WOMAD: World of Music, Arts and Dance – the internationally established festival, brings together artists from all over the globe. The central aim of the WOMAD festival is to celebrate the world’s many forms of music, arts and dance.
WOMAD NZ is part of a festival family that has seen over three hundred festivals worldwide, with over ten thousand artists performing across six continents to an audience of millions over the past four decades. WOMAD UK has celebrated 40 years, WOMADelaide has celebrated 30 years, and following a triumphant return with its 20th anniversary at Ngāmotu’s stunning Brooklands Park and the TSB Bowl of Brooklands last year, WOMAD NZ is poised to host the 2024 festival this March 15-17.
As an organisation, WOMAD now works in many different ways. Still, the aims are always the same – at festivals, performance events, recorded releases, and through educational projects, WOMAD aims to excite, inform, and create awareness of the worth and potential of a multicultural society.
Where will it be held?
Set under the watchful eye of the picture-perfect Mount Taranaki, the 2024 edition of WOMAD NZ will be held across the award-winning Brooklands Park and the TSB Bowl of Brooklands, Ngāmotu / New Plymouth. This magnificent space will be home to this incredible melting pot of musicians, artists, writers, performers and forward-thinking academics for all three days.
So who is performing?
2024 sees a stellar lineup that spans from the maunga of Aotearoa to the heart of Zambia. With artists representing diverse musical traditions and cultural backgrounds, the 2024 edition of WOMAD NZ is set to be one of the most impressive in its storied history.
Friday night features exclusive festival appearances from bosanova legend Gilberto Gil (Brazil), the high-octane DJ skills of Lady Shaka (Aotearoa/NZ), and the cool electro-pop vibes of Strawpeople (Aotearoa/NZ).
Saturday continues the extraordinary experience with exclusive sets from Aotearoa/NZ performers Fin Rah Zel, Rei, and Te Kaahu, and peaks with the socially conscious reggae world music sensation Ziggy Marley (Jamaica) making his only appearance in New Zealand.
Sunday unfolds with exclusive performances from storyteller Baaba Maal (Senegal), the soulful Bailey Wiley (Aotearoa/NZ), the dynamic duo Braxe & Falcon (France), alt-pop artist Theia (Aotearoa/NZ) and the dreamy trip-hop institution Morcheeba (UK)
WOMAD NZ 2024 promises an exhilarating three-day experience with double festival performances from an eclectic lineup of artists. Zamrock icons WITCH (Zambia), high-energy genre-blurring Dubioza Kolektiv (Bosnia & Herzegovina), pop kuduro sensation Pongo (Angola – Portugal), and afro-funk Ibibio Sound Machine (UK). Classical artists Tejendra Majumdar & Ambi Subramaniam (India), singer-songwriter Tio (Vanuatu), the folk fusion quartet Equus (Mongolia/Australia), and folk sensations Lisa O’Neill & Cormac Begley (Ireland) will also offer double sets.
Festival-goers can enjoy repeat performances from the award-winning folk duo Good Habits (UK), Taite Music Prize winner Anthonie Tonnon (Aotearoa/NZ), Grammy-award winning jazz-minimalist Arooj Aftab (Pakistan/USA), ‘ethno-chaos’ quartet DakhaBrakha (Ukraine), pansori ensemble Leenalchi (South Korea), folk artist Mari Kalkun (Estonia), and Moonlight Benjamin (Haiti – France), known for their mesmerizing fusion of rock and Haitian voodoo rhythms.
The groundbreaking fusion of Mexican folk traditions and modern innovation from Son Rompe Pera (Mexico), composer Nitin Sawhney (UK) with his mesmerising fusion of electronic, jazz, and classical will also contribute to this diverse and thrilling musical journey with repeated sets.
How much is it? And where do I purchase tickets?
Tickets range in price from $153 through to $2700 depending on what kind of experience you are after, and are available online via Ticketspace.
Single day tickets range in price from $153 – $268 depending on how old you are and what day you wish to attend, while full three day passes range from $350 – $2700 depending on whether you are happy to organise your own accommodation or you want the full camping experience, through to the full VIP treatment with accommodation, festival transfers, on-site VIP lounge access and much more.
Wait, there’s different accommodation options at WOMAD?
There sure is! WOMAD NZ gives you so much choice when it comes to camping and accommodation, with options that are both budget-friendly and luxurious.
General Camping
- If you want budget-friendly accommodation
- If you are bringing your own tent
- If you love the bustling atmosphere of the campsite
Family Camping
- If you would prefer a smaller, more family-oriented campsite
- If you are bringing your own tent
- If you have kids attending WOMAD
Motorhome Camping
- If you are bringing your RV, motorhome, caravan, sleepervan, house bus or truck
Accessibility Camp
- If you need easy, flat access to toilet, shower and wash-up facilities
- If you need your campsite close to your vehicle
- If you have a Mobility Parking Permit
Sometimes you just want to feel a bit pampered. There are a range of other accommodation options to ensure you have the best festival experience. You can select from Glamping, the Tepee Life Village, the WOMAD VIP Experience, as well as other Accommodation options around Taranaki.
WOMAD VIP Experience
The WOMAD VIP festival experience is back! This premium package includes:
- 2x Adults Tickets to WOMAD NZ 2024 festival for the full three days
- 3 nights Studio Room with breakfast included at the Novotel Hotel, New Plymouth from 15th – 17th March 2024.
- 2x VIP Festival tickets with access to the VIP lounge including the VIP opening night function – priceless!
- Unlimited travel on Artist Shuttles- to and from the festival with the artists
- A WOMAD Festival merch pack
Glamping
You can have all the glamour of luxury accommodation with the romance of camping under the stars, but without all the effort! This is the ultimate luxury camping experience where everything is taken care of.
Tepee Life Village
A stay in the Tepee Life village will give you a whole new festival camping experience. Staying on site, you join a warm, friendly tribe with exclusive access to campground luxury.
Anything else I need to know?
From when the gates open at 4.30 pm on Friday, March 15th, until the last act finishes at 11.45 pm Sunday, March 17th, the stunning 55-acre Brooklands Park and the Bowl of Brooklands are filled with thousands of happy people for a late summer indulgence in world music, food and dance.
The WOMAD NZ 2024 stage schedule, including World Of Words and OMV STEAM Lab is now available below. The adored artist workshops at the welcoming Te Paepae stage, and the highly anticipated Taste The World schedules are still to be announced, check back here soon!
WOMAD 2024 Schedule – click to download.
See your festival favourites perform twice, or schedule your weekend around the exclusive one-off performances across the four main music stages. Visit the Kunming garden, home to World Of Words hosting a mixture of speakers, interviews, book sessions, poetry slams and comedy. Hear from inventors, innovators and visionaries at the top of their fields who are pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo at the OMV STEAM Lab.
Now in its sixth year, the World of Words programme has become a favourite for many at WOMAD NZ. The 2024 edition is set to present one of the most impressive lineups to date. Nestled within the enchanting Kunming Garden, the World of Words programme invites attendees to celebrate the rich tapestry of human expression. Join renowned wordsmiths, linguists, and visionaries as they share their stories, wisdom, and visions of a world painted in the colours of literature.
The World of Words speakers appearing at WOMAD 2024, in alphabetical order:
Caroline Barron (Award-winning Author, Story Coach, Presenter, and Manuscript Maestro) * Dame Gaylene Preston (Trailblazing Writer, Director and Producer) * Helen Lehndorf (Wordsmith And Forager) * Kate Evans (Rockstar Journalist) * Kura Forrester (Actor, Writer, and Comedian) * Dr. Monty Soutar (Teacher, Soldier, Historian, and Novelist) * Nick Bollinger (Writer, Broadcaster, and Critic) * Tom Sainsbury (Actor, Comedian, and Social Media Sorcerer)
WOMAD NZs OMV STEAM Lab has also become a cornerstone of the festival. The 2024 programme will provide a dynamic platform that unites brewers, modern architecture visionaries, professors, mathematicians, designers, and comic illustrators. This interdisciplinary initiative delves into the fascinating intersection of science, technology, engineering, art and math, exploring how these realms intertwine to shape our present and future. The OMV STEAM Lab promises an immersive experience, inviting festival-goers to engage with the forefront of innovation and creativity.
The OMV STEAM Lab speakers appearing at WOMAD 2024, in alphabetical order:
Andrew Jeffs (Marine Biologist at Auckland University) and Pete Gillespie (Founder and Head Brewer at Garage Project) * Bill Morris (Award-winning Documentary Filmmaker, Wildlife Cameraman and Science Journalist) * Jade Kake (General Manager Matakohe Architecture and Urbanism) * Megan Tapsell (Chair of AI Forum NZ) * Michael Hannah (Earth Sciences) * Pedram Hekmati (Mathematician) * Stephen Mushin (Industrial Designer and Comedic Illustrator).
So as you can see – WOMAD 2024 is gearing up to be one hell of a great time! We look forward to seeing you there!
WOMAD 2024
15th – 17th March 2024, Venue, New Plymouth
Anthonie Tonnon (Aotearoa/NZ) * Arooj Aftab (Pakistan – USA) * Baaba Maal(Senegal) * Bailey Wiley (Aotearoa/NZ) * Braxe + Falcon (France) * DakhaBrakha (Ukraine) * Dubioza Kolektiv (Bosnia & Herzegovina) * Equus (Mongolia/Australia) * Fin Rah Zel (Aotearoa/NZ) * Gilberto Gil (Brazil) * Good Habits (UK) * Halfqueen (Aotearoa/NZ) * Ibibio Sound Machine (UK) * Lady Shaka (UK/Aotearoa/NZ) * Leenalchi (South Korea) * Lisa O’Neill & Cormac Begley (Ireland) * Mari Kalkun (Estonia) * Mo’Ju (Australia) * Moonlight Benjamin (Haiti – France) * Morcheeba (UK) * Nitin Sawhney (UK) * Pongo (Angola – Portugal) * Rei (Aotearoa/NZ) * Son Rompe Pera (Mexico) * Strawpeople (Aotearoa/NZ) * Te Kaahu (Aotearoa/NZ) * Tejendra Majumdar & Ambi Subramaniam (India) * Theia (Aotearoa/NZ) * Tio (Vanuatu) * WITCH (Zambia) * Ziggy Marley (Jamaica)
Tickets on sale NOW via Ticketspace.
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