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Post by mikey on Aug 2, 2023 14:57:20 GMT
Really enjoyed this year’s Womad with many highlights.
Enjoyed Kate Rusby but still do not consider her a proper Thursday headline act (for which we pay extra to come along early). Wanted an exciting act to kick off the weekend in proper style but thought she would have sounded better in another time slot in the Siam or d&b stage.
For me, the weekend kicked off proper with Sam Kelly and the lost boys. Sounded better in the Siam tent and would have been a better Thursday nighter than Kate was (imho).
Dakh Daughters, an amazing and moving show. Great to see forum members at the front (especially finally meeting SC and his wonderful beard and Mary). However, none of you seemed to notice the person in the crowd waving a Ukrainian flag at the end…
Aliciia Edelweiss: sometimes quirky sometimes deeply moving, especially when singing about how cockroaches became her only friends at one time.
Amjad Ali Khan etc. a great late night performance to complete the Friday
Orchestral Qawwali: totally unique and absorbing
Catrin Finch and cimarron: so glad got to see them play and so much better than was expecting.
The cinematic orchestra; only managed a short segment of them, soooooo boring and wondering how they managed to be booked as Saturday headline act. Womad please do better, although maybe there were others who did enjoy them?
Mari Kalkun: hypnotic performance and great end of the day.
Puuluup: the unexpected highlight played with such deadpan humour. Learning so much about Estonian life and cross country skiing
Marina Satti: infectious and very poppy, real enjoyment to watch and listen to
Paprika: waited so long to get the chance to see them and was not disappointed. Highlight was the young girl who came out to sing one song with them. What a star.
Kuunatic: lovely sounds from the Japanese trio
Femi Kuti: at last a real headline act to enjoy on the main outdoor stage. Such a great act.
And finally, Souad Massi: the perfect end to Womad 2023
Good to moan about the weather, but in reality could have been a lot lot worse. Pretty wet and especially windy at times (although always sounds worse in a tent) and felt sorry for people whose tents did not stand up so well to the conditions. However, it was dry on Monday morning which is always a relief when packing up and carting to the car.
First Womad where I have not indulged in the guilty pleasure of la di dah loos. Did not miss them at all and am a big fan of the compost loos, much more pleasant than the old portaloos with their unnecessary chemicals. They do need to have accessible arrangements included for the campsite though and hope they listen to Dorsethelen and others when they this with them.
Another great Womad
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Post by sc on Aug 2, 2023 15:44:19 GMT
In this steaming age of streaming, I wonder how the CD/album shops were this year? And artist signings? We only popped in on the Saturday and I that it was sparse and higher emphasis on vinyl over CDs. However, the big discovery was that it had a little coffee shop at the rear with a queue of only 2 or 3 people! Certainly would save 30 mins queueing elsewhere when all you want is a shot of caffeign Psst don't tell anyone or it will be a 30 min queue 😉 |
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Post by sc on Aug 2, 2023 15:48:22 GMT
In this steaming age of streaming, I wonder how the CD/album shops were this year? And artist signings? One thing I did notice was that a lot of the acts were professionally filmed and I wondered "why?" Womad doesn't have big screens so people at the back can see, so why film ..... perhaps a DVD? |
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Post by olirow on Aug 2, 2023 16:38:06 GMT
In this steaming age of streaming, I wonder how the CD/album shops were this year? And artist signings? We only popped in on the Saturday and I that it was sparse and higher emphasis on vinyl over CDs. However, the big discovery was that it had a little coffee shop at the rear with a queue of only 2 or 3 people! Certainly would save 30 mins queueing elsewhere when all you want is a shot of caffeign Psst don't tell anyone or it will be a 30 min queue 😉 I tried it on Sunday morning and there was a thirty minute queue (or possibly longer, I didn't wait to find out). Word spreads quickly... It's never been my thing but there seemed to be lots of artist signings, and I thought the tent was quite busy whenever I went in (but that might have been because it was raining to be fair). |
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Post by olirow on Aug 2, 2023 16:53:22 GMT
Really enjoyed this year’s Womad with many highlights. Enjoyed Kate Rusby but still do not consider her a proper Thursday headline act (for which we pay extra to come along early). Wanted an exciting act to kick off the weekend in proper style but thought she would have sounded better in another time slot in the Siam or d&b stage. For me, the weekend kicked off proper with Sam Kelly and the lost boys. Sounded better in the Siam tent and would have been a better Thursday nighter than Kate was (imho). Dakh Daughters, an amazing and moving show. Great to see forum members at the front (especially finally meeting SC and his wonderful beard and Mary). However, none of you seemed to notice the person in the crowd waving a Ukrainian flag at the end… Aliciia Edelweiss: sometimes quirky sometimes deeply moving, especially when singing about how cockroaches became her only friends at one time. Amjad Ali Khan etc. a great late night performance to complete the Friday Orchestral Qawwali: totally unique and absorbing Catrin Finch and cimarron: so glad got to see them play and so much better than was expecting. The cinematic orchestra; only managed a short segment of them, soooooo boring and wondering how they managed to be booked as Saturday headline act. Womad please do better, although maybe there were others who did enjoy them? Mari Kalkun: hypnotic performance and great end of the day. Puuluup: the unexpected highlight played with such deadpan humour. Learning so much about Estonian life and cross country skiing Marina Satti: infectious and very poppy, real enjoyment to watch and listen to Paprika: waited so long to get the chance to see them and was not disappointed. Highlight was the young girl who came out to sing one song with them. What a star. Kuunatic: lovely sounds from the Japanese trio Femi Kuti: at last a real headline act to enjoy on the main outdoor stage. Such a great act. And finally, Souad Massi: the perfect end to Womad 2023 Good to moan about the weather, but in reality could have been a lot lot worse. Pretty wet and especially windy at times (although always sounds worse in a tent) and felt sorry for people whose tents did not stand up so well to the conditions. However, it was dry on Monday morning which is always a relief when packing up and carting to the car. First Womad where I have not indulged in the guilty pleasure of la di dah loos. Did not miss them at all and am a big fan of the compost loos, much more pleasant than the old portaloos with their unnecessary chemicals. They do need to have accessible arrangements included for the campsite though and hope they listen to Dorsethelen and others when they this with them. Another great Womad I didn't see Sam Kelly on his own but Kate Rusby leaving the stage for one song, so it was just Sam and the band, was definitely the highlight of her set... It must be some sort of achievement to be usurped by a band member both during your own set and when he plays with his own band first thing the following day:) Nice review Mikey, I managed to miss most of the acts that you saw, but still had a fantastic time, so I think there were at least two parallel Womads, both excellent, to be had... I did catch the start of the Cinematic Orchestra before going to see the Comet is Coming in the D&B tent, perhaps it was just me, but I thought they looked terrified, as if they knew they weren't a worthy headliner. Two dud Saturday headliners in a row, I expect Womad will play it safe next year. By the way, what did people think of the sound quality in the D&B tent? Would be genuinely interested in some views. |
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Post by mikey on Aug 2, 2023 18:34:10 GMT
By the way, what did people think of the sound quality in the D&B tent? Would be genuinely interested in some views. I thought the sound was pretty good in the d&b. Although, not the very high quality that they provided previously (in the old tent which turned into a muddy thoroughfare whenever it rained). |
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Post by mikey on Aug 2, 2023 18:41:49 GMT
Just experienced the ‘mother of all’ thunder storms in Gloucestershire I assume heading towards Wiltshire, humongous downpour which guttering could not cope with and parts of garden a temporary swimming pool. Thank goodness we did not have that at Malmesbury last weekend!!!
Now a lovely sunny evening.
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Post by mikey on Aug 3, 2023 9:41:32 GMT
Just experienced the ‘mother of all’ thunder storms in Gloucestershire I assume heading towards Wiltshire, humongous downpour which guttering could not cope with and parts of garden a temporary swimming pool. Thank goodness we did not have that at Malmesbury last weekend!!! Now a lovely sunny evening. I may have had a temporary swimming pool in parts of my back garden, but this morning discovered that me and my neighbours have got a right proper swimming pool at the front of our shared area. The cattle grid is full of water and this afternoon will lift the grid, get the budgie smugglers on and enjoy a leisurely outdoor soak with a few short lengths. Who needs the Costa Del Sol when you can have the same luxury in the Forest of Dean.  |
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Post by Rendrags on Aug 3, 2023 10:37:32 GMT
Really enjoyed this year’s Womad with many highlights. Enjoyed Kate Rusby but still do not consider her a proper Thursday headline act (for which we pay extra to come along early). Wanted an exciting act to kick off the weekend in proper style but thought she would have sounded better in another time slot in the Siam or d&b stage. For me, the weekend kicked off proper with Sam Kelly and the lost boys. Sounded better in the Siam tent and would have been a better Thursday nighter than Kate was (imho). Dakh Daughters, an amazing and moving show. Great to see forum members at the front (especially finally meeting SC and his wonderful beard and Mary). However, none of you seemed to notice the person in the crowd waving a Ukrainian flag at the end… Aliciia Edelweiss: sometimes quirky sometimes deeply moving, especially when singing about how cockroaches became her only friends at one time. Amjad Ali Khan etc. a great late night performance to complete the Friday Orchestral Qawwali: totally unique and absorbing Catrin Finch and cimarron: so glad got to see them play and so much better than was expecting. The cinematic orchestra; only managed a short segment of them, soooooo boring and wondering how they managed to be booked as Saturday headline act. Womad please do better, although maybe there were others who did enjoy them? Mari Kalkun: hypnotic performance and great end of the day. Puuluup: the unexpected highlight played with such deadpan humour. Learning so much about Estonian life and cross country skiing Marina Satti: infectious and very poppy, real enjoyment to watch and listen to Paprika: waited so long to get the chance to see them and was not disappointed. Highlight was the young girl who came out to sing one song with them. What a star. Kuunatic: lovely sounds from the Japanese trio Femi Kuti: at last a real headline act to enjoy on the main outdoor stage. Such a great act. And finally, Souad Massi: the perfect end to Womad 2023 Good to moan about the weather, but in reality could have been a lot lot worse. Pretty wet and especially windy at times (although always sounds worse in a tent) and felt sorry for people whose tents did not stand up so well to the conditions. However, it was dry on Monday morning which is always a relief when packing up and carting to the car. First Womad where I have not indulged in the guilty pleasure of la di dah loos. Did not miss them at all and am a big fan of the compost loos, much more pleasant than the old portaloos with their unnecessary chemicals. They do need to have accessible arrangements included for the campsite though and hope they listen to Dorsethelen and others when they this with them. Another great Womad I didn't see Sam Kelly on his own but Kate Rusby leaving the stage for one song, so it was just Sam and the band, was definitely the highlight of her set... It must be some sort of achievement to be usurped by a band member both during your own set and when he plays with his own band first thing the following day:) Nice review Mikey, I managed to miss most of the acts that you saw, but still had a fantastic time, so I think there were at least two parallel Womads, both excellent, to be had... I did catch the start of the Cinematic Orchestra before going to see the Comet is Coming in the D&B tent, perhaps it was just me, but I thought they looked terrified, as if they knew they weren't a worthy headliner. Two dud Saturday headliners in a row, I expect Womad will play it safe next year. By the way, what did people think of the sound quality in the D&B tent? Would be genuinely interested in some views. The Flaming Lips were last year's Saturday headliners, Olirow. I wouldn't have called them 'dud'! They went down a storm. Do you mean Lianne Le Havas who played on Sunday?? |
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Post by Rendrags on Aug 3, 2023 11:16:40 GMT
Well, another fantastic Womad - many thanks to them for putting on such a great festival. I wasn't particularly grabbed by the line-up, but as it turned out I found there was always someone of interest playing and in the end I enjoyed some fabulous stuff. Yes the weather was a bit crap on Sunday and it did get a bit muddy, but it didn't get in the way of having a great time.
Thursday was a bit of a disappointment - I'm not a great fan of hip hop so didn't stay long watching the Jungle Brothers, and Kate Rusby was very pleasant, but not a headliner. And she did ramble on a lot between songs. She could have easily fitted in a couple more songs without so much chat! Highlights for me were: Rokia Kone and Balimaya Project at Taste the World - I do love this stage, and her voice with the instrumentalists was a delight. I loved the way she sang whilst chopping the food! Dakh Daughters - brilliant show. Obviously there was a lot of anti-war content and the first part was quite grim (I guess more so than their performances before the current conflict) but it became less heavy and it was a fantastic performance Mokoomba - superb, so glad I saw them as I only caught a few minutes of their set 10 years ago Snapped Ankles - opted for them rather than Bombay Bicycle Club, they were quirky and entertaining Orchestral Qawwali - beautiful Wiyaala and the Wagawagas - joyful music and here dancing was so energetic. Great when some children joined her in the dancing on stage! The Comet is Coming - loved them, it was rammed in the DB tent (maybe a lot drifted in from the Cinematic Orchestra, who I gather were a bit meh...) Marina Satti - very polished performance, beautiful polyphonic vocals from her and her singers/dancers. Shame it was a shortened set due to a late start Star Feminine Band - absolutely delightful. And the rain stopped for almost the whole performance!! Femi Kuti - great Afrobeat from him and his amazing entourage.
Souad Massi - the perfect way to end the weekend.
Much has been said about the compost loos - I thought they were ok, good that they've replaced the old portaloos with the nasty chemicals. Some people have reported being ill over the weekend or soon after, and some have been blaming the loos. Who know if they were in any way responsible?
My main regret is again missing The Moon. Everyone I spoke to who went there said how amazing it was. I had planned to go there, but I struggled to find a time to fit it in. I do hope it's still there next year..
So a great Womad - already looking forward to Womad 2024!!
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Post by olirow on Aug 3, 2023 12:46:20 GMT
Yes, it was the Flaming Lips that I meant. My recollection is that he tried to sing from inside some sort of bubble, looked like he was trying to escape and most of the time seemed to be struggling for air. Perhaps that was all 'art' but it was lost on me, and everyone else seemed pretty bemused too.
My (daughter's) friend was a junior on the sound team at the d&b tent, and super excited about the bleeding edge technology that is being showcased, and just at Womad too. 3D sound is going to revolutionise the way we engage with live music, he told me (repeatedly). And he speaks with conviction and knowledge, he is absolutely into this stuff, so I expect he is right. But I must admit I agree with Mikey, the sound was good but nothing special and perhaps not as good as when it was in a smaller tent. I didn't have the heart to tell him though, plus I thought it was probably just me not tuning in properly...
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Post by jimhxn on Aug 3, 2023 16:38:09 GMT
Jim thoughts (good): - Dutty Moonshine Big Band - like electroswing but good, and much less cheesy. Frontman made a really touching speech, very lovely.
- Polobi and the Gwo Ka Masters - not a fan of Doctor L who produced their album, so I wasn't sure this would be my thing. Lucky L wasn't there for this performance, and it was very enjoyable! Always good to hear music from a less-(in this country)-represented culture.
- Theon Cross - mad tuba ting.
- Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra - extremely tight, good music for the Saturday afternoon sun. Especially proud of my mate on guitar marking his birthday with his very first visit to WOMAD, and performing on the Open Air Stage, no less - chuffed that he got a couple of rounds of 'Happy Birthday to You' sung at him.
- Cha Wa - groovy New Orleans funk informed by Mardi Gras music. I've never seen Mardi Gras Indian songs/costumes live, very fun.
- The Comet is Coming - I ditched on the Cinematic Orchestra after two pieces, should have left earlier. TCiC were on a completely different level. Just about managed to get in the tent about half-way through, and got to appreciate the awesome surround sound. Absolutely brilliant - sad to hear they're wrapping up in September. I went back to the Cinematics afterwards, and their set sounded as dreary at the end as it did the beginning.
- Mari Kalkun - I've seen Mari once or twice before, this was even better. Estonian music is really quite lovely.
- The Olllam - just some lovely polished Irish music with hints of rock and jazz. Unfortunately couldn't get into the packed tent due to rainfugees.
- Star Feminine Band - more lovely sunny music, even if it was punctuated by the rain. What a performance from such a young band, and even better than the record (they no longer sound like a children's choir).
- Nihiloxica - the highlight of the weekend for me, maybe? The only time I completely lost it in the music. Very intense, noisy and drum-heavy - a brilliant way to make the Sunday night, and the reason I only managed to see the last 30 or so minutes of a (very good) Femi Kuti.
Jim thoughts (neutral): - Interesting to hear the rave reviews of Orchstral Qawwali. I was fascinated by the press I'd read about them, and I definitely found it an interesting experiment. Some beautiful moments when the qawwali was at the heart of the arrangements (e.g. during the first song, 'Allah Hoo'). But does 'Man Kunto Maula' really need cheesy piano chords tacked onto the melody? I'm glad I saw them, and I enjoyed it, but I don't feel the need to see them again.
- I've also heard a lot of complaints about the chatter at Kayhan Kalhor and Erdal Erzincan at the Siam on the Saturday night. The chatter was indeed irritating and unfortunate, but I think that is somewhat unavoidable given a festival atmosphere. But I've since learnt that the sound engineers were specifically instructed to keep that performance in particular at a low volume level. A bizarre choice - it would definitely have been more enjoyable (and the chatter more ignorable/excusable) had the levels been louder. Perplexing.
- Did anyone go to the thing listed in the programme as 'A WOMAD First - Stick around to find out what!'? Drifted over there and it just sounded like recorded music. Couldn't see what was happening, didn't seem interesting so I drifted away again.
- Some strange programming clashes this year. The festival's two Palestinian artists were both scheduled for the same timeslot, and the two Ugandan artists overlapped as well. Seems like a strange splitting of the audience of both (sets of) artists.
No more thoughts. |
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Post by olirow on Aug 3, 2023 21:17:19 GMT
I am one of those that gets really irked when people chat through the music, it's deeply disrespectful, selfish and rude. But it feels to me like it happens much less than it used to, and I didn't notice it at all during the Kalhan/Erzincan set, and I was right at the front. I didn't think the sound was particularly quiet either.
And what do people think about the audience demographic these days? The local chav youths seem to have disappeared, I have no idea why but very pleased about that, and the ladies that lunch types have diminished too. Could be more diverse (but improving, I think?) and still resolutely middle class, can't see that changing unless Womad make some serious price concessions.
Anyway, it's always interesting to get Jim's take on things, and sounds like he appreciated the sound quality on d&b stage. I'm still working my way through your 365 albums by the way, currently mid way through July listening to the Qalimovs...
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Post by deserttraveller on Aug 4, 2023 9:49:38 GMT
Yes the chatting issue is annoying, I was at a rugby game at Twickenham and a whole row behind were doing noisy chat. When I challenged them they were on a stag weekend & weren't really interested. Some of the Womad folks are the same. I get the impression they are there to 'do' a festival, and the music is secondary. My neighbour in his faux old car, said to me "we must do womad". god help us I thought.
Have to agree about the Flaming Lips, brash and very odd, we drifted off into somewhere quieter if I recall correctly.
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Post by mikey on Aug 4, 2023 15:58:49 GMT
I may have had a temporary swimming pool in parts of my back garden, but this morning discovered that me and my neighbours have got a right proper swimming pool at the front of our shared area. The cattle grid is full of water and this afternoon will lift the grid, get the budgie smugglers on and enjoy a leisurely outdoor soak with a few short lengths. Who needs the Costa Del Sol when you can have the same luxury in the Forest of Dean. View AttachmentJust spent the day with my neighbour, bailing out water (including being up to our knees in cold dank water), reaching down into the cold dank water to clear silt away from the drain, sucking up the residual cold dank water (with an air vac not using our mouths!) shovelling out silt, clearing more silt out of the drain, pressure washing out the drainage sump and rodding to clean it all out. Should be safe from any more flash storms for a while. A dirty horrible job but had to be done, glad it is all all done nd pleased that we have completed it. Thus endeth the saga of the cattle grid. |
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