WOMAD has delivered its first artist announcement with Angelique Kidjo, Silkroad Ensemble and Aotearoa's own TEEKS all setting the stage for the 2019 festival.

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 15th year WOMAD New Zealand is being held once again in the stunning TSB Bowl of Brooklands, Pukekura Park, New Plymouth.

Still on a high from the 2018 festival which was dubbed "one of the best yet", today WOMAD New Zealand announced three stellar artists to perform in 2019.

Grammy Award-winning Angelique Kidjo is a Beninese singer-songwriter, actress and activist. The "Africa's premier diva" will perform tracks from her 2018 release Remain In Light - a celebration of the genius of Talking Heads.

The Silkroad Ensemble is a collective of virtuoso musicians from over 20 countries. The performers take time off from their roles in the world’s best orchestras and as pre-eminent academics at some of the leading music schools across the globe to tour with the supergroup.Their repertoire includes popular jazz; traditional Vietnamese, Chinese and Kazakh music; Finnish folk song; Jugalbandi and much more.

From Aotearoa, WOMAD New Zealand are ecstatic to present the young soul-sensation TEEKS. "The 23-year-old Maori soul singer who performs with the poise and grace of someone who has woken up every single day of his life and eaten a combination of Motown and Frank Sinatra records for breakfast." - New Zealand Herald

All three artists are set to become festival favourites and WOMAD New Zealand 2019 is already promising to be a very special weekend.

WOMAD Event Director and NZ Programme Manager, Emere Wano says, "Our goal is to sprinkle the landscape with experiences that exist beyond our own. Our hope is that everyone will discover something new, something that moves them and we can't wait to deliver and celebrate another diverse and exciting festival in Taranaki".

WOMAD New Zealand 2019 will see the festival celebrate its 15th anniversary in the stunning 55-acre Brooklands Park and the TSB Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth, 15-17 March 2019. The festival won the best ‘Best National Event of the Year’ at the 2017 New Zealand Event Awards.

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 three stages are located throughout Brooklands Park, with every square inch oozing the vibrancy of WOMAD.

The maximum capacity for WOMAD New Zealand is 15,000 ticket holders per day so you’ll never feel like you are in a mosh pit – in fact bring a blanket and enjoy refreshments in stylish chill out areas, watch a cooking demonstration or explore the stalls and workshops. The kids will be entertained at Kidzone with workshops 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 centre, if you book early you could even get a motel or hotel or house close enough to walk.

WOMAD

March 15 - 17: Bowl Of Brooklands, New Plymouth

Tickets via WOMAD

MEET YOUR 2019 ARTISTS

Angelique Kidjo (Benin)

In 1980 Talking Heads’ Remain in Light album, heavily influenced by the music of West Africa, caught the attention of a young Angelique Kidjo in Paris. Hearing it again years later sparked the idea of a full circle deconstruction that seemed only natural. Using Afrobeat horns and percussion, and infusing the lyrics with new meaning, Grammy Award-winning Angelique brings her stunning twist on a classic album to WOMAD in New Zealand.

Silkroad Ensemble (Various)

Founded by superstar cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Silkroad Ensemble is a Grammy Award-winning collective of musicians and composers from more than 20 countries. Their music is a vibrant odyssey-scale celebration of world music and the beauty of converging cultures and instruments – from tabla to bagpipes, shakuhachi to strings… a Silkroad performance is nothing short of exhilarating!

Teeks (Aotearoa)

Having found his voice at an early age, 23 year old Teeks is a young artist with a big future. Steeped in old-school soul and yet glimmering with golden moments that capture the strength of youth, Teek’s velvety voice and boldly honest lyrics have already attracted a legion of devotees, as well as a milkshake named in his honour. Prepare to be mesmerised by New Zealand’s up and coming soul sensation.