WOMAD NZ 2024 - OMV STEAM Lab and World Of Words Speakers Announced

Much more than a music festival, the already dazzling lineup for WOMAD NZ 2024 gets even more diverse with a slew of OMV STEAM Lab and World Of Words speakers announced today. An informative cornerstone of the three day event, OMV STEAM Lab offers "an exhilarating fusion of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics." Next year's guests including industrial designer / comedic illustrator Stephen Mushin, architect / urban designer Jade Kake, writer / documentary maker / science communicator Bill Morris, AI expert Megan Tapsell, and more. Hosting prominent writers of all kinds within the Kunming Garden, 2024's World of Words programme includes comedian / actor / director Tom Sainsbury, writer / director / producer Dame Gaylene Preston, music journalist Kate Evans, 2020 New Zealand Heritage Literary Award winner Caroline Barron — plus the annual Poetry Slam and new Book Club initiative.

There's four new acts joining the star-powered WOMAD NZ 2024 musical bill too — veteran French house duo Braxe + Falcon, Estonian folk singer / composer Mari Kalkun, Aotearoa electronic pop queen Theia (also performing under her award-winning TE KAAHU moniker) and Irish folk duo Lisa O'Neill & Cormac Begley. Explore the full updated roundup details and get planning to head along to Brooklands Park and the TSB Bowl of Brooklands in Ngāmotu / New Plymouth this March...

WOMAD NZ 2024
Friday 15th March to Sunday 17th March - Brooklands Park and the TSB Bowl of Brooklands, Ngāmotu / New Plymouth

Featuring... Anthonie Tonnon (Aotearoa/NZ), Arooj Aftab (Pakistan/USA), Baaba Maal (Senegal), Bailey Wiley (Aotearoa/NZ), Braxe + Falcon (France) DakhaBrakha (Ukraine), Dubioza Kolektiv (Bosnia & Herzegovina), Equus (Mongolia/Australia), Gilberto Gil (Brazil), Good Habits (UK), Ibibio Sound Machine (UK), Lady Shaka (UK/Aotearoa/NZ), Lankum (Ireland), Leenalchi (South Korea), Lisa O’Neill & Cormac Begley (Ireland), Mari Kalkun (Estonia), Moonlight Benjamin (Haiti-France), Morcheeba (UK), Nitin Sawhney (UK), Pongo (Angola - Portugal), Rei (Aotearoa/NZ), Son Rompe Pera (Mexico), Strawpeople (Aotearoa/NZ), TE KAAHU (Aotearoa/NZ), Theia (Aotearoa/NZ), Tejendra Majumdar & Ambi Subramaniam (India), Tio (Vanuatu), WITCH (Zambia), Ziggy Marley (Jamaica)

OMV STEAM Lab speakers in alphabetical order:

Andrew Jeffs (Marine Biologist at Auckland University) and Pete Gillespie (Founder and Head Brewer at Garage Project) Bill Morris (Award-winning Documentary Filmmaker, Wildlife Cameraman and Science Journalist) Jade Kake (General Manager Matakohe Architecture and Urbanism) Megan Tapsell (Chair of AI Forum NZ), Michael Hannah (Earth Sciences), Pedram Hekmati (Mathematician) and Stephen Mushin (Industrial Designer and Comedic Illustrator)

World of Words speakers in alphabetical order:

Caroline Barron (Award-winning Author, Story Coach, Presenter, and Manuscript Maestro), Dame Gaylene Preston (Trailblazing Writer, Director and Producer), Helen Lehndorf (Wordsmith And Forager), Kate Evans (Rockstar Journalist) Kura Forrester (Actor, Writer, and Comedian), Dr. Monty Soutar (Teacher, Soldier, Historian, and Novelist), Nick Bollinger (Writer, Broadcaster, and Critic) and Tom Sainsbury (Actor, Comedian, and Social Media Sorcerer)

Tickets on sale now from www.womad.co.nz

Watch the video for Braxe + Falcon's 2022 single 'Step By Step' featuring Panda Bear, starring Japanese skateboarding prodigy Ginwoo Onodera...

Press release:

The world's most iconic world music festival, WOMAD NZ, unveils four new exciting music additions to its 2024 New Zealand programme. Promising an unforgettable musical journey with the inclusion of Braxe + Falcon, the illustrious duo known for their pioneering contributions to the French House scene, Irish folk sensations Lisa O'Neill & Cormac Begley, Estonian folk artist Mari Kalkun and Aotearoa Alt-Pop Artist Theia. These outstanding acts join an incredible festival lineup that includes Arooj Aftab, Gilberto Gil, Morcheeba, Ziggy Marley, and many more.

WOMAD NZ proudly continues to push the boundaries of creativity and intellectual exploration with its OMV STEAM Lab and World of Words programmes. These unique initiatives offer festival-goers an exhilarating fusion of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) and a captivating celebration of literature and human expression.

WOMAD NZs OMV STEAM Lab has become a cornerstone of the festival. The 2024 programme will provide a dynamic platform that unites Brewers, Modern Architecture Visionaries, Professors, Mathematicians, Designers, and Comedic Illustrators. This interdisciplinary initiative delves into the fascinating intersection of science, technology, engineering, art and math, exploring how these realms intertwine to shape our present and future. The OMV STEAM Lab promises an immersive experience, inviting festival-goers to engage with the forefront of innovation and creativity.

Now in its sixth year, the World of Words programme has become a favourite for many at the annual WOMAD NZ festival. The 2024 edition is set to present one of the most impressive lineups to date. Nestled within the enchanting Kunming Garden, the World of Words programme invites attendees to celebrate the rich tapestry of human expression. Join renowned wordsmiths, linguists, and visionaries as they share their stories, wisdom, and visions of a world painted in the colours of literature. The lineup boasts award-winning Authors, Trailblazing Writers, Rockstar Journalists, Historians, and Comedians, promising diverse perspectives and engaging narratives. The World of Words programme also features the hotly contested Poetry Slam, providing a platform for spoken word artists to showcase their talent and WOMAD NZ's latest addition, The Book Club—an interactive and immersive literary experience.