WOMADelaide 2018 – Day 2: A Musical Smorgasbord Of Delights – World Music Festival Review

Botanic Park/Tainmundilla, Adelaide, Sat 10 Mar. [WORLD MUSIC] Day Two of one of the world’s finest festivals once again served up a smorgasbord of delights. After a significant recovery period from yesterday’s WOMADelaide ecstasy I received my first energy infusion from Aussie rapper Baker Boy and his crew; a healthy dose of old school Beastie Boys unison calls, catchy hooks and contemporary pre-recorded samples blended with phat live beats, exuberant raps and high-octane dance moves. Reflections on societies’ inequity were delivered with tongue-in-cheek humour and infectious positivity. These fellas clearly love performing and the crowd loved them back! It’s no surprise that Baker Boy is emerging as one of Australia’s premier hip-hop acts. Jojo Abot from Ghana, showcasing equally dynamic dance moves and live drums, is a delight for those needing to disperse more body juju. But my nervous system needed some down time so I walked the across the therapeutic Botanic Park to Stage 3 for Mullumbimby’s Russian-channelling men of song and beer. Rowdy, comical, masculine and oozing pheromones, Dustyesky might well have spontaneously grown more chest hair by the end of their set! Icelandic/Swedish duo My Bubba, are calming and sweet, with charming harmonies and an affable demeanour, a little reminiscent of the sounds of First Aid Kit. Satisfied with my restorative pause it was time for a more dynamic offering, and the perfect fit came from Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band; a powerhouse of joyous energy, who utterly exude the colour, funk and vibrancy of Ghana. Smiles all round! So much music and love and so little time: a brief look at Melbourne’s Jazz Party proved they live up to their name but the curious massive red boxes called to me. The Manganiyar Seduction from Rajasthan was a spectacular event! Towering four levels high, teasing reveals of ‘jewel boxes’ expose various combinations of 43 traditional singers, percussionists, string instruments, flutes and reed instruments that build in intensity to a rapturous frenzy of sound, then dramatically drop to complete tranquility. Master conductor, Roysten Abel, directs the musicians with his whole body and soul. Abel weaves intricate rhythms with his khartal, a percussion instrument made purely of two pieces of smooth wood, and entices an utterly captivating call and response interaction with the extraordinary dholak drum musician. Magical, electrifying, trance-inducing and emotionally moving beyond description! An uplifting experience for the soul and mind, WOMADelalaide never disappoints! 5 stars Jenna Bonavita WOMADelaide continues at Botanic Park/Tainmundilla, Adelaide at various times, until Mon 12 Mar. Book at 1300 496 623 or womadelaide.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #WOMADL18 Image courtesy of Jenna Bonavita