WOMAD 2023 Review

Here is a recap of some of the highlights of WOMAD 2023 from the Culture Bureau team on the spot. You can also check out our detailed previews on Youssou N’Dour, Mdou Moctar, Taraf de Caliu, Garifuna Collective and Kiwi act Mazbou Q.

Youssou N’Dour (Senegal)

Youssou N'Dour is a legendary Senegalese singer and songwriter who has been entertaining audiences for decades so it was pretty impressive to see him grace the WOMAD bowl stage looking so strong and vital for his age. N'Dour proved to the NZ audience why he is considered one of the greatest African musicians of all time. From the moment he took the stage, his energy was infectious and the crowd was immediately captivated by his energy.

N'Dour's performance was a true celebration of Senegalese music, culture, and tradition. He seamlessly blended various styles of music, including mbalax, jazz, and funk, to create a unique sound that had the audience dancing and singing along throughout the entire show. The band was tight, the backup singers were outstanding, and N'Dour's vocals were as powerful and soulful as ever. He had an amazingly tight band with heavy percussion section, backup vocals and drum, bass, keys and guitar. He also had an amazing Senegalese dancer on stage in different traditional costume for just about every song. This guy stole the show even from N’Dour at times with amazing feats of acrobatics and dance like jumping headfirst over a person seated in a chair and landing it with grace.

The classic song 7 seconds was a highlight with many in the crowd singing along. What really stood out about N'Dour's performance though was his commitment to his message of peace and unity. He used his set as a tool to promote social change and encourage the audience to come together as one people. His performance of "New Africa" was a true highlight of the night, as he urged the crowd to "come together as one and rise up for a better world."

Overall, Youssou N'Dour's concert was a truly unforgettable experience. His music, message, and stage presence were all exceptional, and he proved why he is still one of the most important voices in African music today.

Cimafunk (Cuba)

Cimafunk's performance was a standout for most people we talked to, with their unique blend of funk, soul, and traditional Cuban music, they really worked hard for the WOMAD crowd. This was Cuban music but not as you’d expect It was high-energy Cuban soul, funk and more a fusion of Cuban rhythms and styles with modern pop genres. What stood out about their performance was their ability to blend traditional Cuban rhythms with modern funk and soul, creating a sound that was both familiar and fresh. Cimafunk's influences from James Brown and George Clinton’s Parliament, through to the Afro-futurism of Prince were evident, but they managed to put their own unique spin on it. The lead singer Erik Rodriguez has a charismatic stage presence and impressive vocal range which has often seen him compared to James Brown and Prince.

Another highlight was Cimafunk's female saxophonist and backup singer, Kali Rodriguez-Peña. She wowed us with her dynamic and soulful playing on the saxophone, as well as her powerful and expressive vocals in harmony with Cimafunk's Erik Rodriguez. Overall, her solos were often cited as a highlight of the show especially by females we talked to. Her hair was pretty powerful too worn in an epic big style. Overall, Cimafunk brought an energy and sound to the WOMAD stage that set them apart from all the other Cuban bands we’ve ever seen in NZ. Even after two shows (on the bowl on Saturday evening and another in a prime slot on Sunday night) the audience were left wanting more action.

Taraf de Caliu (Romania)

Taraf de Caliu was a special performance. The band is made up of some of the founding members of Taraf de Haidouks, and brought a fresh take to the traditional Southern Romanian music that made the latter a household name in the world music scene. The intricate melodies of the cimbalom, violin, and accordion were in perfect sync and delicately balanced by virtuoso musicianship, transporting us to a different time and place. The vocals were performed in a traditional style with strong elements of Romanian folk singing, which bears some resemblance to what most of us would think of as Flamenco or Middle Eastern signing with its plaintive, soulful delivery and sliding or glissandos up and down the vocal scale. The band's authenticity and passion were evident in every note, and it's no wonder they are still considered some of the best in their genre. Taraf de Caliu's music speaks to the soul and reminds us of the beauty of our cultural heritage as indigenous Europeans. It was an unforgettable performance for all that were blessed to enjoy it.

Meute (Germany)

Meute is a German techno marching band that combines the energy and power of a marching band with electronically amplified beats and rhythms. When we turned up it was in full swing and from a distance sounded like a hardcore techno rave in the afternoon through the massive WOMAD system. Another example of strange programming scheduling them at this time rather than a prime nighttime dance set. However, once you got close enough, it was clear there was no backing track and the whole set was being played live. Meute does not use pre-programmed backing tracks, instead, they perform all the beats and melodies live, using traditional instruments and incorporating electronic elements into their music. The band members play a range of instruments including brass, woodwinds, keyboards, and various different types of electronically amplified drums and drum pads. They then use live sampling and looping techniques to create complex, layered techno soundscapes. This unique approach to live performance is a key part of Meute's appeal, as it allows them to create a dynamic, immersive experience for their audience.

Not that the time of day stopped people dancing. The mostly younger crowd were dancing and jumping throughout the entire set. The band's brass section was particularly impressive, delivering powerful and precise performances perfectly in sync with the electronic sounds of the rest of the group, as well as the choreographed dance moves as they move around each other on stage seamlessly. Overall, Meute put on an unforgettable performance that perfectly captured their unique sound and energy. Meute's high-energy and dynamic show was strong on audience interaction and slapstick comedy. They often performed in marching band-style formations, and the members moved around the stage and interacted with each other during the performance. Their use of acoustic instruments and electronic elements created a unique and engaging sound that is both immersive and exciting and their live stage presence was full of energy, passion, and creativity.

The Garifuna Collective (Belize)

The Garifuna Collective brought their signature sound to the stage, blending Afro-Caribbean rhythms with soulful melodies to create a unique experience. Hailing from the Central American coast of Belize, the band's music is rooted in the cultural heritage of the Garifuna people, and their performance was a celebration of that rich tradition.The Collective showcased their mastery of traditional instruments, weaving intricate rhythms on the Garifuna drums and plucking soulful melodies on the guitar and bass.

They can never quite live up to the band they used to be without former band-leader Andy Palacio. But they certainly gave it a good shot, now sharing the vocals across a number of members with the new frontman doing an admirable job stepping into big shoes. Highlights such as a traditional piece sung by the female vocalist and a tribute to Palacio with his song Watina.

Other standouts included the hauntingly beautiful "Ayó," which showcased the band's vocal harmonies, and the lively "Hamala," which had the entire crowd dancing.

What sets the Garifuna Collective apart from other world music acts is their commitment to preserving and celebrating their Garifuna cultural heritage. Their music is steeped in tradition, but it also has a modern edge that makes it accessible to a wider audience. The Collective's performance at the festival was a testament to the depth and strength of this lively Afro-Caribbean cultural legacy.

Fantastic Negrito (USA)

Fantastic Negrito's set at WOMAD was as thrilling and energizing an experience as his funky red pants. Hailing from Oakland, California, Fantastic Negrito seamlessly blends blues, funk, and rock influences to create a unique sound that's all his own. His stage presence is magnetic, drawing in the audience with his soulful vocals and electrifying guitar riffs. He played a mix of songs from his latest album, "Have You Lost Your Mind Yet?," as well as older hits like "Plastic Hamburgers" and "Working Poor." The standout moment of the set was undoubtedly when he performed "How Long?" with its powerful lyrics about the fight for justice and equality. It's no surprise that Fantastic Negrito has won multiple Grammy awards and is hailed as one of the most exciting acts in contemporary blues-rock.

Mdou Moctar (Niger)

Mdou Moctar, the Tuareg guitarist extraordinaire, the Saharan Hendrix, delivered two mesmerizing performances at WOMAD 2023. Playing to a packed crowd, Moctar showcased his unique style, blending traditional Tuareg music with psychedelic-tinged rock and blues influences. The audience was captivated by his virtuosic guitar playing, which ranged from frenetic, lightning-fast solos to introspective, contemplative passages. Moctar's band was equally impressive, providing a tight, rhythmic foundation for his guitar wizardry.

This incredibly tight lineup hit us with hypnotic and transcendental bass and rhythm guitar and drums reminiscent of Mulutu Ashtake and the Ethiopian jazz genre. There were some fast-paced high-energy tracks with his trademark staccato choppy groove that built up to a crescendo in wailing solos, but also some really chilled unhurried and spiritually-tinged songs held the crowd’s attention with this tight rhythm section and Moctar’s vocals.

This voice was also a standout feature of the performance, with its haunting, plaintive quality adding an emotional depth to the songs sung in Tuareg. The setlist included most of his classic tracks, with highlights including "Ilana (The Creator)", "Tala Tannam", and "Chismiten".

Overall, Moctar's concert was a masterful display of Tuareg music and a testament to his skills as a musician and performer. He certainly showed NZ that he has earned his place as one of the most exciting and innovative musicians on the world music scene today.

Deva Mahal (Aaotearoa/USA)

This epic soul sister made her triumphant return to NZ stages after a long absence. Daughter of legendary Jazz musician Taj Mahal, Deva spent a lot of her youth living in NZ with her mother but is now based in New York and touring where she has been building an amazing band and global reputation. Lucky for us she was able to come back for WOMAD and graced the bowl stage in a full-length blazing pink dress backed by her band and Welly based sister Zoe Moon (Zoe Mahal) and brother Amen Mahal (aka Imon Star of Rhombus and Olmecha Supreme fame) on Bass. Deva’s 6-piece band also featured members of her US-based lineup. Mahal’s resonating voice reverberated across the TSB Bowl showing she is still a powerhouse of New Zealand music! Her set was full of smooth R&B, soul and flow/rap as Deva moved between each with fluidity. This band kept the energy pumping throughout the Sunday afternoon set. A touching moment was her duet with sister Zoe on a song dedicated to their sisters who recently passed away.

Astor Piazzola Quartet (Argentina)

Pretty much what you’d expect from a band founded by the wife of the legend to continue his musical legacy. Amazing delicate virtuoso tango accordion from the band leader with beautiful piano support and amazing fiddle with a gypsy vibe, jazz guitar and double bass. They clearly have a great musical connection and were able to play a solid set even though competing with a lot of bleed over from Cimafunk smashing it on the bowl stage - a wierd piece of scheduling brain explosion having such a quiet and intricate band competing with the loudest band at WOMAD on a Saturday night. Unfortunately, this was a pretty common occurrence at WOMAD 2023 and they may well need to consider obvious sound clashes like that more in future years and even perhaps bring down PA volumes on some of the stages in future.

The Astor Piazzolla Quartet from Argentina put on two incredible performances at WOMAD showcasing the unique and innovative style of tango that Piazzolla was famous for. The quartet expertly blended traditional tango elements with jazz and classical music, creating a sound that was both familiar and fresh. They played several of Piazzolla's most famous pieces, such as "Libertango" and "Adiós Nonino," but also incorporated some lesser-known works, demonstrating their depth of knowledge and expertise. The standout song of the night was their rendition of "Oblivion," which showcased the quartet's ability to evoke deep emotion through their music. Overall, the Astor Piazzolla Quartet demonstrated why they are considered one of the most influential and respected tango ensembles in the world.

After Astor Piazzolla's death in 1992, the current Astor Piazzolla Quartet was formed in 2018 to pay homage to Piazzolla's music. The quartet is led by accordionist Julien Labro - an accomplished French musician who has performed with many renowned artists and ensembles, including Yo-Yo Ma and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. In addition to Labro, the quartet includes members a female band member on piano Michael Gauthier on violin, and Derek Snyder on bass. Together, they continue to perform Piazzolla's iconic music, while also exploring new arrangements and interpretations of his works.

ADG7 (Korea)

This 7-piece band from South Korea were a bit of a surprise to many at WOMAD. They combined elements of jazz, funk, and soul to create their uniquely Korean sound. Their performance was a high-energy one with tight arrangements and impressive musicianship, and standout solos from the saxophonist and guitarist. Their use of traditional Korean instruments, such as the piri and daegeum, added a distinctly traditional Asian flavor to their sound. They were overall a pretty upbeat and energising performance, and the bowl stage seemed to enjoy their costumes and theatrical stage show a lot.

Bonus - NZ Bands

Le Moana (Aotearoa)

An evocative, contemporary dance choreography seemingly carrying themes of Polynesian myths, the dancers embodied the ocean, the journey, the essence of the south pacific with graceful and flowing dance. They were powerful women, moving with fluidity and grace. A delightful spacious and moving performance.

Acapollinations (Aotearoa)

This group consists of three women who carried the melodies and folklore of their grandmothers and those who went before them through their haunting compositions. Tui Mamaki (French-Kiwi), Chelsea Prastiti (Greek-Kiwi) and Sally Howe (Cook Island-Kiwi) focused their set on the stunning Balkan Polyphony Tui learned from a stint studying with a school of mystic oracles of Bulgaria who have protected this folk music tradition down through the centuries. It was an entrancing and incredibility moving performance. Each singer brought to life the traditions and the sounds of their ancestral motherland France, Greece and the Cook Islands. Through their performance, we sensed the connection between these women who are based in Aotearoa and their longing for family and tradition.

Avantdale Bowling Club (Auckland, Aotearoa)

Avantdale Bowling Club is a New Zealand hip-hop group led by the acclaimed rapper and producer, Tom Scott. Their performance at WOMAD showed why they have come to be one of the most respected live hip-and-or-hop acts in NZ. Scott pointed out with characteristically kiwi self-deprecating humour that it felt a bit surreal and incongruous that people were coming to watch them over some other amazing bands from around the world. He also claimed he’d been coming to WOMAD since he was a kid which was pretty cool to hear. 
The performance showcased their unique blend of jazz and NZ hip-hop, which brings a pretty refreshing and innovative take on the genre which in NZ of late has become a little lacking in actual musicality and live instrumentation. Scott's lyrics are thoughtful and introspective, exploring themes of personal growth and societal issues. At one point he joked about how most of his songs were essentially about how rent in NZ is too high or not being able to afford weed. Along with the jokes and cutting social commentary, the band's musicianship is top-notch, featuring tight arrangements and impressive solos. Standout tracks included “Rent’s too high” "Years Gone By" and "Water Medley," which highlight the group's ability to seamlessly transition between different moods and styles. The audience was left impressed by the group's musical prowess and the depth of Scott's lyrics, making it a must-see show for any hip-hop or jazz fan.

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