Womadelaide 2018: Sunday reviews

READ the highlights and reviews of the acts performing at day three of Womadelaide 2018. SEE OUR GALLERY

• Womadelaide 2018: Saturday reviews
• Womadelaide 2018: Friday night reviews

Mousssa Diakite

Some acts define the sound and spirit of Womad and revered guitarist Mousssa Diakite goes a long way to fitting the bill.

With a hint of African green in the air, the folk down at the Novatech Stage get horizontal to Diakite and Sydney band Wassado.

Covering a variety of genres from jazz, bouncy reggae to straight-out dirty blues, it’s first-class musicianship.

A small but joyful group of punters up front reflect the unique vibe of Womad: senior cits to kids wearing fairy wings get down, bonded by some of the planet’s most unifying music.

One young boy even climbs halfway up a flagpole as the set comes to a close.

The vibe is free and easy and Diakite and co is the perfect way to unwind on a Sunday night.

Sunday evening

— Benjamin Cameron

Tinariwen

The music of Tinariwen has a rolling asymmetric beat that is maybe like riding a camel. Certainly their long chants move along like a caravan winding serpentine fashion across the endless sands of the Sahara Desert.

It’s the sound of wide open spaces that Tinariwen invented and are still the masters of.

I’d like to know more about what their songs mean but, without understanding the lyrics, they are still hypnotic.

Stage 2 Sunday 6.15

— Stephen Whittington

Tinariwen, from Mali.

Dan Sultan

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any steamier at Botanic Park, on stage saunters the soulful Dan Sultan.

On a balmy Sunday evening down at the Foundation Stage where most punters are seeking shade, Sultan’s funk injection has the fans back on their feet and charging for the front.

Last seen at Womad back in 2010, Sultan guarantees more beautiful Adelaide memories before strumming a single note, and he well and truly delivers on the promise.

Nothing is held back with a large-scale production and two backing singers to underline the soul and feel of Sultan’s hip-swaying ditties, like Hold It Together.

Dan Sultan. Picture: AAP / Chris Eastman

Sultan hits his straps with the one-two punch of The Same Man and Under Your Skin.

He’s cool, but like most cats, he’s also playful and the crowd feeds off his every interaction.

They even sing happy birthday to James on the keys.

Sultan might receive a please explain from WOMAD management as his set runs 20 minutes over time, but nobody seems to care.

“I’m here to hear my friends play, and hear friends I haven’t met yet,” he says before departing.

“It’s a beautiful place.”

Let’s hope it’s not another eight years before Sultan is back in the park in March.

— Benjamin Cameron

Le Vent du Nord

Kings of the Quebec folk scene, Le Vent du Nord (The North Wind) use hurdy-gurdy, accordion, guitar and fiddle to create a sound that moves the crowd out of the shade and into the dusty dance floor.

They band has obviously had no trouble adapting to the serious change in temperature as they’re in fine spirit: “We are French Nordic people, so we are in our element here in 35 degrees!” they joke.

This is rollicking, foot-stomping good-time music. You’ll find yourself singing along, whether you understand the French lyrics or not. Don’t miss them.

Monday, Foundation Stage, 5pm

— Nathan Davies

Womadelaide 2018: Pictures of music and dance

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Noura Mint Seymali

Botanic Park at 1pm is hotter than a Sri Lankan curry, but that’s not going to stop Noura Mint Seymali from bringing her A-game.

Noura Mint Seymali and part of her band from Mauritania. Picture: Matthew Tianri

This is the desert blues straight out of Mauritania, a new take on an ancient tradition. Funky bass, psychedelic guitars and that voice that soars up into a bleached sky.

Noura learned from the best — her late stepmother, singer Dimi Mint Abba — and it shows. An excellent start to day three.

Monday, Stage 2, 6pm

— Nathan Davies

Noura Mint Seymali and band from Mauritania. Picture: Laurent Prieur