The Red Tent: love it or a place to avoid?

[mikey]

Wonder what other people think of the red tent.
when making my final viewing choice (when I get the official programme in my hands) I cross off many I had previously considered if in the red tent.  Often, find the artists are trying to be more mainstream and less quality than any of the other stages.  Also find it hard work to get in with a good viewing/listening spot.
just wondered what others thought, avoid at all costs or the place to discover great acts?

[beef]

I generally don't even look what's on - you can hear it from 1/2 mile away anyway. Having said that, I would have liked to have seen Ibbio Sound Machine a couple of years ago, but obviously missed them....

[mikey]

I am sure that if (or when) ibibo sound machine return to Womad, it will on a different stage, most likely main stage as possible headliner.

[Alan]

Probably my least visited stage because of Artists and volume BUT it is worth keeping an eye on. One on the great WOMAD moments in recent years for us was Portico Quartet playing Red Tent fantastic gig

[jimhxn]

I choose who to see based on the artists instead of the stage. That being said, my tastes mean that the arboretum and red tents are my least-visited stages, but I have nothing against them in and of themselves...

[digitalmonkey]

I've had a few great moments in the Big Red - Bomba Estereo; the crazy Balkans last year (don't mention Brexit, their gag did not go well);the Tibetans had a huge crowd due to rain; Balkan Beat Box at first Womad at Charlton Park; Hot 8 were good. A few acts on the Thursday night.

I take the point though as if there is something I don't like it is usually found there or Open Air Stage. Never forget that German techno a few years back, completely not my thing☺

[calndel]

it depends on who is playing however it does tend to become the dance/DJ music tent

[Rendrags]

Have seen some great acts in the Red Tent - Spiro, Dub Colossus, Portico Quartet spring to mind, though a lot of the acts seemt ot be dance/DJ stuff which I tend toi avoid. Also it does seem to have become louder and a bit 'bass heavy' over recent years, so I'm a little wary now unless the act is a 'must see', e.g Sons of Kemet last year.

[deserttraveller]

Least visited because of the volume but seen great stuff in the early days when I took my boys along with me.

[grey]

Agreed it does tend to be who's playing but its always good to sit on the grass outside the red and have lunch and a beer.
Been checking all my programs and over the years the red tent highlights have to go to

The Soil
The Very Best
The Creole Choir Of Cuba
Hindi Zahra
Bedouin Jerry Can Band
Speed Caravan
Zambezi Express
Dub Colossus
Dulsori

so as you see NOT all dance and beats acts.

[digitalmonkey]

DJs and what have you tend to dominate the later evening sessions (Craig Charles being one). Late afternoons I feel it is more brass bands or fusion acts. Earlier perhaps bit more relaxing.

However that is just my impression, no doubt I'm completely wrong😁

[dorsethelen]

Tend to avoid - I find it hot, claustrophobic and it's hard to find good places to stand. Also the sort of music timetabled there is often not on my list. If it is a choice between a band I want to see in the Red Tent and a band I want to see in another tent, I will always choose the other tent. Maybe it's the red colour inside - it's a bit oppressive.

[mikey]

I seem to remember the red tent being more accessible some years ago, open at the sides meant you could dip in and out a lot easier. Now, it is just the one side that is open making it harder to get in and find a good spot, especially if it is raining and there are more people sheltering under cover. Unless it is someone I particularly want to see, I can give the old red a miss.

[Purpledawn]

Oops, missed this post for some reason. Avoid, for the same reasons as Dorset Helen. The last time I went in there was in 2012 to see Disraeli and the Small Gods. Unfortunately I had a panic attack and had to leave. I'd feel claustrophobic anywhere if it has the sides down and no way of escape. I did dance outside quite a lot when Craig Charles played there, and when Hot 8 Brass Band were on last year,  but refused to venture inside on both occasions as it was far too crowded for me.

[jimhxn]

Definitely IN for Ifriqiyya Electrique! Hot, sweat, dark and LOUD hopefully.