Im hearing rumours that's some a lot of bands were paid for hwch and that ALOT of bands were asked to play as apposed to applying like hundreds of others ..what's the story with this >am I missing something or is that a bit unfair on the hundreds of other bands who may have even made demos especially for this event ?am i in the dark here or what ? Can anyone confirm or deny this ?

I don't think that's true Pol. If you look up Sonic Bids you can see that the bands applied through that. I'm just speculating but possibly the special guests got payed ie Peaches - but I don't know that for sure, it would seem reasonable though.

I heard Peaches sent in her three albums, a le tigre remix and a letter of reccommedation from Chicks on Speed and still only scraped onto the bill! amazing stuff! i'm sure the popoular bands like Delorentos, the Immediate, the things, the marshalls, the mighty stef etc didn't have to apply or at least if they did had a tacit understanding with the organisers that they would be accepted and placed in a decent position on the bill. Who cares? there were plenty of spots for unknown bands on the line-up. Every festival needs headline acts of some pedrigree, even if it is a showcase festival.

like i said it was just a rumour . special guest deserve to be paid but i dno .i dont wana be bad mouthing hwch but its not hard to get someone to apply to sonic bids anyway ..anyway it would be harsh imo if the rumours are true AGAIN nooo proof whatsoever .

We (Pugwash) applied through the "Sonic-Bids" process and turned up, played and left. Pretty smooth and well organised. No money changed hands and none was expected really..... Pity the "Hum", sorry "The Hub" smelt like a wino's pocket. Well done to all involved I say. Thomas.

Same For us (little known Pier Nineteen). Went to "Sonic-Bids" and applied that way. It was brilliantly run. Agree the hub was really smelly.. I think because we played this year it is harder to do it next year because they try to avoid the same bands doing it every year.. I believe thats the idea anyway

Dunno about that. Sure hasnt Mighty Stef played it 4 years straight!

You may be right jaypers... I know one particular band who i think are excellent. They got it last year but not this year.....Sure who knows how the selection works really. Great festival tho' from a small bands point of view