i agree the programming wasnt the best last year. it seemed there would be 3 bands on at 1230 (when im just getting outr of bed the same time), djs for 2 hours after, then the same happening at 4 and 7, too much waiting about and too much clashing. why not stagger the live bands? i dont want to listen to djs during the day. and richard chartier playing barely perceptable line/12k/happy stuff to an open air crowd of drinkers was as futile as two bald electronica producers fighting over a comb.
But saying this theres still nothing with as forward looking on the same scale and with as welcoming a vibe as sonar. have you been to a uk dance music festival? its terrifying, pissed up scallies fighting and mugging people, in contrast everyone seems to be solely out for a good time. Maybe that says more about teh dissaffected yoofs of britain.
As for good UK festivals (and a spot of self promotion), the futuresonic festival is taking place here in manchester next month with kode9, ttc, faust and with loads of workshops and seminars on the futurevisual them. The best thing about the festival is the EVNT strand which is 30 or 40 semi-independant events taking place over the weekend. Im putting on 'drowned in a dull roar' which will feature colin potter of NWW, Lee patterson and the birds of delay as well as a gaggle of local noise makers at victoria baths, a disused victorian bath house near the university district on 12 may. plug plug
We're actually going to have a futuresonic bar at sonar this year with a load fo the people involved will be taking over a bar round the corner from the main festival with various manchester types if youre in barca round then