World Music Festival 2008

Last Saturday night, Lula & I went to the World Music Festival at the Botanical Gardens. Most pics' are courtesy of Lula - and some off my phone's camera.

Taken after the show

There were 2 stages, and when one wasn't utilised, it was a dim purple- I actually liked it that way.

The crowd. Most people came geared with their lawn chairs and sitting mats. But when the music was on, most of them were up on their feet dancing to the groove =)

This was the first act - Kumpulan Kinabalu Merdu Sound ('Sweet sound of Kinabalu' Group) from Sabah, East Malaysia. They did a pretty good job and their music was upbeat.

This is one of the guys from Badila. He is a flutist, a poet and a singer. He played the flute beautifully and the whole group consists of members from Iran, India and France. Was cool. Sometimes there was this lady who came and danced..rather twirled..she turned and turned and TURNED for 15 minutes straight! Looked like she was possessed. Yikes! I wasn't watching as I was sitting on the mat, but Lula had a good view and I remember her telling me that it was creepy. hehehe On their MySpace they define their music as "Trans Oriental Sufi Groove" There you go.
ooh just found a clip from Youtube of the lady turning:


You know what? looked like the person was filming near my spot! I think it was one of the jokers who were blocking me! The guy is singing in Hindi if I am not mistaken.

The next act was my fave =) Teada from Ireland! They got the crowd jumping and thoroughly entertained. Was a shame that it ended so fast. I loved their accents. There was one bloke who spoke and I had no clue what the heck he was saying~ Bring on the Scots now! =D

I think this is Teada-can't really recognise them from the distance of the pic.(have a funny feeling it's the Sabah group though!) - they had a flutist (the old guy looks like Bruce Willis!), a fiddler(on the stage), a button accordian player,a guitarist and a bodhrán player. LOVED IT! Go check out their MySpace page. I can't find any of their performance from the festival, but there are loads of other performances of theirs on youtube.



Anyway when the whole show began, there was this dude who was rather impolite..he said something mean to Lula, and proceeded to sit about 2 meters in FRONT of us with his girlfriend. He was smoking like his tee pee was burgled and he had to send an emergency smoke signal to all the tribes every 10 minutes. Gosh think my risk of lung cancer has increased a hundred fold. *coughs*

FAT ASS BLOCKING OUR VIEW! UGH He kinda ruined our good mood. Lula I think you were more pissed at him than I was. But I feel ya chica. Es un gordito tonto!

Next group was a French-Canadian group called - Galant, Tu Perds Ton Temps (Loverboy, you're wasting your time). They comprised of all ladies cept an old tapper. They were so-so. Didn't help they came right after the Irish lads..hard act to follow I suppose. Anyway they sang songs that liberated the women-folk. It sounded kinda rough, if I knew French then I'd understand it fully. They actually made music from their voices..something like a cross between yodelling and scatting (Sorry I don't know how else to explain it!)

Short clip of them from youtube:


Next was a local group called Diplomats of Drum. They seem to have a fan base as there were fans yelling their heads off for them. They mostly play the drums - very Bhangra ..and then there was..Param the Piper! lol that was a sight. He should've worn a kilt~



The final act of the night was a Croatian band called Kries. We watched a little of them and left (we didn't want to get caught up in the jam). They sounded really good. The lead said they were singing a shepherd song, it sounded like they fused their traditional music with rock..interesting. I wont lie..the lead singer kinda scares me.



Anyway, after fat ass kinda ruined our night, there were 3 guys who stood in front of us and started dancing..we didn't disapprove hah! Lula was liking one of them but I told her to forget it..they seemed to be enjoying company of their own kind..if you get my drift =) (darn!)

much better than seeing fat rump anyday!

In a nutshell, I had an enjoyable night, thank God they were complimentary tickets.. if not I'd feel it was wasted just watching 3 butts the whole night =p Thanks for the company, Lula. abrazos!