WOMAD New Zealand 2019 launched at parliament this evening with 20 new acts announced

WOMAD New Zealand announce the diverse line-up and exciting site changes at the festival launch tonight.
Held in an esteemed event at The Grand Hall in Wellington’s Parliament Buildings, surrounded by international delegates and WOMAD advocates.

“One of the WOMAD 2019 acts announced last month, the multi-national music collective the Silkroad Ensemble described its artistic process in the following words; “When we create music together we listen to our differences, connecting and creating meaning from them” – nothing for me sums up WOMAD better than that.” – Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern

WOMAD 2018
Photo credit: Charlotte Curd
Festival Tickets are on sale now

The internationally established three day world music, arts and dance festival WOMAD is all about artist discovery and the 2019 festival once again features an array of artists from all corners of the globe.

Artists from countries as varied as Benin, Belgium, Ireland, Wales, Mexico and Greece are all invited to Aotearoa next March to share their cultures, identities and heritage and to tell ancient, joyous and powerful tales via a mixture of traditional and modern performances. From upbeat Afropsychedelic party vibes to quiet moments of reflection and meditation featuring cellos, bagpipes and voices, WOMAD is a dizzying cocktail of exhilarating experiences for all.

Once again set in the stunning 55-acre Brooklands Park and the TSB Bowl of Brooklands, amongst the trees and the lake, and under the watch of the mighty mount Taranaki WOMAD New Zealand 2019 will see the festival celebrate its 15th anniversary New Plymouth, 15-17 March 2019.

With over 20 local and international artists announced tonight, WOMAD New Zealand is excited to be able to deliver the discoverable and eclectic line up so far…

Joining the early and engaging international line-up announce of Angelique Kidjo (Benin) and Silkroad Ensemble (Various) is: Amjad Ali Khan (India), Baloji (DR Congo/ Belguim), BCUC – Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness (South Africa), Dona Onete (Brazil), Jamie Smith’s Mabon (Wales), La Dame Blanche (Cuba), Las Cafeteras (Mexico), Maalem Hamid El Kasri (Morocco), Maarja Nuut (Estonia), My Baby (Netherlands), Rebetien (Greece), Sharon Shannon Band (Ireland) and Taiwu Childrens Ancient Ballads Troupe (Taiwan).

Keeping things fresh, the festival are highlighting our home grown talent with a top heavy, off the bat local announce. Joining the already announced Teeks (Aotearoa) are: Charlotte Johansen (Aotearoa), Finn Andrews (Aotearoa / United Kingdom), KORA (Aotearoa), Nadia Reid (Aotearoa), Niko Ne Zna (Aotearoa), Ria Hall (Aotearoa) and The Black Seeds (Aotearoa).
 
Tonight WOMAD  announced a refreshed and revamped Kunming area with a dedicated World Of Words stage to meet the popular demand of the programme.

“The World of Words for 2019 has been re-located to the beautiful setting of the Kunming Garden area. This will allow for a revitalisation of this area alongside an upmarket bar serving craft beers, fine wines and gin cocktails. Due to the popularity of the World of Words programme we have extended the programming to include late night slots. Festival goers can enjoy the relaxed beauty of the Kunming area whilst listening to top notch authors, presenters and comedians.”
– Suzanne Porter – Chief Executive at TAFT

Exclusive to New Zealand, The World Of Words artists revealed tonight are:
Dominic Tourettes Hoey (Aotearoa), Elizabeth Smither (Aotearoa), Marama Mullen (Aotearoa), Marcus Thomas and Neil Silverwood (Aotearoa), Michael Donaldson (Aotearoa), Michele A’Court (Aotearoa), Nick Bollinger (Aotearoa), Penny Ashton (Aotearoa), Pip Adam (Aotearoa) and Sonya Renee Taylor (Aotearoa).

Another artist announce is scheduled for late November 2018.

Pack a smile, WOMAD New Zealand is happening 15-17 March 2019.

MEET YOUR 2019 ARTISTS

MEET YOUR 2019 WORLD OF WORDS ARTISTS

2019 FESTIVAL ARTISTS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

Amjad Ali Khan (India), Angelique Kidjo (Benin), Baloji (DR Congo/ Belguim), BCUC – Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness (South Africa), Charlotte Johansen (Aotearoa), Dominic Tourettes Hoey (World Of Words), Dona Onete (Brazil),  Elizabeth Smither (World Of Words), Finn Andrews (Aotearoa / United Kingdom), Jamie Smith’s Mabon (Wales), KORA (Aotearoa), La Dame Blanche (Cuba), Las Cafeteras (Mexico), Maalem Hamid El Kasri (Morocco), Maarja Nuut (*), Marama Mullen (World Of Words), Marcus Thomas and Neil Silverwood (World Of Words), Michael Donaldson (World Of Words), Michele A’Court (World Of Words), My Baby, Nadia Reid (Aotearoa), Nick Bollinger (World Of Words), Niko Ne Zna, (Aotearoa), Penny Ashton (World Of Words), Pip Adam (World Of Words), Rebetien (Greece), Ria Hall (Aotearoa), Sharon Shannon Band (Ireland), Silkroad Ensemble (Various), Sonya Renee Taylor (World Of Words), Taiwu Childrens Ancient Ballads Troupe (Taiwan), Teeks (Aotearoa), The Black Seeds (Aotearoa).

WOMAD 2018
Photo credit: Amandala

WOMAD New Zealand 2019 

WOMAD New Zealand – the world’s festival, is a three day festival of world music, arts and dance, known for its exciting, diverse and discoverable line-up. Now is in its 15th year WOMAD New Zealand is being held once again in the stunning TSB Bowl of Brooklands, Pukekura Park, New Plymouth.

The festival won the best “Best National Event of the Year” at the 2017 New Zealand Event Awards and still on a high from the 2018 festival which was dubbed “one of the best yet”, WOMAD New Zealand 2019 is already promising to be a very special weekend.

WOMAD Event Director and NZ Programme Manager, Emere Wano says, “Our goal is to sprinkle the landscape with experiences that exist beyond our own. Our hope is that everyone will discover something new, something that moves them and we can’t wait to deliver and celebrate another diverse and exciting festival in Taranaki”. 

Over the years, WOMAD New Zealand, has rightfully gained a reputation as one of the most beautiful outdoor festivals in the world. The main stage is set at the base of a natural amphitheatre and not only provides a stunning setting, but an acoustic experience second to none. The other three stages are located throughout Brooklands Park, with every square inch oozing the vibrancy of WOMAD.

Praise for the 2018 festival:  

“People chatted under shade, tucked into a dizzying array of food, danced in nooks and crannies, or took in spoken word performances on a stage surrounded by trees. Smiles seemed to be mandatory.”  – Chris Schulz, New Zealand Herald 

“The place reverberated under the mighty watch of Mount Taranaki with the kind of passion that only comes from the sheer celebration of diversity.”   – Rosie Morrison, The Spinoff  

“…most acts put on repeat performances over the weekend allowing you the chance to customise an itinerary that would rival an around the world music trip.” – Rosie Morrison, The Spinoff 

“There aren’t too many places you can sit on the grass and watch international music while surrounded by trees, birds, and water.”  Stephanie Mitchell – stuff.co.nz 

The maximum capacity for WOMAD New Zealand is 15,000 ticket holders per day so you’ll never feel like you are in a mosh pit, in fact bring a blanket and enjoy refreshments in stylish chill out areas, watch a cooking demonstration or explore the stalls and workshops. The kids will be entertained at Kidzone with workshops especially for them spread over the weekend. There are plenty of things on site to discover, come along and soak up the warmth of the WOMAD vibe.

The WOMAD New Zealand campsite is situated next to the festival within the New Plymouth Racecourse and TSB Stadium. The festival site is also located a short distance from New Plymouth’s centre, if you book early you could even get a motel or hotel or house close enough to walk.

Keep up-to-date with everything:

www.womad.co.nz 
www.facebook.com/WomadNZ 
www.twitter.com/WomadNZ 
www.instagram.com/womadnz 
www.youtube.com/channel/WOMADNZ 
https://open.spotify.com/user/womadnz 

#WOMADNZ