WOMAD fans the flames of the diverse and
colourful line up with the addition of the progressive, jazz rap trio De La Soul (USA),
electro-gem pioneer St
Germain (France), genre forming duo 숨[suːm], pronounced "soom", (Korea) and the most recorded
person in the world*, Hindi film playback singer, Asha Bhosle (India).
WOMAD NZ Artistic Director, Emere Wano explains the
process of scheduling so many different artists from around the world.
"It is like a big moving jigsaw with the goal to deliver the culturally
richest and most intriguing programme possible. As artists become
available you have to think how they will add to the mix and the programme
balance, which stage setting would they best be experienced on and
how does that fit into the overall picture. Confirmations come
in over a long period of time so we have a number of potential scenarios
based on that goal of maintaining diversity and keeping the air
of discovery for our audience.
"Having De La Soul play WOMAD will no
doubt be one of the highlights of this years festival and to be able
to deliver St Germain
to a New Zealand audience after his long hiatus is an absolute thrill! The
presence of the dynamic 82 year old power house Asha Bhosle is a
long held wish we can finally tick off our list. And then, little known to
most here, 숨[suːm]the Korean sisters who use a
variety of traditional instruments in a new way to create modern Korean folk
music, will be one of the very special discovery artists we have on this year's
line up."
The three-day WOMAD
festival has found its home in the beautiful Brooklands Park and TSB Bowl of
Brooklands. From the moment the gates open, the 55-acre park becomes a magical
wonderland brimming with energy and bursting with colours, flavours, sounds and
smells.
Smaller stages, the Global
Village’s food stalls, craft stores and workshops spaces are dotted around the
venue’s heart – a stunning natural amphitheatre, which provides the main
platform for three days of music and allure.
The park is only a short
and easy stroll from New Plymouth’s centre and if you book early you could even
get a motel or hotel within walking distance. And don’t forget to bring a
blanket, an essential item on the WOMAD NZ checklist that allows
you to kick back and soak in the warmth of the WOMAD vibe.
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