WOMAD set for world record

Ever wanted to be a record breaker? Now is your chance as this Sunday, 31st July, at WOMAD - World of Music, Arts and Dance, the charity Action on Hearing Loss (formerly RNID) will be attempting to break the world record for the greatest number of people playing air guitar at the same time at Charlton Park, near Malmesbury, in Wiltshire.

The current record is 1,883 people, and The Air Guitar World Record attempt will begin at 10.45am on the main stage at WOMAD Festival.

The attempt will see festival goers playing Jimi Hendrix's track 'Purple Haze' and guiding the guitar heroics on stage will be rock singer Justin Adams.

He'll be joined by the current Air Guitar UK Champion, Thom 'W!ld Th!ng 37' Wilding, to ensure everyone can get the best from their air guitars. Guinness Book of Record officials will also be keeping a close eye to make sure no one is cheating!

The attempt is for the Action on Hearing Loss music campaign, which raises awareness about the importance of listening to loud music safely by wearing earplugs at gigs and festivals.

Emma Harrison, Action on Hearing Loss Director of Public Engagement, said, "We're confident of beating the old record, but need the support of everyone who's attending WOMAD. We've never tried this before, but we're sure our WOMAD friends will rise to the challenge. So if you're going to the festival, pop along, and don't forget your air guitar!"

WOMAD organiser Chris Smith added, "We're really excited to host this very special event for a cause close to the WOMAD heart. We all love music - but it's important to listen to it safely. We know our brilliant festival peeps will support Action on Hearing Loss, grab their air guitars and rock out to Hendrix!"

So if you want to be a record breaker, come and join the fun at this year's WOMAD festival.

The line-up for the festival which takes place from from Friday 29th to Sunday 31st July 2011 includes Afrocubism, Gogol bordello, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Baaba Maal, Aurelio & The Garifuna Soul Band, I Am Kloot, Lau, Alpha Blondy, Alabama 3, Easy Star All Stars, Bellowhead, Jamie Smith's Mabon, Dub Colossus, Dub Pistols, Hassan Erraji, Bajah & The Dry Eye Crew, Submotion Orchestra, Axel Krygier, CW Stoneking, Dhol Foundation, Dhols of Jaipur, Nathalie Natiembe, Mungos Hi fi, The Boxettes, Alejandro Toledo and The Magic Tombolinos, Brassroots, Shunsuke Kimura & Etsuro Ono, Ebo Taylor, Samuel Yirga, Booker T. Jones, Donso, Khaira Arby, Le Trio Joubran, Ballake Cissokho & Vincent Segal, Nomfusi & The Lucky Charms, Danyel Waro, Nidi D'Arac, Pacific Curls, Susheela Raman, The Gotipuas, Taraf de Haidouks, Mahala Rai Banda, Majorstuen, 9 Bach, and Bomba Estereo.

For the line-up details, stage and day splits, as available please click here.
The full line-up features over 100 artists from 40 countries performing over the festival weekend. There's also a full programme of adult and childrens workshops (limited spaces available - turn up early!), a cabaret tent, fun fair, comedy, DJ sessions, as well the normal festie fodder, and a huge market of world crafts.

On Thursday for 'early bird' ticket holders The Open Air Stage is expected to once again offer live music from 7-11pm.

The weekend tickets - which are valid from the Friday until Sunday are priced at £135 (Thursday arrivals will also need a Thursday camping ticket costing £25).

Children 13 and under can come free with each adult ticket holder, but need a free child ticket. All children must hold their own ticket and must be accompanied by an adult. Thursday tickets do not need to be purchased for children aged 13 and under.

Other ticket prices & options:-
Teenage Weekend Ticket (aged 14-17) - £70
Disabled Weekend Ticket - £135
Thursday Ticket (for those arriving on Thursday) - £25
SN16 Resident Ticket - £85
Campervan Ticket - £40
WOMAD Park and Camp - £50 - SOLD OUT

Weekend ticket for children age 13 and under are free. They must hold their own ticket and be accompanied by a ticket holding parent or guardian over the age of 21. One ticket holding parent or guardian can only accompany up to 4 people under the age of 18.

To buy tickets, click here.

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