WOMAD Festival: Interview with Steve Satan Radio WOMAD’s Station Manager focussing on WOMAD 2009 and tips for 2010.

How many years has radio WOMAD been running?
2

What’s your role at radio WOMAD and how did you end up in that role?
I’m the station manager there, responsible for organising all aspects of the radio station.  I’ve been involved in running small radio stations for years, and I put a proposal to WOMAD which they accepted.

What’s your most memorable interview for WOMAD radio?
It was nice to grab Peter Gabriel this year, although that’s not one I did myself.

What was the highlight of WOMAD 2009 for you?
Definitely the live sessions. Neneh Cherry and her band Cirkus played just for us at Radio WOMAD, and Che Sudaka were amazing too. Its win-win; the performers love it and it makes great radio.

What are you looking forward to the most next year?
Stevie Wonder. It’s a rumour spread by me and it’s completely without foundation, but I live in hope.

Do you attend any of the other worldwide WOMAD festivals?
No, and it’s clearly an oversight on the part of WOMAD management. They desperately need a radio station in Gran Canaria and Adelaide, and I could probably be persuaded.

What makes WOMAD so different from all the other festivals out there?
From a behind-the-scenes perspective, there’s a very relaxed atmosphere and yet things get done efficiently.  The crew catering is excellent too.

Did you camp at WOMAD? What tent did you use, what was your set up like?
The Radio WOMAD crew all camped together, and I have an old ambulance which I sleep in.  A few others brought camper vans too.

What music would you recommend to bring back the festival feeling in these colder days?
Elbow.

What bands do you recommend our readers keep an eye on for 2010?
John and Edward, preferably through the telescopic sight of a rifle.

What makes your Perfect Pitch at a festival?
A radio, a pint, news of a recent celebrity death…

Finally any tips for campers at WOMAD?
The one essential, I think, is a good pair of wellies.

Earlybird tickets for next July's WOMAD Charlton Park Festival are now on sale - numbers are limited and the offer ends on December 16th, so buy early if you don't want to miss out on this £110 offer- the standard price of £125 per weekend ticket will apply thereafter.