The world’s festival, WOMAD, will be welcoming an eclectic mix of talent, from legends to unknowns spanning every genre, to the picturesque landscape of Wiltshire’s Charlton Park from Thursday 25 to Sunday 28 July 2024.
WOMAD have announced that Sicily-born and Jamaica residing singer-producer reggae sensation Alborosie [Italy] will join the 2024 line-up kicking off the festival on Thursday night with his unique sound and positive vibes. Artists announced so far include the highly anticipated WOMAD debut from progressive hip-hop trio Young Fathers [UK]. Their upcoming performance is sure to provide a live commentary to our confused and chaotic times, as is that of Sampa The Great [Zambia], regarded as one of southern Africa’s greatest hip hop heroes, who will be bringing her unique blend of electronica, gospel, neo-soul, jazz and Zamrock for the very first time.
Joining them at the World’s biggest party is festival electronic trailblazer and dance icon Alison Goldfrapp [UK] who will be showcasing her recent debut solo album, The Love Invention, her self-confessed “tribute to the dancefloor.” Musical legends Amadou and Mariam [Mali] who are amongst the world’s finest musical ambassadors with their signature swinging blues will make a timely return this year along with the musical powerhouse Baaba Maal [Senegal], whose commanding vocals and timeless body of work have put him at the top of the Senegalese musical tree.
Also making a triumphant return are legendary gypsy punks Gogol Bordello [USA], who still know how to cause a musical riot with their intoxicating and feverish performances and hip-hop crew DAM [Palestine] who live in the mixed Israeli cities of Lydda and Haifa. Their unique sound explores an array of hard-hitting topics fusing traditional Middle Eastern sounds, the rhythm and intonation of Arabic-language rap and an unmistakeably hip-hop attitude.
Other artists hailing from across the pond are contemporary New Orleans jazz band The 79rs Gang [USA], whose extraordinary reinvention of Mardi Gras frivolity interweaves with vibrant hip-hop and rap and San Francisco’s indie-rock innovators Deerhoof [USA], known for their fabulously frenetic psychedelia will bring their improvised punk noise in full force.
From South America come two Latin Grammy-Award winners; the euphoric sounds of Bala Desejo [Brazil],whose avant-garde approach to their carnival roots will blow audiences away and iLe [Puerto Rico]who originally made her name in alternative hip-hop group and family band Calle 13, she isknown for her varying classical Latin styles, enchanting vocals and steely lyrics pushing her politics in exciting ways.
The Real World label is well represented this summer with Tibet’s legendary musical export Yungchen Lhamo [Tibet], the viola-playing master John Metcalfe [New Zealand], the folk gospel flavoured duo The Breath [Ireland/England]andnew to the spotlight African musical sensation, The Zawose Queens [Tanzania], the daughter and granddaughter of the late great Tanzanian musician and WOMAD legend Hukwe Zawose.
WOMAD has long been a byword for thrilling musical collaborations, at this year’s gathering the first female professional tabla player Anuradha Pal willjoin forces with brothers Kedia Bandhu [India], Qawwali Flamenco [Pakistan/Spain] will fuse Sufi Islamic tradition with magnificent flamenco and the experimental collaboration “41323142” [Tarta Relena, Cocanhaand Los Sara Fontan] [Catalonia/Spain] will enchant with their spellbinding harmonies.
Every WOMAD event is fuelled by the spirit of discovery, by encountering musicians and artists previously unknown and unheard, a list of other artist’s playing are listed below and more will be announced soon.
WOMAD is not just about incredible music; it has an abundance of other activity; the World of Words, celebrates all things spoken; fascinating talks, thought provoking conversation and inspirational authors and the Hip Yak Poetry Shack will have some of the best-spoken word artists in the country. There will be mind-expanding talks, experiments, and performances at the Physics Pavilion; pampering and tranquility at the World of Wellbeing and luxury at the WOMAD Spa, an oasis of calm with wood-fired hot-tubs, and all-day yoga. And some of the weekend’s performers will get the chance to show off their culinary credentials in the legendary and unique Taste the World stage.
On top of that, festivalgoers have the unique opportunity to learn from experts and get involved with a whole array of workshops; from taking dance lessons to picking up a musical instrument from the other side of the globe. And at the World of Children there are more child-friendly activities and workshops than at any other festival, this year’s theme is Superheroes, the culmination of which is the now-legendary Sunday afternoon parade across the festival site. All children 13 years and under are free.
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