Learn about the WOMAD 2020 artists here. Start planning your festival with our downloadable STAGE SCHEDULES.
Albi & The Wolves push the limits of what three musicians can do using only an acoustic guitar, an electric violin, a double bass, and three voices.
Aotearoa / New Zealand
Gospel legends and winners of five Grammy Awards, these inspirational vocalists have transcended barriers of race and genre to become one of the most acclaimed and celebrated groups in modern music.
USA
After a serendipitous meeting in 2012, a sublimemusical collaboration was born. Classical harpist Finch and griot kora master Keita have since built a formidable reputation for their innovative and mesmerising performances.
Wales / Senegal
This dynamic band has strong links to Creole culture but also ska, samba and Afrobeat.
Réunion
Ezra Collective has broken out beyond the thriving UK jazz scene.The five-piece are a tour-de-forcewhose thrilling and unmistakably London sound.
UK
The Latin Grammy-winning, New York based quintet continues to win the hearts of progressive and traditional mariachi fans alike, thanks to their inventive instrumental arrangements, soaring vocals and boundary-pushing interpretations of the genre.
Mexico / USA
Jazz, soul, funk, fusion, hip hop and electronica are Hiatus Kaiyote's predominant building blocks but the resultant sonic shapes blur the edges and defy the pigeonhole.
Australia
Hot Potato Band began as roving street performers and have since compiled an arsenal of songs inspired by pop, funk, ska and reggae.
Fusing the hypnotic rhythms of ancient Sub-Saharan ceremonies with a storm of electric guitars, bass and computer effects, Ifriqiyya Electrique bring a frenetic energy to the stage.
Maghreb / Europe
The musicians of KermesZ à l’Est hammer out an original fusion of Balkan melodies, metal, math rock, electro and free jazz. Looking like metal heads (sans guitars), intellectual punks and fairy anarchists rolled into one their unique repertoire is enhanced by hilarious stage antics, resulting in supercharged show fizzing with energy.
Belgium
Five albums later, King Ayisoba has won over audiences across the world with his trailblazing mix of drums, rapid-fire melodies, commanding looks and intense, urgent live shows.
Ghana
Packed with smooth grooves and reggae beats, L.A.B. has been voted New Zealand’s Best Live Act.
Over the course of six superb albums, each building on but never repeating what came before it, Laura Marling has become a darling of earthy, modern songwriting
Casting a musical spell on you, Liniker e os Caramelows shakes things up to high-gear Brazilian funk, moving from lush ballads to a reggae bridge, eventually exploding into a majestic African-based Candomblé rhythmic finish.
Brazil
Maestro violinist L Subramaniam long ago transcended any boundaries between Eastern and Western music, creating an experience that is part meditation, part celebration.
India
With her all-female polyphonic vocal group, Fonέs, Satti’s live show is a joyous, choreographed celebration of equality, pride and tolerance –obviously influenced by Greek, Balkan and Middle–Eastern music –but with a modern, urban edge.
Greece / Sudan
Minyo Crusaders’ historical tales of the working class, sung in the traditional way, but with a 10-piece orchestra playing reggae, cumbia and Afrobeat, catches you off guard in the most delightful way.
Japan
With a taste for genre-bending releases, Montell2099’s mantra is simple–surprise his listener on every corner!
Deeply persona land captivating in presence, Odette is one not to miss.
A jaw-dropping 12-piece big band collective and some of the most spirited talents of NYC’s Latin scene, Orquesta Akokán reinvigorates the sound of the golden era of Cuban Mambo with a bold new energy.
Cuba
An immigrant to New Zealand, she sailed into Lyttelton Harbour carrying generations of migrant stories imbued in her bones. Reb Fountain is easily Aotearoa’s best kept songwriting secret.
Inspired by themes of belonging, heritage and a sense of place, RURA’s entrancing instrumentals embrace fiddle, Highland pipes, flute, guitar, keyboards and bodhran.
Scotland
The undisputed Ambassador of African Music and ‘The Golden Voice of Africa’, returns as part of his farewell tour, celebrating 50 years of music and 70 years of life.
Mali
Breathtaking shows like no other, Shapeshifter wow their audiences who recognise a peerless live act that delivers each and every time. As always, the recipe is a delicious cocktail comprised of equal parts dub, electronica, drum and bass, soul and stadium rock.
This indie sludge-pop group have become known for endearing live performances, and their penchant for joyous songwriting.
Eclectic and diverse, the Black Quartet draw on their love and experience of a vast sea of musical influences.
Aotearoa / NZ
Sumptuous vocals, bass ngoni grooves and percussive balafon combine for a truly exquisite experience.
Multi award-winning Troy Kingi distinctive sonic quality and vocal style will have you up and moving
Aotearoa New Zealand
With their fierce energy, fresh beatbox rhythms and other-worldly harmonies, Tuuletar have taken a novel approach to traditional Finnish folk music.
Finland
Is a wild-haired and powerful poet known throughout the globe for her vivid and stirring work.
With his easy-going personality and his outrageously quick wit, Te Radar’s critically acclaimed blend of comedy will leave WOMAD audiences in stitches.
Chessie Henry is the author of We Can Make A Life, a family memoir which was recently awarded the E.H. McCormick prize for General Non-Fiction at the 2019 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. It's also the book chosen for WOMAD's inaugural Book Club.
From bro’Town to Mother Nature, comedic actor David Fane is an unstoppable wave of laugh out loud hilarity.
Biographer Joanne Drayton captures the essence and chronicles the life of many of New Zealand’s most iconic personalities.
Ken Arkind is an American poet, author, performer and educator who has bought his unique blend of talents to Aotearoa.
Mike Chunn is a music legend. Along with Tim Finn and Phil Judd he was a founding member of Split Enz, playing the bass on their first three albums.
In 2010 Miriam Lancewood left her job as a teacher, sold her worldly possessions and lived for seven years with her husband in the wilderness of New Zealand.
Netherlands
New Zealand musician Shayne Carter’s autobiography is frank, moving and often incredibly funny.
Penny Ashton is a fiery-haired powerhouse and a self-confessed show off.
Part of the STEAM Lab line-up, Suranga Nanayakkara is among that rare breed of engineers that has a sense of “humanity” in technology.
As part of the STEAM Lab line-up, Dr Simon P Taylor has contributed towards encouraging an understanding and appreciation of science to youth and the wider community.
As part of the STEAM Lab line-up, Nicoline Y den Breems develops mathematical models to simulate and investigate complex biological systems.
As part of the STEAM Lab line -up, Shayne has been working with the Len Lye Foundation on the design of Len Lye sculptures since 1996. His first project was to built and commission Big Blade (2001) as part of a PhD study in mechanical engineering.
As part of the STEAM Lab line-up...Daniel Burmester will talk about the Renewable energy, carbon footprints and the tiny house movement.
As part of the STEAM Lab line-up...Ian Welch will talk about the The myths and truths around cybersecurity - why online voting will not be getting my vote.
