WOMAD 2019 YOU WERE AMAZING!

The sun shone over Charlton Park, Malmesbury 25 to 28 July 2019 as thousands of fans of world music and dance enjoyed this internationally renowned festival near our historic town.

The annual WOMAD (World of Music and Dance) festival is a highlight of the music, arts & dance social calendar for both nationwide festival lovers and Malmesbury residents.

“More than any other Festival, this all-age, all-cultures celebration is about opening ears”
The Times Newspaper

WOMAD’s ethos is to celebrate the world’s many forms of music, arts and dance. This year the main stage featured an eclectic mix of style, rhythms and talent, such as the fabulous Ziggy Marley who paid tribute to his father, Bob Marley with his own renditions of well known reggae classics ‘Jammin’ and ‘One Love’.

On the final night, dance act Orbital stole the stage with an impressive light display to accompany their synth heavy sounds. Other notable acts included Anna Calvin, Macy Gray, Salif Keira and Calypso Rose. With over 100 artists from 47 countries there really was something for everyone!

“It all screams that anything is possible”
Independent

Malmesbury’s vibrant, treasured and historic charms were represented at the festival with a pitch run by volunteers from Malmesbury Town Council featuring local information and information on England’s new touring The Great West Way.

As well as enjoying musical virtuosos onsite, many festival attendees chose to spend time exploring our wonderful town, taking in Malmesbury’s top visitor attractions such as the 12th Century Abbey, the tranquil Abbey House & Gardens, The Athelstan Museum, England’s oldest hotel The Old Bell Hôtel and the wide range of quirky and independent shops, cafes and restaurants.

It was a truly fabulous four days with the organisers thanking everyone for “making WOMAD 2019 the best it could possibly be!”. We’re already looking forward to next year’s WOMAD, earlybird tickets go on sale in November 2019!

“This was a year of superb musical standards smooth organisation and a real sense of celebration”
Arts Desk