WOMAD USA 2001

  

[ Home + Bumbershoot 2000 + Cats + House + Hawaii 2001 + Hawaii 2002 + England 2001 + Seattle ]

Friday 27 July
WOMAD (World Of Music, Art and Dance) is an organization dedicating to promoting the arts from around the world in festivals they've been putting on for about 20 years. WOMAD USA started in Redmond's Marymoor Park, not far from Seattle, in 1998.

Peter Gabriel and King County Executive Ron Sims held a press conference Friday afternoon.

Mr. Gabriel spoke briefly to open the festival.

The lead singers of Ifang Bondi from Gambia.

Singer and riti player from Ifang Bondi.

Part of Ifang Bondi's rhythm section.

Senegal's Youssou N'Dour took to the main stage to finish the first day.

Saturday 28 July

Ifang Bondi played again on Saturday.

Ifang Bondi again.

Lágbájá, a very energetic group from Lagos, Nigeria.

Lágbájá always wears a mask to symbolize the plight of the common man.

Daniel Lapp supplements his jazzy trumpet with electronics and...

...a band called Lappelectro. He also plays a six string electric violin.

Indian singer/percussionist Baul Bishwa.

Saturday night finished with the great "Celtic rock" Oysterband. We love these guys.

Oysterband members: Chopper, Ian, Alan.

Oysterband members: John, Lee.

Sunday 29 July

Lágbájá hit the main stage to start Sunday off right.

That's Lágbájá again.

Backing singer for Lágbájá.

A very happy Lágbájá percussionist.

One of the lead singers of Sawt el Atlas from Morocco.

The other lead singer of Sawt el Atlas.

Percussionist of Sawt el Atlas.

Bass player. But you knew that, right?

The big Sunday finale got rolling with Imbizo.
Coincidentally, we saw them in England this spring.

They are very energetic dancers.

Festivities continue with a rare live performance by WOMAD co-founder Peter Gabriel.

Peter was joined by long-time bass accomplice Tony Levin.

And long-time guitar accomplice David Rhodes.

And long-time family accomplice Melanie Gabriel, making her debut as a backing vocalist.

James McNally of Afro Celt Sound System helped out on keyboards.

The rhythm section. That's Jed Lynch on drums. He was a good drummer, but I suspect he was hired as much for his hairstyle.

Joined by Moussa Sissokho from Afro Celts on talking drum.

A group shot. You can kinda see Johnny Kalsi from Afro Celts playing dhol in the back.

Iarla O Lionaird singing with Afro Celt Sound System.
As you can see, they favor low lighting levels.

N'Faly Kouyate playing kora.

Simon Emmerson and N'Faly Kouyate having a little moment.

N'Faly Kouyate playing electronic percussion, plus a bit of Johnny Kalsi playing tablas in the back.

And to end the whole thing, Peter Gabriel joined the Afro Celts for "When You're Falling."

Peter and Iarla.