|
|
Post by calndel on Aug 2, 2016 21:26:17 GMT
Friday
Cal and Del on Radio WOMAD doing a gin/vodka tasting with Munners, Maruc Suzi and Pam
The Grit Orchestra
As SS mentioned there is a bit of story to tell about this so we will begin
Cal and Del got to the front of the main stage well in advance and were soon joined but other forum members, Del managed to say hello to Tom the drummer who he had met a few months ago be he and Cal were hoping that Greg the conductor would appear so they could try to get his tshirt too him.
The stage was packed as there would be 57 performers on the stage and there wasn't a lot of room to move around. Greg then appeared from the wings and tried to get to his conducting platform but as he tried to make his way long the front of the stage he slipped and fell off the stage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
luckily there was a row of base speaker which helped break his fall and he wasn't badly hurt (just a scrape on his arm and some bruises).
We were able to call him over and present him with his t-shirt. Greg was delighted with and was positively beaming. We the had bit of chat with him and offered to send him the tshirt logo so he get some more tshirts printed to sell at the Edinburgh gig. Greg also told us about some of the future plans for the Grit Orchestra (SC book your trip to Glasgow in January now!!!!!). We also discovered that the WOMAD grit Orchestra had to be reduced as the stage was too small for everyone and the Wedding had to be cut so fit the hour long slot.
Greg then jumped back on stage and we were now totally buzzing.
The Orchestra took there seats and when Greg came back out on to the stage he was wearing the tshirt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The performance was fantastic and we laugh, sang, loon danced and cried sometimes all at the same time.
Once it was over we bumped into Greg's wife who thanked us for the tshirt and Tom the drum gave Del a big hug and Del gave him a nip from his hip flask. Cal also got Greg to sign her t shirt.
At this point we both felt WOMAD 2016 had hit it's peak and it was only 17.00 on the Friday
We did get up to loads more fun but well add more posts over the next few day.
|
|
|
|
Post by mikey on Aug 2, 2016 21:32:02 GMT
Highlights included meeting cal, del and bloohair for first time.
Music wise, loved Hollie Stephenson in B&W, the most fabulous voice. Ana Tijous, Konono number 1 on a recommendation from Big
Jeff and Bajoli. Many other fine moments made it yet another memorable Womad weekend.
On food and drink, the duck platter/wraps/chips stand was amazing. The old hookey in the real ale bar was excellent, taking me back to my schooldays, bunking off to go for a couple down the rising sun 😏.
Low points, the old hookey running out! Too much talking in the B&W during Dawn Penn, thought there were a lot turned up just to hear her sing one song and were not interested in anything else she sang.
Thought the new layout was good for the CGR3 stage but meant the main stage area was too small, was the Siam a smaller tent too? Is there a way Womad could make the stage areas larger by shifting the traders around a bit?
Moving around the arboretum and the arena area was much better, especially as we seem to be trusted to be wearing wristbands rather than having to be checked over and over again. Think I only had to show my wristband twice to enter the main area.
|
|
|
|
Post by standing stone on Aug 3, 2016 7:29:04 GMT
..thumbs up from Wiltshire Police: www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/towns/malmesburyheadlines/14657196.Police_hail_Womad_a_success_after_only_two_arrests/ WILTSHIRE Police have hailed this year's Womad festival a success after just two arrests were made over the four-day event. Oliver Gordon, aged 20, of Cotham Park in Bristol, was arrested on Saturday July 30 and has since been charged with possession of a class B drug and possession of a bladed article. He is due to appear at North West Wiltshire Magistrates Court on August 18. On the same day, a 38-year-old man from Malmesbury was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and driving a vehicle without due care and attention. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries. During the festival, which was held at Charlton Park in Malmesbury, two cautions for cannabis possession were also issued. Central Wiltshire Superintendent Chris Chammings said: “Womad was a really successful event yet again this year and it was great to see so many people out and about enjoying themselves safely. “From a policing perspective, over 40,000 people attended the event so to have just two arrests over the four days is very positive for us. It is a great example of the right level of policing and excellent partnership working with the organisers and other agencies. “Our officers worked hard over the four days to ensure everyone enjoyed a safe and friendly environment with a really great atmosphere. “I am also pleased to report that there were no medical emergencies relating to the misuse of psychoactive substances, formerly known as legal highs, and I would like to thank the organisers for including this in the conditions of entry to the festival.” |
|
|
|
Post by standing stone on Aug 3, 2016 7:35:42 GMT
...more highlights come to mind: Cal N Del's gin tasting with Munners - looking forward to coffee tasting next year  being treated to a peek at armsandlegseverywhere's extremely fab artwork; quite brilliant at capturing the feel as well as the visual; top work |
|
|
|
Post by standing stone on Aug 3, 2016 8:51:08 GMT
..and Ibrahim Maalouf - just magical to hear.... |
|
|
|
Post by sindigo on Aug 3, 2016 13:08:32 GMT
Sounds like you all had a fab time this year. We had a great time at Camp Bestival and will probably return someday as it's so good for the kids. Hopefully WOMAD next year for us though. Our highlights very different: Performances--Mr Tumble, Aliens Love Underpants and Bananarama. Other--The biggest bouncy castle in the world (total carnage, if you get the chance, have a go before H&S shuts it down permanently) and the circus skills workshop (they wouldn't take Amelie on a permanent basis--yet). Also the Rajasthani Heritage brass band who joined in with a wedding on the Saturday. Definitely a more commercial bent but also has some really great little tucked away stages. A lovely, WOMAD-like vibe around the place too with everyone smiling. So lucky with the weather too. Bar a little rain during break on Monday, perfect 19-21 degrees and slightly cloudy meant no wellies, no sunburn and tents which stayed at a reasonable temp. Here's a picture of Amelie up well past her bedtime and having a whale of a time. ![]()  |
|
sicgoe
New Moon
On no account allow a Vogon to read poetry at you!
Posts: 40 
|
Post by sicgoe on Aug 3, 2016 15:14:42 GMT
Hey there, just back home now... The long way home  WOMAD, again, as this world should be everyday. Peaceful, friendly, caring people loved it My highlights have been the Physics Pavillion, Buika, ADF (booooom!), Ana Tijoux, Dom La Pena (wow! all just with a lonesome cello, big up), of course St. Germain, Sidestepper, tbc... Could mention nearly everything I saw, except George Clinton. Very annoying, just playing it down the 4000th time, no spirit, just posing. Not sure if it's because I'm becoming older with every WOMAD, but it seems to me that every WOMAD turns it more and more into just another festival. Sometimes I missed the old spirit of no big names and discovering the unknown. And George Clinton was a part of that to me, no need to have a big name on Sat IMHO... Anyway, I found the new arena layout mostly better, but in the old layout there was way more space at the open air stage and not such a throng. All in all, big up WOMAD! Phantastic job again, even the weather has improved |
|
|
|
Post by Purpledawn on Aug 3, 2016 18:58:51 GMT
Exhausting, didn't get to see much this year. Will be recovering for a while but roll on 25th August when I will be child and grandson free at Shambala.  |
|
|
|
Post by calndel on Aug 3, 2016 19:02:53 GMT
SS starting Friday with an appearance on Radio WOMAD is becoming a tradition and we found out that WOMAD can only take place is Radio WOMAD gets a broadcast licence! as for the rest of Friday our highlight was Ibrahim Maalouf, Del had hoped to see Kefaya but they were late on stage and it had been a very long and emotional day so he went to bed before they came on. Saturday Started with amazing Lula Pena at the taste with world stage. Bloohair, John and us enjoyed some lovely Yalumba wine (however Bloohair got told off for talking too much  Lemn Sessay was stunning and for the second day in a row Del was in tears Del also enjoyed Alash with Armsandlegseverywhere and he also stayed up late for Cuncordu e Tenore de Orosei but he was told off for blowing bubbles! There were also some negative on Saturday. We tried to watch Lula Pena at the ecotricity stage but there was so much sound bleed from around the site it made it very difficult to listen to her preform and we ended up not going back to that stage  ( Del was really looking forward George Cliton but he found the area around the main stage too cramped and main stage needs more space as this put us off seeing band on the main stage. Sunday was almost a day too far for us as we were both knackered and we ended up missing some bands we want to see, but we still enjoyed watching Les amazones d'Afrique at the taste the world stage and the siam tent. Del also enjoyed playing with H and fancy lights and the photos are on another thread and he chilled with Federico Albanese. Overall we had a great time and it was made all the better bumping into forum members though out the weekend!!!! |
|
|
|
Post by calndel on Aug 3, 2016 19:24:08 GMT
There were a few other negatives and positives for us.
The layout of the path ways in the festival camping didn't work as they didn't link the gate at the car park to the arena which meant most people made their own pathways and the pathways all met up away from the entrance to the festival site which meant everyone had to walk along the same pathway to get to the entrance.
The loos were mostly clean but no loo roll of gel most of the time. The showers were fine too.
The new lay out was okay but we felt there was less choice of food to eat and the stalls around the main stage may have loss out as we may have not been the only ones to avoid them due to over crowding. The Radio 3 stage worked a lot better and the Siam tent was fine but seemed to have more space around it than it needed.
The real ale tent had a lack of real ale and seemed to run of the WOMAD ale on the Friday!
the change to the road way around the site helped too and it felt we could wander anywhere.
the taste the world stage worked better in it's new home.
The physic tent worked well as did the poetry shack but the sound bleed could affect the other stages.
Radio WOMAD was a delight over the whole weekend and WOMAD should consider setting up their own internet radio station
We also like the art work around the site the track looked great but Del thought it would be a good idea to go on it while wearing a kilt
the workshop tents looked at home and free from sound bleed and bandstand also was fun but doing workshops in front of and entrance didn't always work for us
the record shop seemed to have a lack of artist cd and when we asked about them we were told they artists had brought any and they couldn't import them!
There was so much stuff going on we think we only saw about 5% but that just goes to show how much WOMAD can pack into a weekend
|
|
|
|
Post by Rendrags on Aug 3, 2016 19:41:58 GMT
I liked the sound of John Grant - would have liked to have stayed for the whole set but was too nackered and had to go home for an early night. My daughter loved his performance and queued up afterwards for a signed CD and photo. She said she was a little starstruck when she got to the font of the queue, but they had a chat and she said he was a lovely man!  |
|
|
|
Post by calndel on Aug 3, 2016 19:52:54 GMT
Del wanted to see John Grant but after listening to his cds before WOMAD he was put off seeing him as he would them too bleak and dark and he didn't want to lower his mood over the weekend
but that's Del for you
|
|
|
|
Post by dorsethelen on Aug 3, 2016 19:56:42 GMT
I had decided not to see John Grant but regretted that decision - heard him from the tent and he sounded amazing. Wish I'd gone now.
|
|
|
|
Post by jax2000 on Aug 3, 2016 20:15:12 GMT
I was blown away by John Grant and am hoping for a CD or 2 for my birthday. His voice was phenomenal and his lyrics superb...I loved it! He is playing at The Barbican and I'm tempted.....! |
|
|
|
Post by grey on Aug 3, 2016 22:10:35 GMT
A great year for us which is always helped by good weather which we all deserved after last years mudfest.
Highlights for me acts wise go to.
1.Chou Bwa Libete. three guys playing drums,one guy hitting a small piece of steel with a nail and then swopping and hitting a piece of bamboo, and a dancing woman singing up the VooDoo.
Simply fab, who needs a full orchestra.
2. Moh Kouyate acoustic set at Taste The World and later the Electric set on BBC CG. What a lovely guy.
3. Cerys Mathews Show featuring Buika, Dom La Nena, The East Pointers and Bafula a new band discovered via BBC introducing.
4. Les Amazones d'Afrique. a wonderful show case of African women plus Dr L's amazing guitar and Nneka who has been on my must see list for a good while so another one ticked.
5. Bamba Wassoulou Groove. Total class.
6. Blick Bassy. Simple show but from the heart and better for buying the album before attending WOMAD.
7. Fuel Fandango. a surprise find and very good.
8. Different camping position by the Park and Camp fence which was very quiet and we even managed till sleep in till 9.30 on Saturday morning after a late night which is a bonus.
9. Taste The World.. Not visited that stage before but it will be a regular from now on.
10.The biggest PLUS has to go to the WOMAD crowd who are all positive and happy, suppose the sunshine helped.
It seems a mighty long time till the next WOMAD.
Negative comments go to the half hour delay Songhai which meant I only saw 15 mins as had to be at BBC CG for Chouk Bwa Libete.
John Grant.. IMO didn't think he was a WOMAD act and Ive seen him before anyway.
The sighting of the Main Stage is a mistake and worse than the bottleneck around the BBC CG stage of previous years.
|
|
(
