WOMAD 2020 Announces the First Two Acts

WOMAD New Zealand has just announced the first two acts for next year's festival plus a whole heap of other goodies.  

Up in Taranaki the organisers for the 2020 festival have been secretly brewing up a heady concoction of artists, writers and performers, culminating in over 100 hours of music, dance and voices across eight stages and running over three days at Ngāmotu's stunning Brooklands Park and the TSB Bowl of Brooklands.  Once again the venue will be transformed into a village of colour, energy and inclusion.  

The full line up will be announced at a special event at Parliament on Tuesday, 15th October.  But for now WOMAD New Zealand is thrilled to share two of the international artists performing and the first two World Of Words artists for the 16th year anniversary of the festival. 

For 2020, the mesmerising duo of Welsh harpist Catrin Finch & Senegalese kora player Seckou Keita will be making a welcome festival appearance as will living legends of gospel music Blind Boys of Alabama. 

Dr Selina Tusitala Marsh

The ever-expanding World Of Words stage, now held on the sun-drenched lawn of the Kunming Garden will be hosting beloved entertainer Te Radar and pacific poet Dr Selina Tusitala Marsh. 

WOMAD New Zealand is also elated to announce two new additions to the festival for 2020.

Te Radar

Being hosted on a brand new stage in the tranquil setting of the Pinetum is WOMAD New Zealand's first-ever STEAM Lab. Come and hear speakers from Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics fields talk about incredible breakthroughs and their journey of innovation.

Chessie Henry

Introducing WOMAD New Zealand's inaugural Book Club. The book chosen for the 2020 festival is Chessie Henry's We Can Make A Life.  Book Club aims to bring people together to express their perspectives and explore the themes within the book while getting insights from Chessie herself.

WOMAD New Zealand remains a place to bring artists together from all over the globe to break down barriers, educate, inform and inspire. Come and lose yourself in the sights, sounds, and tastes that blend together to make up the vibrant WOMAD experience!