We speak to some local artists ahead of WOMAD Festival 2020

Culture Fri Jan 17 2020 by Nina Franklin

This year, WOMAD celebrates their 16th Birthday with grandeur; guests will be able to enjoy close to 100 hours of music spread over eight unique stages. Bringing together artists from all over the globe to showcase vibrant forms of music, arts and dance, this inclusive, inspiring and informing event is not one to miss. We spoke to a few local artists ahead of the festival...

Troy Kingi

Troy Kingi’s distinctive sonic quality and soulful vocals has seen him take out the Best Māori and Best Roots Artist for 2019. The release of his third album Holy Colony Burning Acres is a motivating commentary wrapped in an electrifyingly 70s-styled deep roots/reggae offering that will have you up and grooving.

1. Quintessential summer song on your 2020 summer road trip to WOMAD?

Jimmy Hughes - Steal Away

2. Essential WOMAD festival item or outfit and why?

Circular mirrored Shades

3. Top tip to make sure your festival experience is as eco-friendly at possible?

Bring your own drink bottle

4. Festival Camping tip?

Stay hydrated and get the sunblock on

5. Must see artist at WOMAD 2020?

Hiatus Kaiyote

Oscar Mein - Soaked Oats

SOAKED OATS - With infectiously catchy music and wildly uplifting tunes, Soaked Oats bring pure joy to their fans. Hailing from Dunedin, this four-piece band have played festivals in the UK, toured Australasia and created a collection of sweet, summery tasting songs. The indie sludge-pop group have become known for endearing live performances, and their penchant for joyous songwriting.

1. Quintessential summer song on your 2020 summer road trip to WOMAD?

I’m late to the party but have been catching up on Toro Y Moi’s - Ordinary Pleasure. It is a very good party.

2. Essential WOMAD festival item or outfit and why?

I get the feeling there will be glitter involved in whatever us Oats are draped in so maybe some sort of fanny pack full of a few items like face paint or glitter to spice things up when you or some great stranger you’ve just met needs it. Nothing I enjoy more than giving my face up to be made up by a stranger.

3. Top tip to make sure your festival experience is as eco-friendly at possible?

BYO bottle? Water bottles these days, keep the water so cool.

4. Festival Camping Tip?

Water and sunscreen and all the other things parents are right about.

5. Must see artist at WOMAD 2020?

Destyn Maloya!

L.A.B - Joel Shadbolt

Founded by the legendary Kora brothers Brad and Stu, L.A.B. has quickly become one of the hottest acts on the New Zealand live circuit. Packed with smooth grooves and reggae beats, L.A.B. has been voted New Zealand’s Best Live Act, while their first two albums have been so well received, they’ve stayed on the NZ charts since they were released.

1. Quintessential summer song on your 2020 summer road trip to WOMAD?

Not only is Peter Gabriel one of my favourites, he's one of the people who helped start WOMAD, so every trip to WOMAD should include Sledge Hammer.

2. Essential WOMAD festival item or outfit and why?

Unsure on the dress code but I’ll be wearing black on black on black

3. Top tip to make sure your festival experience is as eco-friendly at possible?

Bring a refillable water bottle!

4. Festival Camping tip?

Don’t set your tent up on a slope!

5. Must see artist at WOMAD 2020?

Hard to choose! But if I was to pinpoint one it’ll have to be Blind Boys of Alabama for that soul fix.

Reb Fountain

Reb is easily Aotearoa’s best kept songwriting secret. An immigrant to New Zealand, she sailed into Lyttelton Harbour carrying generations of migrant stories imbued in her bones. This award-winning songbird has spent 20 years travelling, performing, studying, working as a musician and songwriter, and performing and recording with some of New Zealand’s best artists, including Neil Finn, Tami Neilson and Marlon Williams

1. Quintessential summer song on your 2020 summer road trip to WOMAD?

Beastie Boys - Sabotage

Gary Numan - Cars

Big Thief - Forgotten Eyes

Troggs - With a girl like you

Tom Cunliffe - This Table is a River

… that should get us to Huntly (love Huntly)

2. Essential WOMAD festival item or outfit and why?

Sombreros - the greatest sun hats of all time

3. Top tip to make sure your festival experience is as eco-friendly at possible?

Whilst being respectful to your fellow campers bring your own picnic basket and wash your dishes (with eco friendly soap) or make sure you use compostable plates and cups for a no-waste WOMAD experience.

4. Festival Camping tip?

I’m not a fan of itchy bites or mozzie's. I always bring a can of (natural) fly spray and give the tent a little spray, zip it up and leave it for ten minutes before I go to bed; makes sleeping a dream when you avoid getting out the flashlight trying to find the annoying mozzy thats been buzzing in your ear threatening to eat you. I am however a fan of yoga in the morning and I discovered that mozzie's hate sesame oil … so I lather up particularly on my hands and feet and get stuck into my sun salutes knowing that no matter how many bugs are hovering around they won’t land on me.

5. Must see artist at WOMAD 2020?

Troy Kingi

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