An Interview With A Madman

The following interview was carried out by Alex Marx for www.newbeats4u.com

An Interview With A Madman
It's another blistering day in south Manchester and I've manage to track down the organizers of Mad Ferret Festival which is due to commence this Friday. Well I say tracked down, but in reality they were very accommodating and after a couple of phone calls we decided to meet in Trof cafe on the Monday. In front of me is Mat Atkinson the [Deputy Events Coordinator] .A veteran of the festival circuit Mat joined the festival after coming down last year. Unsurprisingly the head honcho Ben is unavailable five days before the festival kicks off. Which I must say is quite reassuring given the number of other 'student festivals' which desperately lack the organization they're due. Quick coffee, a cigarette and we're off...

"Compared to last year how have you as a team dealt with the challenges of a much bigger festival?"
Mat "Everyone's been really nice, the Parks Authority and Police have been really helpful...Obviously we've got seven or so tents this year which it a lot bigger than last year, there's a lot more walk around entertainment which obviously requires a load more organization...Logistically it's an awful lot harder, last year we had a few problems with people jumping the fence so we've had to come up with different systems...the main problem's really just been overcoming the challenges of catering for this many people..."

"Who do you recon is gonna be the act's to see? The hot tip?"
Mat "I'm looking forward to seeing Roots Maneuver, DJ Zink and Claude Van Stroke..not sure how much time I'm gonna get to see them but I'll definately try and get some time off for them"

"Finley Quaye? (I had to ask how they managed that, the guy is an absolute legend)"
Mat "Tom Gardener our programing manager sorted that one out, it's a massive booking, everyone loves Finley Quaye...Definitely looking forward to seeing him"

Do you recon that the fact it's a 'student festival' has a real appeal to the community and really helped you guys get to where you are today?
Mat "Definitely, it's all about getting as many people from the universities involved as possible, the guys that are running it now have finished university but obviously still have those connections and that sense of community. Getting people involved and pushing them forward with their own careers...the universities have been brilliant as well. The key is helping out other students..."

"Are you looking to grow further into a major festival on the circuit?"
Mat "It's really all about keeping it local, maintaining that intimate feeling..We might in the future look to starting another festival and keeping this one going but we'll have to wait and see..."

I'm delighted to say this seems to all intensive purposes to be a festival of the students, for the students by the students... yet thoroughly professional. If you want to know where I'll be this weekend, I'll be at Platt Fields, Manchester for Mad Ferret. Don't miss out!


If you would like to know more about the festival visit www.madferretfestival.com

Reported by Alex Marx