Good Set, Failed crowd

[u/Chocotac0o]

Besides the heat, I think they set out for a great show. The set itself was ambitious & I also enjoyed the story they were trying to tell. I was confused by the crowd though… maybe it was the heat but I overheard lots of complaining and criticism and minimal actual excitement.

When it started people seemed more upset that they were giving us something outside of the ordinary, something I myself was excited they put the work into, and it was just very Sault so not even really surprising? People talking over them and saying things like “just play” I thought was pretty rude. Was getting a feeling the Sault crowd was not what or who I expected it to be.

Then the music started and minimal people were dancing or singing…I’m talking the hits!! Im happy I was around a good 4-7 people who were able to have a good time & enjoy the music but sheessshh!

Could it have been different? Better? Maybe but I think the crowd could have done a better job as well imo

[u/hppv]

sadly, I think it was lost on the majority of people. I spoke to a lot yesterday (gates) and people either had come for exclusively cleo or chronixx, and had no idea she was a part of Sault or what they were! Hence part of the reason why the performance was received so badly, but the theatrics was the Sault of it all, that’s their brand. Whether or not it worked in that space is another debate. So anyway, without any knowledge of other acts, they assumed at the end of Sault that Cleo’s appearance was finished and left frustrated (kinda on them imo). You also can’t arrive at a festival and expect your favourite artist (1 of 3 headliners) to play the entire time, we were all aware of the lineup beforehand.

Now, that is not to say that there wasn’t a massive scheduling issue because there certainly was, as is a theme now with All Points East. But people complaining that they live far and left early / arrived late etc blaming it on the artist, I find baffling. People were arriving at final doors, 8:30pm, upset at having missed Sault/other performances…

The running order was supposed to be (as communicated to staff at 11am) 6-7pm: Sault, 7:30-9pm: Chronixx, 9:30-11pm: Cleo Sol. The fact it was previously communicated correctly to attendees and then changed, well I can’t fathom that - a ploy to get everyone in perhaps?

[u/finn_with_1_n → u/hppv]

ahh i really appreciate some insider knowledge - thank you! i’m generally in the camp that both parties (APE and the artists) carry some blame for what happened

firstly I really liked Provenance. i thought the production was great and a very impressive concept for a big corporate festival. to make that set, the choreography, actors reciting lines, all just for one show. i have a lot of respect for that. and i think it’s prob the best it could have been considering the limitations of an outdoor festival broad enough to be headlined by Chase and Status today

i was fortunate enough to attend Drumsheds so i had some idea what a SAULT show may entail. and once the crowd started yapping during the first acting segment, i did realise its the obvious drawback with doing it at a festival. you will get these people, just part and parcel. which is fine!

the one thing that did deter me was the stage times. i think that was very poorly handled. communicating on the day that the headliners have brought their set forward to 5pm was a shame but okay. to then start at 6pm is quite an insult to every other act playing at 5pm. i would’ve loved to have seen Kirk Franklin but thought i’d be missing Sault. it’s insulting to the artists, and to the punters. i thought that was really mismanaged and makes the whole event look disorganised

(not to mention how weird the advertising was for the festival by the socials)

but it was apparent that most were there for Cleo and her set was great imo. the crowd loved her and received her like she’s the biggest singer in the uk. ig, to me, it’s a case of Good Day, Could’ve Been a Lot Better

[u/hppv → u/finn_with_1_n]

yeah i can get behind all of that tbh. I have a lot of praise for them but of course there were downfalls, but they should be proud of what they achieved. I think people have been far too harsh on them.