Ethiopiques, Fat Freddy's Drop, and Solomon Burke for WOMAD

Ethiopiques, Fat Freddy's Drop, and Solomon Burke, top the first additions announced for this year's WOMAD, the World of Music, Arts and Dance festival.

Also joining this years line-up will be Nigerian singer/songwriter Nneka, Dub Colossus, and two of Mali's most talented musicians, Oumou Sangare, and Rokia Traoré.

Others artists confirmed are A Filletta, Acetre, Andy White, Ba Cissoko, Besh o droM, The Black Arm Band, Caravan Palace, Darbar Morchang Party, Dhoad Gypsies of Rajasthan, Enkh Jargal, Etran Finatawa, Hindi Zahra, Mad Professor, Mariem Hassan, Portico Quartet, RSD featuring Joe Peng, Spiro, Victor Démé, and Wang Li.

Festival director Chris Smith said, "Whether you are looking for the excitement of the main stage experience or keen to discover something new, WOMAD 2009 has some of the very best and most exciting music from around the world. This is going to be one great festival."

The festival held at the picturesque site at Charlton Park, near Malmesbury in Wiltshire from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th July will see the return of the 'Taste the World' tent where some of the artists will show off their cooking, and usually stage an impromptu gig. The 'Drum and Dance Tent' will also return with early-bird yoga sessions to salsa lessons to night owl happenings. The WOMAD spa, complete with treatments, spa pools, showers and a cocktail bar, also makes a return.

The festival is aimed at the whole family, and allows all children aged 13 years and under, in for free. WOMAD promises even more stuff for kids and young people than ever before. 'The World of Kids' will have the usual comprehensive programme of workshops, entertainment and activities being held throughout the weekend culminating in the Children's Parade through the arena.

Tickets are priced as follows:
Adult weekend ticket is priced at £122.34.
Disabled weekend ticket is priced at £122.34 (a free 2nd ticket for assistant or carer).
Weekend SN16 resident ticket is priced at £73.37.
Teenagers (aged 14-17) weekend ticket is priced at £58.70.
All those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Thursday camping ticket is priced at £24.46.
This gives entry to the festival campsite from 8am and the arena from 2pm on Thursday 23 July.
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.
Campervan ticket £39.13.

To buy tickets, click here.

WOMAD brings together many forms of music, arts and dance from countries and cultures around the world on seven separate stage and workshop areas. The full line-up will feature around 100 artists from 40 countries performing over the festival weekend. There's also a full programme of adult and childrens workshops, a cabaret tent, fun fair, comedy, DJ sessions and live performance in the late night 'CLUB WOMAD', and a huge market of world crafts.

WOMAD's famous Global Village offers a dizzying choice of over 40 types of food from all over the globe and the Real Ale Bar is expected to return.

WOMAD festivals are held all over the world, and allow audiences to gain an insight into cultures other than their own through the enjoyment of music. WOMAD aims to excite, to inform, and to create awareness of the worth and potential of a multicultural society. It has a friendly and family-safe atmosphere, as well as fantastic music from all around the globe.

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