Topic: Advice sought: convincing a festival to allow taping?

[whatboutbob]

Ok, so I realise I have next to no chance, but a guy's gotta try.

This coming Easter, for the 5th year running, I'll be hitting up the Byron Bay Blues & Roots Festival (Australia).

The festival is not, and never has been, taper-friendly, despite featuring many taper-friendly artists year-in, year-out.  After only the first announcement this year there's already quite a number of taper-friendly artists that I'd love to record.  I've not bothered trying previously, but I figure it can't hurt to ask.

The one (thin) positive I've got going for me is that I've a passing acquaintance with some of the festival's organisers/promoters having taped some of their touring artists' gigs in previous years (with their permission).  This should mean my email will at least get read - but i'm not holding my breath past that.

So what should I write, apart from 'please let me tape, because taping rocks'...cos i'm sure that'll work?  Any thoughts and tips would be appreciated.

The festival faq has this:
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Am I allowed to bring a camera to the Festival?

Yes you can, but please note that only small lens still cameras are permitted, no video cameras, professional still cameras or recording equipment. You will not gain entry to the site whilst in possession of the above and will be asked to return them to your vehicle, tent or accommodation.
=======================================

More info about the festival available here: http://www.bluesfest.com.au , but the line-up thus far (split roughly into those artists i know are TF / unknown) is:

Bela Fleck & the Flecktones
Dave Matthews Band
John Mayer
John Butler Trio
Alo (Animal Liberation Orchestra)
Fishbone
Gomez
Xavier Rudd
Ben Kweller
The Roots
Gogol Bordello

Taj Mahal (maybe TF?)

Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
Missy Higgins
Wolfmother
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Bonnie Raitt
Bo Diddley
Tony Joe White
Lee Scratch Perry
Kasey Chambers
Fat Freddys Drop
Sierra Leones Refugee All Stars
Fred Eaglesmith
Kieran Kane & Kevin Welch With Fats Kaplin
Feist
The Waifs
Amos Lee
Flogging Molly

Wilco's also rumoured to be in the 2nd announcement...

[Wiggle]

FYI... Fred Eaglesmith is taper friendly. I was talking to him on the recent Cowboy Junkies train from Toronto to Vancouver and, while I missed his set on the train, he told me I could tape his other shows any time my little heart desired. He was all for it.

[dorrcoq]

Looks like a big festival, although I don't see a lot of "blues" acts listed.

Maybe you can send links to the taping policies of the taper-friendly bands, and promise to not tape any artists who do no explicitly allow it.

[beefstew]

time to pull out some stealth gear

[Sanjay]

Your best bet I think would be appealing to the individual bands to make accomodations to you. 

[china_rider]

I'm in the same situation.... Here in AZ we have had the McDowell Mountain Music Festival.  It's been going on for I think 3 years now and it's always a great lineup.  The headliners this year have not been announced yet (but they are suposed to be big) but so far some of the supporting acts that have been announced are Railroad Earth, Toots & the Maytals, the Neville Brothers, Tea Leaf Green, Grace Pottor & the Nocturnals, Walt Richardson & the Peaceful Warriors and more.  For some reason, I can't figure out why, the fest is very against taping.  I just can't figure it out.

[bdasilva]

Its gonna be a tough sell because some of those performers (and their record companies) will NEVER allow you to tape... For the rest I'd point out the big festivals in the US allow taping and it doesn't hurt the attendance or the bands popularity.   
Taping
1.  Rewards the bands Hardcore fans
2.  Builds the fanbase 
3.  Saves the show for when you no longer feel your too big a STAR to be recorded.  ( But you knew this already)

[Charlie Miller]

I would contact the bands.

[terrapinj]

another route since you have some relationship with some of the promoters is to inquire about Archiving for the festival, may be easier than getting blanket open permission for anyone who wants to tape

[balou2]

Definitely contact the bands and/or band management.  Start with the biggest bands, that are also taper friendly and see if you can get them to bring it up with the promoters. 
Don't be a pest, but stay persistent and continually ask what you can do to help in order to make sure that the performances don't go undocumented.

Good luck to you!!!

[poorlyconditioned]

Definitely contact the bands and/or band management.  Start with the biggest bands, that are also taper friendly and see if you can get them to bring it up with the promoters. 
Don't be a pest, but stay persistent and continually ask what you can do to help in order to make sure that the performances don't go undocumented.

Good luck to you!!!

I like that word "documented".  Sell that angle to both the promoters and the band.  The bands want to remember a great show.  The promoters want to remember the great acts they hosted.

  Richard

[china_rider]

Went this route over the last week or so.  Was told by management that some of the bands had waivers that they refused to modify so not even partial taping (and breaking down for the no tapers between sets) would be accepted and if anything was released the fest could be held financially responsible.  Seems like maybe the corporate response.

In a separate email I was also told by a member of the fest management, that I know from other shows, that the crew documented the fest them self and that my best bet was 'to bring my stealth rig in along with a few beers and enjoy the show'.  From past years it's really easy to sneak in beers in the fold up camping chairs that have their own bag.  Security never makes you take the chairs out. 

Also had a reply from one taper friendly band who will remain nameless that they would take in some patch gear for me to get a SBD of their set and see what they could do with leaving it running for others. :-}  May need more than an 8gig SDHC for that though.

To soon to tell, but keeping my fingers crossed.

[funkoff13]

dont call yourself a taper, use archivist.

[easy jim]

If one band sponsors you and gives you an all-access pass to record them,  everything should be pretty wide open once you are there and you can then negotiate more on the spot with other acts, etc.

[John R]

another route since you have some relationship with some of the promoters is to inquire about Archiving for the festival, may be easier than getting blanket open permission for anyone who wants to tape

that's the way i'd go.