WOMAD announces first acts

Salif Keita, The Drummers of Burundi, and Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu top the first additions announced for this year's WOMAD, the World of Music, Arts and Dance festival.

The headliners have been announced as Malian afro-pop star Salif Keita, the world-famous The Drummers of Burundi and indigenous Australian superstar Gurrumul. Also joining this year's line-up are the Congolese street musicians Staff Benda Bilili, Jamaican star (and Massive Attack collaborator) Horace Andy and Dub Asante Band, Rolf Harris and his band and The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. Others artists confirmed are; Afro Celt Sound System (International), Alim Qasimov Ensemble (Azerbaijan), The Bays and The Heritage Orchestra (UK), Bibi Tanga & The Selenites (Central African Republic/France), Labrassbanda (Germany), Calypso Rose (Tobago), Dan Sultan (Australia), Dobet Gnahore (Cote D’Ivoire), Don Letts (UK), Poirier feat. Face T (Canada/Jamaica), Hanggai (China), Imelda May (Ireland), Justin Adams and Juldeh Camara (UK/Gambia), The Kamkars (Iran), LA-33 (Colombia), Lepisto & Lehti (Finland), Little Axe (USA), Mayra Andrade (Cape Verde), Nouvelle Vague (France), Novalima (Peru), Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou (Benin), Rango (Egypt), Sentimento Gypsy Paganini (Hungary), Steven Sogo (Burundi), Syriana (International), Tanya Tagaq (Canada), and Toumast (Niger).

Festival director Chris Smith said, "I'm thrilled with how the line-up for 2010’s festival is shaping up with many more names to come. Whilst announcing which artists will be appearing at any WOMAD festival is always exciting, this year it’s tinged with sadness due to the recent loss of DJ Charlie Gillett. Charlie was a prominent member of the WOMAD family from the very first festival and he will be greatly missed. His passion for the discovery and championing of new world artists and musicians was simply unparalleled and we look forward to celebrating his life in true WOMAD style at Charlton Park this year."

WOMAD returns to Charlton Park, near Malmesbury, in Wiltshire from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th July 2010.

Full price tickets are now on sale priced at £125 for an adult weekend ticket. To buy tickets, click here.
Other ticket prices & options:-
Teenage Weekend Ticket - £60
Thursday Ticket (for those arriving on Thursday) - £25
Campervan Ticket - £40

Weekend tickets include access to the campsite and festival arena from 8am on Friday through to Monday. Free camping in the festival disabled campsite from 8am Friday until Monday for up to a maximum of 3 people per disabled customer (including your personal assistant/carer). Disabled tickets bought now include a free ticket for your personal assistant. However, tickets will not be sent out until the registration form has been filled in and sent with the necessary documentation.

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 children's workshops, a cabaret tent, fun fair, comedy, DJ sessions, and a market of world crafts.

WOMAD is so much more than just a world music festival and returning this year will be the popular 'Taste the World' tent where some of the artists will show off their cooking prowess and which, more often than not, turns into a impromptu gig. The Drum and Dance Tent will make a welcome return with favourites such as early-bird yoga sessions and salsa lessons on offer. And for those who fancy a luxurious moment to themselves and a scrub up, the WOMAD spa, complete with treatments, spa pools, great showers and a cocktail bar, is also on site.

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