WomAdelaide - Adelaide, 9-12th March 2012
Words: Rob Lyon
WOMADelaide! Celebrating 20 years of music, arts and dance. Adelaide really comes alive in March with the Festival Fringe on in earnest, Adelaide Festival of Arts going gangbusters and Future Music Festival on the same weekend as WOMADelaide. No doubt, there’s something on for everyone and plenty to give people reason part with their hard earned cash.
There is definitely something quite majestic about WOMADelaide. Walking down Frome Road to the Botanical Gardens, passing through the gates then taking a walk in to what seems like another world, following the paths to the centre of the parklands where all the action is happening. Unlike any other music festival this one this has a completely different vibe; it’s more relaxed and laid back. It’s more about the experience than being a poser looking for another Facebook photo to upload. WOMADelaide is about broadening musical horizons and celebrating diversity, and whether you know much about the music is irrelevant as long as you come with an open mind.
Everything about WOMADelaide seems well considered and thought out, from the layout of the stages, maximising the experience of WOMADelaide goers to the location of merchandising and a range of eateries proving to be a feast of the senses. The program for 2012 continues to build the reputation of the festival right around the world featuring performances and workshops on seven stages with the cream of the world’s best musicians, dancers and DJs along with street theatre and visual artists along with the very popular Taste The World cooking program, Artists in Conversations sessions and an All-Star Gala finale and not forgetting the KidZone.
There is definitely something quite majestic about WOMADelaide. Walking down Frome Road to the Botanical Gardens, passing through the gates then taking a walk in to what seems like another world, following the paths to the centre of the parklands where all the action is happening. Unlike any other music festival this one this has a completely different vibe; it’s more relaxed and laid back. It’s more about the experience than being a poser looking for another Facebook photo to upload. WOMADelaide is about broadening musical horizons and celebrating diversity, and whether you know much about the music is irrelevant as long as you come with an open mind.
Everything about WOMADelaide seems well considered and thought out, from the layout of the stages, maximising the experience of WOMADelaide goers to the location of merchandising and a range of eateries proving to be a feast of the senses. The program for 2012 continues to build the reputation of the festival right around the world featuring performances and workshops on seven stages with the cream of the world’s best musicians, dancers and DJs along with street theatre and visual artists along with the very popular Taste The World cooking program, Artists in Conversations sessions and an All-Star Gala finale and not forgetting the KidZone.
Like any festival, it’s a bit of a juggle deciding what to see with so many clashes proving a tad frustrating. Blue King Brown were awesome, almost becoming a necessary WOMAD staple these days and even being introduced as Carlos Santana’s favourite band. Not too many bands acknowledge the traditional landowners, the Kaurna people, which was a positive part of their set after the second song in. Blue King Brown’s music is heavily focused on politics and highlighting particular causes that are close to the band. Drawing on the best of their two albums Stand Up and Worldwize Part 1 the clear stand out being Never Fade Away.
Much has been said about Staff Benda Bilili who, despite their handicaps and homelessness were a must see. A lot of hearts and minds were won with their music proving inspirational and uplifting, truly going to show that barriers can be overcome in pursuit of the dream.
Picture Box Orchestra were well worth a look. Fusing traditional eastern, classical western, hip-hop and jazz with violin, cello, double bass, tablas and a vocalist trained in traditional Indian style, they were simply amazing. It was one of those performances that could be considered one of the highlights of the festival. Playing at night added something extra to their performance, making it even more captivating. Some of the great moments included Night, Benazir and Mr Fox inspired by seeing the film Fantastic Mr Fox.
The Cambodian Space Project was a surprise, aiming to recreate the sounds of the golden age of Cambodian music during the 60s and 70s with rock ‘n roll. Their vocalist, a native of Cambodia, was mesmerizing, making for one special performance.
The major highlight for the evening was Chic. Phew! What a performance! Touted in numerous circles as the group known as a rock band for the disco movement "that made good on hippie peace, love and freedom”. The band is focused on front man Nile Rodgers who’s been there and done it all producing for the likes of Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, Grace Jones and Madonna. Main stage became a huge dance floor with music lovers letting their hair down from the likes of Everybody Dance to Dance, Dance, Dance to Upside Down and the monster hit Le Freak.
Swedish folk duo First Aid Kit featuring sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg have a massive future ahead of them with their newish album The Lion’s Roar opening lots of doors. Drawing influences from the likes of Fleet Foxes and Joanna Newsom their set was impressive with the likes of Ghost Town, Emmylou and The Lion’s Roar standing out.
Much has been said about Staff Benda Bilili who, despite their handicaps and homelessness were a must see. A lot of hearts and minds were won with their music proving inspirational and uplifting, truly going to show that barriers can be overcome in pursuit of the dream.
Picture Box Orchestra were well worth a look. Fusing traditional eastern, classical western, hip-hop and jazz with violin, cello, double bass, tablas and a vocalist trained in traditional Indian style, they were simply amazing. It was one of those performances that could be considered one of the highlights of the festival. Playing at night added something extra to their performance, making it even more captivating. Some of the great moments included Night, Benazir and Mr Fox inspired by seeing the film Fantastic Mr Fox.
The Cambodian Space Project was a surprise, aiming to recreate the sounds of the golden age of Cambodian music during the 60s and 70s with rock ‘n roll. Their vocalist, a native of Cambodia, was mesmerizing, making for one special performance.
The major highlight for the evening was Chic. Phew! What a performance! Touted in numerous circles as the group known as a rock band for the disco movement "that made good on hippie peace, love and freedom”. The band is focused on front man Nile Rodgers who’s been there and done it all producing for the likes of Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, Grace Jones and Madonna. Main stage became a huge dance floor with music lovers letting their hair down from the likes of Everybody Dance to Dance, Dance, Dance to Upside Down and the monster hit Le Freak.
Swedish folk duo First Aid Kit featuring sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg have a massive future ahead of them with their newish album The Lion’s Roar opening lots of doors. Drawing influences from the likes of Fleet Foxes and Joanna Newsom their set was impressive with the likes of Ghost Town, Emmylou and The Lion’s Roar standing out.
The biggest blunder of the day was having Pajama Club up against The Melbourne Ska Orchestra. Both bands were deserving of main stage billing to play in front of big numbers but most wound up splitting the difference and spending time between both stages. Nick Bomba turned conductor got the crowd dancing getting things lively. With the twenty or so on stage it was one hell of show taking in the golden era of ska giving it a different twist. The Pajama Club played a similar set to Laneway Festival a month ago with the main difference being sons of Sharon and Neil; Liam Finn on guitar and Elroy Finn on drums (replacing Alana Skyring) keeping the band primarily a family affair. The Finn brothers definitely give the band a tougher edge and a far more rockier sound. Daylight was superb and the seductive vocals of Sharon Finn in Tell Me What You Want was hot!
The Dirty Three lit up the main stage with their rawness and raucous instrumental sounds giving music lovers a taster of their back catalogue and a splattering of new. Whilst the albums are at times difficult to listen to, their music certainly comes together live and with the witty banter from Warren Ellis it keeps things entertaining, namely dedicating a song to “Bono and Gina Rinehart’s love child”.
Sunday offered a slightly more subdued affair, but still boasting some of the 2012 festival highlights. Taking the show to new levels, The Melbourne Ska Orchestra turned it up several notches from their previous show, whilst Mahala Rai Banda had the masses dancing crazy to their amazingly energetic inventive gypsy arrangements.
The Dirty Three lit up the main stage with their rawness and raucous instrumental sounds giving music lovers a taster of their back catalogue and a splattering of new. Whilst the albums are at times difficult to listen to, their music certainly comes together live and with the witty banter from Warren Ellis it keeps things entertaining, namely dedicating a song to “Bono and Gina Rinehart’s love child”.
Sunday offered a slightly more subdued affair, but still boasting some of the 2012 festival highlights. Taking the show to new levels, The Melbourne Ska Orchestra turned it up several notches from their previous show, whilst Mahala Rai Banda had the masses dancing crazy to their amazingly energetic inventive gypsy arrangements.
Sunday offered a slightly more subdued affair, but still boasting some of the 2012 festival highlights. Taking the show to new levels, The Melbourne Ska Orchestra turned it up several notches from their previous show, whilst Mahala Rai Banda had the masses dancing crazy to their amazingly energetic inventive gypsy arrangements.
A late afternoon main stage slot from Gurrumul had an enormous crowd seated in silent awe as he and his band carried a moving and spine tingling set, only to be followed by the equally impressive Sharron Shannon’s Big Band delivering a completely different tone, but equally as elegant. Squeezing fresh sounds from her accordion, which went far beyond her traditional Irish roots, the set went up, down and around through multiple styles and tempos. A clearly captivated crowd was left nodding their heads in collective approval as the set came to a close and the masses descended back to the main stage for the second and final Blue King Brown set of the festival. Not much more can really be said about Blue King Brown. They are collectively always on fire these days, consistently enjoyable never missing beat, all proving they have well and truly earned their place as one of Australia’s premier live bands.
With it all now over, the magic of WOMADelaide 2012 must rest in our memories. Much like a fine wine, each year we see the festival going from strength to strength, and upon the conclusion of it’s 20th anniversary, Adelaide has once again been treated to some of the worlds most diverse and interesting artists though one hell of a lineup.
See you next year Womadelaide.
A late afternoon main stage slot from Gurrumul had an enormous crowd seated in silent awe as he and his band carried a moving and spine tingling set, only to be followed by the equally impressive Sharron Shannon’s Big Band delivering a completely different tone, but equally as elegant. Squeezing fresh sounds from her accordion, which went far beyond her traditional Irish roots, the set went up, down and around through multiple styles and tempos. A clearly captivated crowd was left nodding their heads in collective approval as the set came to a close and the masses descended back to the main stage for the second and final Blue King Brown set of the festival. Not much more can really be said about Blue King Brown. They are collectively always on fire these days, consistently enjoyable never missing beat, all proving they have well and truly earned their place as one of Australia’s premier live bands.
With it all now over, the magic of WOMADelaide 2012 must rest in our memories. Much like a fine wine, each year we see the festival going from strength to strength, and upon the conclusion of it’s 20th anniversary, Adelaide has once again been treated to some of the worlds most diverse and interesting artists though one hell of a lineup.
See you next year Womadelaide.