The first night of WOMADELAIDE 2016, much like its predecessors, has exceeded expectations. Tens of thousands filled Botanic Park in Adelaide to enjoy a night of world class music.
Hazmat Modine kicked things off with some very impressive instrument mastery that flowed its way through Blues, Folk, Fusion and Jazz. And as the crowd built, so did the humidity. But that didn’t stop the sea of punters who had piled their way into the open space in front of Stage 2 for Violent Femmes. It was nostalgia the crowd wanted, at the Femmes delivered in spades.
Shortly afterward Angélique Kidjo took to the Foundation stage to perform a very special set with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, as the same fans who had shaken their tail feathers for the Femmes now swayed in awe of this beautiful and powerful music. As The Cat Empire closed out the evening, all horns blazing, the magical diversity of WOMADELAIDE had once again worked its charms.
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