WOMAD Competition
Malmesbury, Wiltshire
twenty seventh – thirtieth July 2023

There isn’t any pageant like WOMAD for the sheer breadth within the line-up. The infectious exuberance of so many acts from all over the world turns this distinctive gathering in Wiltshire right into a festivity of music through which the sudden all the time triumphs.

After I appeared by means of the programme for this yr’s WOMAD pageant a couple of days earlier than arriving, I may pick solely a handful of genuinely acquainted acts.

I used to be gratified; this was precisely what I had hoped for. In contrast to so many different occasions within the congested summer time pageant calendar, WOMAD isn’t reliant on reserving a few massive names to usher in the crowds.

As an alternative, it goes in opposition to the grain and stays utterly true to its unique intention of offering a store window for dozens of bands from all over the world who would in any other case stand little probability of getting the acclaim they benefit.

This admirable custom is why so many individuals return to one of many nation’s most cherished festivals yr after yr. They love the sudden moments of euphoria and collective pleasure that WOMAD offers; they know that it’s doesn’t actually matter who’s on the invoice.

Nothing higher summed this up for me over the course of an completely jubilant weekend than the looks of Lova Lova, an artist from Kinshasa within the Democratic Republic of Congo, on Sunday afternoon. Completely out of the blue, theirs was probably the most compelling, peerless set, regardless that there had already been many highlights.

Unimaginable to classify, Lova Lova – singer Wilfred Luzele and his three-piece band – have been edgy, punky, livid, channelling aggression with extremely tight musicianship which had the entire of the Siam Tent roaring in appreciation. The set was delivered at a breakneck tempo, propelled by intricate interaction and thunderous riffs. It was utterly distinctive, utterly Congolese in its basis, and like nothing I’ve ever heard earlier than.

In its steadfast devotion to selling music that doesn’t simply match into any class, WOMAD evokes a loyalty which ensures that 1000’s make it their go-to annual pilgrimage. It’s 5 years since I used to be final at this brilliantly organised pageant within the superb setting of Charlton Park, close to Malmesbury in Wiltshire. In that point there have been some minor tweaks, however the structure is just about the identical as after I first attended about 15 years in the past.

The location is completely compact, so it’s only ever a brief stroll between the 5 most important phases. On the far facet of the sector discipline are perennial WOMAD favourites just like the All Singing, All Dancing and Rhythms Of The World tents the place professional percussionists from international locations like Senegal run workshops. Behind is the restful arboretum through which a number of smaller phases are tucked between different remedy tents and an enormous array of bizarre devices to check out. The incessant rhythm emanating from these locations is one other of the distinctive elements of WOMAD which makes it so enjoyable to be a part of.

I received there on Friday, in time to catch a lot of the brilliantly upbeat set from Peruvian veterans Los Wemblers De Iquitos. They have been the proper band to begin the pageant with, unimaginable musicians I had by no means even heard of till a day earlier than, fusing conventional cumbia and ’60s psychedelia with hypnotic panache. The guitarist was so slick I simply couldn’t take my eyes off his fingers on the fret board.

Afterwards, wandering across the web site for a couple of hours, I used to be again in entrance of the principle stage for Ibibio Sound Machine, a pointy, funky London-based outfit steeped within the pulsating rhythms of West African highlife and Afrobeat.

The night was peppered with snippets of various sounds, from Brazilian rapper Emcida to Zimbabwean guitar band Mokoomba. Even the occasional sound clashes between phases are a optimistic inadvertent pleasure at WOMAD.

The principle act for me on the primary evening was Snapped Ankles, a band I’ve seen a couple of occasions earlier than. At earlier gigs, their Krautrock-influenced rhythms and forest-inspired costumes have appeared outrageous, however this time round – maybe due to the musical variety I had already been privileged to witness throughout the day – their present didn’t fairly click on.

Saturday received underway on the very respectable time of 1pm with Dele Sosimi’s Afrobeat Orchestra, probably the most musically exuberant performances of the entire weekend. The day was filled with thrilling, contrasting units, from the Palestinian outfit 47 Soul, who mash up hip-hop with conventional dabke, to Alogte Oho and His Sounds Of Pleasure from Ghana, as upbeat and stirring because the identify suggests.

Final up on Saturday have been three-piece The Comet Is Coming, who whipped up a hypnotic, transcendental soften of riotous jazz and pulsating electronica.

What additionally makes WOMAD such a well-loved pageant is the relaxed, playful ambiance that pervades the entire place. The organisers do their utmost to make sure it stays reasonably priced, and there’s little of the flagrant profiteering that has tarnished many equally sized festivals in recent times.

Greying hippies, die-hard traveller households and barely much less crusty youngsters dance and mingle fortunately. By going to such nice lengths to nurture such a vibrant occasion, everybody will get alongside and tries out new stuff. Odd juxtapositions catch you off guard, just like the odd sight of the colorful and vibrant Brazilian performer Lia De Itamaraca taking part in within the downpour underneath leaden skies on Sunday afternoon.

WOMAD 2023 was completely sensible all through, the proper fusion of the unknown and unplanned at probably the most welcoming and pleasant festivals round. The acts it brings collectively are extra numerous than some other pageant, but it surely manages to tug off the trick of  feeling like a closely-knit neighborhood.

Tickets and line-up particulars for subsequent yr’s WOMAD might be right here

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All phrases by Tom Parry, you could find his creator’s archive right here plus on Twitter and his web site