Check out all the Day 2 photos HERE
Check out the Day 1 review HERE and the photos HERE
WOMADelaide is unlike any other festival experience and right from the moment of walking through the gates it seems as if you’re heading off to a private sanctuary albeit with 20,000 other people. The Botanic Park is spectacular at any time of the year but there is a calming and relaxing vibe as you take the path to where all the festival action is going on.
WOMADelaide isn’t solely about the music or the people but rather the experience. There are few festivals that are committed to educating and taking the lead to promote the key messages of going green and keeping this event carbon neutral, zero waste, being active, saving water and discussing environmental issues through Ecoville. To have a festival of this ilk and have it so well supported by selling out pre-sale tickets is a credit to all those who have built this world class event.
Having said that the temperature peaking in the high thirties did not put a dampener on the party spirit, which last well in to the night and what’s a little dust and dirt between people. The timetable for me was a challenge to work out what I could see in the short time I was there with so many quality acts competing for attention.
The highlight for me was the much-anticipated performance by Beirut. Bloody hell, they were brilliant and even after seeing them alone I could have left more than satisfied. American songwriter Zach Condon creates a unique brand of folk music that well and truly transcends all cultural barriers. Hearing this ramshackle orchestra of sorts serve up songs from the Flying Club Cup album was a treat and against the picturesque backdrop was amazing.
The decision to take in a workshop or go for more music was a tough one but music won out. Just around the corner Clube Do Blanco were hitting there stuff mixing up jazz, rock and soul with an awesome samba beat. Seriously, they were going off and by they were a hit with punters dancing their dusty feet off.
For the Aussie contingent Bob Evans was fantastic playing all the hits from Suburban Notebook and the album “no one bought” Suburban Kid. Sarah Blasko was delightful and even in this heat she was stunning. Adelaide’s own Lowrider proved beyond all reasonable doubt that they can mix it in the big league and that even bigger things are to come for these lads.
A massive crowd assembled for John Butler Trio who are no doubt running on a massive wave that doesn’t look likely to break any time soon. John Butler sporting a new look – yep, true story – the dreads are gone. I couldn’t believe it! An hour set isn’t really enough these days for ‘JBT’ to get through their set but for the majority they were pleased to hear Grand National get another flogging.
It is a challenge negotiating my way through the day considering the amount of clashes on the timetable I thought I did reasonably well to also be able to check out Kutcha Edwards, Susan Baca and Taste The World featuring the two Oscars from Watussi.
For those who missed out get along next year and check out this amazing event and experience all that is WOMADelaide.
Stay tuned for all the coverage from WOMADelaide Day 3
Check out all the Day 2 photo’s HERE
