Posts Tagged ‘womad festival’
Until next year, WOMAD
Posted on July 31st, 2012 in Recent Posts by Alexandra Petropoulos.
The Songlines team is back in the office after a wonderfully sunny weekend at WOMAD. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our stands to say hello.
We’re already looking forward to next year!
WOMAD Sicily 2012 (July 5-8 2012)
Posted on February 13th, 2012 in Recent Posts by Songlines Intern.
On Thursday February 10 Peter Gabriel formally introduced this year’s WOMAD Sicily festival to the press at the Italina Cultural Institute, London.
Joined by Sicilian musician Roy Paci and members of the Sicilian tourism board, a Q&A session took place on the four-day event that looks sure to be one of the highlights of this year’s festival calendar.
Now in its 15th year on the idyllic unclouded skies of Sicily off the southern tip of Italy, the city of Palermo’s open air Tearo di Verdura will play host to this globally renowned event. Surrounded by a rich tapestry of historic architecture, the festival takes place on an island where cross-cultural integration from both West and East are embedded in its history and ethos.
Now in its 30th year, WOMAD itself continues to expand throughout the world under Peter Gabriel’s watchful eye. Performing there himself in 2004, Gabriel describes Sicily as “a magical place” and is “pleased to re-invite the world to the island.” With sincere adoration shown towards the Italian governmental support for the event, a great working partnership has clearly been established.
Questioned on the future of WOMAD, operations and events director Chris Smith stated his interest in the East, with even Siberia thrown in the mix as a possible future destination! Cooperation between WOMAD, tourism and government is evidently crucial, with Smith commenting, “we will go anywhere if the partnership works.”
So far confirmed acts include The Portico Quartet, Hanggai and Seun Kuti & Egypt 80.
More information about the festival can be found at www.womad.org
Until next year…
Posted on August 1st, 2011 in Recent Posts by Alexandra Petropoulos.
Goodbye WOMAD. We miss you already! Looking forward to next year…
Upcoming WOMAD Performances
Posted on July 28th, 2011 in Recent Posts by Alexandra Petropoulos.
It goes without saying that there is a wealth of great music taking place at WOMAD this year. With a line-up that includes the likes of AfroCubism, CW Stoneking, Taraf de Haidouks, Ana Moura, Danyel Waro, and Ebo Taylor, you can definitely expect to be blown away.
That said, here are just a few of the acts that the Songlines team are really looking forward to seeing.
Bellowhead performing tonight (Thursday)
As the winners of the 2011 Songlines Music Award for Best Group, we will be presenting their award after what is sure to be a kicking performance. Be sure to check them out!
El Tanbura performing Friday
They rocked the crowd recently at the Barbican’s Night in Tahrir Square concert and we’re sure they will rock WOMAD too.
Rua MacMillan performing Friday
Recently featured as a Top of the World album in issue #76, we’re looking forward to hearing the latest album live.
Abigail Washburn & The Village performing Friday
Also a recently Top of the World (issue #74), she will be coming straight from a gig at Cargo in Shoreditch after supporting Nathaniel Rateliff.
Le Trio Joubran performing Saturday
The three oud-playing brothers are featured in the current issue (#78) and were a Top of the World for their latest album in issue #75.
Samuel Yirga performing Saturday
This member of Dub Colossus (recently a Top of the World in issue #77) can really tickle the ivories and we look forward to hearing him as he prepares to release his debut solo album.
Axel Krygier performing Saturday
This crazy Argentinian, recently featured in issue #75, rocked KOKO back in April and is sure to get the crowd grooving at WOMAD.
Aurelio performing Saturday
Aurelio is featured in the current issue (#78) as one of tomorrow’s icons, following in the footsteps of Andy Palacio.
Nomfusi & The Lucky Charms performing Sunday
Featured in this issue’s Making Waves column, these newcomers are bound to make a name for themselves this weekend.
