I'm glad this has been confirmed. I was going anyway. I only live a few miles away! It might, initially, sound 'expensive'. But it's a really well-managed civilized event in simply stunning surroundings (weather permitting!). I've been trying to find out on the web-site what the capacity is this year, to see if it's suddenly been increased. Like any innovative event (Green Man, etc) it may become a victim of it's success. But hopefully, the traffic, catering and toilet standards will be maintained.
There's no guarantee of success in 'the Glastonbury lottery'. I'll give it a go, but - it's on such a huge scale that I find it difficult to cope with. At 'The Big Chill' : There's so much musical diversity on the bill, not just corporate bands, but genuinely cutting edge talent. It's not going to be hopelessly crowded. If previous years are a reliable guide, then it will be amazing. Anyone who fancies a nice holiday in England this summer really couldn't do better than give this a whirl. I'd be surprised if anyone was disappointed.
And no! I have no connection to the Big Chill whatsoever. I'm not their event plugger!
All that could 'complete the dream' now is if the tour promoters decide to add Birmingham Symphony Hall to the list for Friday and/or Saturday night. It's one of Europe's, if not the world's showcase venues. Pin-drop perfect acoustics. I've seen Bjork, Tracy Chapman, k d lang and Rufus Wainwright there. All seemed literally gob-smacked that such a venue even exists! All performers stated how the soundcheck had blown them away as they realised they barely needed amplification.
So, fly in from Athens to Birmingham International.....the Hyatt Hotel is next door to the venue, connected by a walkway. Some serious shopping in The 'Future Systems' designed Selfridges store before the Symphony Hall gig, restful hike on the Malvern Hills listening to Elgar, reading Tolkien and Langland. Then 'The Big Chill'. Ok! If I haven't sold it on that, I never will.
http://www.thsh.co.uk/page/symphony-hall-birmingham/
There's a gap between Athens on Jul 29 and Ledbury on 3 Aug. It would be a shame for Leonard and the band to just sit around twiddling their thumbs. LOL!
Regards.
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