WO-MUD!

A baptism not so much of fire, but of rain, was in store for Womad festival goers who arrived at Charlton Park on Friday.

The relentless, 18 hour, non-stop deluge resulted in an all-pervasive, inescapable sogginess across the Malmesbury site.

Fantastic music from, among others, Mad Professor, Molotov Jukebox, the Correspondents, Swindle, the Mahotella Queens and Orange Blossom kept everyone going.

But by 10pm, when even those of a cheerful disposition were beginning to fade, the rain stopped and De La Soul came on.

The mingling of Daisy Age hip hop positivity with the turn in the weather and the accompanying crowd-wide sense of relief made for a joyous band-audience connection.

In the morning, Saturday’s sunshine seemed all the sweeter for Friday’s down-pour.

Sets from Magnifico and Tiken Jah Fakoly were particular highlights of the day.

The rain returned on Sunday and with it came the mud, but festival-goers seemed determined to have a good time, regardless of the elements.

Highlights included Japanese funk band, Osaka Monaurail, with some impressive synchronised trumpet twirling and sharp suits; Israeli funk nine piece, The Apples; Ghostpoet; a Bangladeshi-Cuban mash-up, with Lokkhi Terra and the Shikor Bangladesh All Stars, and Laura Mvula. But drum and bass junglists Shy FX nailed the party atmosphere in the 10pm slot. 

Now it’s all over - the flags have stopped fluttering, the tents are down, everyone’s gone home.

But Womad has opened a door, showing the breadth of creativity that’s out there. And that knock on effect is here to stay.