Womad buzzes to diverse sounds

JONATHAN CAMERON/Taranaki Daily News

HANDS UP: French band Babylon Circus plays to thousands and gets them moving at the TSB Bowl of Brooklands during the final day of Womad on Sunday.

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The music, dance and food of Womad kept nearly 35,000 people buzzing over the weekend.

New Plymouth's Brooklands Park and TSB Bowl was transformed over the three-day event into a garden of diverse sounds and eccentric sights.

Festival-goers let their freak flags fly with multi-coloured costumes, scarves and hair to match.

Womad 2010 featured 266 performers from 19 countries on seven stages and as well as music and performance, it included cooking demonstrations and musical workshops, artists in conversation and a global village.

While Saturday saw Taranaki provide four seasons in one day, the sun shone yesterday with shady spots a favourite amongst groovers.

"This is awesome," said James Jerios from Nelson, "It's my first time here and I'll be back for sure."

Mr Jerios decided at the last minute to take the drive up to New Plymouth as he didn't want to miss UK/Ethiopian band, Dub Colossus.

"I really follow that music and I figured this would be my only chance to check them out live."

Walk-up sales pushed the three-day attendance close to 35,000 giving organisers hope the event would break even this year. "It's still early days," said Taranaki Arts Festival Trust chief executive Suzanne Porter.

"We are in a very good position and we will release those figures later in the week."

Ms Porter said ticket sales on Friday night were surprising given the chilly start to the festival. "We have had a solid walk-up crowd even though the weather has been cold and a bit rainy."

And despite persistent rumours that Womad is going to be snatched from Taranaki and taken to the South Island, Ms Porter said there was no way – at least not next year.

"There is interest from other cities who want to host Womad but we are not looking to shift it.

"Be assured Womad will be back in Taranaki in 2011," Ms Porter said.

With barely room to move, people meandered their way through the Womad village.

One woman, who wanted to be known only as Kenny, was so taken by a large tree in Brooklands Park that she stopped to give it a hug and have a chat.

"I can feel its spirit," she said, "it's calling me."

Babylon Circus was the must-see act on Saturday and by yesterday word had got around and the Bowl was packed to the brim with festival-goers eager to see them play a second show.

Ms Porter said so far all the feedback from the audience had been good and she considered the festival to be a huge success.

"It all feels really positive and operationally it has all gone well. I think that has to do with the fact that it is an annual event," she said.

- © Fairfax NZ News