Now in its sixth year, Latitude’s tagline is ‘more than just a music festival’, and you only have to cast a fleeting glance over the map and line-up to be assured that this is correct. The sublime rubs shoulders with the ridiculous at this charming, artsy, craftsy, family festival. We spent our days wandering around the picturesque river-side site, cooing over multi-coloured sheep, partaking in a community knitting project, watching the Sadler’s Wells performances with awe-inspiring envy, chilling out (and enjoying cocktails served by waiters – waiters, at a festival!) in the Giant Robot restaurant, and sheltering from the rain in the poetry and literature tents.

But despite its reputation as a family-friendly festival, Latitude still packs a punch when it comes to mainstream music (with, in my humble opinion, only Glastonbury to rival it’s line-up this year). New York indie quintet The National, Paisley singer-songwriter Paolo Nutini and Britpop founders Suede all headlined the three-day fest and other highlights for my festival co-pilot and I included FELA! Caribou, Bright Eyes, Grouplove, Foals, The Waterboys, Iron and Wine, Seasick Steve, CW Stoneking and of course – Songlines favourites Bellowhead and Raghu Dixit.

And there’s certainly no shortage of late-night activities for those intent on making the most of the summer nights. We enjoyed the melancholic, bittersweet sounds of DJs Feeling Gloomy in the In the Woods area and boogied into the early hours to Ska Cubano’s funky beats in the Film & Music Arena.

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This year’s event also sees a world music stage – sponsored by Songlines – entertaining visitors with music at the London show. On February 3, editor-in-chief Simon Broughton will give a talk on world music festivals at 6pm followed by live music from Ska Cubano at 7pm. On February 5, Ethiopia’s Krar Collective will offer the public the chance to play themselves at a workshop at 3.40pm, followed by a live performance at 4.30pm.

Come and see the Songlines team at stand R70.

www.destinationsshow.com

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…The Africa Channel – broadcast on Sky Digital channel 268 and the only TV channel devoted exclusively to African content – launches its Summer of Music in collaboration with Songlines from July 23. There will be coverage of WOMAD festival at Charlton Park available on both the Africa Channel and Songlines websites.

WOMAD this year plays host to such legends as Salif Keita, Horace Andy, Afro Celt Sound System and Gil Scott-Heron alongside hot acts like Staff Benda Bilili, Ska Cubano and Ozomatli. Throughout the weekend, you can catch artist interviews and exclusive live performances by some of the biggest names.

During the WOMAD weekend, the Africa Channel will also be broadcasting one of its live music premiere concerts – Cape Verdean star Mayra Andrade live in her homeland. This is one of a series of feature concerts and documentaries to be broadcast throughout July and August every Sunday and Wednesday night.

Other highlights include live concerts from Caribbean zouk legends Kassav’ on August 1 and Algerian gnawa and reggae fusionists Gnawa Diffusion on August 15. Watch out for more live world music in the months to come on the Africa Channel.

www.theafricachannel.co.uk

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The Top of the World CD includes tracks from Ango-Cuban collective Ska Cubano; Senegalese rappers Daara J Family; Portuguese fadista Ana Moura; Serbian preservers of the Sephardic sound Shira u’tfila; East Timorese musical figurehead Ego Lemos and new pan-European collaborative project UNITE, among others.

The main editorial features include:

• Ladysmith Black Mambazo – From Graceland to worldwide recognition, we chart the group’s incredible success story.

• Thandiswa Mazwai – Taking her rightful place amongst South Africa’s female singing elite.

• Fresh Talent – Four other young SA names to look out for.

• Songlines Guide to South African Music – From kwaito to isicathamiya, our guide to the Rainbow Nation’s wealth of musical styles.

• Making a Compilation – A compiler’s journey – from concept to album release.

• Ego Lemos – The eco-singer who’s putting South-East Asia’s East Timor on the musical map.

• Shira u’tfila – The Serbian group intent on keeping Sephardic music traditions alive.

• Sounding Out Melbourne – all the best places to see and hear music in the Australian city.

• Beginner’s Guide to Tom Zé.

• Postcard from Santiago de Cuba.

• Roskilde Festival, Denmark.

• Backpage from New Zealand.

• My World – novelist and screenplay writer William Boyd.

• Grooves – Ghanaian highlife singer AB Crentsil, flamenco guitarist Pepe Habichuela and Salsa Celtica’s Toby Shippey share their favourites.

• News, including Dispatches USA from the new Museum of Musical Instruments.

• Reviews of the latest CD, DVD and World Cinema releases.

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The July 2010 issue of Songlines – on sale June 11 – features a free covermount CD packed full of the best new sounds from around the world, plus 5 tracks selected by novelist and screenplay writer William Boyd.

The covermount CD includes tracks from Ango-Cuban collective Ska Cubano; Senegalese rappers Daara J Family; Portuguese fadista Ana Moura; Serbian preservers of the Sephardic sound Shira u’tfila; East Timorese musical figurehead Ego Lemos and new pan-European collaborative project UNITE, among others.

Pick up your copy here on the website, at selected WHSmith’s and at all good record retailers. Feast your ears on these all-new tracks:

* Ska Cubano ‘La Gaita Sabrosa’ on Casino Sounds

* Daara J Family ‘Temps Boy’ on Wrasse Records

* Ana Moura ‘Leva-me aos Fados’ on World Village

* Shira u’tfila ‘Khasapikos’ on Fréa Records

* Mikea ‘Nagnaia Reliny’ on Contre-Jour

* Nuru Kane ‘Number One Bus’ on Iris Music

* Primás Parade ‘Kalotaszegi Szapora’ on Folk Európa

* Ego Lemos ‘Balibo’ on Skinnyfish Music/Dramatico

* UNITE feat the Perunika Trio ‘Hey You Shepherd’ on Mule Satellite Records

* Hosam Hayek ‘Stranger in my Homeland’ on Doublemoon

Plus William Boyd’s playlist:

* Seu Jorge ‘Carolina’ on Mr Bongo

* Cheikh Lô ‘Boul di Tagale’ on World Circuit

* Jorge Drexler ‘Elotro Engranarle’ on Warner

* Elis Regina ‘Casa No Campo’ on Universal

* Femi Kuti ‘Sorry Sorry’ on Barclay

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