Since 2008 I have been fortunate enough to have been able to photograph at Womadelaide in Botanic park so Im sharing with you all 15 years worth of images compressed into around 10 minutes.
To say this was easy is an understatment as I generally shoot over 1000 images per full day and maybe 700 on the friday night. Hopefully I got the mix right. I had previously released a 10 year compilation video so I kept the number of images down for the first 10 years 2008-2018 and concentrated on more from the last 5 years.
Enjoy the show and dont forget Womadelaide 2024 is less than a month away
Just over 2 months to go until Womadelaide 2024 comes to Adelaide and once again lots of New music and acts have been announced and its great to explore the unknown. Womadelaide 2023 copped some criticism from many regular Womadelaide festival participants for being overcrowded especially on the Saturday which was sold out was before the event due to the “mainstream” act that was of course Florence and the Machine. It looks like the organisers listened to the comments and this year there are some big International world music acts but no one individual “Super act”.
I for one am excited to see one performance that has played at Womadelaide previously and that is DakhaBrakha from the Ukraine who were a Highlight at Womadelaide 2016. I was so impressed that I caught their performance on both playing days capturing their intensity. I would imagine that with world events their intensity will level up at Womad 2024
Gilberto Gil is also back again after playing Womadelaide a long time ago in 2004 and also returning is the Sharon Shannon Big band who last played at Womadelaide in 2012.
Of course there are other big name acts that have yet to play at Womadelaide such as Ziggy Marley, Morcheeba, José González but the real joy of the artists playing at Womadelaide is Discovery – those bands you’ve never heard of but sound interesting and there is always lots of GOLD at the event thanks to the organisers selections.
This year marks the 30 year anniversary for Womadelaide and returns to Botanic park in Adelaide after a cutdown 3 day, evening only set of performances on a single stage in King Rodney Park in Covid affected 2021.
Like all Womadelaide events there are always suprises and performances from artists you know very little about. Then there are some that you know a LOT about such as the Cat empire who return yet again to grace the stage at Botanic park as part of their farewell tour.
Contrasting the sound of the cat empire 2022 also sees the return of the hard hitting sounds of AB Original who performed last at Womadelaide in 2017 ( although one half – Briggs performed in 2020 ).
We also see the return of another indigenous artist – Baker boy who absolutely blew away the crowd with his rapping in his native language back playing “Marryuna” in 2018. It was an amazing performance and I highly reccomend those attending to fit his show in.
Then there are some newcomers to the Womadelaide stage but not new to other music festivals and gigs. The award winning sounds of Australian singer/songwriter Courtney Barnett. I caught her at Laneway festival back in 2015 when she was in the early stages of her career
Also returning to the Womadelaide is HipHop artist L Fresh the Lion who was last at Womad in 2017 and had the crowd moving.
This is only a small selection of images from my own archives. You can find many other images from Womadelaide over the last 15 years up at http://www.craftypics.com/music
Tickets for this years event can be found here https://www.womadelaide.com.au/tickets but dont leave it too late as crowd numbers will be more limited due to Covid restrictions so get in early for 4 days of musical bliss. Dont forget if you have kids under 12 they have free entry with accompanying parents
There are also a great selection of speakers taking part in the planet talks. I’m yet to work out which ones I can fit in but super keen to hear Bruce Pascoe. The full list of speakers is https://www.womadelaide.com.au/lineup/the-planet-talks
I’ve seen Montaigne perform live three times already and she is a very capable performer and up to the task of representing AUS at Eurovision. The first time I saw her live was at Womadelaide in 2017. I was blown away by her energy and was the highlight of the first night for me
And then I caught her at Groovin the Moo in the same year 2017 sporting a “Goodies ” T Shirt
and then finally at an Adelaide Uni gig in I think 2018.
No Montaigne is NOT at Womadelaide in 2020 but you never know who you might see at Womadelaide that goes onto bigger things.
Womadelaide 2019 is not far away now so heres a short preview of some of the artists I have had the pleasure to see and capture previously. John Butler Trio last performed at Womadelaide in 2008 and the show was quite mesmerising. It is the first time I had seen JBT
TKay Maidza is an Australian Hip Hop artist who although small in stature has a super powerful voice and stage presence. I caught her early on in her career at Laneway Festival in 2015 and looking forward to seeing her again at Womadelaide 2019.
The Bamboos are also playing this year at Womad with their infectious danceable funk/soul music with Kylie Auldist belting out powerful vocals with Lance Ferguson on lead and a fantastic backing band to round off the sound. See more images of the Bamboos playing at the Gov here
and of course returning after performing at Womad in 2015 is the visual spectacle that is The Colour of time. Expect to end up with some colour on your clothes/face if you watch this amazing performance as Powder “bombs” are set off.
This is only a handful of the acts playing at Womadelaide 2019.
Don’t forget that Kids under 12 are free with an accompanying paying Adult.
With Womadelaide 2018 less than 8 weeks away ( 9th-12th March 2018 ) its time to put the spotlight on the event and some of the many International and Local artists that will be gracing the Stage.
If you are a regular Womadelaide patron, you are probably aware that Tinariwen have previously played at Womadelaide twice previously with the most recent performance here in 2012. Due to conflict in Mali, 2 of the band members were unable to make the trip. Well its now 6 years later and they are heading back to Adelaide. When I first saw them I was blown away by the driving hypnotic beats with Guitars and vocals cutting through the air whilst all the time fully dressed in the attire they wear in the Deserts of Mali. They are often described as playing Desert Blues and are sure to be one of the many highlights at this years festival.
Ive been asking friends who they are looking forward to see at Womadelaide. For many people the answer is Monday nights main stage performance by The Specials. They came to Adelaide for the first time in 2012, so they must have enjoyed the experience. If you love Ska and have your dancing shoes on make sure you catch them.
Here is some snippets from their Thebarton theatre show in 2012
A couple more acts were added to the already impressive list of performers. This one especially will excite listeners from the JJJ crowd who were already pretty excited about seeing Montaigne who was announced earlier.
AB Original were added which will excite fans of Aussie HipHop. I caught them in for the first time in 2016 at Oakbank Groove in the Moo and they put on a great show. The full gallery of images from GTM can be found here .. CLICK
Not long now until Womadelaide 2015 starts. This Iconic music festival runs from the night of Friday 6th to Monday 9th March 2015 at Botanic park – Adelaide. Its a great location to spend 3 days and 4 nights listening to some of the worlds best music, watching dance and just having a great time. Very family friendly with kids 12 and under FREE with a paying Adult. Full details and artists performing can be found on their website – WOMADELAIDE
What I really love about Womadelaide is experiencing and being exposed to Music and dance that I otherwise would never have even heard of or seen and this year is no exception.
Midfestival is no time for a full writeup but here is a list of some of the acts Ive so far enjoyed seeing
From Fridays sessions
The Alaev Family
Bassekou Kouyaté & Ngoni Ba
I didnt have a chance to stay and see the Cat empire although reports from others said it was a great show they put on.
Saturday – we got there early before the first band even started
An early highlight was
Mari Boine who originates from Norway – what a voice. Some really haunting inflections
Circolumbia – this was listed as a Mystery Surprise and indeed it was. Performing amazing acrobatic stunts with singing and Drama/tension between the warring gangs made a hugely entertaining show that had everyone on their feet. Do perform with the energy they did in the middle of a hot and humid 35 degree today would have been exhausting
Dhafer Youssef – renowned for his Oud playing as well as his voice he didnt dissapoint.
Vieux Farka Touré – I felt he started off a bit slow but the pace picked up and I ended up hearing most of his set
Antibalas – Listened to these guys whilst having tea
Nidi d’Arac – Sparse stage but great night lighting for their set. So many photos of the Violinist whom I thought was key to their sound. Big thumbs up for this one
Compagnie Luc Amoros “Blank Page” – I’d heard good reports from the Friday session so I went prepared to sit down and watch the whole show. Extremely clever and entertaining although a touch heavy at times, but that is their message. I’m not going to spoil it for anyone but if you havent already seen it get early , get a good seat and watch it on Monday evening – just WOW
Hugh Masekela – He might be gettiing old but he hasn’t lost it. Top performance from this South African Trumpet player.
The Full Gallerys for each day can be found here.. CLICK
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