OK, so keeping up with the board whilst on the road proved just about impossible, so I'm starting a whole new thread to aid in planning for the pre-Fest festivities in New Jersey that a whole lot of folks have expressed an interest in!

I'm going to use the UK contingent on here as my guide for when most of you folks interested in hanging out will be around, and will be planning events accordingly. So if there are any travel companions who are not posting on the board, it will be up to you folks to represent them!

The main thing I need right now is two-fold: travel plans for individuals and very importantly, for bands.

The former, I would just like to get an idea of when you all will be arriving. The central idea here is to have a great NJ show at the Asbury Lanes as well as possibly a New Brunswick basement show (and of course the accompanying piss-up at McCormick's Pub!) for you folks to enjoy, and I would like to book these on the ideal days when most would be able to attend.

The latter depends on what bands among you will be fully present during these goings-on. I would really love for the Asbury Lanes show to bridge the Atlantic and put on some bands like Chillerton and/or the Cost of Living. Or does anybody know Flamingo 50 and if they are planning on hopping the pond?

If we could get a consensus on who will be around and on what dates I can start moving ahead with solid bookings.

And as stated before, I fully intend to open up my home (wherever that may be as I am currently househunting!) to as many folks as need a place to crash! The more the merrier!

Also as a sidenote, I'd appreciate anyone bringing over any Mitchell & Webb//Peep Show related DVDs!

For Sarah and me, party happenings on the Sunday, Monday and / or Tuesday before Fest would be ideal. In that those are the only days we're in that neck of the woods before Fest. Sure we can arrange to bring offerings by way of thanks, too. If DVDs can't be tracked down, are you a whisky man at all? I need to find out what quantity of spirits you can bring over.

When are you and Sarah getting in, Kenny? A weekend would definitely be preferable for the show at the Lanes, so that Sunday may be looking like the best date, with possible follow-up festivities early in the week in the New Brunswick area. Let's hear from some more people about their travel plans!

3/4 of TCOL will be in NJ/NY before the Fest from the 23rd. I'm pretty sure that us playing any gigs before Tampa is out of the question now though... We'll be heading for Florida on Tuesday 28th, I reckon. So, the Sunday or Monday would be ideal for any gigs.

I'm sure that Peep Show/Mitchell and Webb DVDs in return for NJ hospitality can easily be sorted!

Aw, that's a bummer, I was really hoping to hook you guys up with a cool stateside show!

In any case, then, if other travellers' plans seem to be consistent with the above, I am going to tentatively plan for a Sunday show at the Lanes and a basement show in NB Monday night. Keep that travel info coming, folks!

That would be perfect from where we're sitting, Jay. We get in around Sunday lunch time, so zoom to the hotel, get some food and then party times would make for an awesome opening to a great holiday.

good evening, chaps...

i'm rob, i play bass in the cost of living, like my compadres daniel and meng i will be arriving at newark on thurs oct 23rd, flying down to FL sometime on the 28th, so any and all party goings on sound amazing, and i will totally bring over anything you want (that i can afford! haha) in return for high fives and drinking companionship...

i think i'm going to be staying in brooklyn as i haven't been able to find anything in manhattan within my budget (as i'm avoiding hostels!) so any tips on how to get around, etc would be gratefully received!

thanks for making this thread, i am so excited about coming over i can barely breathe and the more friendly people i meet, the better!

oh and thanks so much for thinking about us for a show! appreesh, sincerely

OK, so at this point I'm counting on Meng, Daniel, and Rob to be crashing in NJ, and for Kenny and Sarah to be hanging out as well. Still waiting to hear from Timmy and any mates he might be bringing post-Riot Fest.

Am I missing anyone? Anyone bringing any additional friends or any other bands gonna be making their way down the coast? It's a shame TCOL won't be able to play the pre-Fest show, but Rob mentioned the full band would be back up the East Coast post-Fest, so maybe a show could come together at that point. Anybody in touch with the likes of Chillerton, Flamingo 50, or You Me & the Atom Bomb? I had really hoped to have some UK representation on the Lanes show, but if not we'll just have to make do with the same old Yanks.

Assuming that Young Livers show happens on Friday the 24th, that'll be a cool thing to do for those who are in NJ that soon. We can hang out all weekend, and I'll get the ball rolling on the Lanes show Sunday the 26th and hopefully a New Brunswick basement show/piss up Monday the 27th.

Another thing that ought to be hashed out is what arrangements have people made for travel to the Fest once in NJ? My own plans are still up in the air, but certainly the invitation to crash extends as long as I'm still there.

Oh, the Fest excitement is already starting to get to me!

Man, I'm so excited and have been for months! We don't know our exact travel plans yet but will almost certainly be leaving for Gainesville on the 29th, most likely by air.

Sarah/Kenny- have you guys booked your hotel yet? If so, which one and where? And are you planning on renting a car during your stay in NJ or mostly relying on public transportation?

nah, we haven't got that far! We were thinking one in Asbury park kinda area for the sun but from map that don;t look handy for monday gig! Any ideas appreciated!

We don't drive so will have to be a public transport effort for us

Well you are certainly welcome to join the party at my place, but if you're looking for something more posh than that there are certainly hotels in the New Brunswick area.

I do reccomend NB (or the Hub City as you will no doubt hear it referred to) as the base of operations for all partying.

The train goes right from NB into NYC if anyone fancies a day trip into the Big Apple.

The one thing we'll have to arrange is transport for all you folks down to Asbury from NB for the show at the Lanes (about a 45 minute drive) but that ought to be no sweat with a couple of carpools.

cheers Jay, will have a scout around

It's not really my business to speak for other bands but I'm certain that Flamingo 50 won't be Fest-bound this year. A Flamingo 50-related band, Town Bike, have gigs in the UK on the same dates as the Fest. They'd certainly be one of my first choices for a gig with UK bands.

I've booked a place to stay in Manhattan for the five nights but it's pretty cheap so I'm not fussed about not returning there every night. A place to crash after any NJ gigs would be grand!