I don't like to bad mouth the Shuffle as it does do good work, but I have to say that some of the comments I have read on this thread are disgusting. To call bands 'S**t' or 'morons' I actually find offensive. I know from personal experience that there are bands not playing this year that are gutted to have yet again not gone on the billing, but have been catergorised by people in this topic as stated above - would be nice if some of you so-called music fans and promoters that are meant to be passionate about music and so-say know it all about the Swindon music scene actually bothered once in a while to come and see some of the bands live that you are branding so negatively.
I cannot see how you can fairly judge what a band is like from a myspace or other website mp3 when this is just a select listing of tracks that may (and I know this to be fact in one or too cases) not show the full potential of the band as they can't currently afford or get the time to record newer stuff.
I for one attend many gigs in Swindon and I can honestly say that some bands I've heard on myspace have not performed as well live and some much better. I think it just shows that you don't know a band til you see them perform and you cannot fairly judge. I may be an outsider to whatever 'elite' groups you refer to, but I know for a fact that I love my music, I love going to gigs and not just the ones that 'my mates are in' which seem to happen a lot in this town.
I suggest before anyone critises the effort or performance of a band - especially if they are not in one themselves - actually bothers to go and see someone other than their just their mates or a band that someone else says is good... Try finding things out for yourself before you critise.
I will be attending the Shuffle this year and I see that there are (as it has been so well put) only 23 bands that have been on it before, but having attended every single Shuffle since it started, the same listings are starting to get a bit boring. There is so much more out there.
I feel for anyone who applied who didn't make it, especially when I saw the listing and see that some 'friends' of the committee have more than one band playing. I am not saying that the choices were not fairly done, but maybe taking a view from someone elses standpoint might show you that the bands kicking up actually have a fair point. The only ones not complaining are the ones that have got on with one or more bands that they are in or those that played last year.... oh and the year before.
May its time for people to get off their soap box and appreciate the diversity of music around Swindon and not just stick to what they know. Its hard for every band out there whether they are established or not, but it would be good to go to some gigs in this town where I'm not one of only 5 people who can be bothered to show up - try something different, you might surprise yourselves. Oh, and just because one person thinks something is 'S**t' many others might enjoy it... if that wasn't the case, some amazing bands; Rush, The Who, Kiss, Queen, Metallica and others would not be where they are today.
Well done to those who did get in, I hope a lot of money is raised for two worthy causes.
Rant over.

This is not being Sarcastic in anyway honestly.
Can you tell me about the bands you love watching around here who are not playing the shuffle this year, I'm always up for listening to new music of any kind.