WOMAD, 2019
Photo credit: Matthew Clode
WOMAD New Zealand is famous for showcasing top artists from around the world and Aotearoa. The 2020 festival is no exception and will feature close to 100 hours of music, dance and voices across eight stages. Over three days Ng?motu’s stunning
To whet the appetite ahead of the full 2020 festival announce on Tuesday, 15th October, WOMAD New Zealand is thrilled to share two of the international artists performing and the first two World Of Words artists for the 16th year anniversary of the festival.
“WOMAD NZ is one of my favourite WOMAD experiences. I especially love the chance to celebrate the Maori culture with others”.- Seckou Keita
“We’re so looking forward to making our NZ debut as a duo at WOMAD NZ. WOMAD is a glorious celebration of global music and this trip has been on our bucket list for some time! Can’t wait!” – Catrin Finch
WOMAD New Zealand is also elated to announce two new additions to the festival for 2020.
Being hosted on a brand new stage in the tranquil setting of the Pinetum is WOMAD New Zealand’s first-ever STEAM Lab. Come and hear speakers from Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics fields talk about incredible breakthroughs and their journey of innovation.
BOOK CLUB
Introducing WOMAD New Zealand’s inaugural Book Club. The book chosen for the 2020 festival is We Can Make A Life by Chessie Henry. Book Club aims to bring people together to express their perspectives and explore the themes within the book while getting insights from Chessie herself.
WOMAD New Zealand remains a place to bring artists together from all over the globe to break down barriers, educate, inform and inspire. Come and lose yourself in the sights, sounds, and tastes that blend together to make up the vibrant WOMAD experience!
Photo credit: Andy Jackson
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 16th year, WOMAD New Zealand is being held once again in the stunning TSB Bowl of Brooklands, Pukekura Park, New Plymouth.
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 seven stages are located throughout Brooklands Park, with every square inch oozing the vibrancy of WOMAD.
“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 capacity for WOMAD New Zealand is kept purposely comfortable so that you’ll never feel like you’re in a mosh pit. Bring a blanket and enjoy refreshments in the chill-out areas, watch a cooking demonstration or explore the stalls and workshops. The kids will be entertained at Kidzone with workshops made 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 city centre. If you book early enough, you could get a motel, hotel or house close enough to walk!
Keep up-to-date with everything WOMAD New Zealand:
www.womad.co.nz
www.facebook.com/WomadNZ
www.twitter.com/WomadNZ
www.instagram.com/womadnz
www.youtube.com/channel/
https://open.spotify.com/user/
WOMAD ARTISTS
(Wales/Senegal)
This mesmerising duo has been hailed as the “most popular world music act of the decade.” Together Welsh harpist Catrin Finch (Official Harpist to the Prince of Wales from 2000 to 2004!) and Senegalese kora player Seckou Keita create a musical marriage of culture that is breathtaking. Their multi award-winning-sound is a joyous, ethereal, and hypnotic homage to their country’s diverse cultures. The result is something so extraordinary it can only be described as magic. Their collaborative album SOAR wins ‘Best Fusion’ Album in the Songlines Music Awards 2019.
The Blind Boys of Alabama are living legends of gospel music. Their uplifting and soulful repertoire includes everything from collaborations with Stevie Wonder, Lou Reed, and WOMAD’s Peter Gabriel, to some of the world’s favourite traditional gospel tunes. During their remarkable 75-year career this Grammy Award-winning group has gone from being part of the soundtrack to the Civil Rights movement, to performing in the White House for three different Presidents.
WORLD OF WORDS ARTISTS
Selina Tusitala Marsh is a wild-haired and powerful poet known throughout the globe for her vivid and stirring work. As the New Zealand Poet Laureate Selina spread her fiery passion far and wide, composing and performing poetry for the Queen, as well as Barack Obama. In 2019 this extraordinary Pasifika poet and scholar was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to poetry, literature and the Pacific community.
Te Radar maybe New Zealand’s worst television gardener, but he is one of our country’s most beloved comedians. This natural-born raconteur is blessed with a talent for talking, a passion for sustainability and history, and an ever-growing list of awards. With his easy-going personality and his outrageously quick wit, Te Radar’s critically acclaimed blend of comedy will leave WOMAD audiences in stitches.
Photo credit: Gareth Shute
Photo credit: McKenzie Jennings-Gruar
