1997, however, was for me the
most satisfying Womadelaide of all, because they finally managed to persuade
my hero Richard Thompson to attend , as well
as Loudon Wainwright, Selif Keita, Shooglenifty,
Afro Celt Sound System , Paul Kelly , Midnight Oil and
Fundamental. This was really the year of the new wave of bands,
mostly working in the folk rock idiom, but effectively re-inventing the
genre, so that they are not simply re-treading the steps of Fairport or
Steeleye Span, but creating new and vital music that appeals to the young
as well as some of the old farts like myself. Radio broadcasts were better
than in 95, full sets by the minor artists on AM, but only snippets of
the main acts were featured on Zap Fm, a government sponsored radio station
set up specially for the festival.
In 1998 the festival trust
put on a one day Womad at McClaren Vale in the Southern wine growing area.
It featured a solid line-up of Shooglenifty , Geoffrey
Oryema , Yulduz Usmanova and Papa Joh Gobateh,
but lacking a really well known headliner , facing some transport
problems and being at the end of the two week Adelaide festival, it only
attracted 3000 punters , therefore losing over $100.000, and it will probably
be held at another venue next year.
The 1999 Festival in contrast, was
the best attended yet, in fact , if it gets any bigger, it will lose some
of its appeal. There were some great acts. Trilok
Gurto and the Glimpse, Yair Dalal , Gjallerhorn , Lliam O'Flynn, Lo Jo,
Kila, The Drummers of Berundi and the great Babba Maal.
Almost perfect weather , great organization and excellent sound
made this a really good festival . Also , the ABC finally got its act together
and broadcast three hours of highlights on the Tv , featuring acts such
as Babba and Gjallerhorn. Am radio also broadcast seven hours of shows,
although it was marred by talking by the announcers and cuts for news which
broke into the direct broadcasts by Baaba and the African Gypsies. |
