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Post by calndel on Jul 21, 2024 5:52:28 GMT
Our WOMAD 2024 adventure has begun.
After a long and busy week we had a unexpectedly longer and busier day pack yesterday. Lots 5 minute jobs turned out to 50 minute job. However we just went with the flow and got everything done.
We then drove south to Carlisle (just under 100 miles from our home), the journey was okay but we were delayed due to accident on the motorway.
When we check the rest of our route south we discovered several other accidents along the route, we were both glad we weren't going any further at that point.
Anyway we've both had a restful nights sleep and we'll be breakfasting at the Tebay services shortly.
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Post by calndel on Jul 21, 2024 15:51:20 GMT
the tebay breakfast was very good and set us up for the 5 hours of driving to get to our accommodation.
We're a short distance from WOMAD sadly just outside the range of the Radio WOMAD transmitter
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Post by olirow on Jul 21, 2024 23:11:24 GMT
Awesome effort guys, hoping you have an absolute blast, can't wait, it's not long now!
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Post by calndel on Jul 22, 2024 19:42:15 GMT
this is worse than waiting for Santa, 3 more sleeps until WOMAD
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Post by beef on Jul 23, 2024 20:24:51 GMT
this is worse than waiting for Santa, 3 more sleeps until WOMAD ... just wishing I was joining the Womad crowds this year. Have a wonderful time when Santa has been... |
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Post by Rendrags on Jul 23, 2024 20:56:17 GMT
this is worse than waiting for Santa, 3 more sleeps until WOMAD ... just wishing I was joining the Womad crowds this year. Have a wonderful time when Santa has been... ...maybe next year Beef? |
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Post by beef on Jul 24, 2024 10:21:28 GMT
... just wishing I was joining the Womad crowds this year. Have a wonderful time when Santa has been... ...maybe next year Beef? That's what I keep telling myself rendrags... I think having jetpacks would help. |
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Post by calndel on Jul 30, 2024 9:07:21 GMT
Well that was fun, apart from Thursday's persistent drizzle We'll leave a more detailed update later but Del managed to help out with some light painting workshops. His night time displays were a natural fit for the process and he had lots of fun in the process.  Del helped out on the Saturday and Sunday evening but was the subject of one of the paintings on the Friday night. www.andyorourke.com/lightpainting/womad24/ |
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Post by calndel on Jul 30, 2024 9:08:02 GMT
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Post by beef on Jul 30, 2024 12:02:38 GMT
Well that was fun, apart from Thursday's persistent drizzle We'll leave a more detailed update later but Del managed to help out with some light painting workshops. His night time displays were a natural fit for the process and he had lots of fun in the process. Del helped out on the Saturday and Sunday evening but was the subject of one of the paintings on the Friday night. www.andyorourke.com/lightpainting/womad24/ For a moment I thought your light display had been seriously upgraded this year! Looks amazing. |
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Post by calndel on Jul 31, 2024 16:38:10 GMT
Our WOMAD in a bit more detail
Thursday was damp, the rain and drizzle persisted for most of the day. It took us most of the day to set up camp as Del had banged his right foot a few day's before hand and had stiffed up as a result. Once we collected Cal's buggy things got a bit easier. For a while we contemplated not going into the arena but once the rain had stopped and we had had something to eat we took a bi of time to explore. Some the stages had been tweaked, Ecotricity and Taste the World had been turned a bit. No sure why as there seemed to be a bit less space in front of them. None of the acts on Thursday caught out imagination so we ended up having an early night.
Friday was dry and we had an energic start with Noriko Tadano workshop, then a bit of Tank and the Banger (The BSL interpreter was having a ball), Noriko Tadano again but this time on the ecotricity stage before catching the end of the wonderful Qawwali Flamenco. Amadou and Marion we great, there was a older balding man in front of us who was really enjoying their show, it was lovely to see as he had booked them! Young Father was just noise, as disappointing headliner for WOMAD. Yungchen Lhamo sounded amazing but start to preach to the crowed which killed the atmosphere. John Metcalfe mediocre adverting music. A bit of a mixed day but that's WOMAD.
Friday night turned out to be a cold night but once the sun came up it quickly burned off the mist and warmed everything up.
Saturday started with the arrival and Zenrider and her friend Gayle. It was lovely to see both of them. As for the music, The London Bulgarian Choir were impressive, Sekdu Ketia and the homeland band were very good, Sauljaljui was very good too but Del had been hoping for something more. O. were interesting but need more time to develop a wider range and contrasting styles, Gogol Bordello was Gogol Bordello. Saturday was another mixed by and Del took some time out helping with the light paining which he really enjoyed.
Sunday was another hot day which started with the Breath, who were fantastic .We both enjoyed a singing workshop with Rioghnach Connolly, however we're not sure everyone enjoyed out singing. We listed to Witch from the cool shade of the trees along the tarmac road, Del did some more light painting, 4321234 were impressive, Baaba Mala was okay but didn't grab out attention, we finished off with Tasmin Elliott & Tarek Elazhary who were a great way to unwind and bring our WOMAD24 to a close.
Cal managed to see a few more artist this year, mainly at the taste the world stage.
Monday was a very hot day, we took our time packing up and striking camp. By the time we left the exit roads were clear.
We also heard that WOMAD had been struggling to finance this years festival, mainly thanks to raising costs and reduced tickets sales. We did notice the numbers were down and may people had left on the Sunday afternoon. This might also explain the reduced line up. There were also complaints about the volume levels being too high, the pit staff were also complaining which says a lot. Beer wasn't too expensive £6 a pint but food was more expensive and some meal were padded with more rice and less curry etc and it was hard to find value for money at times. The drinking water, toilets and hand washing factifies were a lot better. We did have a group of teen camping near us who could be a noisy late at night but it's not usual for festival. Cal's buggy was great and she had access to the viewing platform and accessibility loos. Del was also classed as her PA so he also had access to the accessible facilities. As the horrible chicken wire floored showers were back in the campsite Del was delighted to have access to decent showers. He was very careful to go for a shower at night when they were usually empty.
All in all we had a great time and WOMAD has become far more than see some fantastic music, it's more about the people we meet and the adventures we have.
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Post by calndel on Jul 31, 2024 16:40:16 GMT
Had a look online as we can't see dates for WOMAD 2025, our guess is 24/0725
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Post by nigenet on Aug 1, 2024 12:02:51 GMT
Had a look online as we can't see dates for WOMAD 2025, our guess is 24/0725 Womad website is now showing "24 - 27 JULY 2025 - CHARLTON PARK", so just 357 days to go  |
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Post by calndel on Aug 2, 2024 16:09:21 GMT
Spotted the dates in the thank you for coming email.
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Post by olirow on Aug 4, 2024 18:17:30 GMT
That comment about struggling finances is a bit of a concern, and I agree that numbers felt down this year. Have they been published anywhere?
Womad has become quite predictable these last few years with little in the way of innovation. Whilst that is quite comforting to those of us who love Womad, I wonder whether more needs to be done to tempt the more casual attendee?
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