What's on
October 25, 2011 - 07:50
New Interview with The Masked Ball Honcho Kelvin Batt
Tags: Frendzy, Halloween, Kelvin Batt, Masked Ball
Area:
Porthleven If you have ever found yourself at a party in Cornwall the chances are you would have bumped into Kelvin Batt.
He's the chap (who along with a few other like minded folk) that is responsible for entertaining us with events such as The Masked Ball, SurfStock and FrENDzy, so firstly Kelv we applaud you and thank you!
1. So hows tricks, you look partied out, long weekend!??
Haha been doing some research.
2. Good answer...The Halloween Masked Ball, sell it to us Kelv?
Haha I like this question!
Well its the biggest ball production to date, we've taken it to a new location this year, the Camel Farm which is going to be amazing - we've totally pushed the boat out with the production have 5 fully curated areas full of fun and games... we've even managed to include an hidden unfairground
So you’ve got Bez down for it, Bez + Halloween sounds insane, how’d that come about?
He just phoned up! He had been chatting to someone who mentioned the ball so just offered to come down for some fun. I hadn't spoken to him for a few years. I taught him to snowboard years ago and you could say I've had some fairly loose times with him since, he loves Cornwall and would come down with his family when I had a surf school. We even took him cliff diving once and I've never seen someone grip the cliff face with there arse cheeks like that before. Maybe it was due to the fact he can't swim... we're really pleased hes coming down for the ball to do his DJ set and play his maracas, it's just great to have a character like that around for the evening.
We’ve only just got over the hangover from Frendzy last month, we loved that, it’s a bit of a new project isn’t it with that being the second one, tell us about it?
Yeah really, really excited about it. The vibe there was amazing. Our plan is to build on the surf comp and get crews from all over involved and to make it a proper little Cornish festival were already planning for next year.
What do you think it is that makes the Cornish party scene so epic?
It is isn't it, and I feel really lucky just to be part of it. It's the people and the way they think... if you put us in a square grey room I'm sure we would have fun. That's what makes it easy for the likes of me I just have to sort the finer details out...
What’s the highlight of the parties / festivals you’ve organised to date
I'm lucky enough to say there's been loads, watching everyone go nuts to the Stereo MC's in 2004 at Surfstock was brilliant, even though half the crowd had jumped the fence to get in, Chromeo at Surfstock.
At one of the first parties we did we lit up the sea from the cliff at Perranporth and had a naked swell board comp when the pub kicked out, also getting the plane that usually pulls the Flambards sign to fly over the Boardmasters with 'Surfstocks Gonna Rock' was pretty funny.
Around 1am at every Masked Balls pretty special. Oh and I've got a few mates that have made there little'uns at events which is cool.
And the low point?
To be honest theres been a lot but you just have to pick yourself up and try to look forward, after the last Surfstock, that was sooo heavy, a lot of people still don't really know what happened there. It took years to get over that, but on the flip side I think what was learned from that failure has definitely helped with the Masked Ball and especially Frendzy.
What would you have done differently?
Loads. I've made a lot of mistakes theres so many variables when your putting on an event on. When we started we had no idea on licensing, staffing, power, security, traffic management, costs. It was almost like we did a 5 year apprenticeship with Surfstock which in hindsight helped us hit the ground running with the Masked Ball and more recently Frendzy.
What are the biggest obstacles that you come up against when organizing such events and how do you overcome them? (if you managed too!)
Ticket price and Licensing are huge issues, theres so many different departments within the council and the end product of 3 months work is the party. We put every penny of the ticket price into production of our events theres even been balls that have been thousands down before we've even opened the gates, its impossible to provide great production with a low ticket price. I think some people may think your making a lot of money when your just barely keeping the ship afloat. But you can't do these kind of events just to make money, I just love the feeling when you've put so much work into one night and then it just takes off and everyone's enjoying themselves - it's why I do it. It's worth all the hard work for that.
10. What would your dream lineup be at a festival you put on?
Van Morrision, Paul Simon, Rolling Stones, Stone Roses. Followed by a stomp around to LCD sound system. Oh and Cornwall's finest leading the charge on the dance floor..
What’s your personal favourite festival in the UK and why?
I've heard theres this little festival down in West Cornwall called Frendzy which is pretty good, really enjoyed Port Eliot too this year.
12. What to you are the best and worst things about Cornwall?
The beaches, waves, and people, the worst has to the fact that unless your lucky enough to be helped out, buying a house is near on impossible, it's also a pretty expensive place to live especially as the wages here are pretty low.
13. What music are you currently listening to?
Loving Benoit & Sergio and Little Dragon at the moment also 'Back to Front' by Lionel Richie. Classic
14. What was the last film you watched and was it any good?
Was doing a bit of research and watched The Lost Boys, again.
16. What was the last item / product that you bought?
Some biros... I've been writing a lot of lists
17. Biros eh... OK, if you could have dinner with 3 people all at once (they can be fictional) who would they be?
The 1990 version of Paul Gasgoine -he may be a tool now but back then he was one of best players in the world and definitely the funniest.
Charles Darwin
and my Old Man.
18. What advice would you give to somebody who wants to do something similar to what you are currently doing? Just go for it!! But try and remember the actual party is only a small part of the whole process... and there a lot of elderly people in Cornwall that aren't that keen on whomping house music. Essentially your probably doing it just so everyone can have a good time but there will always be someone you've managed to annoy.
19. How can people (who haven’t already got them) get tickets for The Halloween Masked Ball?
I think thankfully they've mostly sold out in the shops but you can still get them on magicseaweed at the mo.
20. What are you looking forward to doing over the next 12 months?
Hopefully not spending months clearing up after Halloween, taking the the Summer Ball to the next level and also making Frendzy a great festival in its own right.
Some Irish waves and a Guinness or two would be nice as well.
Great stuff, we await to hear more, best of luck with The Halloween Ball!
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