The virtual Fest for Beatles Fans -- was it worth it?

 

My mom, Coral, and I at the virtual Fest For Beatles Fans

This past weekend was the Fest for Beatle Fans (known far and wide as "Beatlefest").   This was the first Fest held in person since 2019.  I thought about going to the Fest in New Jersey in person, but there weren't any rooms available.   So I decided to give the virtual ticket a try.   For the first time ever, they were doing what we in education call the "hybrid method."    It is both live in-person and online through Zoom. 

If I am honest, I didn't have very high hopes for the virtual Beatlefest.   I figured there would be a lot of technical problems and confusion, and some of it would be boring due to dead airtime.   And I am very happy to say that I was wrong!

My mom and I always attend the Fest together and so we decided to have our own Fest at my new condo.  My mom spent the weekend with me and we wore our Beatles t-shirts.   We rearranged the room, ordered food, and as usual, went into the event with the attitude that we would have a good time. 

There were two Zoom rooms available to watch.  The first one was the Main Stage Zoom.  This was the one that showed all of the concerts and interviews with the main guests.   The other Zoom was the interactive room.   This room had a variety of things going on.   I enjoyed the "virtual hub."  Roland was the guy in charge of grabbing various guests and interviewing them on the fly for us virtual fest-goers.  Roland was amazing at interviewing and keeping things alive and positive.  The virtual hub also showed some live recordings of different Beatles-themed podcasts.   At the times when the virtual hub was not going on, the camera would switch over to the room where they had panel discussions. 

The highlight of the entire event was the Zoom discussion between Peter Jackson and Michael Lindsay-Hogg.   This is the one area where I feel that those of us with the virtual ticket got the best part of the deal.   We were able to watch this amazing discussion without the instruments from the bands or that annoying tall guy in the front row blocking part of our view.  It was quiet and you could actually hear and concentrate on what was being said.  Having watched films at Beatlefest in person in the past, I know seeing and hearing can be a challenge at times.   This discussion was amazing to say the least.  

There was a lot of disappointment with the virtual attendees because Mark Lewisohn was listed as being a special guest and we were led to believe that we would be able to hear his two presentations on The Beatles in India.   Unfortunately, due to copyright material being shown, we were unable to see these presentations.   This was not known until we logged into the Main Stage Zoom to watch it and saw random fans jamming to Beatles songs.   And while I do agree, that Mark should not have been listed as a guest on the virtual ticket originally, I do believe that he made up for it.   Mark Lewisohn took the time to go to the virtual hub and spend a good amount of time answering questions directly from the hundreds of fans that were there.   So while we couldn't see the presentations, we did get a private Q & A that those in person missed out on. 

Roland interviews Mark Lewisohn in the virtual hub 

Another virtual event that in-person attendees missed out on was the interview via Zoom with Michael Lindsay Hogg.  That was not something that was publicized at all and I am so glad that we stumbled into the interactive zoom room and saw most of it. 

The music over the weekend was also really great.  I especially enjoyed the band, The Black Ties.  They performed on Friday night and sang songs The Beatles covered during the  Cavern/Hamburg days.  Laurance Juber (from the later years of Wings) as always did a wonderful set, Don from the Cyrkle's interview was so great!  And I was happy to hear him perform a few songs on Sunday night.   I have not always been a big fan of the Beatlefest house band, Liverpool -- but I really enjoyed the final Sunday night concert. 

Don (with the cap on his head) sings "Red Rubber Ball."

The one thing that I thought I would miss out on the most by having a virtual ticket and not being in person was the connection with other Beatles fans.   And while I really did miss seeing all my Beatles friends in person (especially when I was seeing them on my screen), I also enjoyed chatting in the Zoom chat with some new Beatles friends.   A big shout out to Edward, Ruthie, Nancy, Chris, George, and Annette!   It was great to make new Beatles friends!   

If I was asked for any improvements, I would say that three Zoom links needed to be provided instead of the two.   One for the Main Stage, one for the interactive room, and another in the room where the panel discussions are held.   I missed out on a lot of great discussions because they were not showing that room.    I also think there needs to be a virtual schedule that is different than the regular schedule. Not knowing what they were going to show next, made it difficult to decide what to watch. 

I also recommend that people attend The Fest for Beatles Fans and if you can go in person that is the way to go.  However -- I now will recommend that you get a virtual ticket if you cannot go in person.  It is well worth the money spent PLUS you get a week to watch it all over again and catch the things you missed. 

www.thefest.com  

The Virtual Fest For Beatle Fans Chicago -- A Review

 

Usually on the Wednesday following the Fest for Beatle Fans in Chicago I would write up a review of my weekend.     Since we live in  a crazy time right now, the Fest was canceled.   Then a virtual Fest was scheduled.  

I had my doubts about having a virtual Fest.  I will be honest with you all.  I thought spending $44 (actually $48 when you added in the fees) was ridiculous.   I had watched other virtual events, including the NKOTB virtual cruise, and it didn't cost a thing.    I wasn't sure if I could justify spending that much money on something online.   And even now I am not sure about the price, but I will overlook that for now. 

The virtual Fest went above and beyond my expectations.  There were five different Zoom rooms.  The "Main" room was a webinar room.  This is where the headline people such as Peter Asher, Denny Laine,  Jenny Boyd, Donovan, etc spoke and performed.   You couldn't see anyone but the person doing the interviewing and the interviewee in this room.   There was a room for authors and panels.   Here you could see the others in the Zoom.   You listen to the presenter and can ask questions at the end. 

There was also a room where people were playing music and chatting.   Here are a few of my favorite highlights from the weekend.

• Ken Womack talking about his new book about John Lennon's music in 1980
• Learning that Lord Woodbine's nickname was NOT given to him after the cigarettes he smoked, but rather about a song he wrote about the cigarettes. 
• Jenny Boyd talking about her time in India with the Beatles 

• Donovan's bizarre puppet show
• Terry Crain's discussion on Beatles memorabilia
• Slide shows about Beatles art 
• Mark Lewisohn --- yeah just everything about Mark and his two presentations/ talks.  I could listen to him talk about The Beatles all day long. 

• Unboxing of Flaming Pie box set
• Jude Southerland Kesslers talk about John Lennon in the Bahamas during Help (using a story she originally found on this very site!)
• The panel I moderated with the Three Beatle Babes
• Seeing Beatles friends from literally around the world!
• The ability to re-watch the things that I missed in the Main room after the fact (I still need to watch what I missed on Sunday, which includes Freda Kelly and Klaus Voorman)

Things I did not like

• All of the tech issues.   Oh, so many tech issues!   Yes, I know that is to be expected when you are doing a live event online.   I tried to be alright with it all,  but yet it was so annoying!
• Donovan's long grey hair and the fact he didn't sing a single one of his songs but had his guitar with him the entire time.
• I couldn't hear Denny Laine
• I didn't really get to talk to my friends.  I saw them, but things were so hectic, that I never got to just chat with anyone.   Besides the fact that I simply miss being there in person with everyone.
• Seeing Liverpool on my computer isn't nearly as fun as seeing them in person.  I just couldn't get into it. 

As you see -- the good far outweighed the bad.   There some great discussions and speakers.  And surprisingly to me, I had that good Beatles feeling of peace and love and connection with others even though it was all virtual.   

I think it was worth my time, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you have the entire weekend free.  If I had to, I would go to another virtual Fest in the future.   However, I do not want Beatles conventions to become just virtual.   Nothing can compare to hearing the Beatles' music in person, talking to friends in person, and going to discussions in person.   I do think some virtual things s should happen during the live Fest so that more people from around the globe can get involved.   It would be nice if you couldn't make it there in person to have the choice to watch things happening live on your computer at home.   It is an exciting prospect as we continue to see Beatles conventions and festivals change to the times. 

Mark Lewisohn on tour!

Attention Beatle fans around the globe:  The one and only Mark Lewisohn is going on tour (but he says he won't be singing).     His new presentation has a cryptic name of "Hornsey Road" (which you will understand once you see his presentation) with a subtitle of "the surprises and delights of Abbey Road -- the Beatles final album.     I would LOVE to hear him present and I encourage all of you who have the chance to go and report back.     Hopefully, he will bring this tour to North America in the near future as well.    Check out the great photos taken by fans during the recording of Abbey Road in the Summer of 1969 that he included on this announcement. 


(Click to make the image larger so you can read the dates)

Tune In (Extended Edition)- The red book - A review

I am more than proud to say that I read the entire Tune-in (Extended Edition) by Mark Lewisohn over the summer.   All one thousand eight hundred and something pages of it -- notes and all.    I really think awards need to be given out to the fans who finish this book - at least a sticker that says, "I did it!  I read Tune In!). 

As I explained in my last review, The Extended Edition of Tune In is so large that it is split into two large books:  a grey book and a red book.    This review is over the red book. 

I have to admit that the second half of Tune In was more enjoyable than the first half.   The first half was great, but the second half got more into the "meat" of the Beatles story.  It covers 1961-1962, and so in this volume, you see the Beatles turn from some scruffy guys in leathers and their residency at the Cavern Club to the cleaned-up lads who are working with Brian Epstein to get a record deal until they finally get one.  You also are there to read about Pete Best's sacking and the start of the Beatles -- with Ringo!

Lewisohn leaves no stone unturned.   I especially enjoyed the comments and memories of the fans who saw the Beatles at the Cavern Club.    These boys and girls were on the front lines of Beatles fandom, and their insights are such an essential part of the Beatles story.    I am so thankful that they are preserved in this book.

I also appreciate Lewisohn's humor throughout the book.  A biography on anybody can get dry at times, but he really keeps things going with humor.    There are slight nods here and there that only the most die-hard Beatles fans will get (meaning anyone who reads the entire extended edition).  And other things that are just funny -- such as whenever he refers to John's friend in Germany, Betina, as BETTTTIIIINNNNA.  

The story ends on December 31, 1962 -- just before the Beatles really hit it big in England.   And while the book was long, when it is over, you wish to read more.  So many new nuggets of Beatles information can be found here.

The Extended Edition of Tune In is a must-read.    I know it is crazy expensive, but it is worth the money.   I think I said it before, but it is worth saving your money and gift cards to buy this book.  It is going to be a while before the 2nd Edition is out, so you have time to save up the money and read this edition. 

The link below is the affiliate link to Amazon where you can purchase this book..   I get a small percentage of anything purchased through this link.  Money made from the Amazon Afflication is used to pay the annual fee to keep this site online.  Thank you for your support.  Sara

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Tune In (the expanded edition) book 1 - A Review

I read the "short version" of Mark Lewisohn's Beatles' biography Tune In:  All those Years Ago (volume 1)  when it was first published.    I didn't review it because what could I say that was different from everyone else?     At that time the Expanded Edition was not available in the United States, but now it is.    So I worked hard to save up Amazon gift cards and take online surveys so that I could purchase the Expanded Edition of the book.      It has been my goal to read the entire thing over the summer. 

If you don't have the Expanded Edition, then let me first tell you how it is set up so that you understand what I am reviewing.     Tune In Expanded is broken up into two different books and are housed in a slipcase.    So while the two books are one book, they physically are broken up into two books:  a grey book and a red book.   I have just finished the first book -- the grey one.    That is what I am going to review today.


Tune In Expanded Book 1 starts with the genealogy of the Beatles.   Fans of genealogy will be fascinated with this.   It is amazing how many children the Grandmothers of the Beatles had that did not live.    These women spent most of their lives pregnant.     Thankfully and luckily for us, the children that lived ended up being the parents of the Beatles.   


There is a lot of great information about Liverpool in the 1940's and 1950's in this book.  If you have ever been to Liverpool, you will be familiar with the names of the streets and areas and will have that mental picture if your mind.  If you have never been there, Lewisohn paints a good description of the town that you will still be able to picture it.

What I really like about this book is that Lewisohn did not rely heavily on other Beatle biographies.  It is as if he started at ground zero and worked through the story from newspapers, magazines, and first-person interviews as if these stories had never been told before.   Many stories that we have taken as truth were dispelled.     The best example of this (a story that is in both the expanded and regular book) is the story of John with his father in Blackpool.   The memory John Lennon had of that experience was that he was forced to choose to live with mummy or go to New Zealand with Daddy.   It has made for an emotional scene in many movies over the years.    Many of us had said,  "wow what a big decision for them to make a 5-year-old little boy to make..."     And while I have no doubts that is how John remembered it, because a child's memory is often distorted, Lewisohn has discovered that there isn't really any truth and it wasn't nearly as dramatic.     How could he know this?   He interviewed the only other adult that was there -- Alf Lennon's friend that was going to New Zealand.    Why hadn't anyone else spoken to this man?     


The first book tells of the childhoods and growing up of John, Paul, George, Ringo as well as what was happening with Brian and George Martin during those same years.     Reading about the formative years in dept really helps you understand some of the quirks and characteristics of the guys in years to come.

The story of the Quarrymen, John and Paul meeting,  George joining,   The Johnny Gentle tour and the first trip to Hamburg are all included in great detail.     Something new I learned was that the Beatles recorded "In Spite of all the danger" at the little studio in Liverpool.   We know this because it is on the Anthology.   But they also recorded at the same little studio "One after 909."   That whereabouts of that record is unknown.    What a treasure that would be!

The grey book ends in December of 1960 with the guys back from Hamburg, except for Stu.   Our heroes seem to be down on their luck, but I know that in the red book, things will start to work in their favor.   

This book is HUGE and you can't just sit down and read it.   It takes time to digest everything.   However, if you love the Beatles, then it is well worth your time and money to do just that.   

Look forward to my review of the red book whenever I finish reading it.   Who knows how long it will take. 

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