Whitby Gothic Weekend - a rant

[valkyriekaren]

This started out as an item on Facebook but then it got very long so I figured this would be a better place to put it! Feel free to link to it, argue with me or otherwise engage

Comments

[djpsyche]

"Jo Hampshire, the organiser, now draws her sole income from the running of WGW"

Oh wow. This makes me unlikely to ever buy a ticket for WGW again.

[emarkienna]

I agree. It would seem good to research what people want in terms of additional events - they can't expect to simultaneously not offer what people want, and complain when others fill that demand. I could perhaps understand the argument that this was something different because (a) DV8 are now an established festival and (b) if they're doing several nights of bands not just a night with DJs - but when we brought up the earlier DV80s Whitby events, she had a problem with that too (From Facebook, "In 2009 Deviational Media ran a Thursday only night at The Shambles running directly up against the Sophie Lancaster charity fundraising night, which is something that no other promoter at WGW would previously have dreamed of doing."). This was simply DJs in a free event in a pub

[valkyriekaren]

The official WGW response to any criticism or any change (like a new promoter running an event, changes in the way SBC operates etc) really desperately needs to be addressed. It's unprofessional, immature and makes the punters feel that they're being ignored, disregarded and kept in the dark.

[nisaba]

You know, all this sounds so familiar. I don't know what's sparked it this time, but years ago I'm sure the unprofessional response of Jo and her clique to all and sundry after some criticism caused huge sparks as well. It's a shame that something so good is turning so sour, and it makes me wonder if Jo will ever grow up and act like the professional that WGW deserves.

[bikerfaerie]

If only they could do all the things you say, having the advantage of a ready built up set of customers it could be a very successful festival. Your post reminds me of what I said about a local rock put that shut resently. Some people tried to blame the customers, "you have to make a point of going, even if you don't feel up to it", it's everybody's fault for their business folding because we didn't all try hard enough. I can see that point a bit, I always try to go when people have tried to start up a local Goth club, but there's also the side that it has to be good or it won't survive these days. I had noticed before that the pub had been quiet lately and I think they tried one or two things, but it wasn't enough. With what things cost these days you really have to put the effort in, find things that appeal and make something good if it's going to sell.

[house_of_borgia]

You know, there are many fair points here. The bitching is one that particularly annoys me..even to the point where a certain promoter is shunning me because I dj one of the official fringe events! Which I think is hilarious given how closely I was linked with certain members of Nightbreed when shit hit the fan in to 90s. It never ceases to amaze me at how quiky scene promotors will satb rather than save the man to their right. My personal belief is the lack of value for money at the main event is what is losing the main events crowd, many of us now go to Germany for the super-massive goth events and festival as they are so much cheaper then Whitby and Whitby simply does not cater to our tastes. Accomodation is an utter nightmare for Whitby, as is transport. As for the issues with the photographers, their lack of respect and human decency have actually resulted in me not dressing goth during the days at the last 2 events because they made me feel so personally threatened with their invasive behaviour.