Im new to going to festivals but have been to the V Festival for the past few years. So if kent could have one it would be great for the area.

What!! how very dare you... LOL hmmm stellaaaaa hee hee ( weak squash for Ade )

 Anyhoo i think you guys will find that TrAshford has already got its own 'festival' called Create and involves all local bands (including most 13 year old boys who think they can play and old 'has beens' who are still clinging onto the thought of fame ) gathering down Victoria park for an afternoon in the summer where most people get drunk.... LOL what a shambles....

 on a more serious note Canterbury does hold a festival called Electric Gardens... its suppossed to be really really good - worth a weekend on the piss anyway ;-)

Ashford already has it own festival!! I stand corrected.LOL it doesnt sound like the kind of festival thats going to draw some of the big name stars from the music world.

Ive heard of Electric Gardens so I may check it out next year.

I heard that Zoo8 was a bit of a washout last year!! but it should be given another go.

Sam,

Apart from the bad weather,bad attendance and bands pulling out! I really enjoyed it. The trouble was they tried to do to much for a first time festival. There was at least 5 dance tents and various others tent plus the main stage, with a poor attendance this made the festival look empty at times.

It also didnt help that a few bands pulled out as they didnt get paid up front.

I was working, but the best band i saw was British Sea Power.They put on a great stage show.

A three day festival in Paddock Wood? I guess you mean at the Hop Farm? they had Neil Young and the Mighty Boosh play there last year. You saved me from a rainy Zoo8 last year, so I'm guessing after seeing the state of me you thought sod going to Zoo9. LOL

And as for the Stella reference, can I please have a few.LOL

Looking at it from a business point of view and the current economic climate there are going to be a lot of unsold tickets for the major established festivals so I think you'll be lucky to see a decent festival in Ashford in the forseeable future.

I don't think there is going to be a problem selling tickets for this years established festivals - Glastonbury has sold out even though we won't even know who is headlining until June

V Festival sold all of their advance tickets within hours...  And Reading being aimed at the 'youth' market will sell out within hours.

I think a local festival is real gamble - without the pull of a big headliner its difficult to get people to pay Glastonbury prices.

The Hop Farm is just too expensive - last year the Might Bosch was about £60 for the day.  Far too much for Paddock wood..(and the mighty Boosh)

Biggsy:

I'm not saying there shouldn't be one, I am just telling you there won't be, the promoters got burned last year theres not a chance they will try again in this economic climate.

I've been going to festivals for over 16 years now and I remember back then that there were only a few to choose from so there was never a problem with ticket sales our artist pulling out. Unfortunatly nowadays there must be over 50-60 different festivals planned for this summer! So far a few have already cancelled due to the competition and not being able to draw the band to make it a success.

The big festivals such as, V,Glastonbury,Reading,T in the Park,Download,Creamfields will always sellout due to the draw for the artist to play these venues.

Local music featival seem to be he way forward, unsigned bands and more for the family. Canterbury will be holding its 4th festival this year, its for local bands and the local community.

I missed out on Z008 last year, quite annoyed despite the bad feedback, but I really think they should try again.  Nothing succeeds 1st time round and I personally would love some bigger name bands down here.  Don't appreciate the travels to London any more (used to be there every week for gigs) and Folkestone only has decent gigs twice a year!  If that!

I do Reading every year, this year will be my 9th and I love it, even though I'm getting a bit too old for it, however we don't need something on that scale.  We do need something bigger than Create though - I love it, it's a good laugh and great for young bands etc... but it's not quite enough!