WOMAD UK 2016 edition will also be the 10th on the grounds of Charlton Park, that’ why the organisers are already going all out to celebrate the anniversary… You just have to take a glance at the first name announced for the upcoming 34th edition of the event, which will take place the last weekend of July, from the 28th to the 31st.
It’s really hard to keep your enthusiasm down when you read that one of the Festival headliners will be the funk godfather: Mr. George Clinton in person supported by Parliament & Funkadelic. Then, to keep the expectations high, Senegalese icon Baaba Maal (who we met in Bristol few weeks ago) will bring his energetic yela and afrodance to the peaceful Wiltshire’s countryside.
Next to two of the main acts, some other fine names have also been announced. For example, the New Orleans brass bonanza played by Hot 8 Brass Band, which are also going to celebrate their 20th birthday in 2016. And to keep the trumpet blowing, Ibrahim Malouf and his distinctive Middle-Eastern touch will be at WOMAD too.
Another exciting name already revealed is the one of the Colombian upbeat project Sidestepper. They have just released a new album after a five-year hiatus and we have reviewed it few days ago. Also from South America, but this time Southern Brazil, Dom La Nenawill show her tasteful artistry on one of the Festival stages. We’ve recently had the pleasure to have a chat with her and enjoy her London gig too.
We’re still in March, but more acts are already in the line-up. Like the up-and-coming Guinean talent of Moh! Kouyate, London based but West African inspired Afriquoi and Congolese new icon and eclectic artist Baloji.
We’d like to conclude pointing out two more intriguing names. The first one is the heartfelt tribute to the creative spirit of Martyn Bennett performed by theGrit Orchestra. While the second name is the one of Aziza Brahim. The voice of Saharawi people will surely bring her tradition and significant messages to the park next to the tunes of her new release.
If this was just a taster of WOMAD Charlton Park 2016 edition, we can’t wait for the upcoming main courses.
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They invited their fans singing “come see us play”. So we did it and enjoyed every single minute of it. Sidestepper brought their Afro-Colombian groove to WOMAD Festival and it was simply “chevere!” A few minutes later, we witnessed the brilliant 30-year reunion of Songhai – kora king Toumani Diabate with flamenco guitarists…
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