4 minute read
WONDERLUST
Some might pretend that Wonderfruit festival has turned to a more “commercial” approach than before, given its super-efficient 2023 marketing and ticketing campaign. But what matters most for us here at Latitudes is that it is obviously not the case with the artistic curation, which clearly stays true to its roots and its meaningful selection of acts.
Festival’s head Pete told us more about this aspect of Wonderfruit: “Music is only one part of what we do, we are not just a music festival so we have a little bit of a different approach. For us, music is about exploring, working with the community and maybe challenge them a little bit to do something to relate with something else. Our focus is more on the process of getting people to work together to create some sort of dialog. We play a lot on this relationship we have with our own mind and intersecting that with the way humans interact with nature through all aspects, like design, food and, of course, music. But we don’t look at the line-up just as a line-up...”
Indeed, precisely, and for this year, Latitudes has again deeply investigated the program, at least what we already know of it. Of course, as usual, the discoveries and interesting acts are countless and every day will bring its lot of not-to-be-missed gigs. For instance, Nightwares on Wax on Monday morning at Solar Village, followed by Acid Sisters, is a no-brainer (for those who will still then have a brain, as well as some energy left!)
On Friday evening, Latitudes will be happy to start the ball with the live ethnic/organic House of French artist Jarl Flamar at Theatre Pavillion, a perfect magic door into the hippy chic wonderland. Then, of course, we won’t miss the first appearance of our beloved Chief Editor behind decks in the fields. Yes, Jazzie C is playing this year, close to a Moon he won’t need to fly to, but surely for a groovy take-off.
Then we’ll arrive a bit late to the concert of one of our favorite Thai artists, Rasmee, who will bring the most exquisite of Isan Soul to the Molam village. Hope we’ll find some space on the roof of the emblematic Molam Bus, a tradition for the real Wonderers.
As a huge contrast, one of the most awaited moments of this year will take place not far from there at the futuristic Polygon stage, with the legendary German crossover producer and DJ Henrik Schwartz playing live on the 3 dimensional sound system. The promise: to push the boundaries more than ever before, arguably redefining what it means for an electronic artist to perform “live”.
Most people at Wonderfruit consider, rightly so, the Solar Stage as the place to be at dawn. But on this particular Saturday morning, Neramit will be our Cloud 9 at 6, when Koish hits play to begin one of the most awaited sets in the festival’s history. No pressure, bro!
On Saturday, after a well-deserved rest, during which we will shamefully miss one more time most of the cosmic guidance, soul connections, shamanic healing and cocoa ceremonies, we won’t skip the live performance from Techno one-man band and theremin wizard Mezerg at the Solar Village for sunset.
Then, before letting destiny, synchronicity or serendipity guide our steps for the rest of the journey, we’ll head up towards the new Enfold stage to commune with the pope of minimalism, legendary veteran Terry Riley, a true master of contemporary music, whose work inspired by Jazz, classical and Indian spiritual music all metamorphosed through electronic experiments has long been a reference among modern musicians.
