Hay Festival Reviews 4

There is no option on their website to disable cookies. Not very nice.

2025 festival watched online. Mary Loudon talked far too much while supposedly interviewing Juliet Stevenson.

I was told I would get a refund after my wife was ill ,could not make show ,and show was sold out ,so our seat went ,but not getting sorted

I recently attended the Hay Festival for a concert by Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. I know, there were other things I could have attended but Jools, Ruby, Imelda and the guys were the draw. Firstly I have to say that I did express, via an email or two, my disappointment with the experience at the event. Oh not with Jools, by the Lord Harry he and the band were absolutely brilliant from the moment the stage became available until the official shutdown time of 2300hrs No my disappointment stems from having a Drum and Bass DJ who I had not paid to hear performing at the very same time as Jools, who I had paid to listen to, with a constant thump thump thump of a Dance DJ ! I doubt anyone on stage performing would even have noticed, nor the ‘members’ who obviously get the front seats before lessor mortals are even allowed in ? Whilst everyone on the raised seats, the plebs, and there were many of us, had vibrations rising up from the floor through the seats and wafting, very loudly, around our ears. I did not pay to hear a dance DJ, I didn’t want to hear him. I paid for the joy of listening to some fabulous singers and brilliant musicians. I have to say that despite sending two emails to the Hay Festival asking them to explain why they would book such an act right next door they haven’t bothered to make any reply, but of course why would they! The money is in the bank, the event over so move on is their thought process I imagine. But I’m more interested with informing next years potential ticket buyers for whoever is the headline act that they may get more than they bargained for, who knows, perhaps the act on that night will have to compete with the Mass Pipes and Drums of Scots Guard’s with a support act of the Dagenham Girl Piper’s. Forward planning is the key, just as well the great Ruby Turner has a great pair of lungs, your turn will come Imelda and I’m sure you sang beautifully it’s just that we couldn’t hear you. Who in their right mind puts a dance DJ on top of a live concert of musicians, no really who would do that ? Other than to rake in extra money at the cost of the enjoyment of the headline act.