Womad 2019

Congress Of Animals is a bunch of well-known musicians from Wellington who come together when their schedules allow. Audio

This five-piece acoustic band from Athens plays Greek music from the Rebetiko tradition that gets people singing and dancing. Audio

Ria Hall's original compositions touch on themes of love and war, revolution and change. Audio

Celtic music has always been a crowd pleaser in New Zealand and with his band Mabon, Jamie Smith once more confirmed the popularity of the genre. Audio

Together they have come up with a captivating repertoire of songs that feature Maarja’s folk-like vocal delivery and electric violin, while Ruum’s electronic soundscapes provide an expansive… Audio

Amjad Ali Khan is one of the undisputed masters of world music. He performs with his sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash and their music is an exhilarating blend between East and West. Audio

New Zealand singer/songwriter Charlotte Johansen delivers a spell-binding performance at WOMAD 2019.

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Kora is one of Aotearoa's most respected live bands whose music includes elements of reggae, rock, dub roots and hard-out space-funk! Audio

Singer, songwriter, flautist and bandleader, La Dame Blanche delivers rhymes steeped in Cuban colloquialisms and refrains. Audio

Sona Jobarteh is a master of the West-African 21-string harp, the kora. Audio

Maalem Hamid el Kasri plays the guembri in music of Morocco based in the Gnawa tradition. Audio

It's a brand of noisy folklore, injecting gypsy brass and Balkan music with modern electronica - totally designed for good vibes and dancing. Audio

Angelique Kidjo delivers a powerful and charismatic performance of her own and Talking Heads songs, headlining WOMAD 2019. She had the capacity crowd totally enthralled confirming her status as… Audio

A swamp-blues rock trio called My Baby who are based in Amsterdam and include a Kiwi guitarist had their audience up and dancing at WOMAD 2019 in Taranaki. Audio

Described by Rolling Stone magazine as 'The Best Reggae band in the world right now', The Black Seeds infuse their live shows with smooth well-paced energy and good vibes. Audio

Blending Mexican folk traditions with urban hip hop flavours, Las Cafeteras use their music to tell stories about the streets where they were raised, the communities they live in today and their… Audio

It started with the visionary passion of teacher Camake Valaule and five students from Taiwu Elementary School, to document, perform and hold high the traditional songs of the Paiwan tribal villages.

The Original Gypsies 12-piece band produces a tight wall of fiery flamenco-infused rhythms, accompanied by raw, raspy vocals. Audio

Baloji draws influences from his Congolese heritage that he delivers with a poetic and political punch. Audio

It's music for the people - by the people - with the people, presented by a band whose high-energy performances have made them one of South Africa's most successful musical exports. Audio

WOMAD has just made the first artist announcement for its 2019 festival, which is taking place in Taranaki in March.

RNZ's Kirsten Johnstone previews some of the acts that will be performing at next year's WOMAD festival. She's got music from Angelique Kidjo, Silk Road Ensemble and Teeks. Audio

Another diverse line-up, including locals Nadia Reid, Kora and The Black Seeds, as well as exciting site changes have been announced for WOMAD 2019. Video, Audio

RNZ's Trevor Reekie shares some of his highlights from the Womad 2019 line up announced this week. Audio

Singer/songwriter Angélique Kidjo is from Benin in West Africa. She's known for her diverse musical influences and creative music videos. Her latest project is a reimagination of Talking Heads' 1980… Video, Audio

Joanne Pirrie is performing at WOMAD 2019 as part of POP-UP Duets (fragments of love) with Edinborough dance company Janis Claxton Dance. Kim Hill spoke to her ahead of her visit. Video, Audio, Gallery

Ian Bruce, aka Mr Bruce, is a painter and the lead singer in music duo The Correspondents. Alongside DJ Chucks, the pair bring together jazz and swing with modern electro and drum'n'bass to deliver a… Video, Audio

Nadia Reid performs a special live version of new song 'All Of My Love' from her upcoming album, due out later this year. The song was written after a New Years Eve in Levin.  Video, Audio

Eva Radich takes a guess at likely highlights at this year’s WOMAD, and shares a favourite bluegrass band.

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Singer songwriter Charlotte Johansen has opened for the likes of Dave Dobbyn and Shona Laing and is playing at Womad next month Audio

RNZ Music is proud to share this exclusive live version of Finn Andrews’ song ‘One by the Venom’, from his forthcoming solo album One Piece at a Time, which is out March 15. Video

Risk, learning and sharing remain fundamental to the joy for both players and audiences of the Grammy winning ensemble Silkroad, says Jeffrey Beecher, co-artistic director. Silkroad play Auckland… Video, Audio

RNZ's resident world music expert and host of Worlds of Music, Trevor Reekie, profiles five of th acts playing at this year's WOMAD festival. Video

A small army of contractors and volunteers has been busy in Taranaki this week setting up the WOMAD world music festival, which kicks off in New Plymouth this evening. Our Taranaki-Whanganui reporter… Video, Audio

Silkroad Ensemble's world fusion feast delights audience but went too easy on the spice Video

Jamie Smith's Mabon members talk to Kirsten Johnstone and play a song for us live at WOMAD 2019. Audio

Amjad Ali Khan live at WOMAD Video, Audio

Sona Jobarteh is the first professional female Kora virtuoso to come from a West African Griot 9storyteller/musician) family. She performed Malian love song 'Jarabi' (Beloved) live for RNZ Music ahead… Video, Audio

The mood at Taranaki’s WOMAD world music festival is more sombre and reverent than in previous years. Video

Organisers of Taranaki’s three-day world music festival WOMAD have explained their decision to continue with the event in the wake of the Christchurch mosque attacks.

Despite the tragic events in Christchurch and many events around the country being cancelled, attendees at Taranaki's WOMAD world music festival have gathered to celebrate diverse cultures from all…

NZ Music was lucky enough to record an intimate live session with Estonian experimental electronic duo Maarja Nuut & Ruum. They performed their darkly evocative track ‘The Lost Geese’. Video, Audio

Taranaki's annual world music festival WOMAD went ahead this weekend, despite the heartbreaking events in Christchurch. Chris Schulz was there to receive the messages of love, hope and unity from a… Video

Traditional Greek music ensemble Rebetien perform the song 'Gineka Pou Psifizi' especially for RNZ Music at WOMAD 2019. Video, Audio