We can't speak too highly of the staff and crew at De Montfort, headed as usual by Richard Haswell. The production, security and backstage arrangements seemed just about flawless from where we were standing; not to mention good-humoured, which helps everything. And Rob Challice at Coda Agency did his normal immaculate job on booking the acts.

(If you were there and know something that could be improved, do of course let us know, at oysters@oysterband.co.uk )

We had plenty of Oysterband side-projects this year -- first "John Jones & The Reluctant Ramblers", who'd walked 200 miles to the festival over the previous couple of weeks, playing small acoustic shows on the way. Then came something called "Alan Prosser & The Ranelagh Renegades", which reunited Alan with (among others) our former bassist Ian Kearey, nowadays on guitar and mandolin. Ian K and our record producer Al Scott also joined us in "The Oyster Ceilidh Band" with star dance-caller Gordon Potts on the Saturday night.

At the end of the ceilidh set, we managed (with a lot of help) to pull off a stunt that was a bit harder than it may have looked: we got off the stage and replaced ourselves with the next band, Edward II, without a good many of the dancers actually noticing. It was all down to the crews involved, sliding the amplifiers off and coiling the cables as they went, and on the whole we're glad we didn't try to rehearse it beforehand!

You can see a video clip of this posted by dallton52 on YouTube, at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zahriX5TgCM ---- If you keep an eye on the upper right-hand corner of the frame, you can see one drummer rise to his feet, still drumming, while the other slides on to the stool behind him without dropping a beat. You can't quite tell how much adrenalin was flying around on stage during all this, but you'll certainly get the idea.

Right now we have absolutely no clue how to top this year's festival next year.

But with your permission we'll take a short break before we worry about that.....

We think we know when it'll be, but watch this space (or www.bigsessionfestival.com) for an official announcement.

"...they rediscover the inspiration and energy that made them such a thrilling outfit in the first place. ... ...the songwriting is remarkably consistent and the sound quality magnificent" fRoots

"MEET YOU THERE, Oysterband's first full studio album in several years, may well be their best yet. They sound even more assured and confident, and although the folk influences are still discernible....... with this album they've achieved their fullest realization of a unique Oysterband sound...." Sing Out!

"...a reminder that they are still an exceptional band in their own right. This new set involves some of their best-ever vocal work and unexpected instrumentation..." **** The Guardian

"...this triumphant return sees the band with a renewed sense of purpose and belief" ***** Rock 'N' Reel

"Genuinely thrilling stuff.....with an opulent sound quality to match" Netrhythms