First Lineup Announced For WOMAD New Zealand 2019 Festival

The first lineup has been announced for the WOMAD New Zealand 2019 festival of world music, arts and dance, celebrating their fifteenth anniversary at New Plymouth's TSB Bowl of Brooklands, Pukekura Park this coming March. Amongst the international and local acts revealed for the three day event are Cuban hip hop / cumbia / dancehall artist La Dame Blanche, Soweto funk-rock masters Bantu Continua Uhuru Conciousness, Democratic Republic of Congo-born dancefloor innovator Baloji, Brazilian Carimbo icon Dona Onete, acclaimed Estonian folk artist Maarja Nuut and internationally celebrated sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan, alongside a heaping helping of local artists including Finn Andrews (Veils), KORA, Nadia Reid and Ria Hall. They'll be joining previously announced acts Beninese singer-songwriter, actress and activist Angelique Kidjo, virtuoso global music collective The Silkroad Ensemble and Aotearoa soul artist Teeks.

The organisers have also announced a special expansion of their War Of Words stage in a revamped Kunming area, with a hefty selection of top tier local wordsmiths set to perform, including Dominic Hoey (Tourettes), Michele A'Court, Nick Bollinger and Pip Adam. There'll be another big WOMAD reveal in November, start exploring 2019's lineup here...

WOMAD New Zealand 2019
Friday 15th March to Sunday 17th March - New Plymouth, TSB Bowl of Brooklands, Pukekura Park

Featuring... Angelique Kidjo (Benin), Silkroad Ensemble (Various), Teeks (Aotearoa), Amjad Ali Khan (India), Baloji (DR Congo/ Belguim), BCUC - Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness (South Africa), Dona Onete (Brazil), Jamie Smith's Mabon (Wales), La Dame Blanche (Cuba), Las Cafeteras (Mexico), Maalem Hamid El Kasri (Morocco), Maarja Nuut (Estonia), My Baby (Netherlands), Rebetien (Greece), Sharon Shannon Band (Ireland), Taiwu Childrens Ancient Ballads Troupe (Taiwan), Charlotte Johansen (Aotearoa), Finn Andrews (Aotearoa / United Kingdom), KORA (Aotearoa), Nadia Reid (Aotearoa), Niko Ne Zna (Aotearoa), Ria Hall (Aotearoa), The Black Seeds (Aotearoa) plus more to be announced

Local artists announced for the War Of Words stage... Dominic Tourettes Hoey, Elizabeth Smither, Marama Mullen, Marcus Thomas and Neil Silverwood, Michael Donaldson, Michele A'Court, Nick Bollinger, Penny Ashton, Pip Adam, Sonya Renee Taylor 

Don't get tricked by the fake ad button in this video for Baloji's dancefloor hit 'Spoiler'...

Experience the haunting video for Maarja Nuut & Ruum's 'Haned kadunud'...

Check out the clip for La Dame Blanche's single 'Esa Noche'...

Watch a live video of Bantu Continua Uhuru Conciousness playing their song 'Yinde indlela'...

Experience Amjad Ali Khan's 'Raga for peace' at the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize Concert...

Press release:

The internationally established three day world music, arts and dance festival WOMAD is all about artist discovery and the 2019 festival once again features an array of artists from all corners of the globe.

Artists from countries as varied as Benin, Belgium, Ireland, Wales, Mexico and Greece are all invited to Aotearoa next March to share their cultures, identities and heritage and to tell ancient, joyous and powerful tales via a mixture of traditional and modern performances. From upbeat Afropsychedelic party vibes to quiet moments of reflection and meditation featuring cellos, bagpipes and voices, WOMAD is a dizzying cocktail of exhilarating experiences for all.

Once again set in the stunning 55-acre Brooklands Park and the TSB Bowl of Brooklands, amongst the trees and the lake, and under the watch of the mighty mount Taranaki WOMAD New Zealand 2019 will see the festival celebrate its 15th anniversary New Plymouth, 15-17 March 2019.

With over 20 local and international artists announced tonight, WOMAD New Zealand is excited to be able to deliver the discoverable and eclectic line up so far...

Joining the early and engaging international line-up announce of Angelique Kidjo (Benin) and Silkroad Ensemble (Various) is: Amjad Ali Khan (India), Baloji (DR Congo/ Belguim), BCUC - Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness (South Africa), Dona Onete (Brazil), Jamie Smith's Mabon (Wales), La Dame Blanche (Cuba), Las Cafeteras (Mexico), Maalem Hamid El Kasri (Morocco), Maarja Nuut (Estonia), My Baby (Netherlands), Rebetien (Greece), Sharon Shannon Band (Ireland) and Taiwu Childrens Ancient Ballads Troupe (Taiwan).

Keeping things fresh, the festival are highlighting our home grown talent with a top heavy, off the bat local announce. Joining the already announced Teeks (Aotearoa) are: Charlotte Johansen (Aotearoa), Finn Andrews (Aotearoa / United Kingdom), KORA (Aotearoa), Nadia Reid (Aotearoa), Niko Ne Zna (Aotearoa), Ria Hall (Aotearoa) and The Black Seeds (Aotearoa).

Tonight WOMAD announced a refreshed and revamped Kunming area with a dedicated World Of Words stage to meet the popular demand of the programme.

"The World of Words for 2019 has been re-located to the beautiful setting of the Kunming Garden area. This will allow for a revitalisation of this area alongside an upmarket bar serving craft beers, fine wines and gin cocktails. Due to the popularity of the World of Words programme we have extended the programming to include late night slots. Festival goers can enjoy the relaxed beauty of the Kunming area whilst listening to top notch authors, presenters and comedians." - Suzanne Porter - Chief Executive at TAFT

Exclusive to New Zealand, The World Of Words artists revealed tonight are: Dominic Tourettes Hoey (Aotearoa), Elizabeth Smither (Aotearoa), Marama Mullen (Aotearoa), Marcus Thomas and Neil Silverwood (Aotearoa), Michael Donaldson (Aotearoa), Michele A'Court (Aotearoa), Nick Bollinger (Aotearoa), Penny Ashton (Aotearoa), Pip Adam (Aotearoa) and Sonya Renee Taylor (Aotearoa).

Another artist announce is scheduled for late November 2018.