WOMADelaide 2014 - Day 3.

WOMADelaide 2014 

Day 3. 

Sunday March 9th. 

Another beautiful day at WOMADelaide. The weather is lovely, and everyone looks happy & content. The stall holders look relaxed and the organisers seem happy with how its all going. Albeit, last night was a bit of a headache for security guards with all the jumpers desperate to see Arrested Development. I watched an endless stream of punters jumping from all areas. Its a huge parameter, impossible to police. I'm sure the organisers have factored the loss into the equation. But I love those who think if they behave confidently like, - "I'm with the band"- they'll get in for free. No harm in trying. Fake it til ya make, right. I used to do that until I was with the band. With so many people trolling through the gates, I'm sure several managed to get in during peak hour. There was even a brilliant forgery pass. I couldn't scan it so I handed it over to colleagues who also had trouble scanning it. We knew it was dodgy when the chick had fled the scene. The only discernible difference was the area where it attaches, that was a dead give away, otherwise she may have gotten away with it. With that many people, they've got to expect some dramas. 

The vibe is so relaxed at WOMADelaide, I never see any animosity or ill will. And you'd expect some altercations with so many people, but everyone gets along just fine. It might have something to do with ever constant scent of pot and not a police dog in sight. Very civilised. I strongly object to police dogs, they cause more trouble than its worth. Its pot. Who cares? The real problem is when kids freak out and pop all their pills in one fell swoop, half an hour later they OD and end up in a life and death struggle, all because they don't get busted and a get conviction, which affects them for the rest of their lives. It's totally unrealistic to expect a drug free festival. It's not going to happen. I've been going to festivals since the 80's and there was never an issue until the introduction of police dogs.  WOMADelaide attracts high profile people from around the world, so I reckon they've done a deal with the cops to stay out. They should stay out of all the festivals as far as I'm concerned. The police defend themselves stating they're doing a community service, but who benefits if kids are dying? Not the community. Not their parents or friends. Who? By all means, go after the big guys, smash the meth labs (the devil's drug if ever there was one) but leave the little pot smokers alone.

Orderly queues for the loos. 

Toilets are not a big issue this year as they patiently form orderly queues for the loos, which are kept immaculately clean throughout the four day event.

WOMADelaide is also very user friendly. Catering for the disabled with wheel chair accessibility as well as viewing areas. And I saw a lot of people in wheel chairs. The terrain is such that they can get around easily. Its great. 

Disabled ramp &  viewing stage

Stage 3.

Stage 2

Baby et Lulu

I'm always pleased to see Australian bands included in the world music festival, which might sound strange, but I've found that only a few ever make it on the bill each year. Baby et Lulu graced us with a set of French afternoon delights. Abby Dobson (Leonardo's Bride) and violinist Lara Goodridge have joined forces after meeting up in Paris and discovering their love for all things French. Unless you've followed the careers of these great women you would never know they weren't French. They fake a great French accent and had they not slipped into an Aussie twang, they would have fooled everyone. I over heard a couple genuinely surprised when they spoke Australian.

I stood under the shade of a tree to watch them but the heat didn't stop punters from standing up close and personal as Baby et Lulu belted out songs from Edith Piaf, Serge Gainsbourg, Charles Aznavour, Camille and even a Bridgett Bardot number. These gals are just gorgeous. They should definitely be on the bill at Adelaide Gorgeous festival later in the year. Accompanied by the string quartet FourPlay, who are highly accomplished in their own right, they are a force to be reckoned with. I remember seeing FourPlay yeas ago at Soup Plus a speakeasy in the heart of Sydney. Coupled with the dulcet tones of these lovely ladies, FourPlay sound even better. I hope they make it a permanent group and tour the world. Simply gorgeous!

Baby et Lulu

Baby et Lulu  & FourPlay.

Baby et Lulu

I missed the night gigs due to a prior engagement - Adelaide Fringe event. Can't be everywhere. And that's the problem with Mad March, they cram too many events into the one month it becomes a nightmare to choose which event to miss, and financially prohibitive. Why don't they spread it out over the year? It doesn't rain that often in Adelaide. The Film Festival were smart to move the event to cooler months, thank goodness, I wont miss the film festival. Spread the love people.