A Grammy winner is among the line-up for this year's Womad Festival.
The four-day world music extravaganza held down the road from Swindon has just announced the first batch of artists signed up to appear and it includes Angelique Kidjo, fresh from her win at the Grammy Awards last month, who returns to the festival to perform her re-imagination of Talking Heads’ Remain In Light.
Acts from nations across the globe are on the list with some travelling from South Korea, Gambia and Australia.
Award-winning wordsmith Kate Tempest will make her festival debut, as will psychedelic rock band The Flaming Lips from Oklahoma. British ska band The Selecter are also on the bill.
Festival Director Chris Smith said: “Womad has always been a beacon of positivity and joy in the world – a place where people can come and unreservedly be themselves without fear of judgement.
“We are proud to welcome artists, performers, traders and festival-goers from all over the world to come together and enjoy a wonderful weekend of music. This year’s line-up is our most exciting and diverse yet and the stories behind some of the artists are just astonishing.”
Alongside the music offerings will be a variety of hands on experiences with workshops including dance and Taste the World cooking lessons. There is even a spa.
There will also be debates and discussions being held at the brand new How-To tent as well as a World of Children tent for the younger festivalgoers.
Taking place at the Charlton Park estate just outside Malmesbury, the event spans four days from July 23 to July 26 and will feature a variety of genres including spoken word, R&B and jazz.
Tier one tickets are sold out and the next tier is on sale now. Tickets are priced at £225 for the four days.
To book tickets to this years festival go to womad.co.uk
The full line-up:
Angelique Kidjo
Fatoumata Diawara
Kate Tempest
The Flaming Lips
Marzia
RAM
Les Amazones d'Afrique
Fantastic Negrito
The Selecter
A Certain Ratio
SEED Ensemble
Ásegeir
Mokoomba
Sahra Halgan
Kefaya
Ak Dan Gwang Chil
Alla Leake Percussion
The Alostmen
B.Dance
Bab l'Bluz
Barmer Boys
Cimafunk
Dublin Calling All-Star Band, featuring Steo Wall, Padraig Jack, and Morrissey & Marshall
Dizraeli
Dud Tassa and the Kuwaitis
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Gypsy Hill
Johanna Juhola Reaktori
Fajardo
Joseph Tawadros
King Kong Company
King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys
Lazy Habits
The Mauskovic Dance Band
Mesadorm
Minyo Crusaders
Nihloxica
Sahba Motallebi
Son Rompe Pera
Sona Jobarteh
Too Many T's
Vassvik
Wovoka Gentle
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