Not long till NEW ZEALAND'S LARGEST WORLD PARTY!

Gather your friends and family together and head to one of the world's most stunning venues for a three-day celebration of music and global culture.

... And Groove will be there - DJ's Groovmiester, P-Huny and the Coffeebar kid will be on the ground reporting with Live Crosses to the Studio, and featuring tunes and artist interviews all WOMAD Weekend.

It's really about exciting music discoveries but there are some big names (Arrested development, Tim Finn, Kimbra, Moana and the Tribe etc). The full music lineup is here with artist Bio's and audio. We actually think it's the most entertaining lineup there's been for years! Grab the stage schedule or complete info booklet here to help you decide who to see when on the weekend.

The atmospheric site of the Womad sign reflecting off the
Lagoon by the Bowl stage.

This year there was a Band competition with the public voting on the website for the final spot to play at Womad, the winner being The Balkanistas, a 26 piece – yes 26-piece band, from Wellington.

There will also be a Cinema under the trees featuring short films and Len Lye movies!

And a little history ....


WOMAD was founded in 1980 by Peter Gabriel, Thomas Brooman, Bob Hooton, Stephen Pritchard, Martin Elbourne and Jonathan Arthur.

The first WOMAD festival was in Shepton Mallet, UK in 1982. The audience saw Peter Gabriel, Don Cherry, The Beat, Drummers of Burundi, Echo and The Bunnymen, Imrat Khan, Prince Nico M' barga, Simple Minds, Suns of Arqa and Ekome amongst others performing. Since 1982 WOMAD Festivals has travelled all over the world, bringing artists to numerous locations and entertaining over one million people.
WOMAD New Zealand 2013 is the ninth WOMAD to be held at the stunning New Plymouth site in Taranaki. Prior to shifting to New Plymouth WOMAD NZ occured twice in Auckland.

Ethos From the outset, the WOMAD name has reflected the festival’s idea; to be embracing but non-definitive, inspiring and outward looking; and more than anything, enthusiastic about a world that has no boundaries in its ability to communicate through music and movement.
WOMAD has always presented music that they felt to be of excellence, passion and individuality, regardless of musical genre or geographical origin. WOMAD encourages collaboration amongst the artists they invite to perform.

Adult workshops are taken by the musicians and will involve dance, musical instruments and discussions. Children's workshops involve painting, circus skills, graffiti, modelling, story telling and more.

Taste The World Musicians cook a choice of dish from their home country in front of an audience. Global Market. The Global Market sells international food and wares.

WOMAD in the UK takes place in the grounds of Charlton Park, a stately home in Wiltshire. The arena holds at least 8 stages with a further one in the Arboretum. An old fashioned steam fair, global market, children's area, wellbeing section is also found on the WOMAD UK festival site.

WOMAD happens in:

WOMADelaide, Adelaide, South Australia. WOMAD New Zealand, Taranaki, New Zealand. WOMAD Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi. UAE WOMAD Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain. WOMAD Sicily, Sicily, Italy. WOMAD Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.

For the whole gamat of information go to http://www.womad.co.nz/

How's your festival going?

Charles Bradley - James Caberet Friday 21 February 2014
Dean and I went a long to see this man - wow! I'm not sure if I was impressed with the act or the jumpsuits - or both - Here's my review: Coffeebar kid's Rip it up magazine review

Madeleine Peroux - Michael Fowler Centre - Sunday 23 February 2014
Ange and I got a chance to catch this show - what a chanteuse! Shame the sound man was asleep: 
The kid's Rip it up magazine review of Madeleine

Looking forward to:

Brel: The Words and Music of Jaques Brel - Friday 28 February 2014

Cabaret noir comes to the James Cabaret as Kiwi rock stars Jon Toogood and Julia Deans join singers Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Tama Waipara to interpret Jacques Brel’s infamous songbook.
A major influence on modern music, Brel’s dark, sardonic and witty songs have been covered by legends like Leonard Cohen, David Bowie and Nina Simone. Directed by Michael Hurst and featuring a stellar band led by Leon Radojkovic, Brel will move you with its raw emotion and musical power.

 Power Plant 28 Feb – 16 Mar

Step into an enchanting night time world of light and sound at the Botanic Garden, as five artists transform one of Wellington’s most beautiful locations.
More than a walk in the park, this spectacular array of installations has entranced audiences young and old the world over with its “sudden bursts of firefly radiance” (The Guardian). Electric flowers whirr, insects of light buzz and propane-powered Pyrophones belch flames into the sky in an unforgettable feast for the senses. Open your eyes, open your ears and prepare to be amazed.
Important information

• Please wear comfortable shoes. There are steep hills and steps on the walk.
• We recommend you do not bring buggies or strollers as the track is not suitable in parts.
• Return Cable Car tickets are available for $6 when you book your Power Plant tickets.
• Parking is very limited; please arrange to be dropped off or use public transport if possible.

My Stories Your Emails - 8 Mar – 15 Mar

LOOK OUT For the interview with Ursula coming soon on Groovefm

“My Stories Your Emails is a consistently hilarious exploration of the gap between her idea of herself and those projected on to her. The show feels like a reclamation.”

Fame, obsession and censorship in the brave new world of social media are examined in this hilarious and thought-provoking solo show.

Based on Ursula Martinez’s own experience of internet infamy and combining spoken word and character comedy, My Stories, Your Emails is about being judged – by ourselves and the world at large. Discover the ordinary and extraordinary characters in Martinez’s life and inbox in this “cunning exploration of identity, intimacy and fantasy” (The Age).
This event is being intepreted in New Zealand Sign Language on Friday 14 March, 8.00pm
Directed by Mark Whitelaw

This week on the Adventures of the CoffeeBar Kid

We take on The International Festival of The Arts with an interview with Yo La Tengo and music from some of the featured artists.  Plus that Paul Moon interview we promised.  See you at 7.30 on www.groovefm.co.nz .

Check out the festival programme at the link above.

.

Thursday night on the Adventures of the CoffeeBar Kid

Welcome to Thursday Night.  The Kid is back with interviews with Jon Toogood and author/historian Paul Moon.  We also dig into a box of new music from http://www.rattlerecords.net/

Read down for more:

NERVE
The Jac
Formed in late 2010, The Jac started out as a rehearsal band for students and tutors at the NZSM jazz school in Wellington, transcribing and performing charts by New York and San Francisco composers. Before long they began writing and performing their own music, and Nerve is the result, a suite of intelligent, dynamic compositions for jazz octet.

PERIPHERAL HEARING
Brad Dutz Quartet
Oboe and cello are rarely associated with jazz, a form that allows relatively more freedom than is usually found within classical forms. Consequently, no other group sounds quite like the Brad Dutz Quartet, which over four albums has created a body of music that is challenging, at times difficult, but always fun. Peripheral Hearing is no exception, a richly rewarding album of 21st-century music. 

 

 

The Voyagers: Remarkable European Explorations of New Zealand

Paul Moon

In The Voyagers, Paul Moon tells dramatic stories of Europeans discovering and exploring New Zealand during the first half of the 1800s. Ocean adventures, cross-country trekking, imperial and spiritual conquests, first contacts with Maori, artists seeking the 'sublime', scientific discovery and commercial pursuits all intertwine to form a fascinating portrait of a land undergoing immense change.

 Jules Dumont d'Urville, Samuel Marsden, Ferdinand von Hochstetter and Charles Heaphy complement an array of lesser known but no less intrepid explorers - soldiers and sailors, travellers and settlers, missionaries, artists and officials - all of whom ventured from their homelands in search of new horizons.

 The Voyagers is a perceptive and absorbing account of nineteenth-century exploration, and of the very human characters who helped put New Zealand on the map.

Brel: The Words and Music of Jaques Brel

Cabaret noir comes to the James Cabaret as Kiwi rock stars Jon Toogood and Julia Deans join singers Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Tama Waipara to interpret Jacques Brel’s infamous songbook.

http://festival.co.nz/brel/

Happy Waitangi Day

There will be no Adventures of the CoffeeBar Kid this Waitangi Day - but the Kid will be back next week.  In the Meantime enjoy new Zealand's special day.  If you're Wellington then check this out:

Te Rā o Waitangi / Waitangi Day Celebrations

6 February 2014, 11am to late
Te Raukura (the Wharewaka), Wellington waterfront

Celebrate Waitangi Day on the waterfront with a day of music, film, dance, craft and great kai.

Resize

Join the Council and the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust on the waterfront to honour Te Rā o Waitangi.
Soak up the evocative sounds of Whiri Tū Akā, a five-strong wahine Māori a capella group who make music that is traditional in its inspiration and has its roots in Aotearoa.
Also hitting the stage are Pacific reggae pioneers Herbs, playing some of Aotearoa's most beloved songs.
Chocolate Box - consisting of the very talented DJ Ayesha, Vanessa Stacey and Lisa Tomlins - are coming together to bring you a fabulous mash-up of vinyl, soul, funk and hip-hop sound.
There will be plenty of beautiful craft stalls to peruse and loads of hands-on activities for the kids.
Starting at 6.30pm, Films by Starlight presents Whale Rider (rated PG) on the big screen in Odlins Plaza.

Not in Wellington - then check out events in your area - go to http://www.events.nz.com/festivals-lifestyle/?specialdate=1&year=2014

International Festival o the Arts Writer's Week - Wellington from 7-12 March 2014

Writers' Week welcomes a host of storytellers, visionaries and thinkers from around the world and across Aotearoa to Wellington from 7-12 March 2014.
Some of the biggest names in books will converge in the coolest little capital for six days of talks, panel sessions, workshops and special events.

Tonite is the big launch. The CoffeeBar Kid will be in straight after to let you know all the info for this year's writer's week so tune in from 7.30 PM. See you then.


http://festival.co.nz/writers-week/

Thursday Night on the adventures of the CoffeeBar Kid

Thursday night - Reggae - We play a show of reggae in honour of Rotorua's Raggamuffin Festival.  See the entry below.   See you from 7.30, Yah Mon!

THOUSANDS EXPECTED FOR RAGGAMUFFIN 2014 THIS WEEKEND

Friday 31 January & Saturday 1 February 2014 Rotorua International Stadium

Featuring:

•DAMIAN MARLEY
•SHAGGY
•MORGAN HERITAGE
•GROUNDATION
•REBEL SOULJAHZ
•COMMON KINGS
•TIKI TAANE (ft OPTIMUS GRYME)

THOUSANDS of reggae fans will be heading to Rotorua this Friday for Raggamuffin 2014 to catch acts including reggae megastars Shaggy and Damian Marley.

The full two-day schedule for the festival has been released showcasing 17 artists including nine international acts and 12 top DJs performing this weekend at Rotorua International Stadium.

Raggamuffin 2014 kicks off on Friday at 4.40pm with Soljah followed by Tiki Taane (featuring Optimus Gryme), Ardijah and Rebel Souljahz ahead of Shaggy.

The music on Saturday starts from 11.45am with Strangely Arousing and ends with a two-hour set by Damian Marley and the Ghetto Youths International artists.

Along with headliners Damian Marley (youngest son of legend Bob Marley) and Shaggy, the festival also features international acts Groundation, Rebel Souljahz, Morgan Heritage and Common Kings along with three stars from the Marley brothers’ Ghetto Youths International record label, Christopher Ellis, Black Am I and Wayne Marshall.

Lorde Wins two Grammys: For Best Pop Solo Performance and Song of the Year!

Updated 6.58PM:  Scrub what we told you earlier!  Lorde has just scooped two awards at this year's Grammy awards! 

At only 17 years it's an amazing feat and a dream come true for many musicians.  The Auckland School girl won Song of the Year for Royals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday night and the award for Best Solo Pop Performance.  Ironically Royals challenges the Pop stereotype but this is no cat calling the kettle a  Candy Coloured Pop icon.  In fact from what we've seen so far Ella actually was the perfect understated Kiwi just humble, a little shy, down to earth and laid back.  In other words she was herself and that is amazing, in itself.  But what's really amazing is the journey from a backroom studio to releasing a song for free online to winning a Grammy (There's a great article in Rolling Stone below, that ells you more).  In short: incredible.  Many Kiwis will take pride in her win because she too is a Kiwi - but remember, she did this by herself. So much Aroha and respect Ella - You deserve it!

Ella, unfortunately missed out on Best Pop Vocal Album award for Heroine, which was apparently what she was hoping for.  That went to Bruno Mars for Unorthodox Jukebox.  She also missed on er other nomination Record of the Year Award, which went to Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams for their song Get Lucky. They got Ella's award (Best Album with Random Access Memories)

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis scooped Best New Artist and Best Rap Album. They performed their song, Same Love, as 34 same-sex and heterosexual couples got married on stage.  Wow - now that's sticking it to white, bible-bashing America - I have new respect!

The two remaining Beatles, Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, made a rare joint appearance which coincides with their 50th anniversary of the Beatles breakthrough on American television.

Check out the links here : accepting for Song of the Year and here: earlier video footage - accepting Grammy for Pop Solo

Rolling Stone Magazine :
How Lorde Broke All the Rules: The story behind the rise of pop's most unlikely new superstar

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/how-lorde-broke-all-the-rules-inside-rolling-stones-new-issue-20140115#ixzz2rZqvpMhW

From Earlier today -

Lorde wins Grammy for Best Pop Solo  Performance

17-year-old, whose real name is Ella Yelich-O'Connor, has taken the music world by storm and her single Royals became a No 1 hit around the world last year.

She beat nominees Brave by Sara Bareilles; "When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars"; Katy Perry's "Roar"; and "Mirrors" by Justin Timberlake on Sunday night (local time).

She's quoted as saying "This is the one thing that I did not expect the most about tonight - so, thank you so much. I think mostly to Bruno, to Sara, to Katy, to Justin - I have been so inspired by all of your vocal work at some point in my life, so thank you."

Amazing well done, Ella

Tonite on the Adventures of The Coffee Bar Kid - 7.30 PM

Tonite we review the Big Day Out (Last Friday), look ahead to WOMAD in March and check out new music. See you right here at 7.30 tonite.

Groove At the Big Day Out

So far Portugal the Man has impressed.  It's a slightly windy 22 degrees at Western Springs.  The stages are both open and intimate depending on the acts, so whether the wind affects is hard to say at this stage.  Opening act Prowler barely had their kit set up when they finished but the played with guston.  Villany added a level of angst required befor the mellower Beastwars took the stage over at the Tui end (mellow - Not) Gwaaaah.

I won't be the first to say that this old event felt brand new.  Compared to the concrete jungle of Mount Smart Western Springs' grassy plains and undulating knolls had a relaxing festive atmosphere about them.  CSS's LoveFoxxx told me several times how "cool" it was to gig down on the "Water-eee Stage" (The Lakeside Stage). This one in particular was cool.  As the temp moved towards the mid 20's it was welcome relief to walk through the "rain forest" (an overhead canopy of ferns with a secret water mist). Those in search of adventure could have a crack at the "Undead Wall", a zombie adventure space, or go down Lipton Tea's blow up helter-skelter tower.  I did miss the paintball, fairground rides, skate show and zip-line of previous years. 

Musically, this one ticked all the boxes for me.  Whilst Blur could not attend, their replacements more than made up for it.  Beady Eye's Chris Sharrock found it ironic that they'd subbed in, recalling the old fake rivalry of the 90's.  Their sludgy rock set was a mostly mix of stuff from the BE album and Oasis' back catalogue.  Old schoolers from the 90's very happy. Swedish garage-men The Hives were the most fun on stage. Pelle Alnquist was an awesome reincarnate-blend of Jerry Lee Lewis showmanship and ringmaster antics.  Towards the end of the set he coiled the whole crowd down, spring like in anticipation of their climactic, crashing finale'. Pure, unadulterated theatre.
Much more and photo's...

The Big Day Out 2014

The CoffeeBar Kid will be on Site - blogging and posing on Facebook - all the action, all the photos of  all the cool stuff.  So make sure you join him and also listen to www.groovefm.co.nz this Thursday for a round up show!

Link to the facebook page is:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/5182849869/

http://www.bigdayout.com/