MELVIN BENN Q&A

Hi there Melvin,

First Latitude for me and I had a great time. THANK YOU. THATS NICE TO HEAR   Great vibe and top atmos too.  Personal highlights were Florence and Mumford and Sons.  Also saw Rufus Hound in the comedy tent.  The man is a comedy icon and I laughed so much I did a small wee in my pants.  Just wondering if due to the success of Florence and the Mumfords we could maybe get Scouting for Girls as the Sunday headliners next year; just imagine 20,000 people all 'singing she's so lovely' in union. NICE THOUGHT BUT NOT QUITE RIGHT I'M AFRAID   Also, would be a first as they have yet to headline a festival.  I have also heard a rumour that Toploader are reforming and they would go down a treat on the Sunday midday spot. I HAVE A DIFFERENT TREAT LINED UP HOLLYOKS BEST FAN AND I THINK IT WILL BE A DELIGHTFUL TREAT 





Latitude 2010
V Festival '05, '06, '07, '08, '09.
Radio Big Weekend '07, '08, '09. 

@hollyoaks top fan. 'Scouting for Girls... they have yet to headline a festival'

Whilst this is true this second it will not be soon- Scouting for Girls are headlining the Ben and Jerry's Sundae on the Common this weekend. 

As a result I am not going to the Sundae on the common. Even all the free ice cream I can eat is not enough to make me want to go. Personal preference- however I do not think they have either the back catalogue nor the reputation as an act to play as headliners. Maybe they could take the feeling slot this year.

Meanwhile, I forgot to thank Melvin for another annual highlight. Latitude is my haven, and I thank you for creating it.


EDIT: Of course this is a spoof, just not a very accurate one. Although the fact that his annual fests include 'Radio Big Weekend' gives it away. I'm guessing he means radio 1. Do radio 4 even have a big weekend?

The answer is yes- it just happened in a field in Suffolk.

Melvin
thanks for a great weekend, first latitude, camped in the family campsite so had a great relaxed time and enjoyed the great variety of line up. THANKS STRASVEGAS. THAT'S VERY NICE TO KNOW. 
 
Came to latitude after 6 years attending Reading hoping to avoid some of the problems that seem to have migrated to Latitude this time.
 
would you consider the following:
 
an increase in ticket prices specificaly earmarked for increased security for 2011 and announced when tickets go on sale
YES
You have smarter people than me to do the maths but an extra 2.00 GBP would give you an extra 40 000 GBP (if 20 000 people pay ?) which i'm sure could buy you a whole lot of people to do shifts from 22.00 to 04.00 in the camps and arena
  I AGREE BUT I SUSPECT YOUR MATHS ARE AT LEAST AS GOOD AS MINE!
 

I think it would be a bit of a shame to try and mould the line up to fit an older demographic as a lot of people come with their teenage children (we brought our 15 year old and she loved it - and might not have come and experienced the ballet, opera, poetry and theatre if florence had not been headlining). Slightly more security might just calm people down and educate certain people that you can have a good time at festivals without being reckless and anti-social.
I TOTALLY AGREE. THAT IS ABSOLUTELY THE INTENTION. 
 
 
Two other questions
 
could you please try and "poach" Mr Tumble (Justin Fletcher) from Camp Bestival as my 3 year old son would love to see him at Latitude next year. CRIKEY I AM OUT OF TOUCH. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF HIM!

could you try and get Morrissey to headline next year WHAT A GREAT IDEA. I DON'T THINK HE IS AROUND BUT A GREAT IDEA NONE THE LESS
  
  

 
 
 

Many people have expressed how the increase in capacity lead to a change the feel of the festival but, would it ever be an option to decrease the capacity of the festival?
SADLY NOT GRAPEVINE. THE ECONOMICS F IT WOULDN'T WORK
Also, some people feel the vibe of the festival, this year in particular, became more akin to more commercial festivals (such as V or Reading) - is this something you wish to push forward or see to be contrary to Latitude's particular ethos?
I SEE AT IS CONTRARY TO LATITUDE'S ETHOS.

Firstly thanks for an enjoyable festival. THANK YOU SLACKBLADDER However here a few questions for you:
 
Do you think the security did a good enough job? IN THE MAIN, YES, I DO.

What are your plans for next year to stop tent burning etc? A MORE PROACTIVE ADVANCE NOTIFICATION ON THE WEBSITES AND A MORE ACTIVE PATROL OF THE CAMPSITES WITH GREATER NUMBERS OF SECURITY.  

Can you confirm that the attendance will not go over 35,000 next year? I CAN
Are you trying to attract a younger crowd? If so why? NO. NOT AT ALL
In hindsight do you think the facilities were up to the extra numbers (if not what will change next year)? I THINK WE COULD HAVE DONE BETTER 

How can the health and safety issues on the first day (late opening) be solved? THEY CAN

This thread is now closed.  I will post Melvin's replies as and when I get them.

Thank you for your comments and questions.

Hi there,
 
This was our 3rd Latitude and whilst we did have a good festival we were disappointed with the increase in capacity and the fact that this meant we were unable to 'drop in' on certain stages / tents without having queued for a significant amount of time, particularly the Waterfront Stage and the Literary Tent. The only time that the latter seemed to be relatively empty was at 12.30 am on Sunday morning!
 
I think that most of our questions have been asked by others but we would like to know whether there are any plans to reduce the capacity next year to that of 2009, rather than leave the capacity as it was this year but with improved facilities?
SADLY NOT SARAH. I AM INCREASING THE SIZE OF LITERARY AND POETRY AND MOVING THE 2^ND STAGE AND LAKE STAGE FURTHER UP THE HILL TO ALLOW FOR BETTER MOVEMENT BETWEEEN THE WOODS AND THE MAIN ARENA WITH AN EXTRA BRIDGE BUT I CANNOT DECREASE THE CAPACITY. THE EXTRA BRIDGE SHOULD HELP WITH THE WATERFRONT STAGE TOO.
 
We were regular weekenders (and previously day ticket holders) at V Festival (Hylands Park) but stopped buying tickets 2 years ago when it became clear that the acts and increased capacity combined meant that the majority of the clientele were not there for the music but merely to say that they'd been to a festival. We found Latitude in 2008 and would be very sad to see this wonderful festival proceed along the same lines. IT WILL NOT BE ADELE. I AM CERTAIN OF THAT We would like to attend next year but like others, will be keeping an eye on the responses posted to the Q&A, the bands booked and the expected capacity. I HOPE YOU DO ATTEND
 
We hope that we'll see you next year!  ME TOO. THANKS ADELE. MELVIN

annie


I will post Melvin's replies as and when I get them. 

thanks annie.
 
it wont make a difference to us, as im sure we will early bird, but will there be an effort to get responses (where possible) ahead of early bird sale so that people can make an informed judgement about buying/not?

don't you wonder sometimes
'bout sound and vision

We were speaking to FR representative when packing up and talking about facilities and the fact that the increase in numbers. 
 
FR says its possible that campervans will be moved as there is now more family campers. THAT REMAINS A POSSIBILITY ADELE.  When I asked if there will be more facilities such as water points, toilets and water he sounded doubtful.  HE SHOULDN’T HAVE BEEN. THERE WILL BE.I mentioned that trailer tents are not self sufficient like motor homes etc and would they consider carefully. THANK YOU

 
My question is why can't there be more facilties?YES and can you get the ratios right people to facilites?  YES. WE CAN DEFINITELY DO BETTER  We didn't shower all weekend either -there was no water,THE WATER WAS APPALLING   long queues and even at 12.30  at night there was a queue for one shower with freezing water (in family camping).  I know its a festival etc. but at without sound grosse women like to freshen up a bit especially at certain times of the month. I COULDN’T AGREE MORE ADELE
 
Plus in the main arena there dreadfully long queues and parents were getting uptight because of their children wanting the loo. NOTED.  Plus it appeared that FR did not consider that extra amount of under 12's. WE ARE NOW.. THANKS ADELE. GOOD POINTS. MELVIN

Hello Melvyn, thank you for Latitude! Much of it was wonderful especially Duke Special and Quidams! However I have been to every Latitude so far and am seriously wondering whether to attend the next one. Yes I am an old git (58) but the 'feel' of this year was not as friendly with too many drunken people shouting abusive comments, pushing forwards in a v. aggressive manner and generally behaving like louts! The 'more than just a music festival' tag is starting to get a bit lost! I know that you won't want to cut down on numbers but what can be done to make the festival as special as it was in its first few years? Thanks for listening, Julian.
I AGREE THAT THE ATMOSPHERE WAS DIFFERENT AND I DO THINK THAT WAS DRIVEN BY A YOUNGER THAN NORMAL HEADLINER PROFILE WHICH MAY CHANGE A LITTLE THIS YEAR. HOWEVER, I DON'T THINK IT IS FAIR TO SAY IT WASN'T SPECIAL. MATHEW BOURNE'S SWAN LAKE, SEBASTIAN FAULKS, TOM JONES PLAYING ON A LITTLE STAGE UNDER A TREE INSTEAD OF LAS VEGAS. COME ON JULIAN. THAT IS SPECIAL. I AM TRYING MAKING THE ARENA BIGGER (AND THE ARENA ENTRANCE) AND PUTTING AN EXTRA BRIDGE IN TOO TO EASE THINGS A BIT.  PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP ON US YET. 

thanks Julian.  The questions have already been sent to Melvin.  I am sure he will address your concerns in his replies to similar questions.

why are the food options so poor compared to other festivals. they are lacking in imagination, quality and flavour and at min £5 a plate it's a bit much.

having been to a lot of festivals I think the food more than anything really let's down latitude - whatever the current formula is for deciding who get the food pitches is not working. thank god for pure pie or i'd have gone very hungry!

if other festivals can offer decent grub - why can't latitude - especially considering the audience.

otherwise, no complaints really. 

I disagree with you completely neilly.

Personally I think the food at Latitude does have a good variety and is of a good quality compared to A LOT of other festivals I've been to.

I loved the stalls round the side of the word this year.

PLEASE NO MORE QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FOR MELVIN.

I WILL POST THE ANSWERS AS SOON AS WE CAN GET THEM DONE.

Hi there Melvin,

I noticed that you sanctioned The Times newspaper to be the only paper sold at Latitude and also the Sunday Times.  I mean The Sunday Times?  Are you kidding?  The Sunday Times actually employed Charles Murray to undertake studies into the underclass of Britain.  The same Charles Murray who wrote The Bell Curve which is a racist sham of a book that claimed a link between race and intellect.  Shame on you Melvin.  Shame on you.   

Please send any further comments (including the one above) to Melvin in writing to the FR address on the website.  This Q&A thread is closed.

So...if this "Q&A" thread is closed, Melvin won't be answering the questions then?

Or, will there be a new thread for the answers?

I am interested in the answers. As someone who attended in 2007, 2008 and 2009 but didn't go to this year's (because of line-up and capacity) I am extremely interested.

Ll.

Annie tends to edit the posts with questions on them, putting the answer in the same post.

See here for an example, as well as some interesting questions 
http://forums.latitudefestival.co.uk/m103695.aspx


This thread is closed because Annie cannot take any more questions for Melvin on here, so you have to find alternative means of approaching him. When she gets answers she will post them on this thread.

Hope that helps.

I have sent him all the questions.  He and I will sit down, go through them and he will answer them, and I'll post his answers.

Unfortunately, as this is such a busy time, this won't happen until September.

Great.

Apologies...perhaps I was taking your previous post too literal. You did say "this q&a thread is now closed".  Answers do form part of Q&A...

I suppose its too late to ask melvin what it was like being interviewed by john cracen on countryfile ?

 http://www.hiveprojects.org/

I saw Mr Craven film some of that report, and I can say he walks much faster when he's on camera, he bounds along nicely for the few moments when he's being filmed, but before and after that he's ever so slightly doddery.

... The Chill looked nice on camera too (as it did in reality)

Any news on when we're getting replies to these questions?

We're trying to set a date still.  Please bear with us.

pretty sure i speak for all of us, this happy band, this motley crew that are left on here, and say...we can hardly wait X

 http://www.hiveprojects.org/

Can't believe that there are still no replies..... seems like an age ago!  I have forgotten my question now...

Like gravity, karma is so basic we often don't even notice it.  
 

good

IMO the lack of any response speaks volumes about how much Melvin Benn really cares about what we think.  

to be fair why should he? this years festival sold out, was fantastic and went pretty well, do you really think he wants to answer to 
"WHY CAN'T WE HAVE FLEET FOXES pl0x?" 
and
"I WANNA CRAP IN A NICE BOG, WHY AIN'T THE FESTIVAL LIKE MY SUBURBAN MANSION?"

Sowerby

to be fair why should he?

1.  Because he offered - he made a commitment to answer questions.

2.  Because it's good customer relations - yes it sold out this year but if you don't listen to your customers and treat them well how long will it continue to be a success for?

3.  Because although some questions were what you may consider trivial - not all were; there are some valid queries, the answers to which will determine whether or not some people buy a ticket next year.

  

Sowerby


to be fair why should he? this years festival sold out, was fantastic and went pretty well, do you really think he wants to answer to 
"WHY CAN'T WE HAVE FLEET FOXES pl0x?" 
and
"I WANNA CRAP IN A NICE BOG, WHY AIN'T THE FESTIVAL LIKE MY SUBURBAN MANSION?"

 
some times it takes a ''new member'' to actually put down in black and white what a lot of us are thinking...nice on and welcome the the forum ''Sowerby''

 http://www.hiveprojects.org/

LittleMax


IMO the lack of any response speaks volumes about how much Melvin Benn really cares about what we think.  

The lack of response is due to the workload that Melvin has.  He offered to do a Q&A.  He is not obliged to do so. 

When he is able to give your questions and comments his full attention he will do.

annie


The lack of response is due to the workload that Melvin has.  He offered to do a Q&A.  He is not obliged to do so. 

I quite agree that Melvin is not obliged to answer questions.  But he should remember that we are also not obliged to buy tickets for future Festival Republic events. 
 

Of course, that is your perogative.

In the meantime, Jon Dunn has started replying to his Q&A and I am posting his replies as I get them.

"Unfortunately, as this is such a busy time, this won't happen until September."

Appreciate the cycling is probably the excuse now, but this is a pretty poor show. Probably best if he'd never offered in all honesty.

melvin benn has a PREETTY jam packed life.....

Please accept my apologies, but this now won't happen until January.  I have a firm date in my diary to meet up with him and go through all your questions.

Glad to here it Annie, I will look forward to it; "if the man coming, make ready for the man".

Nice work Melvin. I wasn't sure why only a handful of questions were answered but then I realised that there's actually only about 12 different questions throughout all the posts anyway so good one all round. Pleased to see proper minger questions like 'should we ban teenagers' and 'can we have screens in the sunrise arena' were banned.

Interesting that it won't be the Word Arena anymore.