Reggae icon Ziggy Marley, electronic music legends Orbital, and Domino records-signed singer and guitarist Anna Calvi have today been announced for WOMAD festival. The festival takes place in Charlton Park near Malmesbury in Wiltshire, 25-28 July 2019.
Notting Hill Carnival favourites Channel One Sound System, the Portico Quartet-affiliated Szun Waves are among other highlights at this most essential of music festivals - a festival put on by Peter Gabriel, in order to shine a spotlight on music from a diverse array of countries as a gesture of global peace and harmony.
Emphasising the importance of WOMAD in 2019 - a time of liberal policies being upturned in the West by political leaders - Peter Gabriel says:
“WOMAD, our world music festival, was established with the specific intent of featuring all the richness and magic of our cultural differences. Meanwhile, across the globe we're watching cynical politicians growing powerful on a diet of fear and hate.
"The world is more divided than ever and there’s never been a better reason for people to bring all the barriers down, to relax and connect through music, art and dance. Every year at WOMAD it is our differences, our diversity, that become the reason we want to be together. Long Live WOMAD!”
Elsewhere on the bill, London-based funk legends Cymande, the sweet sounds of France/Congo's Tshegue - who were a true, visceral delight at The Great Escape 2018 - and Ukraine folk powerhouse DakhaBrakha are truly special.
Ultimately, the line-up is expertly curated and shows the bookers have travelled tirelessly to spot some of the most talented live acts on the planet. WOMAD shines a light on acts that aren't all getting press coverage here in the UK. Acts, though, that will possibly end up become punters' favourites for years to come.
And of course the big names bring an element of familiarity that's good in creating late night party atmosphere. Who doesn’t want to be there hearing ‘Welcome To Jamrock’ at the main stage?
The WOMAD 2019 line-up so far is below. Tickets are available on the icon at the top of the page.
Ziggy Marley / Orbital / Anna Calvi / Salif Keita / Cymande / Tshegue / Brushy One String / Delgres / Petite Noir / Les Filles de Illighadad / Dhafer Youssef / Nadine Shah / DakhaBrakha / Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino / Liniker e os Carmelows / Ustad Saami / Meute / A Change is Gonna Come / Soothsayers / Orquesta Akokan / Channel One Sound System / Saint Sister / Kraftwerk re:werk with the Paraorchestra / BaBa Zula / Kokoroko / Vaudou Game / Jungle by Night / Nimba / Victoria Hanna / Hejira / Château Rouge / Soham De / Maija Kauhanen / Rura / Maysa Daw / Szun Waves / Kim So Ra / Vula Viel / Macha y el Bloque Depreseivo / Marja Mortensson / Lindigo / The Lemon Bucket Orkestra / Fofoulah / Gili Yalo / Madalisto Band / Malawurr
