Saturday, 8th March

 

Baby et Lulu

Aussie lasses 'Baby' (Abby Dodson) and 'Lulu' (Lara Goodridge) serenaded Stage Three with their take on Chanson Française. 

 

A tribute to the songs and songwriters of France, their set included a range of covers largely from the Cabaret era including the likes of Édith Piaf, Brigitte Fontaine.  Also thrown in were more modern artists, such as Joe Dassins and his "daggy" 1970s hit 'Aux Champs Elysées' and Dodson herself, who snuck in a version of her Leonardo's Bride hit 'Even When I'm Sleeping', which is even more heartfelt when sung in French. 

 

Whilst neither Dodson nor Goodridge can claim french heritage, they'll convince you otherwise with their beautifully authentic accents and mastery of the sexy and irreverent Parisian cabaret style. They fit the chilled afternoon slot and smaller stage perfectly.

 

Cie Fracasse de 12 - by Aaron Vinall

 

Dub Inc

On the heavy end of what you can expect from a standard Womad lineup, Dub Inc hit the Internode Centre Stage with attitude and serious plans to put the Festival's bass speakers to the test.

 

Hailing from France, the multilingual dub group have brought deep, dark afro-beats and growling vocals with them to get your eardrums vibrating. The blend of modern rap, reggae, tribal african and arabic styles keeps you on your toes.

 

A great mix; perhaps a bit much for so early in the afternoon? Not according to the groovers gathered front of stage, who were making the most of the gorgeous afternoon sun to dance off their lunch.

 

Dub Inc - by Aaron Vinall

 

Loren Kate

In her only Womadelaide performance, Loren Kate's acoustic set, nested amongst the Morton Bay figs, was extremely well-attended by an equally well-behaved audience.  After the aural onslaught of Dub Inc, her soothing voice felt like lullaby and transported you into a dreamy musical paradise.

 

The seated event show-cased her gorgeous voice as it wrapped around the stream of raw and emotional songs. Kate's original music is soft, gentle and earthy. It settled over the bulging crowd and seemed to repel the many distractions from chatty passerbys and booming main stages. 

 

Makana and Loren Kate - by Aaron Vinall

 

Osaka Monaurail

The Osaka Monaurail band kicked off the set with an instrumental medley of funk classics that set the mood for the next 60 minutes. In lead singer Ryo Nakatas own words, there were no Japanese numbers in sight, just the grooviest 60s funk from one of the genre's most authentic devotees. He may hail from Osaka, Japan, but you wouldn't pick it from his vocal. Dude is James Brown reincarnate.

 

As the afternoon sun cooled, Osaka Monaurail got us in the mood for the approaching evening.

 

Re-energize your weary dancing feet folks, cos there's lots more to come!

 

Osaka Monaurail - by Aaron Vinall

 

Roberto Fonseco

The rise of this Latin jazz pianist has been epic. Such is his talent, he was playing in Jazz festivals in his Cuban homeland by the age of 15, and later played with the Bueno Vista Social Club after the death of Ruben Gonzalez in 2003.

 

If you missed tonight's Womadelaide performance, you'll be glad to know it was the first of two at this year's festival.

 

Playing to a packed Stage Two audience in the early evening, Fonsago's gorgeously smooth, piano-driven tunes were accompanied by drums, hand drums, double bass, kora and guitar.

 

Fonseco's level of skill is off the charts; this prodigy was surely born with a piano in tow. Barely looking down except for moments of particular finesse, his fingers danced over and with the keys whilst his body moved to the beat.

 

Playing a mix of traditional jazz, Cuban and African styles, with an abundance of variety and improvisation to remind you how good he is, he left his audience in no doubt as to what all the fuss is about.

 

Roberto Fonseco - by Aaron Vinall

 

Ane Brun

Confident and complex, Ane Brun's powerful voice rolled out from the Internode Centre Stage and everyone looked and listened. She cut a gorgeous figure, drapped in champagne silk and blond, close cropped hair highligting her fine, pixie-like features.

 

Scanadavian indie folk pop has regained popularity recently through the likes of The Knife, Lykke Li and First Aid Kit, but Brun has been quietly making her brand of contemporary folk since 2002, and with great success.

 

Despite an impressive discography stretching back to 2002, this is Brun's first visit to Australia, making it an unmissable opportunity for any fan of the genre or Brun herself.

 

Performing a mixed set of old and new material, the enchanting songstress treated the audience to the breadth and depth of her repertoire, which ranges from broody and haunting, to soaring and trimphant and invokes comparisons with Björk, Regina Spektor and José González.

 

The quality of her live performance is a testament to her supreme talent as both a songwriter and musician. Though flanked by keys, drums and strings, her commanding stage presence and alluring appearance made it a struggle to notice anything but her.

 

A wonderful set and a highlight for this little Womadelaidean.

 

Ane Brun - by Aaron Vinall

 

Mokoomba

The high energy group from Zimbabwe took out the premiere evening slot on the ICS stage, and how deserving they are.

 

Their big brassy sound is born from guitar, drums, sax, trumpet, trombone and the vocals of Mathias Muzaza, who belted out song after song. Their set alternated between uplifting, dance-your-socks-off afro-beats and slower, heartfelt numbers. The harmonies achieved when the band members sung as one were beautiful and rousing.  

 

They danced with the strength, rhythm and joy so iconic of the African people, and inspired you to celebrate their music with equal abandon.  

 

And we all did, before dragging our weary feet home.  

 

This is what great Womadelaide's are made of.  

 

If you haven't got your tickets for tomorrow and Monday, grab them at the gates while you still can!

 

Mokoomba - by Aaron Vinall

 

Tomorrow's Picks

2.00pm Tinpan Orange on Speakers Corner 7 (SC7)
3.00pm Red Baraat on Internode Centre Stage (ICS)
4.00pm Living Room on Speakers Corner 7 (SC7)
5.00pm Carminho on Internode Centre Stage (ICS)
6.20pm Pokey LaFarge on Speakers Corner 7 (SC7)
9.00pm Lior on Internode Centre Stage (ICS)

 

Hanggai - by Aaron Vinall

 

Mallakhamb Gymnasts- by Aaron Vinall

 

Roundabout Theatre- by Aaron Vinall

 

Kutcha Edwards- by Aaron Vinall

 

Buika- by Aaron Vinall

 

Arrested Development- by Aaron Vinall