ONE LEGENDARY BEAT KING, TWO KIWI MUSIC ICONS,
THREE DAYS & MORE THAN 200 REASONS TO GO
Festival Features Over 200 Performers From 18 Countries on 6 Stages and for the first time, the Sustainable Village
New Zealand’s pre-eminent celebration of music, arts & dance is set to be a sell-out success once again as organisers Taranaki Arts Festival Trust (TAFT) have announce the star-studded line up for WOMAD 2009, to take place at New Plymouth’s Brooklands Park and TSB Bowl 13-15th March 2009.
Widely proclaimed ‘King of Afrobeat’ Seun Kuti and his legendary big band Egypt 80 of Nigeria will fire up the stage, as will some of New Zealand’s biggest names including soul superstars Fat Freddy’s Drop, world-respected harmonica genius Brendan Power and icon of staunch New Zealand-ness Shona Laing.
The brilliantly eclectic bill for WOMAD 2009 includes unique splashes of quirk with the irresistible collision of Jamaican ska & Cuban mambo from Ska Cubano, Tibetan Gyuto Monks and The Mobile Sewing Company - a theatrical pair of seamstresses re-inventing spectators’ clothes, with the audience pedalling the power to their vintage machines!
TAFT Chief Executive Suzanne Porter says “WOMAD 2009 carries some of the biggest names we’ve had. With the confirmation of the line-up we’re offering some of the most interesting talent in the world, a very high standard.”
She adds “On top of the great music, you can eat and shop your way around the world in the famously popular Global Village, enjoy the new Sustainable Village and let children get creative at Kidszone.”
If the previous two WOMADs are anything to go by, WOMAD 2009 earlybird tickets will be expected to sell out within two weeks, so festival-goers are advised not to delay in purchasing their tickets to avoid the disappointment that many experienced when earlier WOMAD tickets have sold out.
WOMAD’s New Zealand Artistic Director Roger King says “WOMAD offers a unique environment to savour such a colourful array of music, arts and dance. I’m really very proud we’ve been able to once again achieve a programme of such great quality and diversity.”
WOMAD New Zealand has become an annual event and in 2009 introduces a new concept, the Sustainable Village, which showcases sustainable practices and merchandise. This adds to the already hugely successful Global Village (international food, arts & craft) and Kidszone.
THE ARTISTS - INTERNATIONAL
Arte Kanela (Australia / Spain) – the most dynamic force in Australian flamenco dance.
Bedouin Jerry Can Band (Egypt) – musicians, poets, storytellers and coffee grinders tell their tales from the Egyptian Sinai desert.
Dengue Fever (Cambodia / USA) – psychedelic Cambodian / LA pop.
Dona Rosa (Portugal) – blind world-travelled songstress discovered on the streets of Portugal.
Geoffrey Gurrumal (Australia) – formerly with band Yothu Yindi, the most revered voice in Aboriginal music.
The Gyuto Monks (Tibet / Australia) – The monks conduct tantric arts programmes around the world showcasing the intense colour, beauty & complexity of their endangered rituals & traditions.
Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara Trio (UK) - With an encyclopaedic knowledge of Blues & African music, Adams has been referred to as ‘the Ry Cooder of the UK’ and with the Trio play an electrifying set. Adams is also the Musical Director of the All Stars Gala for WOMAD 2009.
Lo Cor De La Plana (France) – six male voices combine harmonies with boisterous percussion.
Mikidache (Mayotte, near Madagasgar / Paris) – one of the hottest new singer/guitarist talents from this tiny country, Mikidache has made a name for himself in Paris by holding tight to his roots, believing “Madagascan music is complete in terms of its harmonies and rhythms.”
The Mobile Sewing Machine (Netherlands) – travelling ‘ateliers,’ audience members take off their clothes & allow the ladies to customise, decorate and revolutionise them, each vintage machine powered by bicycles pedalled by the audience!
Natacha Atlas (Egypt / UK) – chanteuse bridging Egyptian & Western R&B & pop styles with her soaring voice.
People In Your Neighbourhood - a British Council-led project, featuring a line up of musicians from diverse Kiwi communities and members of UKs acclaimed string collective Urban Soul Orchestra to create a dynamic collaboration of live electronic soul. Expect Korean rap, Maori toanga puoro, Fijian percussion, Nuiean soul, Chinese strings and more.
Rachel Unthank & The Winterset (UK) – one of the Britain’s newest shining lights in the folk scene.
Rokia Traore (Mali) – Arguably Africa’s most experimental singer-songwriter, her latest album collecting searing hot media reviews; 5 Stars, The Guardian; 4 Stars The Observer, The Times & Mojo.
Russ Jones – Future World Funk (UK) – DJ with a uniquely eclectic mash-up of cultural styles.
Sa Dingding (China) – the first Chinese artist to sing in Sanscrit, boldly combining traditional Chinese folk with Western electronica.
Seckou Keita SKQ (Senegal) – hailed as ‘the Hendrix of kora,’ the rocking repertoire of southern Senegal, its members bring their roots to the mix from Senegal, Italy, Egypt and The Gambia.
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 (Nigeria) – Fiery & frenetic Nigerian Seun Kuti (pron. “Shayoon Kooti”) and his family has stood opposed to the murderous and corruptive regimes in Africa for generations and brings his uniquely resolute, defiant and historic music to the stage. Together with Egypt 80, the legendary big-band of his late father Fela, Kuti brings an explosive brew of Afrobeat for the 21st century to WOMAD 2009. Fans include Barack Obama, who notoriously helped the band gain visas to play in the US. http://www.myspace.com/seunkuti
Ska Cubano (Cuba / UK) – an irresistible, fanciful combination of Jamaican ska & Cuban mambo.
Speed Caravan (Algeria / France) – amping up the ancient fretless lute, making traditional Arabic music rock.
U Shrinivas (India) – using the electric mandolin to offer a dazzling blending of Western jazz and sophisticated classical Indian music.
THE ARTISTS – NEW ZEALAND
Andrew White – now residing in Nova Scotia, White has been wowing audiences across Europe and Canada with his incredible finger- style guitar playing of technical brilliance.
Anika Moa & band – one of NZ’s most gifted and popular artists, Moa’s heartbreakingly honest and soulful songs make her live performances immensely popular.
Brendan Power – acknowledged as one of the most creative & skilled harmonica players in the world, lending his talents to the recordings of Sting, Van Morrison, Paul Young & many more, WOMAD welcomes this outstanding Kiwi to the lineup.
Fat Freddy’s Drop – Fat Freddy’s have won an obscene number of Tuis (NZ Music Awards), awarded the People’s Choice award 2 years in a row. Debut album ‘Based On A True Story’ was #1 for 11 weeks (a record for a NZ album) & NZ’s highest selling album of 2006, now 8 x Platinum. Their highly anticipated second album is due for release late 2008. Live, Fat Freddy’s present a hybrid of dub/reggae, soul, funk, hip-hop and techno, marinated in jazz and served on Island Time.
Hinemoana Baker – published & celebrated poet, fiction writer, playwright and performer of song & spoken word, with a voice some have compared to Joan Baez and Cleo Laine. Those who love language - in particular Te Reo - and the impactful, no-waste language of poetry will love her performance. Winner APRA Silver Scroll Award (Maioha category, 2005) & NZ Music Awards finalist (2004).
Little Bushman - four jazz school grads, influenced by Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix and The Who, with some seriously bent psychadelic sonic sounds, a 5-Star review in the Dominion Post and a magnificent live show.
Mihirangi – the sheer strength of her a capella vocal performance “absolutely blew us away” (Beat Magazine, 2006). Mihirangi takes soulful world roots to a new level, layering & looping her voice with ska chops, sensuous jazzy riffs & strong bass beat.
Moana and the Tribe – ancient yet timely messages, fusing taonga puoro, haka, chants with soul, reggae and classical, respectfully and gracefully blending the traditional with the contemporary. Moana draws on her identity as a Maori woman, with a background in traditional performing arts, to write songs that resonate with global audiences.
The Sami Sisters – with influences from country artists of yesteryear Dolly Parton and Patsy Cline to 50s girl bands, classic motown & 80s hit stars Kate Bush and The Smiths this Indian/Irish sibling trio from Onehunga come from a short yet illustrious history of sold-out shows and a hip young following.
Shona Laing – her songs have become part of the fabric of New Zealand’s growing up, an essential part of our sense of place. Her piercingly insightful music will be right at home on the WOMAD stage.
WOMAD THE FESTIVAL
WOMAD is an international festival created by Peter Gabriel 24 years ago. Since then 21 countries have hosted the festival and entertained millions of festival-goers.
WOMAD Earlybird three-day passes have sold out. Standard tickets are now available from Ticketek - www.ticketek.co.nz.
3 day pass - $209
3 day pass & camping - $259
3 day pass & Marae-style accommodation - $279
1 day tickets are also available.
The full line-up, detailed information and a media accreditation application are available on the WOMAD website www.womad.co.nz
