WOMAD prides itself with its diversity and variety and will uphold this tradition in grand style come late July. Taking place at Charlton Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, between Thursday 25 – Sunday 28 July 2013 the latest acts announced today make a formidable line-up. 

From Nigeria, there’s the heavy, heavy sound of Afrobeat, delivered here by Seun Kuti, son of the incomparable Fela whose band Egypt 80 are now under the commanding leadership of Kuti Jr. If Afrobeat is a timeless music, so too is the soulful reggae of Toots & The Maytals. ‘Toots’ Hibbert will be leading his charges through all those hits – Monkey Man, Funky Kingston, Pressure Drop, Do The Reggay…

While Afrobeat and reggae have been around for decades, the spotlight is also thrust on newer musical styles. Electro-swing – the sounds of the 1920s put through the digital mincer – has found huge popularity over the last few years and Charlton Park will be welcoming the style’s creator, Parov Stelar, and his band who’ll raise the roof in glamorous style. The Heavy have also enjoyed enormous worldwide success in recent times and the soul-funk-rock outfit, originally from just down the road in Bath, will be swapping the studios of Letterman for a sunkissed meadow in Wiltshire this summer.  

But, unlike other festivals, a WOMAD event is never simply about the headliners, the established big-hitters. WOMAD’s audiences like to do their own exploring, to set sail on their own voyages of discovery. And this year they’ll find themselves drifting towards all manner of performers, including…

Adjágas (Norway) The impressionistic, other-worldly sounds of this pair of Laplanders is a dreamy introduction to music inside the Arctic Circle.

The Bombay Royale (Australia/India) Where the surf-rock sound of Tarantino’s movies is given a Bollywood re-rub.

Carminho (Portugal) The mournful sound of Portuguese fado music just found itself a new star. And one who’s unafraid to smile when she’s singing.

Christine Salem (Réunion) Deeply committed performer of maloya, the highly percussive Indian Ocean blues.

Dizu Plaatjies and Ibuyambo Ensemble (South Africa) Another lesson in African musical history from the former founder and leader of Amampondo.

Fimber Bravo (Trinidad) Deeply imaginative steel-pan player who’s recently been working with Hot Chip.

Flavia Coelho (Brazil) Where the sunny and light sound of radio-friendly samba-reggae meets the grit and growl of ragga.

Hidden Orchestra (UK) Accessible yet cerebral electronic jazz from this young Edinburgh quartet featuring a double dose of drummers.

Iadoni (Georgia) Strident-voiced choir and guardians of the centuries-oldfolk traditions of Georgia (the country, not the US state).

Jesca Hoop (USA) Super-spooky indie-folk-pop which refreshes the parts other indie-folk-pop can’t reach.

Katy Carr & The Aviators (UK)Elegant and expressive singer who reaches deep into her Polish ancestry for artistic inspiration.

Malouma (Mauritania) Outspoken campaigner for women’s rights and purveyor of skin-pricking, conscience-alerting desert blues.

Mohammad Reza Mortazavi (Iran) One-man percussion whirlwind making the sound of at least three drummers drumming.

Riot Jazz Brass Band (UK) Impeccably played funk and jazz (and xxxx of fun) from these massed Mancunian horns.

Spoek (South Africa) Singer/rapper/producer whose futuristic musical visions are redefining South African music.

Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys (USA) Still the leading Cajun band in all Louisiana (and therefore the whole world). Not a bum note in 25 years of supremacy.

YesKing (UK) Innovative producer/remixer whose own creations summon the spirits of roots reggae, dub, hip-hop, grime and Afrobeat.

Aside from these artists, already announced as performing at WOMAD Charlton Park 2013 are Gilberto Gil, Rokia Traoré, Alice Russell, David Rodigan MBE, Asif Ali Khan, Bwani Junction, Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino, David Wax Museum, Debrapriya & Samanwaya, Dub Inc, Emel Mathlouthi, Fanfare Ciocarlia, Fredy Massamba, GOCOO, Huun Huur Tu, Jagwa Music, Kissmet, Le Vent Du Nord, Lévon Minassian, Mala In Cuba, Malawi Mouse Boys, Mokooma, Nano Stern, Ondatrópica, Osibisa, Sam Lee & Friends, Schlachthofbronx, Syd Arthur, Tamikrest and Urna & Kroke. Further artists will be announced soon.

WOMAD is about so much more than the music though. 2013's festival will welcome back the Taste The World stage, where artists performing in the line-up are invited to present and prepare native dishes for audiences, occasionally using techniques not familiar to these shores. Throughout the weekend children of all ages (all children aged 13 and under get into WOMAD for FREE all weekend) are welcome to join the festival's extensive workshops and activities in the World of Children. On Sunday afternoon all the wonderful creations are presented by their makers in the much loved Children's Parade, which snakes its way through the festival site. Festival goers can unwind in the WOMAD Spa, experience the sights, smells and tastes of the festival’s Global Market or simply enjoy the vintage rides at Carter's Original Steam Fair. 

Tickets on sale here