Hugh Masekela, Jimmy Cliff, and more for 30th WOMAD celebrations

including Manganiyar Seduction, Mama Rosin, & NZShapeShifter

By Scott Williams | Published: Fri 20th Apr 2012

WOMAD 2012 - Jimmy Cliff
Photo credit: Karen Williams

WOMAD 2012

Friday 27th to Sunday 29th July 2012
Charlton Park, Upper Minety, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England MAP
£135 for three days
Daily capacity: 40,000

South Africa's musical godfather Hugh Masekela, and reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, lead the latest names celebrating the 30th Anniversary edition of WOMAD - World of Music, Arts and Dance held at Charlton Park, near Malmesbury, in Wiltshire.

Jimmy Cliff
Also confirmed as a WOMAD exclusive is The Manganiyar Seduction by Roysten Abel a 40+-strong gathering of Muslim singers and musicians from Rajasthan who appear in boxes framed by strings of lightbulbs which light up whenever they are playing or singing. The squares are stacked four storeys high, creating an extraordinary sight, especially as the music builds and more performers contribute, meaning more pods are illuminated, sure to be one of WOMAD 2012's most memorable moments..

Also confirmed are French classic soul singer Ben l'Oncle Soul, Switzerland's Mama Rosin, Donegal's Balkan Alien Sound, the UK debut of Kimmo Pohjonen and DakhaBrakha, and Japanese songstress Marewrew .

For clubbers there's Secousse DJs featuring Etienne Tron and Mo Laudi, live drum & bass, breakbeat and dub from NZShapeShifter, and from Africa comes stars of 'Jupiter's Dance' Congo's Jupiter Okwess International, Ballet Nimba, and Lions Of Africa a troupe of dancers (and accompanying musicians) from West Africa.

Hailing from North America are acoustic blues veteran Keb' Mo', and Toronto's folk chamber masters The Wilderness of Manitoba.

WOMAD will be celebrating it's 30th anniversary at the picturesque site from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th July 2012, with early entry available on Thursday.

The full list of acts previously announced is Alaev Family, Ane Brun, Boubacar Traore, Buena Vista Social Club, Dizraeli and the Small Gods, Grupo Fantasma, Lo'Jo, Joe Driscoll & Seckou Kouyate, Narasirato, Peatbog Faeries, Raghu Dixit, Robert Plant's new project Sensational Space Shifters, Spiro, Terem Quartet, and Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra.

A weekend ticket - which are valid from the Friday until Sunday are priced at £135 (Thursday arrivals will also need a Thursday camping ticket costing £25).

WOMAD will also be offering a family friendly 4 monthly payment plan so that WOMAD festival goers can spread their total payments over a longer period of time.

Other ticket prices & options available will include:
Teenage Weekend Ticket (aged 14-17) - £70
Early Bird Disabled Weekend Ticket - £135
A campervan ticket is priced at £40

WOMAD Park and Camp tickets have all gone and Meadow Park & Camp are disappearing fast.

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 a ticket holding parent or guardian over the age of 21. One ticket holding parent or guardian can only accompany up to 4 people under the age of 18. Thursday tickets do not need to be purchased for children aged 13 and under.

To buy tickets, click here.


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