WOMAD 2008 kicks off in style (+ photos)

A stirring set from gospel-soul singer Mavis Staples hightlighted WOMAD's opening night, with Neil Finn set to fill the void left by an ailing Cesaria Evora. Photo / Getty Images

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Musicians from as far away as West Africa and Wellington kicked off the WOMAD 2008 festival last night at New Plymouth's Brooklands Park and TSB Bowl.

Early evening performances highlighted the contrasting musical styles, with Russia's The Terem Quartet interpreting classical compositions aided by a giant double bass balalaika, while on another stage, Wellington's Age Pryor & the Suspicions delivered a soft set of graceful pop harmonies.

With their blend of European folk and contemporary indie pop, Zach Condon's Beirut was the first big draw-card of the evening. They held the audience's attention with their visual antics as the band members constantly swapped brass and reed instruments to generate a mini orchestral feel.

Other performers last night included The Phoenix Foundation, Malian kora player Toumani Diabate's Symmetric Orchestra, and local blues legend Midge Marsden, whose band included former Chicago Smoke Shop guitarist Darren Watson.

The highlight of the evening was a stirring set from gospel/soul singer Mavis Staples, beginning with a gospel-tinged swamp-blues version of Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" and the gospel standard "Wade in the Water" before drifting into her historic soul hits "Respect Yourself" and "I'll Take You There".

For her encore, Staples was joined onstage by Sharon Jones from soul revivalists Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, who are scheduled to play this evening and late Sunday night. Also appearing at the festival this weekend are The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra, SJD, Kora, Israel's David D'Or and USA hip hop star Nickodemus.

Cesaria Evora, also known as 'The Barefoot Diva', was booked to perform this weekend, but she suffered a stroke earlier in the week. Neil Finn has stepped in to fill one of her timeslots with a solo performance. The three day festival finishes late Sunday night.