"In 2009 the festival will grow to 5,000 people on 24 -26 July 2009. Having much more time on our side in comparison to 2008 we have been developing a definite direction to take the festival, which still is in keeping with the basics we established in 2008.
This year's headliners are Supergrass, The Beat, Skindred, and Drumsound with more acts to be confirmed in the upcoming week.
It is important for us as a festival to distinguish ourselves from other events, here are a few ways in which we hope to do so.
The festival site.
The site is around 250m from a 2 mile award winning stretch of beach. And also can be seen from Borth train station which has regular trains linking West Wales up to Shrewsbury and Birmingham.
Aesthetics.
We do not intend to use any traditional tents. We will be employing William Suiter who is experienced in creating various sculptures and other abstract creations. We aim to keep to a colour theme and aim to keep our branding throughout.
Innovation.
Our team has some exciting new innovations we hope to introduce in 2009. The festival organizers have regular meetings to discuss new ideas and then fathom the ideas to see how feasible they are.
Promotional Events
The festival will be running promotional events in the run up to the festival to help promote the event, but also other causes the festival supports. Examples of the events we will be hosting; include a bike ride organized and sponsored by the Square festival to promote the use of bicycles. Also free club nights where to gain entry all you need to do is to send a promotional text to 18 friends about the square festival and give your contact details to the festival. Also supporting/ sponsoring other events such as midsummer madness and castle rock which take place in Aberystwyth.
Transport
We are looking to Work more closely with Arriva more in 2009 to help promote public transport. And also to help promote the accessibility and beauty of our area.
The type of music we intend to put on will be similar to 2008 with a very eclectic mix, and concentrating on quality well produced, professional artists, whilst we will also support new and emerging artists.
Our programming will always be geared towards artists who are 'doing something a bit different'. The festival has provided and will provide opportunities to amateur and professional photographers, artists, promoters, performers etc from our area and beyond to showcase their various projects to the crowds at the event.
The square festival is a young forward thinking and abstract team on a mission to show what can be done in a field.
Plans are also being made for this year's The Square Festival to use Gnomes as a form of currency.
The figurines of the little garden people will be used to pay for certain goods and services on site. For example in order to use the site showers festival-goers will have to present a Gnome. The event will also have 'Fun Police' who will be awarding Gnomes to people who look like they are having fun.
The festival has expanded to three days of live music over 5 stages and capacity has risen to 5,000. The festival site can be seen from Borth train station, which has regular trains linking West Wales up to Shrewsbury and Birmingham. The site is around 250m from an award winning 2-mile stretch of beach.
This year the festival will have a wide of fun things for people to do including a Human Zoo where people have to wear an animal costume to enter. The festival will also be running a 'Clothes Swap-Shop'.
Square 2008 saw Pendulum and Alabama 3 play to capacity crowds in a picturesque setting on the West Wales coast, on what was surely the best weekend of sunshine had all summer.
There are also some more headliners to be confirmed in the upcoming week.
Tickets are on sale now at £45 for the 3 days and are available from selected West Wales outlets and online from the Square Festival website, which you can link to from the right hand side of this page.
As per last year under 12's go free.
Square 2009 will take place at Ynys Fergi Farm, Borth from 24- 26 July."
Article written by Chris Dare
your comments
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Gareth James Epsom Surrey
Went to this festival and it was really badly organised and not to be recommended. Read comments on the festival web sites if you don't believe!
http://www.efestivals.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=118423&st=20 http://www.virtualfestivals.com/the-square-festival-2009
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Wed Jul 29 09:28:08 2009
Moon Shot, Hampshire
Cannot wait to see Supergrass at Square Fest.. oh yes!!!
Mon Jul 6 10:16:31 2009
Chris Dare
Its about music first and foremost, ensuring that costs are covered is obviously another important factor. Security are nothing to do with meanfiddler, we have made the made adjustments for 2009.And although glasto is over priced, they do give around a million to charity each year...Hope all is well, Chris.
Sun Jun 7 21:17:26 2009
Mike Evans, Southmead, bristol
Loved the festie last year, was almost perfect were it not for the aggro attitude of the security. makes i wonder if the organisers really are in it for the love of the festie or wether its gunna turn into annuver cash converters in a field like glasto. hope not though cos the folks werre proper grand like an i made sum tru friends there. does anyone know if the security are anthythin to do with meanfiddler?
Tue May 5 09:35:38 2009
Sioned Haf, Llangadog
In relation to distinguishing yourselves from other music events across the UK, It would be a positive development from last years festival to adopt a bilingual policy this year. Not only good for the local morale, but a point of interest to those from the great beyond! There's financial help available from the Welsh Language Board, and the tourist board too I'd have thought - nice compact festival, will be going again this year....
Wed Apr 29 13:42:01 2009
Willie Gray from Glasgow
Fantastic little festival!!!!I'll be back in 2009.......The undercover genius has spoken!!!
Mon Mar 9 09:32:50 2009
Josette Ormerod
As a aged newcomer to the Festival scene will definitely be going again and also heartily recommend The Square to everyone!!!!
Sun Feb 1 14:19:53 2009
Ant, Cardiff
Awesome festival, great variety of music, brilliant atmosphere and something for everyone. Definitely recommend!!
Wed Jan 28 14:57:08 2009
Jo Thould , New Quay. ceredigion
A brilliant festival with a friendly atmosphere, last year was truly ACE. spending the afternoon on the beach playing cricket with pals was a new festival experince and one which i would like to repeat. I will definitely be going this year! Tickets already bought and recommending it to lots of friends .
Sun Jan 25 16:25:46 2009
Mark Price Fleur de Lis, Gwent.
Had FAB time last year,An absolute must for 2009.Would Recommend this event 100% to any festival go'er.
Sun Jan 4 15:58:35 2009
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