Gogglebox
04-Aug-06, 21:35
Radio, TV, banner accross town, posters on almost every lampost, almost every shop, fly posting in car parks, fly posting to houses, businesses, B&B's, hotels, hospitals, newspaper coverage...
If no-one turns up then the joke is on us, but experience with past events teaches us that selling tickets in advance and spending months promoting an event isn't the most efficient way to do it, it's expensive and very difficult to get volunteers on a continual basis. If people decide to go to Thurso Gala instead, they would have decided that months ago, same with the Mey games - our plan was simple, mass publicity at the latest possible moment to whip up a frenzy. Even if no-one turns up, it has worked the way we intended - every shop, every petrol station, hotel & B&B is talking about, just stand in a queue and you'll see...
There have been some cock-ups no doubt, but to put on a concert of this scale with the organisation being done by only two people who both have full time jobs is well...no easy job. If no-one turns up then you'll get a great practice session in the outdoors with an 8kw PA.
Have fun...
There is a lot to be said for that style of promotion
The Thurso one probably needs a reinvigoration now of promotion as we have been going a wee while with adverts
People do see it and after a while start to forget and blank the posters out from their minds
Every event management person/Team tries what they think is best when it comes to promotion - -its the hardest part - -and a lot of thought goes into it and how you will approach it
As an organiser of the Thurso one i think now we are in the position having mass marketed a few weeks ago we need to reemphasise The Big Gig again
So from me its Good Luck, I like your style of short but mass marketing and will be stealing the idea next week - - Look out Thurso lamposts
Also your posters are excellent - -Very imaginative and creative, I'll be discussing that with you for future events
So Wickers ( obviously just the ones who dont want to enjoy the attractions of Thurso Gala and Mey Games ) GET OUT AND SUPPORT IT, It will be great and if you like it that much come and hear some of them again next week
If i could be there i would but im stuck in the gala office in Thurso
THIS IS NOT WICK VERSUS THURSO ( These days are dead and never served any good purpose)
Its Charities trying to do the best for their particular charities
That can never be knocked.
We can all co-exist and make a few quid and give good entertainment at the same time
The public should be happy who can say nothing ever happens
This summers never been so busy for events of all sorts of kinds
Ive spoken to the organisers and they have fantatstic long term ideas if this works out and maybe we will all work on some kind of 'Caithness Music Extravaganza' in the future - -after we have recovered from the Wick and Thurso organisation - -and maybe i can use some of the bands i couldnt squeeze in this time
GOOD LUCK ORGANISERS
--GET ALONG --
Pay a Fiver, support a good cause and
HAVE A GOOD DAY OUT
BEST WISHES FROM "THE BIG GIG" in Thurso
i think i have just realised that most of the promotion has been in wick for the wick festival. i have only seen two posters in thurso one in good vibe and ....the other escapes my golfish like memory but i didnt even know it was happening until jeid brought it up about 2 week back.
Metalattakk
05-Aug-06, 17:24
Has to be said though, the timing of this festival is abysmal. Not only is it on the same night as the Thurso Gala procession, but it also coincides with Prince Charles' visit to the Castle Of Mey and the Mey Games.
People don't realise the size of a Police presence that is required for these events, and the Northern Constabulary are pushed to the limits as it is. I for one hope that there are no serious incidents, and that things pass smoothly.
The prerequisite for a festival of this size surely is safety. With no form of crowd control due to the lack of crowd barriers, relying solely on stewardship is folly of the highest order.
I am certainly not convinced by the organisation of this event. A fly-by-night operation at best, and the attitude shown in this thread by 'wick-festival' certainly do nothing to smooth my furrowed brow.
wick-festival
05-Aug-06, 17:46
Has to be said though, the timing of this festival is abysmal. Not only is it on the same night as the Thurso Gala procession, but it also coincides with Prince Charles' visit to the Castle Of Mey and the Mey Games.
People don't realise the size of a Police presence that is required for these events, and the Northern Constabulary are pushed to the limits as it is. I for one hope that there are no serious incidents, and that things pass smoothly.
The prerequisite for a festival of this size surely is safety. With no form of crowd control due to the lack of crowd barriers, relying solely on stewardship is folly of the highest order.
I am certainly not convinced by the organisation of this event. A fly-by-night operation at best, and the attitude shown in this thread by 'wick-festival' certainly do nothing to smooth my furrowed brow.
Security guards in hi-viz, fences for crowd control and a police presence. Extra security for the evening session.
There's certainly no attitude coming from this end, given the comments we've been pretty nice.
Ta.
Kristafur
05-Aug-06, 20:29
why wasnt local bands asked too play?? having seen the band list earlier in the week its no wonder there was a poor reception by my fellow wickers, utterly predictable coz you dont care too think off who people want too hear play...
this would off been my band list:
STORM
howling gales
kw1
jackie mcmasters band.
mikie magee etc etc..
or do you have to be in the Ian Sinclair Rythm an Blues appreciation society...
whats wrong with throwing out a hand too good bands instead off trying to keep them down,
the bands above have there own ORIGINAL sets. why not invite these bands too play said music too an audience who will appreciate it... nuff said
Metalattakk
05-Aug-06, 21:04
Security guards in hi-viz, fences for crowd control and a police presence. Extra security for the evening session.
'Security guards'? Explain. You mean 'Stewards', don't you? Not exactly trained for an emergency, especially if recruited locally.
Now we come to this Police presence you have mentioned.
How many police exactly? Given that the Northen Constabulary are extremely busy right now with Thurso Gala, and the high security Mey Games, on top of their usual busy Saturday night cover. I suspect you are being somewhat economic with the truth here.
How many para-medics are on duty? In fact, what safety measures have been taken. Are these 'fences' suitable, instead of crush-barriers (which of course are in short supply due to Thurso Gala and the Mey Games...)?
The wisdom of the organisation of this event needs to be called into question, on many many different counts.
There's certainly no attitude coming from this end, given the comments we've been pretty nice.
Ta.
Some sentient, believable answers would certainly have dispelled any (or some) of the doubts that have been aired here. But instead we have been spoon-fed utter tripe and expected to believe unconditionally.
I for one, am not impressed.
What kind of disturbance were you expecting in Wick? It seemed like a pretty peaceable town to me. It took me awhile to get used to the safety of the place, but I was soon comfortable on the streets by myself.
Metalattakk
06-Aug-06, 00:52
What kind of disturbance were you expecting in Wick? It seemed like a pretty peaceable town to me. It took me awhile to get used to the safety of the place, but I was soon comfortable on the streets by myself.
Aye, but walking the streets is certainly different from standing in a field full of drunk people on a Saturday night.
Any large gathering of people has to be policed and controlled properly, for safety reasons above anything else. Any fool can see this.
(Nice humour though!)
I didn't really feel threatened by anyone, but it definately should have been policed.
The potential disturbers aside, how was the show?
Chobbersjnr
06-Aug-06, 16:58
The potential disturbers aside, how was the show?
indeed, how was it????
Golspie gala was a mental night or I might have had a look down
connieb19
06-Aug-06, 17:14
indeed, how was it????
Golspie gala was a mental night or I might have had a look downI never went but I've heard plenty of people saying today, they had a good night last night and everyone was wondering if it's going to be on again? I wish I had gone now.
The sound was abysmal Isaac. I think the sound people were pushed with what limited resources they had.
No bass rig was supplied either... not a good start.
It was fun playing, but all in all, from what I saw anyway, it could have been a lot better.
Chobbersjnr
06-Aug-06, 18:15
The sound was abysmal Isaac. I think the sound people were pushed with what limited resources they had.
No bass rig was supplied either... not a good start.
It was fun playing, but all in all, from what I saw anyway, it could have been a lot better.
that's a shame
ne'er mind it's all educational for next time
MagicalTrevor
06-Aug-06, 18:30
I thought it was really good and hope its happening again next year.. Saw about the first half and its true about the sound it was a bit of a shame sometimes some bands suffered more than others and I felt kind of sorry for them but all in all it was great! Good turnout too!
Oh yeah and I especially thought the band with the Saxophones were the highlight for me.. That lady can fairly belt out a tune
The sound was abysmal Isaac. I think the sound people were pushed with what limited resources they had.
No bass rig was supplied either... not a good start.
It was fun playing, but all in all, from what I saw anyway, it could have been a lot better.
Yes i heard that there was no bass rig there. so erm..... whos bass amp was used? I hope the generous person was asked first before they borrowed his amp.
They DI'd the bass. We used yours, took it away.
Still, it would have been nice to be asked first
wick-festival
07-Aug-06, 17:00
Still, it would have been nice to be asked first
I wasn't aware of that, sincere apologies - we instructed everyone to DI as our bass rig didn't turn up. Though having said that, DI into the PA which had two 18" bins attached shouldn't have been a problem for anybody.
If there was any damage just PM me and we'll get it sorted for you, sorry again, they really shouldn't have done that.
What are you talking about? We have Moncur's bass amp on loan from him. Nothing to do with you guys at all! It's between Moncur and our singer.
Jeid(oops, signed in at someone else's computer)
elastic band
09-Aug-06, 20:19
a group of my friends were up on holiday from Bristol and we all decided to attend above event and we have to say how impressed we were by White Noize who despite some drunk muppets in the crowd trying to put them off played an excellent set. We have enjoyed the music of this band for some time now and feel they have great potential especially given they are only 15 and 16. I hope they continue to expand their range further -would like some softer stuff as the vocalist has ace voice and all the guys are talented musicians.
why no photos on this site or local press -shouldnt you cover this and support local talent ?
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