WOMAD bring some of their magic to Saturday night at The Tower
The Tower Music Festival 2009 review
Tuesday 22nd September 2009
Harvey Goldsmith's annual Tower Festival at The Tower of London is usually host to opera, jazz and classical performances, but this year, WOMAD were invited to bring some of their magic to the stage for a weekend residency to close the 10 day festival.
Not having held an event in London since their run at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in 2000, WOMAD brought us their trademark flags, a small workshop stage, and an eclectic mix of main-stage acts from around the world. Located on the lush grass of the moat, the festival site took over two sides of The Tower of London. From street level, entry to the festival area was via steep steps to the moat below, although an inclined pathway was available for those with pushchairs and wheelchairs, albeit via a somewhat roundabout route.
Once inside the festival proper, its layout allowed plenty of grassy space for picnics, and a number of marquees provided hospitality for those less inclined to bring their own cool boxes. A highly sponsored event; free ice-cream was handed out by an airline, a new car was displayed, and a VIP area was available to those more affluent festival goers who wished to sip champagne in a more private setting. The obligatory bar never had too large a queue, but then London prices (nearly £4 a pint) and a lack of beer other than lager, perhaps contributed to getting served more quickly than at many festivals.
Another lack of queues was evident in the spacious conveniences. Wooden flooring, soap and moisturiser at the sinks, paintings on the walls, and kept constantly clean by polite staff. Without a doubt, the best toilet facilities at any festival, ever. WOMAD should take them to Charlton Park next year!
One side of The Tower's moat was given over to the main stage area. With a large area for sitting on picnic blankets or standing for the acts, tiered seating was also available at the rear of the arena and provided an elevated view of the stage. With high walls on each side of the arena reflecting music back inwards, sound quality was phenomenal, no matter where one was stood.
Arriving partway through Dulsori's set, the South Koreans had already worked up a sweat bashing out their percussive rhythms and getting the audience's heads nodding. Immediately after coming off stage, they took over the Workshop Stage for, well, more of the same; but with added audience participation and even a human tug-o-war.
Back on the main stage, the global music kept coming during intermissions, with "Afrogroov" DJ Eric Soul providing the beats between acts. Handing over to Paprika Balkanicus' Balkan dance sounds, and then later to Nathan 'Flutebox' Lee.
Lee was joined on stage by his band, The Clinic, and none other than Tabla player, Shri, whom some may remember from his collaborations a few years back, with DJ Badmarsh. As usual, the audience was transfixed with Lee's ability to beatbox, and play flute; at the same time. Particularly cheering, was the theme to 'Knightrider', which certainly brought a big smile to me.
Sadly, performances during the day were all kept quite short, with only half hour slots for the first few acts. If a request could be made for next year, it would be to start the music earlier than 5pm, and have longer sets from each act.
Following Lee, and watched from the crowd by him and his crew, was The Imagined Village. Not needing much introduction following 2 years of great success, the audience was extremely receptive to Simon Emmerson's project, singing along with many of the songs.
I've seen The Imagined Village a couple of times already this year, but this performance saw Billy Bragg's return, in pearl clad suit, to sing a couple of numbers. First up was 'England Half English meets John Barleycorn', which featured on the band's latest E.P. and is a meeting of Bragg's original lyrics over The Imagined Village's tune.
With limited time available, few new songs were played (one sung by Eliza Carthy and seemingly about rocket ships and martians), and the majority of the set was turned over to favourites including 'Cold Haily Rainy Night', and the return of Bragg for 'Hard Times of Old England Retold'. Gladly, there was still time for one more song. A completely random, but fantastic choice, the band closed their set with a cover of Slade's 'Cum On Feel The Noize'!
No sooner had the band cleared the stage, the heavens opened with a brief rain shower that helped clear the muggy air. The evening was still unseasonably warm, and despite a few more showers and a great display of lightning over The Tower, hoards of supporters crowded the front of the arena to await Algerian superstar, Khaled.
The 'King of Rai' took to the stage to rapturous applause and was clearly moved by the reception. Beaming smile, Khaled took us through songs from his album 'Liberte', and the audience lapped it up, dancing and singing.
Sadly, we had to leave before the show was over, and get our sleeping baby home to bed. A great day was had though, and I do hope that WOMAD return to the Tower Festival next year.
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