Womad Singapore 2004

Fort Canning Park
27th - 29th August

An explosion of color and sound

By Yusuf Abdol Hamid • UrbanWire
email reporter • email story • printer friendly

Singaporeans should count themselves so lucky. In the same month that the Kallang stadium spouted fireworks for the last time, Fort Canning Park exploded in a somewhat different fashion.

For the 7 th year running, WOMAD (World of Music Arts and Dance), an international music festival that has visited 21 countries in over 20 years since its inception in 1982, took place on the lawn of our very own Fort Canning Park.

Well known for bringing artists from around the world to perform their unique brands of music, WOMAD has seen its popularity grow by leaps and bounds, with over 15,000 attendees at last year's festival. Festival Director, Sarah Martin promised that WOMAD Singapore 2004 would "continue to tap into the incredible range of global experience; from centuries old traditions to the pulse of contemporary music".  

This year, 22 groups from 13 different countries ranging from Algeria and Israel to Madagascar and the Dominican Republic wowed our audiences.

Held over a typically hot weekend, Fort Canning Park gates opened at 5.30pm to allow festival goers to come early and pick a good spot. Most came armed with picnic baskets and large mats to protect themselves from the prickly grass. Though the crowd was predominantly Caucasian (or what Singaporeans like to call Ang-Moh), UW spoke to a Singaporean family sprawled out on their picnic mat waiting for the revelry to begin.

Amidst warning his two children to play carefully, George Lam, a 53 year-old executive, was all smiles and admitted that he didn't know any of the performers.

"I'm just looking forward to having a good time," he said, adding that it was heartening to hear that there were Singaporean performers this year. "It's a good opportunity for them, and I guess we must do our part to support them!" said Lam, punching his hands into the air enthusiastically.

Apparently the lure of WOMAD itself was enough to draw the audiences, as not many people knew who the performers were.

One such person was Chris Marshall, 40, a software company employee, who was enjoying the festival together with his wife and two children.

"I've been to WOMAD for a couple of years now, but I still don't know any of the performers. It's all right though as I enjoy the atmosphere and the performers are all pretty good," remarked Marshall, as his young son climbed all over him.

Held over 3 days, the performances usually began between 6pm and 7pm, and were divided amongst four stages: Fort Gate Stage, Top Stage, Gallery Stage and the main Fort Green Stage. To keep the audiences busy between performances, the entire festival site was littered with an assortment of stalls selling food, drinks, merchandise, and one that had two tall mannequins out front decked in full salsa gear.

The staff in charge of the stall in question, Lim Gok Boon, revealed that the salsa outfits are to be used for next years Chingay parade which will have a Samba theme.

Another stallholder, Chin Mahn Ling, 46, the staff in charge of Brownie Factory stall, said that she enjoyed having the chance to open a stall across the performances. "I've been too busy tending the stall to see any of the acts though, but in any case I'm too short!" she joked while happily stating that while it was her first year running a stall at WOMAD, it definitely wouldn't be her last.

Of the WOMAD performers, there were some who definitely caught the eye, such as Ghanaian Ben Badoo . An expert drum maker and ace percussionist, Ben took the stage at 6.30pm and a large group of children were immediately waiting eagerly at the foot of the stage.

With beads of perspiration rolling down his face, Ben turned his 30-minute set into a mini workshop, inviting the audience onto the stage to form his 'band'. One by one, mostly kids trooped onto the stage and took their places behind one of the African-style drums that Ben had placed in a semi-circle. At this point Ben had the audience in stitches as he attempted to teach his 'band' a simple beat.

"You play too many beats man," playfully chiding a young Indian boy who had trouble keeping up.

UW caught up with Ben after his performance, and the affable African was full of praise for Singapore.

"Climate-wise, Singapore is no different from Africa!" Ben joked, adding that Singaporeans are "very friendly". On his unique style of performing, Ben admitted that he loves to "let his audience perform". "I encourage people to see for themselves that dancing and drumming is simple. Today, I got two bands to play with me!" Ben exclaimed.

As evening turned to night, the crowd could be found milling in front of the Fort Green Stage, where most of the big acts were set to perform. Promptly at 7.30pm, WOMAD favorite Hamid Baroudi joined his band on stage and solemnly promised the audience music "without borders". What resulted in the following hour was close to magical, as Baroudi's music comprised a truly eclectic mix of styles, from Middle Eastern and Latin beats to bluesy keyboards and funky bass-lines. After his first song, Baroudi wowed the crowd with an astonishing vocal drum solo that lasted over a minute, accurately emulating parts of the drum, such as the cymbals, toms and even a maracas.

With great performances and a warm atmosphere unmatched by any other festival here in Singapore, WOMAD has clearly underlined itself as the definitive music event of the year.

Unless they bring back Woodstock '69 of course!