Overview
Boasting 55-acres of parkland to get lost in and an amphitheatre where artists perform at the foot of a lake, WOMAD has rightfully earned itself the reputation as one of the most pleasant outdoor festivals in the world— and perhaps the only place where a floating dance floor is a realistic possibility. The 13th edition of the festival will take place from March 17 - 19, 2017 across Brooklands Park and Bowl.
The aim of WOMAD is to celebrate the world's many forms of music, arts and dance. And looking at the first lineup announcement they've managed to capture that vibe perfectly with acts spanning every corner of the globe, from Serbia, Sudan, Poland and beyond.
British ska legends The Specials will headline the 2017 festival. Formed in 1977, the group spearheaded the revival of ska and rocksteady with an iconic punk attitude and lyrical substance floating over political and social issues.
They will be joined by Brazilian musician Bebel Gilberto who performs a style of laidback bossa nova, French-Chilean musician Ana Tijoux, Vietnam's Hanoi Masters who use half-forgotten traditional instruments, New Orleans brass group Hot 8 Brass Band, Malian Wassoulou musician Oumou Sangare and India's Sudha Ragunathan. Local acts include the likes of Mt Eden, Lord Echo, Rob Ruha.
WOMAD 2017 LINEUP
9Bach (Wales)
Ana Tijoux (Chile)
Archie Roach (Australia)
Aziza Brahim (Western Sahara)
Bebel Gilberto (Brazil)
Brushy one string (Jamaica)
Emir Kusturica & the No Smoking Orchestra (Serbia)
Hanoi Masters (Vietnam)
Hot 8 Brass Band (USA)
Inna Modja (Mali)
La Mambanegra (Colombia)
Lord Echo
Mercedes Peón (Spain)
Mt Eden
Oumou Sangare (Mali)
Rob Ruha
Sinkane (Sudan/USA)
Sons Of Zion
The East Pointers (Canada)
The Soil (South Africa)
The Specials (UK)
The Swan Sisters
Sudha Ragunathan (India)
Swamp Thing
Warsaw Village Band (Poland)
For more information, visit: www.womad.co.nz