11th year in Taranaki comes to an end on a calm Sunday night

WOMAD 2015
The 11th year in Taranaki comes to an end on a calm Sunday night.

The sell out crowd of over 22’000 people at 2015’s WOMAD festival will rejoice in the memories of the last 54 hours they experienced here in the stunning Brooklands Park and TSB Bowl of Brooklands in Taranaki. Visitors from near and far have been lucky enough to enjoy some of the best sounds, sights, tastes, smells and experiences from around the globe and Aotearoa.

As Cyclone Pam devastated our Pacific neighbours and closed in on New Zealand, Taranaki was fortunate to be graced with beautiful weather all weekend which those attending the festival were grateful for, none more so than the regular WOMAD campers of which there were a record number of 5000.

With over 300 artists representing 22 countries across 4 stages, this years stellar line up included headliners Sinead O’Connor, Rufus Wainwright, Richard Thompson, Youssou N’Dour and Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club. The highlights for many came with the discovery of the Malawi Mouse Boys, Flavia Coelho, The Gloaming and Luzmila Carpio. WOMAD is more than just music, and festival-goers happily ate, drank and shopped their way around the world over the weekend within the Kunming Garden and the Global Village. Te Paepae, the art installations, site performances and Kidzone continued to be crowd favourites.

WOMAD continue their commitment to ensure that the event is example of environmental and sustainable success and this years WOMAD got even greener with the introduction of Globelets (washable, reusable drinking cups) to great success stopping 50’000 beer cups going to landfill.

Zero Waste Managers Sam Gray and Kim Renshaw were thrilled with initial indications that WOMAD will be sending half the amount of waste to landfill this year. “We’ve had some absolutely outstanding volunteers this year and combined with the introduction of Globelets are pointing to a really successful year.”

And as the very last acts take the stages for 2015, we are very pleased to announce the 2016 WOMAD dates to be March 18th – 20th, 2016. Keep your eyes on the website womad.co.nz for early ticket deals, plus the introduction of Ezipay and start planning 2016’s visit to New Zealand’s only festival of World, Music, Arts and Dance.

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EARLIER: 12 MARCH

WOMAD STRIKES BEST SALES IN EIGHT YEARS
AS TARANAKI SETS UP FOR SUN FILLED WEEKEND

Three day WOMAD passes have sold out. There are single day passes available but Saturday and Sunday are limited and selling fast. Ticket sales have not been as strong since the sell out year of 2007.

Organisers are excited about the response to this year’s festival line up. “We definitely believe the recognisable high-calibre names of this years line-up have got people excited. That ticket sales are up 30% on last year is a wonderful testament to that” comments WOMAD Event Manager Chris Herlihy.

WOMAD Weather watchers are forecasting a good weekend weatherwise for New Plymouth, with mild to warm temperatures. John Law, meteorologist for Met Service updated the team, “You’re in a good spot. Looks like great days on Saturday and Sunday. Maybe a bit of wind during the nights , so peg your tent down nicely.”

WOMAD Global Artistic Director, Paula Henderson fresh from a site visit reports, “The WOMAD village is coming together beautifully and the cleansing sprinkle of rain New Plymouth is having today is perfect for taking the humidity out of the air and settling the dust down on site.”

After consultation with experts from local bodies, TAFT CEO, Suzanne Porter issued a notice of an alternate route for northern traffic.

“Due to road works on the northern arterial road into New Plymouth, WOMAD and the New Plymouth District Council recommend all drivers travelling from the north take an alternative route.
Drivers are recommended to take SH3A to Inglewood, then SH3 via Junction Rd to New Plymouth. Please allow 20-30 minutes extra travel time.
Delays are to be also expected on Elliot St and Coronation Ave.
Please drive to the conditions and thank you in advance for your patience.”

A map and directions are available on the website, www.womad.co.nz
WOMAD Travel Time live updates are available here: http://womadtraveltime.azurewebsites.net/

Beginning Friday 13th March, the WOMAD full three day schedule has over 300 artists representing 22 countries including Sinead O’Connor, Richard Thompson, Youssou N’Dour, Rufus Wainwright and Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club.

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