Widely regarded as the best-fest-yet, Fest’Napuan2007, in its twelfth edition, has delivered possibly the biggest and most professional production in Vanuatu’s 27-year modern history. Saralana Stage was bursting at the seams on each of the four days. In particular, Friday and Saturday nights saw the venue at full capacity for several hours.
With more tailored support this year from the biggest major sponsors: Unelco, TVL, and Air Vanuatu; the organisers were able to focus on delivering a more polished event. For the first time ever, in cooperation with TVL, Capitol FM107 broadcast the event live on the internet.
The Australian High Commission and the Cooperation Regionale de Nouvelle-Caledonie gave significant support which allowed the organisers to bring in a variety of international artists. The Black Seeds (NZ/Aotearoa), Inka Marka (Aust.), the Whitehouse (Aust.), Unique Family (Solomons) and Just Friends (N.C.) all contributed to an exciting line-up.
Joining them were many of Vanuatu’s brightest musical characters – both past and present. KRK and the Mix House opened the proceedings on Friday night and surprised the throngs of arriving people by inviting the grandfather of contemporary Vanuatu music, Henry Toka of Tropic Tempo, on to perform with them. There was a poignant felicity and a sense of coming full circle in the way he was able to join them on stage and give such a spirited and professional performance. Beeman was next with his high-energy outfit Aimos Groove and their rich vocals crooning at the growing crowd as the sun set over the harbour.
The always memorable Vanlal delivered another thoughtful performance. With a show featuring traditional dance, costume, and language, there is no lack of energy and entertainment; regardless, Vanlal spiced up their show with some pointed socio-political critique.
Zaddock and the Tunes Zions, from the JP Simon School of Voice, kept the crowd entertained as the clock ticked into the wee hours of Saturday morning, before Nauten blew the roof off Saralana Stage. It was a truly memorable Fest’Napuan Friday and it set the scene for Saturday.
Saturday evening was dominated by the twin-towers of Vanuatu music from Tongoa and Tanna: Diomega and Naio. Once again, these two bands set the standard for the other groups to follow. Both groups leveraged on their connections with the Sunshiners and it was clear to all that the international experience has helped our homegrown artists to develop their stage presence and performance. Fest’Napuan veterans S’lov and Krosrod played to a full house of admiring fans and debutants Black Ghetto and Apocalypse impressed many with their on-stage energy and enthusiasm.
This year’s Kastom Ekonomi theme was taken up by many of the bands. As usual, Nauten and Vanlal had their traditional dance troupes. Both these groups sing in vernacular languages and incorporate traditional rhythms and melodies into their songs.
Kalja Riddim Klan also took up the theme incorporating traditional rhythms and instruments into their performance. There were moments when it was unclear whether it was Tropic Tempo and “Voes Blong Ol Bubu” or KRK and “Long Taem Bifo”.
The inclusion of Wan Smolbag Yut Senta and the Inter-Youth Agency into the organising committee, and the production of the “second-stage” proved to be extremely worthwhile. In fact, at times, the popularity of the second-stage threatened to overwhelm the primary stage. As the festival’s culture reflects and refracts the shifting plates of Vanuatu society, the bulging adolescent population seemed to find their own place – on the edge, not of society, but the edge of the second stage. They swarmed through, surrounding the stage and once the dancers finished they dispersed again, politely, and appeared to vanish into the crowd.
Once again, the organisers would like to send a very big thankyou to all the sponsors, the musicians and performers, and the public for making Fest’Napuan 2007 the best-fest-yet.
