I really don't like those fences, three meters high, just missing the barbed wire. It makes the park look like a prison.
I'm with Son of Spion on this, live close by, used to go to the free events, but not bothering with the fenced-off ones. Don't think a fiver a day is unreasonable, but I just hate that you can't come and go as you want. The Oye this year was as it should be, free and full of locals, met tons of people I had't bumped into for ages. They do get EU funding though, so lets see how long that continues.
I'd rather they scale the whole thing down again, smaller stages, local or smaller bands only, and make it free.
On a general note, I do think the council are actually really good at putting events on, there is loads going throughout the year, most cities would be happy to put on one of these events.