After four days of music, dancing, and celebrating cultures from all over the world, WOMAD 2023 came to a close. The site was abuzz with attendees from all over, as over 150 performances from 40 countries took center stage. Despite the wind and rain, the arena, arboretum, and surrounding areas showcased 250 captivating performances across seven stages.

A Showcase of Diverse Talent

The stage came alive with the iconic act of renowned hip hop legends The Jungle Brothers (USA). Meanwhile, reggae royalty Queen Omega & the Royal Souls (Trinidad & Tobago) delivered a captivating performance that mesmerized the crowd. Additionally, the high-energy Congolese rock band Lova Lova (Democratic Republic of the Congo) electrified the audience with their energetic show. R&B innovators Soul II Soul (UK) delivered a vintage performance.

credit: Garry Jones Photography

The show showcased a spine-tingling performance by the Korean folk-pop band, Leenalchi, alongside the thumping Zimbabwean pop of Mokoomba. Additionally, Brazil’s greatest rapper/MC, Emicida (Brazil), delivered a powerful, politically charged frenzy that left the audience in awe.The Orchestral Qawwali Project (UK) and Saramaccan Sound (Suriname) made a lasting impact, with the latter creating history as Suriname’s first-ever artists at WOMAD.

The crowd was wowed by heartfelt bluesy soul and modern gospel performed by The Staples Jr Singers (US). Ibibio Sound Machine (Nigeria/Ghana/UK) infused contemporary rhythms into traditional Afrobeat structures. Fado queen Mariza (Portugal) enchanted the WOMAD audience with her soulful voice, leaving a mesmerizing impact.

Crowd-pleasers: Womad remains an eye-opening, mind-expanding experience, credit Garry Jones Photography

Los Wemblers De Iquitos (Peru) made a confident debut at Charlton Park, impressing the crowd with their performance. The energetic Palestinian collective powerfully resonated with the audience, delivering politically charged grooves through special appearances by Shadia Mansour (Palestine) and Ana Tijoux (Palestine).

The remarkable Peruvian singer, Susana Baca (Peru), celebrated her 79th birthday with a masterful and elegant performance, as did Mari Kalkun (Estonia). Paprika (Serbia/Romania/UK) brought explosively charged Balkan sounds to the Ecotricity stage.

A Vibrant Mix of Music and More

Festival attendees indulged in various activities beyond music, including workshops, yoga dance classes, poetry readings, debates, and discussions. At the Taste The World stage, Rokia Kone (Mali) and Balimaya Project (UK) created a musical backdrop for the bubbling West Africa Yassa stew on Friday.

Jason Singh’s immersive Moonscape and DJ set brought a fusion of Ibiza poolside sounds, UK bhangra, and afro-house selections to the festival, captivating the crowd. The infectious beats got the audience grooving and immersed in the vibrant atmosphere. Reggae living legend Horace Andy & Dub Asante Band featuring Matic Horns (Jamaica/UK) graced the main stage finale with their performance. The enigmatic Femi Kuti & The Positive Force (Nigeria) also delivered a mesmerizing show, concluding the event with unforgettable performances.

As the festival’s 300 magnificent flags flapped splendidly, attendees of all nationalities and ages danced their way into the night. WOMAD had once again left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who experienced its magic.