Thousands of world music fans made the most of the idyllic weather at the 2014 WOMADelaide, with ticket sales over the four days close to record levels.
Organisers said a total of 90,000 people went through the gates at Botanic Park over the long weekend.
The Saturday program sold out for the first time in a number of years, and tickets sales hit a new record on the Friday.
The only bad news came at the end of the festival, with a fire early this morning badly damaging stage two. No one was injured, and a spokesperson said it was not yet known how the blaze began.
Shade offered by the park’s towering pine trees and Morton Bay figs was at a premium on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, but festival-goers still happily got to their feet front-of-stage to dance to bands such as Brooklyn jazz/funk/hip-hop eight-piece Red Baraat, French reggae outfit Dub Inc and Aboriginal band Coloured Stone, which celebrated its 35th anniversary at the festival.
Fat Freddy’s Drop. Photo: Che Chorley
Night-time acts rocking the main Internode Stage included Kiwi dub/reggae/soul band Fat Freddy’s Drop, Grammy-winning US hip-hop act Arrested Development, energetic young Zimbabwean group Mokoomba, and Colombian/Belgian Latino-funk band La Chiva Gantiva.
Arrested Development. Photo: Che Chorley
There were plenty of more laid-back – and stripped-back – sounds across the park over the four days and nights, with the powerfully emotive voice of Portuguese Fado singer Carminho especially captivating.
Pokey LaFarge. Photo: Che Chorley
Among other acts that proved popular were Scandinavian singer Ane Brun; St Louis jazz/ragtime/blues artist Pokey LaFarge; Papua New Guinean born singer-songwriter Ngaiire; ARIA-winning Australian Megan Washington, who played two concerts showcasing new songs as well as favourites from her two albums; and UK singer and activist Billy Bragg, who played just once on Monday evening.
Billy Bragg. Photo: Che Chorley
For those seeking intellectual stimulation, the Planet Talks series canvassed a range of environment-related topics with national and international speakers, while Taste the World saw a number of this year’s artists showcasing their cultural cuisine and culinary skills alongside host chef Rosa Matto.
Slow Dancing. Installation by US artist David Michalek
WOMADelaide always incorporates a strong visual element, and this year’s giant moving-image installation by US artist David Michalek, Slow Dancing, was exceptional. Featuring super-slow-motion video projections of dancers from a range of cultures and genres – from ballet to hip-hop – in the tranquil after-dark setting of “The Pines” at the back of the park, it was hypnotically beautiful.
I Spy: WOMADelaide social photos
