Torrential hail on Friday afternoon didn't stop us setting-up the beer tent, ticket tent and organising a hundred details for the weekend.

The evening started well and got better and better. Haiku Salut were probably my favourite and they inspired some of my favourite visuals of the night, if I do say so myself... BB Blackdog strutted through to the end of the bill and I was lucky to be standing next to their drummer, no really, and can say that he was an inspiration in both timing and percussive brilliance.

Saturday has been wonderful. The sun has blessed us amongst all the rain and floods we hear about elsewhere in the country and we're thinking of you.

The afternoon set is half way through and I am writing this to the fine tones of Gina Dootson - if you're not here you missed something really fine.

If you're on the fence about coming down for this evening or tomorrow for Steve Tilston then get off it!
See you here.      More ice Trevor.

The marquee is up and the stage is set for some Exile musical excellence.
We had a damp but successful day of setting-up yesterday, the beer tent and cooler are in place, space has been cleared for extra parking and it's looking really good.

More follows tomorrow ...

We've recently had a great site visit to remind ourselves just how lovely the Exile site is (thank you Trevor) and it's looking really wonderful and green and lush after all the November like weather we've been experiencing this summer... In case you missed it last year here is a photo reminder.
Special fine weather has been ordered especially for the end of June.

QR Codes
We are going to be using QR Codes on the festival site for information and fun this year. There is a page on the Exile site for more information on these intriguing barcode style images that are popping up all over the place.
Take a look and download a QR Reader to your phone now if you need to. There will be QRs for the running order and local weather sites plus lots more, at least.
Full instructions over here.

For instance, here is a QR Code for the Google Maps webpage of the Exile Ferstival.

It will need saving and printing out to use, as QR Codes are a way of bringing the web into the real world.

That's all for the moment. We're looking forward to seeing you all in ten days or so.

Early Bird Tickets
Well all the Early Bird Ticket Purchases have been posted out, the pillar boxes are jammed, thank you to all the early purchasers of Exile Tickets. The rest of you, get them now...

Some of you living in the Belper area have been lucky enough to have hand delivered mail by our very own Si, quietly making the Royal Mail redundant, one pair of tickets at a time.


First Aid
Anyone out there with a current First Aider Certificate who hasn't bought a ticket yet and fancies coming along, we are looking to beef up the roll with one more First Aider, so if you would like a ticket in exchange for on-duty services please get in touch with Andy by clicking that link.


Band News
I just received notification from Timmy with The Ornamental Gentlemen letting me know thet have got a new FaceBook page up and running. The OGs are one of the young up-and-coming bands featured on our Saturday afternoon slot, have a look - take a listen.

Exile on FaceBook
We have an Exile Event on Facebook running, take a look and pass it on -  thank you.

I have been doing press releases and poster links on the website today even though it's sunny outside...

If you need to have and to hold and to print out a copy of the Exile Fes 2012 Running Order, the Exile Fes Poster, our latest 2012 Press Release, or an up to date Derwent Valley Line Guide and Timetable, for those of you coming by train - follow this link.

(Now I'm back to watching my sack grown potatoes spring into action. And if you hadn't already guessed, I use these posts primarily to insert unlikely links for entertainment...))

The food possibilities for this years Exile Fes are looking wonderfully mouthwatering. Here we go -

The newly refurbished Fishpond in Matlock Bath will be taking control of the menus and food for the Exile Fes 2012. So far discussion has included the most mouth watering lists of fresh breads from their new bread oven, supplied daily on site, possibly including croissants, brioche and other Fishpond made breads, carrot and walnut cakes and maybe even fresh pizza.

This is all in addition to a veritable smörgåsbord of other dishes and delights along with various vegetarian courses and breakfasts galore.

We haven't of course forgotten that there may be some light drinkers at this years event, so a range of around six cask ales will be readily available, plus a selection of speciality largers, ciders and a variety of shorter drinks, tea and coffee.

The line-up is all sorted, barring unexpected stuff this is the musical entertainment we have planned for this year.

More news to come very soon as we gather our skirts for Exile 2012. Keep in touch by using the rss on this page or visiting our Facebook.