> i think we can all agree that "it's not going to be like the first > couple of DEMFs" and I really think that we should all stop bitching > about how it could be or why it is. IT'S NOT GOING BACK THAT WAY SO > GET OVER IT.
No one is crying about it. You don't have to abandon all critical discourse to accept what it is now. Some people care about that stuff. How about you get over it and let people talk about what they want to and you don't try and shout them down? Especially since it's actually about Detroit for a change? I don't think anyone is wishing for the old DEMF, we want a new DEMF that improves. We wanted that even after the first year. It's quite an assumption to assert the festival has been a loss or a success because of the "fanatic" or popular appeal of the lineup. I think you are wrong. I think this is simply an easy and safe approach that mis-judges the audience. We exchanged headz for ravers, and I think it doesn't take a brain surgeon to tell you which audience is more loyal and less transient. Europeans were everywhere in the early years. Attendance was exponentially larger, even taking into account the flawed surveys. It was readily apparent that attendance was much larger, and sure many would not have been there had it not been free, but don't underestimate the appeal of an event that let's a population celebrate their own culture. I'm sure as many people would have paid for tickets then as do now, if not more. The big sponsors were there. The media interest was there. The festivals were simply mis-managed, and opportunities were missed. Spending was unchecked. Even small artists were actually paid generously! There has been all sorts of restructuring. You're jumping to conclusions that I really don't think are substantiated.You don't have to assume that because things are the way they are that's the best way they can be. A little criticism does not mean you are renouncing the whole thing. I am thankful for the festival and everything it brings to Detroit and all the people that work to make it happen. FWIW 2006 was a super year from all I heard (I didn't make it)...But I heard just as across-the-board that last year was dismal.
