Tickets for WOMAD on sale from Friday 31 July

Its rolling grounds and majestic trees offered welcome shade for sun-soaked festivalgoers, while a spectacular sunflower field in full bloom across the weekend became one of the site's most talked-about and photographed additions. 
As ever, WOMAD's fiercely independent spirit was on full display, with the festival continuing to build its global music ecosystem while strengthening its roots closer to home through partnerships with local Bristol, Bath and Wiltshire brands and collectives.
The festival's longstanding eco commitment was woven throughout the site, from its partnership with Ecotricity to an on-site repair shop and a conscious effort to use recycled and reused materials across signage and the festival's beloved parade.
A spokesperson said: "WOMAD's intergenerational and diverse audience welcomed over 460 performers from 38 countries. 
"This new era for WOMAD marked a broadening of the festival's musical scope, continued partnership with NTS, alongside Bristol takeovers from Twende, Jam Jar and Saffron – reflecting the expansion of club culture across the globe.
"The weekend opened on Thursday with a vibrant display of WOMAD’s trademark spirit of discovery. Ghanaian multi-dimensional creative forceK.O.G brought his unique fusion of afro-future, funk and rap to the stage, bursting with energy as he commanded the stage dancing around, setting the stage for the exciting weekend ahead. 
"While Tian Qiyi bought Chinese influences and dub experimentation to create a genre-defying performance. The NTS takeover added another dimension to the festival from the very beginning, with selectors including Ruby Khaira, Sofie K and Livwutang.
"Friday roared into action with an extraordinary mix of established icons and future-facing talent. "Reggae legend Barrington Levy delivered a masterclass in timeless reggae and dancehall, his unmistakable golden vocals prompting a huge audience singalong as generations came together around songs that have shaped popular music for decades.
"WESLI opened the World Stage with a joyful celebration of Haitian roots and global influences while Birmingham rapper Kofi Stone captivated audiences with his thoughtful storytelling and uplifting messages, bringing festivalgoers into his lyrical world. 
"Rappers Leo Miyagee from Belfast showcased his jazz-infused boom-bap and raw lyricism, while Tamer Nafar from Palestine delivered a powerful set of honest storytelling, exploring identity, culture and lived experience in Arabic, English and Hebrew.
"Elsewhere, ganavya’s deeply spiritual performance combined Indian devotional traditions with breathtaking vocal improvisation, inviting audiences into a unique call-and-response experience, while Ishmael Ensemble & Rituals Orchestra expanded their jazz foundations into a rich orchestral journey. 
"La Perla brought colour and warmth with their Colombian rhythms.
"Ending Friday evening at the world stage was South London neo-soul star Greentea Peng who brought her distinctive blend of alternative R&B, spirituality and soulful experimentation, while Afrobeat innovator Mádé Kuti continued the extraordinary musical legacy of his family with a powerful performance rooted in rhythm, social consciousness and contemporary energy.
"Saturday continued the festival’s exploration of musical boundaries, beginning with a memorable moment as WOMAD founder Peter Gabriel opened the World Stage welcoming Mauritanian powerhouse Noura Mint Seymali. 
"Her unmistakable voice carried across Neston Park, setting the tone for a day filled with extraordinary performances.
"East London jazz visionary Alfa Mist brought their deeply personal approach to contemporary jazz. Mercury Prize-nominated Emma-Jean Thackray showcased her inventive and colourful sound.
"Brazilian superstar Daniela Mercury transformed the festival atmosphere with her joyous fusion of samba, pop and Afro-Brazilian rhythms, while Congolese groove pioneers Jupiter & Okwess brought the sounds of Kinshasa to Wiltshire.
"Brooklyn trio Say She She delivered their distinctive 'disco delic soul', bringing classic disco influences together with a contemporary perspective, while Cure For Paranoia brought Dallas hip hop energy and storytelling to the stage.
"A highlight of the festival were the Nakibembe Xylophone Troupe who amazed audiences with the scale of their enormous embaire xylophone and the incredible precision of their collective playing, while Mixanteña de Santa Cecilia transformed the festival into a celebration of Mexican brass traditions, dance and community. 
"Yasmine Hamdan, Ana Lua Caiano, Gisela João, Ta Dhom Project and Shanghai Restoration Project with Tebza Majaivane each demonstrated WOMAD’s ability to bring together artists whose sounds cross borders and defy easy categorisation.
"Sunday brought the weekend to a triumphant close with a final day celebrating musical heritage, innovation and unforgettable voices. India’s Wild Wild Women captivated the audiences with their bold and politically charged rap. 
"While Japan’s Seppuku Pistols delivered an unforgettable performance, as they interacted with the crowd, jumping into the audience alongside their unique musical combination of traditional instruments and punk energy. 
"Malian icon Oumou Sangaré delivered a commanding performance, to close the festival, reminding audiences why she remains one of Africa’s most influential artists."
Beyond the stages, organisers say, WOMAD’s wider world continued to thrive. Taste the World attracted bigger audiences than ever. World of Wordshosted thought-provoking conversations from Zack Polanski to Baroness Shami Chakrabarti. 
The Hip Yak Poetry Shack celebrated spoken word talent, and World of Wellness provided spaces for restoration and reflection.
The beloved World of Children expanded this year with the successful debut of The Launch Pod, a dedicated new space for teens to explore their creative futures. 
Across the weekend, the space buzzed with live jams, DJ workshops, industry talks and mentoring sessions, reflecting WOMAD's ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists and creatives.
The spokesperson added: "As the last notes rang out across Neston Park, WOMAD once again proved why it remains one of the world's most cherished celebrations of music, culture and discovery. 
"From new site to new sounds, this year's festival struck the perfect balance between homage to WOMAD's founding spirit and a bold step into an exciting new chapter."
Details of ticket prices can be found at womad.co.uk
 

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