WOMAD NZ is thrilled to unveil two captivating additions to its 2024 lineup. Joining the ranks of 29 extraordinary musical acts, WOMAD NZ proudly introduces Aotearoa’s very own Halfqueen, a boundary-pushing DJ renowned for her expertise in global club sounds infused with nostalgia and joy. In addition, Naarm/Melbourne-based award-winning singer-songwriter and multi-disciplinary artist Mo’Ju brings their unique talent and visceral brand of storytelling to WOMAD NZ.
These two Australasian acts join an already stellar lineup that spans from the maunga of Aotearoa to the heart of Zambia. With artists representing diverse musical traditions and cultural backgrounds, the 2024 edition of WOMAD NZ is set to be one of the most impressive in its storied history.
“We are incredibly excited to announce Halfqueen and Mo’Ju as part of the WOMAD NZ 2024 lineup,” says Josie Hunter-Annand, Associate Programme Director for WOMAD NZ. “Their unique talents and creative energy epitomize the spirit of diversity and innovation that defines WOMAD. We cannot wait to showcase their performances alongside our exciting roster of artists.”
Set under the watchful eye of the picture-perfect Mount Taranaki, the 2024 edition of WOMAD NZ promises to be an unmissable celebration of music, culture, and community.
The WOMAD NZ 2024 stage schedule, including World Of Words and OMV STEAM Lab is now available at womad.co.nz. The adored artist workshops at the welcoming Te Paepae stage, and the highly anticipated Taste The World schedules are still to be announced.
For three days in March, the award-winning Brooklands Park and the TSB Bowl of Brooklands, Ngāmotu/ New Plymouth, will be home to this incredible melting pot of musicians, artists, writers, performers and forward-thinking academics.
See your festival favourites perform twice, or schedule your weekend around the exclusive one-off performances across the four main music stages. Visit the Kunming garden, home to World Of Words hosting a mixture of speakers, interviews, book sessions, poetry slams and comedy. Hear from inventors, innovators and visionaries at the top of their fields who are pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo at the OMV STEAM Lab.
Offering something for everyone, WOMAD NZ vows to be an unforgettable event and undeniably the must-attend festival of the season.
The Musicians appearing at WOMAD 2024, in alphabetical order:
Anthonie Tonnon (Aotearoa/NZ) * Arooj Aftab (Pakistan/USA) * Baaba Maal (Senegal) * Bailey Wiley (Aotearoa/NZ) * Braxe + Falcon (France) * DakhaBrakha (Ukraine) * Dubioza Kolektiv (Bosnia & Herzegovina) * Equus (Mongolia/Australia) * Fin Rah Zel (Aotearoa/NZ) * Gilberto Gil (Brazil) * Good Habits (UK) * Halfqueen (Aotearoa/NZ) * Ibibio Sound Machine (UK) * Lady Shaka (UK/Aotearoa/NZ) * Leenalchi (South Korea) Lisa O’Neill & Cormac Begley (Ireland) * Mari Kalkun (Estonia) * Mo’Ju (Australia) * Moonlight Benjamin (Haiti-France) * Morcheeba (UK) * Nitin Sawhney (UK) * Pongo (Angola – Portugal) * Rei (Aotearoa/NZ) * Son Rompe Pera (Mexico) * Strawpeople (Aotearoa/NZ) * Te Kaahu (Aotearoa/NZ) * Tejendra Majumdar & Ambi Subramaniam (India) * Theia (Aotearoa/NZ) * Tio (Vanuatu) * WITCH (Zambia) * Ziggy Marley (Jamaica)
WOMAD NZs OMV STEAM Lab has become a cornerstone of the festival. The 2024 programme will provide a dynamic platform that unites brewers, modern architecture visionaries, professors, mathematicians, designers, and comic illustrators. This interdisciplinary initiative delves into the fascinating intersection of science, technology, engineering, art and math, exploring how these realms intertwine to shape our present and future. The OMV STEAM Lab promises an immersive experience, inviting festival-goers to engage with the forefront of innovation and creativity.
The OMV STEAM Lab speakers appearing at WOMAD 2024, in alphabetical order:
Andrew Jeffs (Marine Biologist at Auckland University) and Pete Gillespie (Founder and Head Brewer at Garage Project) * Bill Morris (Award-winning Documentary Filmmaker, Wildlife Cameraman and Science Journalist) * Jade Kake (General Manager Matakohe Architecture and Urbanism) * Megan Tapsell (Chair of AI Forum NZ) * Michael Hannah (Earth Sciences) * Pedram Hekmati (Mathematician) * Stephen Mushin (Industrial Designer and Comedic Illustrator)
Now in its sixth year, the World of Words programme has become a favourite for many at the annual WOMAD NZ festival. The 2024 edition is set to present one of the most impressive lineups to date. Nestled within the enchanting Kunming Garden, the World of Words programme invites attendees to celebrate the rich tapestry of human expression. Join renowned wordsmiths, linguists, and visionaries as they share their stories, wisdom, and visions of a world painted in the colours of literature.
The World of Words speakers appearing at WOMAD 2024, in alphabetical order:
Caroline Barron (Award-winning Author, Story Coach, Presenter, and Manuscript Maestro) * Dame Gaylene Preston (Trailblazing Writer, Director and Producer) * Helen Lehndorf (Wordsmith And Forager) * Kate Evans (Rockstar Journalist) * Kura Forrester (Actor, Writer, and Comedian) * Dr. Monty Soutar (Teacher, Soldier, Historian, and Novelist) * Nick Bollinger (Writer, Broadcaster, and Critic) * Tom Sainsbury (Actor, Comedian, and Social Media Sorcerer)
WATCH: WOMAD New Zealand 2023 Aftermovie
“Womad leaves you with much more than just three days in the sun. It leaves you with new food, new artists, and sometimes even new genres you never knew you loved” – NZ Herald, 2023
“Summer finally gets a festival worth shouting about”
– The Spinoff, 2023
“I strolled through rivers of teenagers, young adults, families and elderlies, all moving their limbs with rhythm and enjoying the peaceful and spacious event” – Stuff.co.nz, 2023
“It’s really amazing to come to a festival where you are constantly surprised by the diversity of and intensity of music”
– Radio NZ National, 2023
“To fully appreciate the spirit, it is best to spend the three days here in the magical botanic gardens. To experience the WOMAGIC” – 13th Floor, 2023
“WOMAD is still a place for all ages and all people. We still want to hear the stories, sing the songs and fight the battles on behalf of the downtrodden, celebrate music and cultures in all their forms, just as Peter Gabriel envisaged” – Ambient Light, 2023
ABOUT WOMAD THE FESTIVAL
WOMAD: World of Music, Arts and Dance, the internationally established festival, brings together artists from all over the globe. The central aim of the WOMAD festival is to celebrate the world’s many forms of music, arts and dance.
As an organisation, WOMAD now works in many different ways. Still, the missions are always the same – at festivals, performance events, recorded releases, and through educational projects, WOMAD aims to excite, inform, and create awareness of the worth and potential of a multicultural society.
WOMAD NZ is part of a festival family that has seen over three hundred festivals worldwide, with over ten thousand artists performing across six continents to an audience of millions over the past four decades. WOMAD UK has celebrated 40 years, WOMADelaide has celebrated 30 years, and 2024 will see WOMAD NZ celebrate the 21st anniversary of WOMAD NZ at the award-winning Bowl of Brooklands and Brooklands Park in New Plymouth.
First presented in Taranaki in 2003, over its 20 years, WOMAD NZ has presented over 500 acts and 1500 performers from 95 countries. the festival has had 150,000 visitors through its gates and generated over 100 million dollars for the local economy.
The festival’s success could not have occurred without the long-term support of Event Partner TSB whose continuous commitment has strengthened Taranaki’s position as the home of WOMAD.
Support at the local government level is vital to WOMAD NZ. Host City Partner, the New Plymouth District Council, and Regional Partner – Venture Taranaki have been committed to the ongoing support of the event since 2003. Toi Foundation, as Community Partner, has contributed to the event thriving in the region through grant access.
WOMAD NZ is also fortunate to have Programme Partners, Tui Ora, BOON, OMV, Taranaki Offshore Partnership, and several Media Partners and Event Supporters, allowing the festival to present a world-class event to the people of Aotearoa.
Enrich Your Social Feed With WOMAD NZ
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/
#WOMADNZ
For more information, please contact Lucy at The Label:
Lucy Macrae | lucy@thelabel.co.nz | +6421 573 799
