FIRST NANGA MUSIC FESTIVAL (2008)

Survey results

There were 79 responses. These comprised 67 Weekend tickets, 10 one day ticket holders and 2 with only the comments boxes completed. The corresponding day ticket values are shown in brackets.

How do you rate

I learned of the festival

Relating to the ratio of the types of music (Australian Bush, Contemporary, Celtic & Traditional)  for next year’s festival I would like the ratio

My favourite three performers were in order (total scores greater than 10 only):

            There were many comments such as “They were all fabulous”.

My age group is

General comments

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of similar comments – otherwise it was a single comment.
CONCERTS:

• Advance notice of artists & schedule for better planning for arrival and departure times.
• Curtain to screen off throughway behind stage. (2)
• Don’t be always tempted to fill the quiet moments i.e. in between acts it’s OK not to talk and fill.
• Fluorescent lights off during concerts. (2)
• Make the slots longer. (2)
• Seating was very formal. Maybe a section with rugs & cushions surrounded by chairs & tables to give a more casual ‘Lounge Feel’.
• Some free space in between and generally great. 
• More time for each performer - 30 mins is too short

FOOD & DRINK:

• Many more tea towels.- soaking wet ones are unhygienic.
• Mulled wine available from mid afternoon.
• 2 requests for serviettes or paper towels in self-catering venues

FOOD BREAKS:

• There was insufficient time to have meals and walk the return journey to Currawong. (2)
• 1.5 hours for lunch

FUTURE ARTIST SUGGESTIONS;

MUSIC:

• Not enough music where audience could join in.
• Some Young Performers. (2)

• Something non Anglo/Celtic eg Klezmer/Gypsy swing for variety and a wider range of instrumentation.
• “the venue and musicians were excellent but there wasn’t much ‘Real’ folk music - won’t be coming again”

NANGA;

• Better signposting.
• Currawong parking needs improvement. Suggest gravelling lower car park for those staying overnight so that casual attendees can park close by.
• Currawong toilets need paper towels .Noise of drier disturbs performers (I heard complaints!).
• Markers on paths 1 / Flourescent flags to show way. 1
• Not keen on woodshed. Would have preferred Currawong without 4.30 am music.
• excellent value except for camping fee

PROGRAMME:

• A map in the book.

SOUND:

• Lots of music was too loud  - especially Paul Gioia’s set.(2)
• The sound guy was extremely efficient and kept everything going.

SURVEY FORM:

• Have postal address on the form.

WORKSHOPS:

• Danielle Pender, Jonathon Brain, Saz Lockyer & Djangle ran particularly good workshops. Workshops rather than mini performances! A return to what the word really means. Great stuff!!
• More workshops.

OTHER MISCELLANEOUS SUGGESTIONS & COMMENTS

• A spiritual/choir acappela singing “quiet” in the evenings. An alternative “quiet” jam space
• All fine except for noise (excessive for 4.30 am Sunday). (lack of sleep means a dangerous drive back to Perth) . (+ 5 similar comments about  lack of sleep due to 4.30 session.)
• Better map.
• Continue festival til after breakfast Monday. Maybe a long weekend.
• Encourage dancing by Audience or workshop dancing. Excellent workshop with Kristina.
• Encourage people to walk rather than chew up the roads and pollute the bush.
• Great to have dance & singing workshops. Pity there isn’t wooden floor for dancing.
• I would like the workshops in a more enclosed space. Sad when the coffee people moved from Timbarra but I guess it made more financial sense.
• Local media didn’t tell me I could get day tickets. [Dwellingup resident verbally to Ken]
• Loved the vocal workshop with Jonathon.
• Make a compilation CD like Fairbridge does.
• Make stickers “I have performed at the Nanga Music Festival” for guitar cases.
• More consistent MC’s and more intentional creating the space as a whole.
• More theatre workshops, bush activities/outside performances.
• Noongar welcome to country and performers.
• Outside concerts.2
• Parking information
• Perhaps a dancing floor area for the later evening more ‘dancey’ sets.
• Separate ticket desk.
• Suggest campfire sing-a-long…..I enjoy the small venue

• Timbarra workshop stage – (can’t see performer because of back lighting outside!) Give larger space for movement.
• We should warn people with Asthma etc that venue is smoky.
• Wildflower bush walk in the morning.
• a ‘bit expensive’ - day ticket Sun

Final comments (verbatim):

•   As a musician “in the audience” for the weekend I would like to say ‘Congratulations’ – I can’t believe how much work was involved in bringing this to fruition but you did and should  and you should ‘take a bow’. You created a lovely weekend.
•   “Amazing Festival…. So glad you guys did this!”
•  “Excellent. For an inaugural event you’ve done a SUPERB job, and the crew were SO HELPFUL – wonderful. Thanks. See you next year”.
• Love the venue, the sound, the people. Well done all of you organizers.
• Sorry I didn’t  manage to  complete one of your evaluation forms. If I did I would have given TOP MARKS for everything!It was one of the best week ends I have ever had. Congratulations to all who organised….
• Will definitely want to come back next year
• Was a really great mix (of music).
•  Would like to see all of those that performed – all of them were fantastic.
•  You did an awesome job. Very special event indeed and I hope this festival will keep going.
• Great
• Awesome location
• Womensong was fabulous
• Every performance was excellent
• At the end I thought I could sit through the whole thing again (though it seemed like a lot packed into the weekend).

Report compiled by Ken Newman