From Palestine to Zambia: WOMAD’s Celebration of Global Sounds

WOMAD, now in its 42nd year, continues to be a unique celebration of global music, blending culture, politics, and art into a weekend of unforgettable performances. This year’s festival at Charlton Park proved once again that music transcends boundaries and unites people from all walks of life.

Friday night saw some unforgettable moments, with the Palestinian hip-hop group DAM delivering an exceptionally impactful set. The sea of Palestinian flags waving in the crowd and the powerful chant of “Free Palestine” that lasted over two minutes were electrifying. It was a profound display of solidarity, particularly poignant given the current risks associated with supporting Palestine and protesting against the ongoing genocide. DAM’s Tamer Nafer encapsulated the mood perfectly: “Music is our only tool and we’re going to use it. We always used to say we are artists before being Palestinians, but because of what’s happening in Gaza right now, we are Palestinians before anything.” This was WOMAD at its finest—where music and activism merge, demonstrating the profound power of art to inspire and unite.

On the Friday bill, New Orleans’ own Tank and the Bangas delivered a high-energy set, blending funk, soul, and hip-hop, setting a high bar. The Qawwali Flamenco fusion was an unexpected delight, combining Sufi devotional music with the fiery passion of Flamenco, leaving the crowd mesmerised. Romare offered a trippy, immersive experience, mixing electronic beats with jazz and soul samples to create a hypnotic soundscape. Meanwhile, Amadou & Mariam brought their infectious Malian rhythms to the main stage, and Young Fathers closed the night with an explosive performance, their genre-defying sound energising the crowd.

Saturday was a day of contrasts, starting with the ethereal harmonies of the London Bulgarian Choir, whose traditional folk songs resonated beautifully in the festival’s idyllic setting. Deerhoof brought their avant-garde rock, delivering a set that was both chaotic and exhilarating. The day’s highlight was undoubtedly Laura Misch on the Ecotricity stage. Her set blended jazz, ambient, and electronic elements, with her saxophone and vocals weaving a spell over the audience. Alison Goldfrapp brought a touch of eccentric glamour with her synth-pop hits, while Faiz Ali Faiz delivered a soulful Qawwali performance, his voice soaring with spiritual fervour.

The final day was a celebration of world music in its truest sense. The Breath delivered an intimate, heartfelt set that showcased their neo-folk roots, while TLK, the Bristol-based ambient artist, captivated the crowd with her melancholic soundscapes. Anuradha Pal with Kedia Bandhu provided an awe-inspiring duel of sitar and tabla, a display of virtuosic talent that left the audience in awe. Orange Blossom was a personal highlight, blending Middle Eastern and Western influences into a genre-defying set that was as thrilling as it was moving. WITCH, the Zambian rock band, brought their unique blend of psychedelic rock and Zamrock to the stage, creating a hypnotic atmosphere Islandman brought Turkish electronica to life, and Baaba Maal, the Senegalese legend, gave a moving performance that ranged from percussion-heavy dance tracks to intimate acoustic songs, paying tribute to his late colleagues Toumani Diabaté and Mansour Seck.

The festival closed with an unforgettable performance by Tamsin Elliott and Tarek Elazhary, whose fusion of Bristol accordion and Cairo oud was a fitting end to a festival that celebrates musical diversity. The duo’s set was a beautiful melding of East and West, a testament to the power of music to bridge cultures.

Where else but WOMAD can you find artists from Bhutan, Pakistan, Palestine, and Taiwan all sharing the same stage? It’s a festival that not only celebrates diversity but also champions it, offering a space where different cultures and musical traditions can be experienced side by side. The eclectic lineup—from Qawwali Flamenco to Zambian rock—made it clear that WOMAD is a place where the world comes together, not just to celebrate music but to understand each other a little better.

WOMAD 2024 was a powerful reminder that there is no place quite like it. It’s not just a festival; it’s a global gathering that celebrates the universal language of music, bringing together people from all walks of life in a joyful, inclusive, and deeply meaningful way.

Cover Photo by Mike Massaro

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