Today WOMAD festival announces the first artists on its 2020 line up, with emerging talent and established icons from across the globe bringing the world to Charlton Park 23 – 26 July for a weekend of musical discovery, dance, spoken word, food, science and more.
Fresh from her win at the Grammys last month, the legendary Angelique Kidjo makes a triumphant return to Charlton Park with her striking voice, electrifying rhythms and fusion of West African traditions with R&B, funk and jazz. Malian songstress Fatoumata Diawara’s distinctive, energetic and powerful performance will be kicking off the festival on Thursday night, whilst iconic wordsmith Kate Tempest makes her WOMAD debut with her creative diagnosis of the 21st century urban condition which has earned her respect and plaudits galore. Iconic avant-garde rock band The Flaming Lips bring their frenetic labyrinth of psychedelic anthems to WOMAD for the first time whilst Queen of Portuguese fado and all-round superstar Mariza’s stirring sounds will take the audience’s breath away.
Iconic Haitian group RAM will showcase their exuberant, joyous mizik rasin – a mix of percussive Vodou music, rock and funk creating glorious musical storytelling at its finest, their West African and Creole influences shining through. West African all-female supergroup Les Amazones d’Afrique follow on from their outstanding gig at Real World Studios in January with an appearance at the festival in July, a creative force whose vibrant harmonies are a call to arms to the women of the world to unite and rise up against the patriarchy.
Performing at WOMAD for the first time, Fantastic Negrito’s backstory reads like something out of a film; leaving home at 12, hustling his way to a record deal and a horrific car crash that broke all his limbs and left him in a coma – now he is a one-man performing whirlwind who mixes soul, blues and R&B together to tell his story through his music. Two-tone ska band and legends of the genre The Selecter are back and led by the effervescent Pauline Black – and ready to deliver hit after hit.
All hail the long overdue return of post punk/funk Mancunians A Certain Ratio, whose last appearance on a WOMAD stage was in Mersea Island in Essex 35 years ago, whilst Mercury-nominated ten-piece SEED Ensemble combine jazz with inner-city London, West African and Caribbean influenced grooves. On the other end of the musical spectrum comes one of Iceland’s greatest musical exports, Ásegeir’s beautiful indie folk-pop has seen him collaborate with the likes of John Grant.
Stories are at the heart of the music at WOMAD; Zimbabwean fusion group Mokoomba combine modern and traditional instruments with funk, reggae, international pop and pan-African styles to create an incredible, vibrant sound whilst speaking out about the situation back in their homeland. Sahra Halgan Trio is fronted by one of the most prominent singers from self-declared independent state Somaliland, her warm voice articulating the struggles and strife of her compatriots, whilst Elaha Soroor, who will be performing with Kefaya had to flee her native Afghanisatan after speaking out against the government.
The music is just the start of it at WOMAD; as well as incredible musical performances from all four corners of the globe there is so much more to explore; from celebrating the spoken word at the World of Words with author talks, debates and discussions, fusing food and music at the Taste The World stage where artists cook up a storm, being inspired and intrigued at the World of Physics with the brand-new How To Tent, chilling out in style at the World of Wellbeing and even a whole hub of discovery for little ones at the World of Children, there truly is something for everyone.
Festival Director Chris Smith says ‘WOMAD has always been a beacon of positivity and joy in the world – a place where people can come and unreservedly be themselves without fear of judgment. We are proud to welcome artists, performers, traders and festival-goers from all over the world to come together and enjoy a wonderful weekend of music – this year’s line up is our most exciting and diverse yet and the stories behind some of the artists are just astonishing.’
