Seven new acts added to WOMAD New Zealand 2019

Photo by Amandala

WOMAD New Zealand has revealed seven new acts to join the exciting and diverse 2019 festival lineup.

Already a festival favourite - South London duo The Correspondents will take the WOMAD audience on a journey through a multitude of genres from jazz and blues to the nether regions of electro and drumʼnʼbass. Joining the international line up are The Original Gypsies featuring key founding members of the celebrated ‘80s group. Plus, performing across the weekend is the German DJ, singer, musician and producer Shantel & Bucovina Club Orkestar, and Sona Jobarteh - the first professional female virtuoso of the Kora, a pioneer in a male-dominated, 700-year-old hereditary tradition.

Putting the D into WOMAD in 2019 will be the late Janis Claxons' award-winning contemporary dance company performing “POP-UP DUETS (fragments of love)".

And... all the way from Aotearoa, the supergroup Congress of Animals - a collective of renowned kiwi songwriters and solo artists, tracing lineage to many of NZ’s most loved bands are making a welcome festival appearance as is "NZ's queen of drum and bass", homegrown Taranaki talent MC Tali.

The internationally established three-day world music, arts and dance festival WOMAD is all about artist discovery and the 2019 festival once again features an array of artists from all corners of the globe.

Artists from countries as varied as Benin, Belgium, Ireland, Wales, Mexico and Greece are all invited to Aotearoa next March to share their cultures, identities and heritage and to tell ancient, joyous and powerful tales via a mixture of traditional and modern performances. From upbeat Afropsychedelic party vibes to quiet moments of reflection and meditation. Featuring cellos, bagpipes and voices, WOMAD is a dizzying cocktail of exhilarating experiences for all.

Once again set in the stunning 55-acre Brooklands Park and the TSB Bowl of Brooklands, amongst the trees and the lake, and under the watch of the mighty mount Taranaki WOMAD New Zealand 2019 will see the festival celebrate its 15th anniversary New Plymouth, 15-17 March 2019.

The site artist this year and putting the D(ance) into WOMAD is Janis Claxons' award-winning contemporary dance company performing “POP-UP DUETS (fragments of love)".

The World of Words stage for 2019 has been relocated to the beautiful setting of the Kunming Garden area. Exclusive to New Zealand, The World Of Words artists for 2019 are: Dominic Tourettes Hoey (Aotearoa), Elizabeth Smither (Aotearoa), Marama Mullen (Aotearoa), Marcus Thomas and Neil Silverwood (Aotearoa), Michael Donaldson (Aotearoa), Michele A'Court (Aotearoa), Nick Bollinger (Aotearoa), Penny Ashton (Aotearoa), Pip Adam (Aotearoa) and Sonya Renee Taylor (Aotearoa). The new site will allow for a revitalisation of this area alongside an upmarket bar serving craft beers, fine wines and gin cocktails. Due to the popularity of the World of Words programme we have extended the programming to include late night slots. Festival-goers can now enjoy the relaxed beauty of the Kunming area whilst listening to top-notch authors, presenters and comedians.

WOMAD

March 15 - 17: Bowl Of Brooklands, New Plymouth

Tickets via WOMAD

The engaging international line-up is: Angelique Kidjo (Benin), Amjad Ali Khan Rebetien (India), BCUC - Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness (South Africa), Baloji (DR Congo/ Belguim), Dona Onete (Brazil), Jamie Smith's Mabon (Wales), Las Cafeteras (Mexico), La Dame Blanche (Cuba), Maarja Nuut & Ruum (Estonia), My Baby (Netherlands), Maalem Hamid El Kasri (Morocco), Rebetien (Greece), Sharon Shannon Band (Ireland), Shantel & Bucovina Club Orkestra (Germany), Silkroad Ensemble (Various), Sona Jobarteh (Gambia), Taiwu Ancient Ballads Troupe (Taiwan), The Correspondents (The U.K) and The Original Gypsies (France).

Highlighting our homegrown talent is Charlotte Johansen, (Aotearoa), Congress Of Animals (Aotearoa), Finn Andrews, (Aotearoa / United Kingdom), KORA (Aotearoa), MC Tali (Aotearoa), Niko Ne Zna (Aotearoa), Nadia Reid (Aotearoa), Ria Hall (Aotearoa), Teeks (Aotearoa) and The Black Seeds (Aotearoa).