Fat Freddy's Drop out of WOMAD, Secret Garden Party, and Lovebox

Fat Freddy's Drop, the Saturday headliner for world music festival WOMAD have announced they have cancelled all their European appearances including Lovebox, and The Secret Garden Party.

A statement on the band's MySpace page reads: "It is with real regret that Fat Freddys are unable to deliver our July 2009 European tour... it was a decision that has not been taken lightly – will you ever believe us ever again? We hope that our new album Dr Boondigga & The Big BW will alleviate your disappointment and help you keep the faith."

WOMAD's website (here) carries the following announcement, "We are very sad to announce that, due to unforeseen circumstances, Fat Freddy's Drop have had to cancel their performance at WOMAD Charlton Park 2009."

The festival has also revealed that there are still a few more names to be announced for this year's line-up, along with a suitable replacement which will be confirmed shortly.

This year's line-up for the festival, which happens at Charlton Park, near Malmesbury in Wiltshire from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th July, includes Ethiopiques, Solomon Burke joined by his band, Nneka, Dub Colossus, Oumou Sangare, Rokia Traoré, A Filletta, Acetre, Andy White, Ba Cissoko, Besh o droM, The Black Arm Band, Caravan Palace, Darbar Morchang Party, Dhoad Gypsies of Rajasthan, Enkh Jargal, Etran Finatawa, Hindi Zahra, Mad Professor, Mariem Hassan, Portico Quartet, RSD featuring Joe Peng, Spiro, Victor Démé, and Wang Li. For the line-up details, day and stage splits as available please click here.

WOMAD is aimed at the whole family, and allows all children aged 13 years and under in for free, while promising even more stuff for kids and young people than ever before. 'The World of Kids' will have the usual comprehensive programme of workshops, entertainment and activities being held throughout the weekend culminating in the Children's Parade through the arena.

Tickets are priced as follows:
Adult weekend ticket is priced at £122.34.
Disabled weekend ticket is priced at £122.34 (a free 2nd ticket for assistant or carer).
Weekend SN16 resident ticket is priced at £73.37.
Teenagers (aged 14-17) weekend ticket is priced at £58.70.
All those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Thursday camping ticket is priced at £24.46.
This gives entry to the festival campsite from 8am and the arena from 2pm on Thursday 23 July.
Children 13 and under can come free with each adult ticket holder, but need a free child ticket.
All children must hold their own ticket and must be accompanied by an adult.
Thursday tickets do not need to be purchased for children aged 13 and under.
Campervan ticket £39.13.

To buy tickets, click here.

WOMAD brings together many forms of music, arts and dance from countries and cultures around the world on seven separate stage and workshop areas. The full line-up will feature around 100 artists from 40 countries performing over the festival weekend. There's also a full programme of adult and childrens workshops, a cabaret tent, fun fair, comedy, DJ sessions and live performance in the late night 'CLUB WOMAD', and a huge market of world crafts.

WOMAD's famous Global Village offers a dizzying choice of over 40 types of food from all over the globe and the Real Ale Bar is expected to return.

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