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WOMAD, taking place from July 23 to 26, at its new Neston Park site in Wiltshire, has revealed the second wave of performers for its 2026 edition.
Artists announced include East London jazz musician Alfa Mist, Brazilian pop icon Daniela Mercury, and Mercury Prize-nominated multi-instrumentalist Emma Jean Thackray.
Paula Henderson, artist programmer for WOMAD, said: “Curating WOMAD is about discovery, bringing together artists from different musical worlds who expand horizons and connect with our audience.
“This second wave of artists reflects that spirit, and we’re looking forward to welcoming these incredible musicians to our new home at Neston Park.”
Also joining the line-up are Congolese groove pioneers Jupiter & Okwess, Bristol’s Ishmael Ensemble and Rituals Orchestra, and Brooklyn-based disco-soul trio Say She She.
The full programme celebrates musical diversity, with acts spanning jazz, folk, reggae, electronica, and more.
From Lebanon, Yasmine Hamdan brings her signature blend of Arabic electronica and songwriting, while France’s Barrut delivers a powerful vocal collective rooted in Occitan polyphony.
The Beatbox Collective, world champions in vocal percussion, will also perform.
Other artists include Peru’s Big Pollo, Belarusian accordionist Yegor Zabelov, Afro grunge band Boko Yout from Sweden, and Spanish artist Clara Serra López, who blends Catalan and Cuban influences.
The festival will also feature American hip-hop group Cure For Paranoia, South African pop outfit Freshlyground, Jamaican reggae artist Hempress Sativa & Unconquerable Band, and Australian blues and gospel singer Kankawa Nagarra.
Poetry and music combine with LYR, featuring the words of UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.
WOMAD returns with a packed programme beyond the music, including the World of Words for talks and spoken word, the Hip Yak Poetry Shack, and the World of Wellness, offering hot tubs and all-day yoga.
Workshops range from dance classes to instrument tutorials, encouraging hands-on global exploration.
The family-friendly World of Children area offers more child-focused activities than any other festival, culminating in the beloved Sunday afternoon parade.
All children aged 13 and under attend for free.
At the Taste the World stage, artists will step off the stage and into the kitchen to share recipes and stories from their home countries.
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