The gates of Charlton Park will be thrown open once again at the end of July for its celebration of all things world music, arts, and dance.

Over 40,000 revellers flock to the festival each year to discover cultures from countries they’ve never heard of, bathe in soundscapes beyond their imagination, turn their toes to new rhythms and lap up the worlds of words, science and cuisine laid glistening like jewels at their feet.

WOMAD can affect inner worlds too: its magic lies in its ability to surreptitiously and beautifully broaden horizons through simple exposure to new, exciting, powerful and life-enhancing cultural experiences.

For most, it’s all about the music, and in over 40 years of vibrant and vibey lineups WOMAD hasn’t let us down yet.

There’s an outstanding selection of global beats on offer this year. On Friday alone, full power is set to come from Palestinian DAM, one of the first hip-hop crews to rap in Arabic, and fierce, fresh Senegalese duo DefMaa MaaDef.

Romare’s cut-and-paste electronica will be augmented with live percussion and brass, while the Zawose Queens’ polyrhythms are drawn from the traditions of Tanzania’s Gogo people.

All fingers are crossed that we are graced with Tank and the Bangas’ presence at the top of Friday night’s bill, after visa issues forced them to pull out last minute in 2023.

Saturday’s Ghana special is sure to be a highlight, with wild-spirited performer K.O.G. – who brought his full band show to an enormous, delighted crowd at the 2022 festival – joining forces with the Kwashibu Area band, Pat Thomas and Charles Amoah for an all-star showcase.

Elsewhere, Nana Benz du Togo adds korg to bewitchingly groovy West African sounds of voodoo, dubwise sound system O.B.F welcomes grime MC Jman to the mic, O. creates mind-blowing sound worlds with baritone sax and drumkit and Spain’s Tarta Relena back ancient songs with atmospheric electronica.

The energy doesn’t subside on Sunday, and there are plenty of reasons to dance away the weekend. Topping the bill are the incomparable Baaba Maal and rising hip hop star Sampa the Great, whose latest release ‘Let Me Be Great’ features the voice of Grammy-winning WOMAD headliner Angelique Kidjo.

Meanwhile, Islandman brings the sun-soaked sounds of Turkey backed by squally synth and beats, Orange Blossom’s club-ready multi-instrumental take on the music of North and West Africa will be electric and T.L.K. delivers downtempo electronica that has caught the attention of Aphex Twin and Nabihah Iqbal.

There’s so much more to catch across a weekend packed to the brim with music of all flavours and descriptions, from every far-flung corner of the globe. Dive into the programme here, buy a ticket and prepare to return wide-eyed and open-eared, with that view from beyond the horizon imprinted on your brain.

Get your festival tickets HERE and
explore our WOMAD 2024 playlist below...