I have been following this thread, despite having only attended Cropredy once. A lot of good points were made, but there truly is no resolution for both the band and fans of the festival either currently or historically.  Fwiw, these are a few random points of my own because what I see is a festival that has always been unique, and unique just no longer seems to cut it in 2024 sadly.

Recently I watched a video someone copied for me of a mini-documentary of the 1996 Cropredy (forget what it was called). I also forget what amount Peggy mentioned as the fuel costs required for the festival...but it was staggering in 1996, and one can only imagine what they are now. Along with all the usual festival logistics. Bearing that in mind, the budget for booking acts is surely derived from how much is needed to cover everything else at the festival, and to cover things such as fuel spikes. And when you think about everything that is needed for a festival, even a one-stage event, I'm sure we would all faint at how much is actually required  no doubt fret about every little thing.

As to booking those acts, the thought came to me that for any festival, Cropredy included, it is rather like an established band making a set list. Think about that-

Too many new songs- 'play the classics!'
Too many old songs-' its all old folks music!'
 Too much experimentation-'what is this, a jazz festival?'
 Too much of one style of music-'not enough variety!'.

 Replace the word songs with bands/acts and you see the problem for any festival organizer, Fairport included. I have been to niche festivals before-be it blues, bluegrass, Irish music. I went to them all with a level of excitement initially and then about halfway through them all was wishing there was something different to hear. The Fairport-centric festival is indeed the origins of Cropredy but obviously the switch happened both organically (FC members and friends passing away) and out of necessity to compete with the plethora of festivals out there.

We can all play the woulda/coulda/shoulda game about what Fairport should have done 10/20/30 years ago as the festival grew. We could all play the game of what Fairport could or should do now. If I were budgeting for any festival this year I would have to make hard decisions about economics first, music second. Which is what I think all organizers are left with in what and how they present a festival to the public. And from where I stand, that is a complete change for everyone-organizers and punters alike.  Gone are the days of roughing it. Gone are the days of a tarpaulin covering a stage in the rain. Gone are the days of a chipper van being the only food on site. Now a festival has to have video screens, charging stations, social media worthy moments, and food bordering on cuisine.

So what I think IMHO is that none of this is a reflection on Fairport or festival organizers in general. It is what we as a society have become. I recently told a friend that a problem I have with things here in NY now in general is nothing can ever just be a 'thing'. It has to be a 'special thing'. A park can't just be a place with benches, grass and trees anymore, it instead has to have an event space, have its own social media site, and amenities no one ever dreamed of before. This is effectively what we as humans have become. To me it isn't just about the dollar signs and is instead about what we 'think' our needs are, and what expectations should be. It is harder to enjoy for the sake of enjoyment. Not impossible, but harder.

"LIKE"

I'd love to hear how.  It's a half and half thing now - it's neither wholly a Fairport Reunion for Fairport fans OR a highly desirable non attached festival in its own right. constrained as it is by it's one stage set up (and other relics from its past).  As a result, I'd contend, nobody is fully satisfied...  In the current marketplace I'm unconvinced.

Its arrived

It has just arrived. A thing of rare beauty.

Agreed. Mine said 'Our driver couldn't find you'. With a link. Text deleted immediately.

I don't think anybody is unable to accept that time moves on.
Many have accepted already, and no longer attend, because it's different, or we are.
None of us want it to disappear completely, if only because it fuels the band for another year.
I was in my mid twenties when I started going, I'm now near enough 'elderly' - seven years older than you - don't blink, you'll be one of us soon enough   - those five year anniversaries seem to come every other year, now.
A couple of us have almost kicked the bucket there, including me. That year, I saw the first three acts on Thursday then retreated to the tent.
Luckily, nobody had to investigate the single tent left in field 4 on Sunday.
I think we don't really want to say goodbye to one of the loves of our lives just yet.  

In fairness I do remember that being a decent crowd , let’s hope this years festival is well attended but I stand by my conviction that as people age the headliners have to be relevant to a younger audience.
I’m 52 and I can’t remember Rick wakeman.
He’s not really my cup of tea but I respect his musicianship.
It’s also worth mentioning to non fairport fans that this year the other two headline acts will in essence be the same personal performing different songs over two different nights which isn’t ideal (and I really enjoy RT and FC)
If you were looking forward to headline acts that were different genres so to speak then you are out of luck.
I think that is the point others have been making and imo with justification

Not everyone is drawn to the festival because of FC these days however hard it is for others to accept and a two headline act fairport year will not be to their taste.
Nowadays the festival needs to adapt to encourage footfall , the guaranteed footfall of the past is no more due to the aging process,.
The festival will adapt and thrive I’ve no doubt and im sure there are many elederly people who only go to the wintour now to get their yearly FC fix.

I’m looking forward to the festival and I’m only trying to add balance for those that are unable to accept that time moves on.

Its good to share experiences like that so people wont get caught out.

You are wrong, I'm afraid. At least one of the anniversary years was sold out.