WOMAD New Zealand - the 2019 festival schedule is announced

The full stage schedule including Taste the World, Kidzone, Te Paepae workshops and the World of Words programme is now available.

See your festival favourites perform twice or schedule your weekend around the exclusive one-off performances.

As The Spinoff accurately reported on the back of the sold out 2018 festival, "WOMAD would never be so cruel as to only play things once, so most acts put on repeat performances over the weekend allowing you the chance to customise an itinerary that would rival an around the world music trip."

Download the above schedule and media assets.
*please note WOMAD NZ reserves the right to alter the schedule without notice or notification.

WOMAD New Zealand

Announces Sonya Wilson
the new host for the
OMV Taste The World stage!

Sonya Wilson.
Download hi-res artist images here.

Sonya Wilson was a broadcast journalist for nearly two decades. She’s reported for Breakfast, One News, 20/20 and the Sunday programme both nationally and internationally, and was the presenter of the 20/20 programme on TV2. Now, she takes on a new role as the Taste The World host at WOMAD 2019! Catch Sonia sharing stories and recipes of food and culture across the weekend with fantastic artists; Angelique Kidjo, Las Cafeterias, Dona Onete, MC Tali & Chic, Sona Jobarteh, My Baby, Niko Ne Zna, Taiwu Ancient Ballads Troupe and Gabriel Selischi - OMV Senior Vice President Australasia.

“I am really looking forward to hearing the artists’ stories, talking to all these incredible musicians about the food culture of their home countries, hearing about their families’ kitchens and their recipes, and listening to their small stories and tall tales,” Wilson said.

The internationally established three-day world music, arts and dance festival WOMAD is all about artist discovery and once again, the 2019 festival 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 invited to Aotearoa next March to share their cultures, identities and heritage. They'll be sure 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, WOMAD 2019 will feature cellos, bagpipes and voices. WOMAD is a dizzying cocktail of exhilarating experiences for all.

Set amongst the trees, lake and view of the mighty Mount Taranaki in stunning 55-acre Brooklands Park and TSB Bowl of Brooklands, WOMAD New Zealand 2019 will see the festival celebrate its 15th anniversary in New Plymouth, 15-17 March 2019.

With over 40 local and international artists, WOMAD New Zealand is excited to deliver this discoverable and eclectic line up:

Our engaging international artists are Angelique Kidjo (Benin), Amjad Ali Khan Rebetien (India), BCUC - Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness (South Africa), Baloji (DR Congo/ Belguim), Dona Onete (Brazil), Jamie Smith's Mabon (Wales), Las Cafeteras (Mexico), La Dame Blanche (Cuba), Maarja Nuut & Ruum (Estonia), My Baby (Netherlands), Maalem Hamid El Kasri (Morocco), Rebetien (Greece), Sharon Shannon Band (Ireland), Shantel & Bucovina Club Orkestra (Germany), Silkroad Ensemble (Various), Sona Jobarteh (Gambia), Taiwu Ancient Ballads Troupe (Taiwan), The Correspondents (The U.K) and The Original Gypsies (France).

Highlighting our homegrown talent is Charlotte Johansen, (Aotearoa), Congress Of Animals (Aotearoa), Finn Andrews, (Aotearoa / United Kingdom), KORA (Aotearoa), MC Tali (Aotearoa), Niko Ne Zna (Aotearoa), Nadia Reid (Aotearoa), Ria Hall (Aotearoa), Teeks (Aotearoa) and The Black Seeds (Aotearoa).

The site artist this year and putting the D(ance) into WOMAD is Janis Claxons' award-winning contemporary dance company performing “POP-UP DUETS (fragments of love)".

The World of Words stage for 2019 has been relocated to the beautiful Kunming Garden area. Exclusive to New Zealand, The World Of Words artists for 2019 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). The new site 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 now enjoy the beauty of the Kunming area whilst listening to top-notch authors, presenters and comedians.

Pack a smile, WOMAD New Zealand is happening 15-17 March 2019.

Festival tickets are on sale now

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