RSS feedPosts Tagged ‘womad’
Songlines’ intern, Amy Cunningham, shares her WOMAD highlights
Posted on August 6th, 2011 in Songlines Blog by Sophie Atkinson.
From Mongolian throat singing to Ethiopian jazz-fused-dub and Colombian electronica – this year’s WOMAD festival had it all – plus a little bit more. Highlights from the sun-drenched festival were aplenty and the 34,000+ world music aficionados clearly knew it with the number of smiles seen across the lush greenery of Charlton Park, Wiltshire.
Friday’s musical treats began with Ethiopian-UK collaborative Dub Colossus consisting of Nick Page aka ‘Dubulah,’ body-shaking songstress Sintayehu ‘Mimi’ Zenebe, Ethiojazz piano extraordinaire Samuel Yirga, veteran saxophonist Feleke Hailu and modest Azmari singer and player of the messenqo (one-stringed violin) Teremage Woretaw. With their eclectic mix of jazz, traditional as well as poppy Ethiopian styles and 70s Jamaican Dub-Reggae rhythms, the seven-piece outfit set the Siam stage ablaze.
Saturday’s best-bits were undoubtedly Mongolian troupe AnDa Union, who stoically – yet with youthful vigour – performed a repertoire that drew upon their musical heritages that had for the most part disappeared in the shadow of China ‘s turbulent history. Descending from various traditions of Mongol culture, the musicians performed on the morin huur (two-stringed horse head fiddle), the maodun chaoer (three-holed flute), as well as Mongolian versions of the lute. Their sheer artistry did not stop at their instrumental skills either. Even more impressive was the low-pitched khoomii, throat singing of the men and not forgetting of course the mesmerising vocals of female singer, Qiqigoma.
The final day at WOMAD could not have ended on a higher note than the exuberance of young Tuareg singer Bombino. With his blue-infused rhythms, Jimi Hendrix-style guitar playing and energy-fuelled percussion – the gig provided a high-octane dance-fervour – a perfect end to an unforgettable WOMAD festival.
Amy Cunningham
Alejandro Toledo from Alejandro & the Magic Tombolinos tells us about his WOMAD experience
Posted on August 5th, 2011 in Songlines Blog by Sophie Atkinson.
There have been many good times during my life as a performer; playing at WOMAD this past weekend, however, was extraordinary.
We arrived on site on Friday afternoon, and were greeted by friendly staff and a few Magic Tombolinos fans that we’d bumped into at the entrance gate (always nice to see). It was exciting to be there. I had heard a lot about the festival, and had high expectations…
We were the first band to take to a stage at midday on Saturday. It was a lovely sunny morning and we were to play under the shade of the Siam Tent. I didn’t know what to expect as many people were still waking up and the main festival arena was pretty sparse. As we started to play, however, the tent began to fill up with curious faces until we had a fantastic and enthusiastic crowd. It took me a few minutes to relax and get into the rhythm of things, but soon everything just clicked and I felt like I was flying on stage. I guess it was as much to do with the buzz from the audience as with the great interaction between the band.
By the time we were halfway through our set, there was a massive crowd who really seemed to be enjoying themselves and I was loving every second of it. Once we left the stage I had an overwhelming feeling of happiness and exhaustion. I remained ecstatic for the rest of my time there. I hope they’ll have us back!
- Alejandro & the Magic Tombolinos in the Siam Tent
- Alejandro and crew rock out to an enthusiastic crowd
Alejandro Toledo is the founder and leading member of Alejandro & the Magic Tombolinos
WOMAD Sunday Roundup
Posted on August 4th, 2011 in Songlines Blog by Alexandra Petropoulos.
As you’ve probably already heard, Sunday at WOMAD got off to a rocking start as thousands broke the world record for the largest number of people air-guitaring at once. I know what you’re thinking, ‘wiggle around a bit like you’re playing an invisible guitar? It can’t be that hard!’ But let me assure you, the Guinness Book of World Records officials did not make this easy. Not only did everyone have to line up in neat rows (and I’m sure you can imagine that getting thousands of air-guitarists into rows is a bit like herding cats), but there were also very specific moves required in order to qualify. You had to first pick up your guitar from the ground and put the strap round your neck, then you had to locate and ready your plectrum, and finally you had to perform both low notes and high notes on your invisible instrument. Thankfully, everyone followed the rules perfectly and 2,227 people destroyed the current record, even if I was the only one to smash my perfectly good air guitar at the end of my epic performance.
Thousands at WOMAD smashed the air guitar world record
Justin Adams and guest are joined by a few little rockers in the back
While there’s not much that can beat watching 2,227 people playing air-guitar, the day only got better. The Savoy Family Cajun Band added a bit of spice to the Siam Tent, Penguin Cafe soothed the Big Red Tent, Ebo Taylor wowed the Open Air Stage, and Nomfusi and the Lucky Charms rocked the Charlie Gillett Stage. Dashing between gigs and our tent, the Songlines team tried to catch as many of the evening performances as possible, including Booker T Jones, Bombino, and Feufollet. However, my own personal highlight was being able to catch Gogol Bordello from backstage and watch as frontman Eugene Hütz got messy with a bottle of red wine, although I seemed to miss the fact most of the bottle’s contents ended up on Prince Harry, who was apparently seen cheering from the front of the crowd.
Gogol Bordello from backstage
Finally, a perfect ending to a perfect festival, most of the Songlines team had a good laugh on a terrifying ride at the Steam Fair before packing up and heading home.
WOMAD Saturday Roundup
Posted on August 2nd, 2011 in Songlines Blog by Sophie Atkinson.
Technically, we kicked off Saturday with Ballaké Sissoko and Vincent Segal who – with their unique sounds of the kora and cello combined – soothed crowds late Friday night/Saturday morning at the Charlie Gillett stage. Then it was off to the Siam Tent for a taste of the awesome Pakistani qawwali singer, Faiz Ali Faiz. And finally, before heading back to our infamous motorhome, we stopped by the Charlie Gillett stage once more for some late night blues courtesy of Australian singer, guitar and banjo player, CW Stoneking – whose set was peppered with bizarre anecdotes and even more bizarre accents…
Faiz Ali Faiz in the psychedelic Siam Tent
We arose fresh-faced (ahem) on Saturday morning to glorious sunshine and headed straight over to the Siam Tent where Alejandro and The Magic Tombolinos kicked off proceedings with their Gypsy and klemzer influenced jazz, punk and tango sounds.
Other highlights included Songlines favourites AnDa Union, psychedelic cumbia band Bomba Estereo, Susheela Raman and Vieux Farka Touré. Later in the day, Brassroots rocked the Charlie Gillett stage with their brass band covers of ‘Karma Police’ and ‘Sweet Dreams’ and we heard incredible sets from fado singer Ana Moura and French/Malian singer Fatoumata Diawara. We attempted to see Rod and Gab, but unfortunately for us their over-whelming popularity got in the way. The experimental Argentinean Axel Krygier played a cracking set on the Radio 3 stage set in the picturesque woodlands and Cameroonian Roland Tchakounte wowed the audience, once again at the Charlie Gillett stage.
Vieux Farka Touré on the Open Air stage
Looking back at this list, I honestly can’t believe that we – and more importantly, WOMAD – managed to cram so much amazing music into one day. We went to bed with our ears ringing (damn those subwoofers!) and our heads spinning, but excited beyond all belief that there was still a full day of musical mayhem to be had.
