Peterson brought his mix of sounds to Singapore last weekend, with the inaugural edition of the Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Festival.

After kicking off on the Friday at Zouk with a rambunctious set, the business part of the festival began on Saturday at Odeon Towers, with stages in three locations for the audience to pick and choose.
The music at Loof consisted mainly of chillout and jazzy numbers. Thai duo Katsue laid down some jazz and samba influenced tracks to help set the stage for the evening.

The DJs at what will be the Supperclub, just below Loof, had a heavier sound, led by Singaporean duo Dubwise and followed by Britain-based Simbad. The minimalist space, free of furnishings, allowed the performers to create deep soundscapes. Innovative, unpredictable tracks by Cut Chemist finished off the evening.

But some of the best grooves of the evening were in the basement carpark. The crowd there was treated by some heart thumping tracks by Xhin, German DJs Trickski, Ame and house prodigy DJ Karizma.

On a scorching Sunday, the festival moved on to Fort Canning

The Energy Tent lived up to its name, with performers and sets that featured some adrenaline-pumping numbers, with outstanding sets from Dubwise, Stereotyp Vs Al Haca, Aldrin, Diplo, and German DJs M.A.N.D.Y.

On the main stage, Japanese DJ Toshio Matsuura was one of the highlights of the day with his incisive, inventive track work, followed by local percussion troupe Wicked Aura Batucada, who let loose with samba rhythms that got the crowd on its feet.

Peterson himself introduced the headline act, the Kruder & Dorfmeister Experience, the Austrian duo famed for their downbeat sound.

They together with two emcees set out a series of tunes with deep basslines and bossa nova and reggae grooves. The hosts even invited the audience to go on stage.

Nonetheless, the duo did put an exclamation mark on the festival's offerings as the showcased a diverse repertoire of infectious beats.

To round up the evening, Peterson himself took over the stage and played his trademark series of eclectic tunes.

The festival delivered on its promise of a wide selection of music from around the region as well as internationally.

WWF Singapore partner Kinemat said that the attendance for the festival was around 12,500. It is hoping to make Singapore a permanent stop for the Worldwide Festival in Asia.

With a few more outings of the festival, Peterson may just ascend to music divinity in the region as well.

Worldwide Festival Singapore 2008
Event Review, The Straits Times Life
Tuesday, May 20 2008