How many days until WOMAD? THE countdown that never ends
Aug 10, 2023 15:29:27 GMT
Zenrider, nigenet, and 2 more like this
Post by calndel on Aug 10, 2023 15:29:27 GMT
Our WOMAD 2023 turned out be a good one.
We managed to arrived just before 08.00 on Thursday morning and bagged our usual spot. Luckily the rain held off but the wind did causes some challenges when putting up tents and gazebos. Cal also collected her buggy and we soon zipping around the site. Thursday evening started with some port and cheese and the usually gathering of WOMADers. None of the artist caught our imagination so Cal had an early night while Del and Brenda visited the moon for what should have been a trans dj set, however it didn't take long for it to descend into a full on drum and bass rave.
On Friday Cal set up camp at the taste the world stage, Del joined her for the wonderful Ana Carla Maza. Del then caught then end of Balimaya Project who overran and cut into Dak Daughter set up time. Unfortunately Dak Daughter has some tech issues which meant they had a stressful set up and started late. However this didn't stop then putting on a powerful performance. Mokoomba were excellent and got the crowd on the main stage buzzing, Isreal Fernandez started his powerful set but walking onto the saim tent stage and belt out his opening song unaccompanied.
Saturday started slowly and Del struggled to find his grove until Cha Wa took to the main stage and blasted out some funk. Cal managed to get a spot on the disable ramp at the main stage, however after a few Cha Wa number she was ready to move on but discovered she was boxed in. Cal then reclined her seat and settled down for the rest of the Cha Wa set. Ajate we brilliant and had the Siam tent bouncing. Catrin Finch and Cimarron were okay, the hot sunshine was taking it's toll and Del found a shady spot to listen to them while Cal went for a nap. Lokkhi Terra were great fun and and well worth a watch. We then went to the moon to listen to Peter Gabrial's new album, the forest glade was packed and we just managed to find a spot before access was restricted. It was great experience listening to the music on mass while looking at the moon glowing in the twilight, a real WOMAD moment.
On Sunday Cal was feeling the pace of the weekend so set up camp in taste the world before having an early night, he buggy was also struggling but she managed to get a replacement. Del started with Samra Malgan at taste the world, her story of working as a nurse during the civil war was harrowing and inspiring in equal measure. The wet weather kind of put a dampener on the day but we were managed to find some cover for tea and cake. Next was the star feminine band, a group of teenagers plays some mean tunes. Del and Brendan managed to find a seat in bar and decided to stay put for a while before joining the musical chaos that was Nihiloxica, a massive wall of noise and killer rhythms. To finish off Del caught Oh My God it's the church, complete nonsense and a great fun way to end WOMAD.
Sunday night was wet and windy which meant Del didn't get much sleep, Monday morning was dull and wet but luckily the rain stopped and held off before we had packed everything away. Although it had been wet the mud wasn't bad at all and we got off site in 20 minutes.
We had a great time, it wasn't the best WOMAD we've been to but it wasn't the worse. Already looking forward to 2024.
We managed to arrived just before 08.00 on Thursday morning and bagged our usual spot. Luckily the rain held off but the wind did causes some challenges when putting up tents and gazebos. Cal also collected her buggy and we soon zipping around the site. Thursday evening started with some port and cheese and the usually gathering of WOMADers. None of the artist caught our imagination so Cal had an early night while Del and Brenda visited the moon for what should have been a trans dj set, however it didn't take long for it to descend into a full on drum and bass rave.
On Friday Cal set up camp at the taste the world stage, Del joined her for the wonderful Ana Carla Maza. Del then caught then end of Balimaya Project who overran and cut into Dak Daughter set up time. Unfortunately Dak Daughter has some tech issues which meant they had a stressful set up and started late. However this didn't stop then putting on a powerful performance. Mokoomba were excellent and got the crowd on the main stage buzzing, Isreal Fernandez started his powerful set but walking onto the saim tent stage and belt out his opening song unaccompanied.
Saturday started slowly and Del struggled to find his grove until Cha Wa took to the main stage and blasted out some funk. Cal managed to get a spot on the disable ramp at the main stage, however after a few Cha Wa number she was ready to move on but discovered she was boxed in. Cal then reclined her seat and settled down for the rest of the Cha Wa set. Ajate we brilliant and had the Siam tent bouncing. Catrin Finch and Cimarron were okay, the hot sunshine was taking it's toll and Del found a shady spot to listen to them while Cal went for a nap. Lokkhi Terra were great fun and and well worth a watch. We then went to the moon to listen to Peter Gabrial's new album, the forest glade was packed and we just managed to find a spot before access was restricted. It was great experience listening to the music on mass while looking at the moon glowing in the twilight, a real WOMAD moment.
On Sunday Cal was feeling the pace of the weekend so set up camp in taste the world before having an early night, he buggy was also struggling but she managed to get a replacement. Del started with Samra Malgan at taste the world, her story of working as a nurse during the civil war was harrowing and inspiring in equal measure. The wet weather kind of put a dampener on the day but we were managed to find some cover for tea and cake. Next was the star feminine band, a group of teenagers plays some mean tunes. Del and Brendan managed to find a seat in bar and decided to stay put for a while before joining the musical chaos that was Nihiloxica, a massive wall of noise and killer rhythms. To finish off Del caught Oh My God it's the church, complete nonsense and a great fun way to end WOMAD.
Sunday night was wet and windy which meant Del didn't get much sleep, Monday morning was dull and wet but luckily the rain stopped and held off before we had packed everything away. Although it had been wet the mud wasn't bad at all and we got off site in 20 minutes.
We had a great time, it wasn't the best WOMAD we've been to but it wasn't the worse. Already looking forward to 2024.
