10 more years of Womad
The organisers of New Zealand’s Womad festival of music and arts have announced 30 acts and 10 World of Words artists for next year’s three-day event, which is set to bring thousands of people to New Plymouth’s Brooklands Park. Stephanie Mitchell picks th
The decision to keep the Womad world music festival in Taranaki for at least the next 10 years has been welcomed in the province and will pump millions into its economy, figures show.
The three-day World of Music and Dance extravaganza has taken place in New Plymouth’s Brooklands Park every summer since 2003 and has generated $125.9 million over that time, event organisers said – an average of $9 million a year.
On Wednesday night details of the 15th festival, which will take place in March 2019, were announced at an event in Wellington attended by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Womad International director Mike Large told those assembled in the Parliament Buildings’ Grand Hall that Womad would remain in Taranaki for at least 10 more years, until 2029.
Previously the festival had been reviewed for renewal every three years, but the next review won’t be until 2025.
In 2011 a sponsorship deal with the TSB Bank and Shell and Todd Energy staved off the threat of Taranaki sharing the event with Nelson on alternate years.
Suzanne Porter, chief executive of Taranaki Arts Festival Trust (TAFT), which runs Womad, said the renewal gave them security.
‘‘It makes it very safe and we can do a lot of long term planning around it. It’s great news for the region.
‘‘We need a good news story at the moment... (Womad) brings people in that would possibly not come to the region and showcases the best of the region.’’
Next year’s event, from March 15-17, will feature Kiwi bands Kora and The Black Seeds as well as diverse global acts such as Cuban-born La Dame Blanche and Beligum rapper Baloji.
Porter expected the amount Womad contributes to Taranaki’s economy to continue to grow.
‘‘It will be higher than the last 10.’’
In some years, 70 per cent of Womad attendees were from out of town, Porter said.
She also said locals tended to attend every second year, ‘‘and of course they spend less because they’re at home’’.
Mark Dickie, chairman of The Most FM, media partners for Womad, said securing the event for the next decade was huge.
‘‘There was always that worry that it was going to leave our province but now that it’s secured, we don’t have to rest on our laurels, but we just need to keep promoting it.’’
Taranaki Chamber of Commerce chief executive Arun Chaudhari said it was ‘‘incredibly fabulous news’’ after the government’s announcement it was ending off-shore oil and gas exploration, which is the region’s largest economic provider.
‘‘A a time of economic uncertainty this bolsters some business confidence and also cements Taranaki as a Mecca for culture, events and music – all connected with the diverse, international flavour that Womad brings to the region,’’ he said.
Singer Peter Gabriel cofounded the festival in 1980.
Womad has held more than 160 festivals all over the world.
Womad returns for its 15th anniversary in 2019 with some of New Zealand’s biggest acts joining artists from around the globe. Kora, The Black Seeds, and Nadia Reid are among the 30 acts so far announced to play the three-day festival on March 15-17. They will join the already-announced Kiwi act Teeks, international artists Angelique Kidjo, and Silkroad Ensemble.
The line up, announced in Wellington on Wednesday night in front of an audience including Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and MPs Jonathan Young and Andrew Little, features a strong showing for New Zealand artists. Acts include Whakata¯ ne band Kora, made up of four brothers, who have been fusing reggae and rock for almost three decades. They recently played a sell-out show at The Mayfair in New Plymouth.
Another summer favourite will be Wellington band The Black Seeds, which once featured Flight of the Conchords’ Brett McKenzie. They have released five albums, a live album, and two remix albums, played all over the world and in 2011 were described by Rolling Stone magazine as ‘‘The Best Reggae band in the world right now’’.
Kiwi folk singer-songwriter Nadia Reid is someone everyone should know about and include in their Womad itinerary. Originally from Wellington, Reid has been travelling and touring the world and creating music as she goes. The result is her latest album Preservation.
She said: ‘‘Travelling inspires me. I’m learning that things need to happen for the writing to come. Like making time to be alone with my guitar. I’ve grown to crave that. ’’
Coming a bit further afield for next year’s festival are acts from Benin, Belgium, India, South Africa, Morocco, Mexico, and Estonia.
Cuban-born hip hop artist Yaite Ramos Rodriguez, aka La Dame Blanche will make her way from her base in Paris, France. Growing up with a strong musical family means La Dame Blanche is a dab hand at most things musical including singing, flute, and percussion. She moved from Cuba to Paris in search of her own identity.
South African group Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness (BCUC) were also announced in the diverse lineup.
Described as ‘Afropsychedelic’, the ensemble are predicted to mesmerise with their high-energy performance.
Having played Womad UK last year they now set their sights on Kiwi Womaders.
Rapper Baloji will have you dancing with his upbeat music but have you thinking with his heartfelt lyrics.
The artist was born in Democratic Republic of the Congo but raised in Belgium. Baloji, which means ‘‘man of science’’ in Swahili, is not only a rapper but a poet and film-maker, having directed and styled all of his music videos.
Away from music, next year’s Womad will also see The Kunming area revamped to host the World of Words, an event featuring 10 wordsmiths which is exclusive to New Zealand.
Taranaki Arts Festival Trust chief executive Suzanne Porter said it had grown in popularity, which is why it was being expanded.
‘‘Festival goers can enjoy the relaxed beauty of the Kunming area whilst listening to top notch authors, presenters and comedians.’’
Event director Emere Wano said: "Our hope is that everyone will discover something new, something that moves them and we can’t wait to deliver and celebrate another diverse and exciting festival in Taranaki’’.
Wano’s picks to see were Angelique Kidjo, BCUC, and Silk Road Ensemble.
‘‘I didn’t know BCUC at all and when I saw them at Womad UK I was blown away, they’re something a bit different with South African soul coming through.’’
Wano said choosing the New Zealand lineup was really important to her.
‘‘I try and get the balance right with not too much of something. The Black Seeds’ agent came to me and said ‘it’s their 25th anniversary and they’d love to play Womad’ so that was an easy choice.
‘‘It’s trying to balance the classics with the up and coming, like I have been watching Teeks for a year now and his voice is phenomenal.’’
Womad 2019 takes place at Brooklands Park in New Plymouth, March 15-17. Tickets are on sale now.