Twenty new artists announced for WOMAD New Zealand 2020
Written by Admin on October 15, 2019
A political Jamaican Reggae icon, an ambassador of African music and a group of seasoned musicians from Aotearoa are just a few of the heavy-hitting performers announced for WOMAD New Zealand 2020 – 13 – 15 March 2020, New Plymouth
WOMAD New Zealand is famous for bringing together artists from all over the globe for a vibrant showcase of the world’s many forms of music, arts, and dance. The 2020 festival is no exception and will feature close to 100 hours of music, dance and voices across eight stages. Over three days Ngāmotu’s stunning
WOMAD New Zealand is very proud to present, for the 16th year anniversary of the festival (in alphabetical order)
Albi & The Wolves (Aotearoa/NZ), Blind Boys of Alabama (USA), Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita (Wales/Senegal), Destyn Maloya (Réunion), Ezra Collective (UK), Hiatus Kaiyote (Australia), Hot Potato Band (Australia), Kim So Ra (South Korea), King Ayisoba (Ghana), L.A.B. (Aotearoa/NZ), Liniker e os Caramelows (Brazil), L Subramaniam (India), Ziggy Marley (Jamaica), Minyo Crusaders (Japan), Muthoni Drummer Queen (Kenya/France), Orquesta Akokán (Cuba), Reb Fountain (Aotearoa/NZ), RURA (Scotland), Salif Keita (Mali), Soaked Oats (Aotearoa/NZ), Trio Da Kali (Mali), Tuuletar (Finland).
Headlining this year’s festival is Ziggy Marley (Jamaica)
The call to stand together in activism through love rings out loud and clear from this eight-time Grammy Award-winning musician and reggae icon. Singer, songwriter, producer, author, humanitarian and visionary, if anybody can encourage change through music, it’s ZiggyMarley. As much as he upholds a family legacy that began with his father, Bob Marley, he’s blazed a trail of his own. His seventh studio album, Rebellion Rises, is a positive and peaceful manifesto for hope and change.
Albi & The Wolves is a soulful, energetic, electric, and uplifting trio. Winners of the Best Folk Artist at the 2018 New Zealand Music Awards, this captivating band pride themselves on pushing the limits of what three musicians can do using only an acoustic guitar, an electric violin, a double bass, and three voices.
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.
Catrin Finch & Sekou Keita (Wales/Senegal) are a 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 won ‘Best Fusion’ Album in the Songlines Music Awards 2019.
Destyn Maloya (Réunion) ia a dynamic band from Réunion who performs Maloyan dance music, the songs of slavery that emerged during hundreds of years of French Colonial rule on the island. Maloya has strong links to Creole culture but also ska, samba and Afrobeat. Destyn Maloya, a popular band for over 20 years, use pounding percussion and passionate harmonies to celebrate and reconnect with their ancestors.
Ezra Collective (UK) have a incredible musicianship and spirited approach to music, drawing on Afrobeat, Latin, hip-hop, grime and more, Ezra Collective has broken out beyond the thriving UK jazz scene. The five-piece are a tour-de-force whose thrilling and unmistakably London sound has already seen them conquer moshpit-filled tours of the UK and USA, perform at Glastonbury and at Quincy Jones’ 85th birthday party.
Hiatus Kaiyote (Australia) is one of the most sampled bands in the world, artists such as Kendrick Lamar and Chance the Rapper are finding inspiration from Hiatus Kaiyote; a beguiling outfit that stretches kaleidoscopic sounds into Grammy-nominated masterpieces. Jazz, soul, funk, fusion, hip hop and electronica are their predominant building blocks but the resultant sonic shapes blur the edges and defy the pigeonhole.
L.A.B. (Aotearoa) was founded by the legendary Kora brothers Brad and Stu, L.A.B. has quickly become one of the hottest acts on the New Zealand live circuit. Packed with smooth grooves and reggae beats, L.A.B has been voted New Zealand’s Best Live Act, while their first two albums have been so well received, they’ve stayed on the NZ charts since they were released.
And much more….
For more info and tickets visit: www.womad.co.nz
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.
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!