WOMADelaide 2018:

Article by Ros Jason
Photography by Mark Moray

Undoubtedly the highlight of this year’s WOMADelaide festival was the otherworldly experience that is GRATTE CIEL’S PLACE DES ANGES, a fully immersive aerial acrobatic ballet in which performers ‘fill the empty space’ of the night sky, spinning and writhing, twirling precariously above the treetops and gradually descending towards earth to dance and play with their enchanted audience. Utterly mesmerizing for young and old, this spectacular performance piece from France was presented each night drawing crowds of thousands, all gazing skyward, gasping and shrieking with delight as an enormous inflated angel drifted about beneath a cascade of white feathers fluttering down to earth, creating a magical wonderland. ANOUSHKA SHANKAR and Mexico’s breathtaking acoustic guitarists RODRIGO Y GABRIELA opened the festival on a brilliant note. Australia’s THE AVALANCHES and DAN SULTAN, US modern jazz artist KAMASI WASHINGTON and GOGOL BORDELLO followed amidst a spectacular lineup with sensational THUNDERCAT and multi-talented THIEVERY CORPORATION bringing the house down on closing night.

WOMADelaide always presents something unexpected and this year’s crowd was entranced by the hypnotic desert blues of MALI’S tuareg guitar masters TINARIWEN, striking in their flowing satin robes and headdress. In complete contrast, the sublime harmonies of BULGARIAN ensemble THE EVA QUARTET dressed in delicately embroidered national costume, charmed their audience beneath the beautiful canopy of trees at Adelaide’s BOTANIC PARK on a scorching 35 degree LABOUR DAY weekend afternoon. Chile’s NANO STERN peppered his captivating set with social commentary, speaking out about the rights and treatment of refugees.

And how much fun was DUSTYESKY? A band of blokes from Mullumbimby who get together and sing in RUSSIAN, held the crowd in the palm of their hands, their joie de vivre and enthusiasm spilling off the stage and infecting us all.

DUSTYESKY’S WORKSHOP, one of many held by artists during the festival had participants singing and marching through the park emulating the VOLGA BOATMEN. Folks left smiling and exclaiming that this was their best moment of the festival. Walking through the grounds there are always interesting display stalls to visit such as GREENPEACE, PERMACULTURE, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL and the GRAHAM F. SMITH PEACE FOUNDATION, a not for profit organization which supports educational and social justice programs.

The UK’S ARCHITECTS OF AIR returned this year with ‘ARBORIA’, a new inflated LUMINARIUM with very long queues of families waiting to explore this immersive installation where you can wander barefoot through treelike structures, tunnels and various ‘pockets’ with hues of pink, green, blue and red filling the spaces as the sunlight penetrates the delicate thin latex structure.

TASTE THE WORLD stage is where artists are invited to prepare a dish from their homeland and share recipes and samples with the audience. I popped in to see members of BASHKA, a talented Turkish Australian ensemble who prepared yummy tabouleh and spinach dip.

Journalist PETER GRESTE was interviewed by BEN DOHERTY for one of the many PLANET TALKS sessions held throughout the festival, during which he eloquently implored the audience to support the democratic right to press freedom, ‘ ..and that means giving a voice to ideas you may not agree with’. Other sessions dealt with climate change, plastic pollution in our waterways, fast fashion and birds.

Culinary delights are always a pleasure at WOMADelaide, with so many choices on offer it can be hard to decide how to satisfy your hunger. Afghani, various grilled, Cajun, and scrumptious vegetarian options were popular as well as burgers, Moroccan, gozleme and waffles. Sri Lankan, Portuguese and Cuban stalls added a fresh note. JAM FACE BY POH was on site with a delicious banquet available, along with several bars providing cashless payment this year, and of course the popular CHAI TENT.

YOGA sessions begin the WOMAD day and CAPOEIRA workshops were also available. Many reports indicated that the expanded KIDZONE was exceptional this year with a tempting variety of activities available for the youngest festival goers including STORY TIME with JUSTINE CLARKE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA MUSEUM’S EXPLORER’S TENT, and endless opportunities to build and create in THE NATURE VILLAGE.

The HEALING VILLAGE provides some downtime for those seeking a massage or choice of alternative therapies, and tucked in beside it was ACKROYD AND HARVEY, a striking installation using blades of seedling grass as a medium to create a living form of photography.

TAO DANCE THEATER of CHINA presented a captivating piece performed by exemplary dancers, their fluid coordinated movements flowing as one being, supported by sensational lighting and throbbing pulsating soundtrack.

ERICA’S DREAM presented by CIE BIVOUAC of France delighted audiences on a more intimate stage incorporating acrobatic performance, dance and gripping live operatic vocals accompanying the storyline.

One of many memorable moments for me was relaxing on the grass enjoying USA/SYRIAN artist BEDOUINE, her sublime voice and tender original ballads floating over the gently swaying audience gathered in the shade beneath the huge Moreton Bay fig trees.

The WOMAD crowds love a boogie and opportunities abounded with the sultry Latina moves of Chile’s CHICO TRUJILLO, the dynamic party vibes of Brazil’s ten-piece BIXIGA 70 and the wild crazy frenzy that is USA’s ‘band of immigrants’ GOGOL BORDELLO’s gypsy punk set. HAVANA MEETS KINGSTON combines roots, reggae salsa and rumba and kept the audience on their feet bopping throughout. Of course you can always party on with various DJs including DJ MARKY and NICKODEMUS spinning the sounds into the wee hours.

The GLOBAL VILLAGE gets better every year with exciting shopping opportunities including Moroccan ceramics, gorgeous original handmade jewellery, designer and boho clothing, footwear, leather goods, hats, skincare products, homewares made from recycled goods and more. WOMADE tent highlights creative local artisans ‘hand-picked from the thriving Adelaide design scene’ and CDs and teeshirts are on sale at the MERCHANDISE TENT with many Womadelaide souvenirs.

The MANGANIYAR SEDUCTION from India delighted audiences each night as a purpose-built jewel-box-like structure gradually became illuminated revealing each MANGANIYAR musician performing within. ROYSTEN ABEL, the director of this unique production was interviewed by Australian author ROBYN DAVIDSON for one of the ARTISTS IN CONVERSATION sessions, discussing the fascinating musical traditions of the MANGANIYAR people of Rajasthan.

Cuba’s DAYME AROCENA held her audience spellbound with her sexy cheeky set of original jazz soul and Latin songs, her rich chocolatey voice melting into sultry melodies and belting out huge numbers supported by her tight ensemble of guitar drums bass and keyboard. AROCENA’S charming style led us into intimate moments of connection with our loved ones, teaching us dance moves and percussive clapping to further engage and captivate us.

On the last evening as I waited in line to enter the stunning LUMINARIUM, I overheard a young woman say that she wished the whole world was like WOMADelaide; everyone is so friendly, no one hassles you, such a beautiful atmosphere of togetherness and peace. She didn’t want it to end. Couldn’t agree more. Love the vibe; love the bubble. Can’t wait to see what joys and surprises WOMADelaide 2019 will bring.