Now that we’re back up for air, it’s time for some reflection on what was another cracking festival.
In short, thank you all for making it what it was, is, and will continue to be. We work most of the year to bring you a jam-packed four days of music, but that can only do so much – it’s then over to you, as an audience, to make of it what you will, and make it your own festival. Given the initial feedback, it seems safe to say that that was well and truly the case this year.
At a rough count, there are well over 100 people that bring this festival together – a 14-strong committee, around 50 volunteers over the weekend (who we could not manage without – raffle runners, ticket checkers, seat ushers, backstage helpers, merch sellers, office workers, box office staff, lift-givers, minibus drivers, chair stackers, banner hangers…), hall associations – who not only work alongside the festival team to bring the country events to life, but also lay on catering for the bands and crew – soup and sandwich makers, babysitters… the list goes on. Thank you all.
Thanks also to the local business community, in Stromness and throughout Orkney, who support the festival through sponsorship and extended opening hours. Special mention must also be given to the teams at NorthLink and Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Kirkwall airports for making sure everyone and their many instruments got here – no mean feat.
A huge round of applause goes to our sound and lighting crews, without whom we’d be pretty stuck. To all the guys at SoundSense – especially Kris Koren and John Weatherby (who, this year, celebrated (we hope) his thirtieth Orkney Folk Festival behind a desk – Adie Bolton and his team, and Stewart Shearer – cheers!
The biggest thanks go to you, the audience. Without you, the festival would be a quiet and lonely place, and quite a distance for the bands to come for a practice. With almost every event a sellout, again, it is clear to see that the festival is in good heart, and long may it continue. Keep supporting live music, and keep supporting the festival – as we’ve seen this weekend, it brings out the best in everyone.
As we extend our gratitude to you all, we turn our attention to 2015. Mind on, this is your festival – let us know what you think. Who do you want to see here next May? What could we be doing better? Are we missing a trick anywhere? Drop us a line on info@orkneyfolkfestival.com, and we’ll see what we can do.
Next year’s is festival number 33. Mark May 21-24, 2015 in your diary, and we’ll see you back here then.
All the best,
Alan, Alex, Bob, Colin, Craig, Diane, Eileen, Elaine, Elma, Gavin, Gemma, Jo, Kate and Kenny
The Orkney Folk Festival Committee