WOMAD today made it first line up announcement, these include: Gilberto Gil is a genuine musical revolutionary, a key figure of Brazil’s tropicália movement in the late 1960s when his songs of protest and dissent were aimed squarely at the military junta then controlling the country. Malian troubadour Rokia Traoré is another who refuses to bite her tongue, her elegant, eloquent songs speaking against the plight of women worldwide, as well as lamenting the depressing situation currently experienced by her homeland.

While South America and Africa are always well-represented on any WOMAD bill, the talent closer to home is never ignored, either. Brighton’s Alice Russell is arguably the most effortless soul singer these shores have produced for decades, possessed with a voice that could halt traffic. It’s small wonder that she’s constantly being called up to collaborate with the likes of David Byrne, Fatboy Slim and Mr Scruff. In reggae circles, David Rodigan MBE is an absolute legend, a sexagenarian Englishman whose DJ selections have secured him victories against the toppermost DJs in Jamaica in live soundclashes. An extraordinary performer not to be missed.

But WOMAD has always been evangelical about turning its audiences on to music they didn’t already know, about opening eyes and ears to the previously unseen and unheard. 2013 upholds this tradition, so take your pick from…

Asif Ali Khan (Pakistan) The star pupil of – and successor to – the great qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

Bwani Junction (UK) Sharply alert indie-pop and shimmering African guitars mark out this four-piece as the Caledonian answer to Vampire Weekend.

Canzoniere Grencanico Salentino (Italy) Leading traditional music ensemble with CV that includes playing with Ballaké Sissoko, Ludovico Einaudi and Stewart Copeland. 

David Wax Museum (USA) Top-notch Mexican-flavoured Americana.

Debapriya and Samanwaya (India) Sitar mastery from these two young players.

Dub Inc (France) Sunshine grooves from this reggae/dub outfit from St Etienne.

Emel Mathlouthi (Tunisia) Haunting singer occupying the (admittedly broad) territory between Joan Baez and Portishead’s Beth Gibbons.

Fanfare Ciocarlia (Romania) The party-starting massed gypsy horns who’ve even known to slip a Duke Ellington tune or two into their repertoire.

Fredy Massamba (Congo) Super-slick Afro-soul straight from the streets of Congo-Brazzaville, via Belgium.

Gocoo (Japan) Elemental 11-piece (seven women, four men) taiko drum ensemble.

Huun Huur Tu (Russia) With more than 20 years of live shows under their belts, these Tuvans remain the masters of the beguiling tradition of dual-note throat singing.

Jagwa Music (Tanzania) Frenetic band who hit hard with the new, gritty sound of the city, delivered through homespun percussion and a battered vintage Casio keyboard.

Kissmet (UK/India) Magical meeting of bhangra and rock.

Le Vent du Nord (Québec) Flamboyant protectors of Québécois folk music traditions.

Lévon Minassian (Armenia) The undisputed star of the doudouk (an Armenian woodwind instrument) and previous Peter Gabriel collaborator.

Mala in Cuba (UK) The dubstep don takes the album made in Cuba with Gilles Peterson into the live arena.

Malawi Mouse Boys (Malawi) When they’re not playing their delightfully chiming acoustic songs, they can be found selling barbecued mouse-on-a-stick to passing drivers.

Mokoomba (Zimbabwe) The local meets the global, as the music of Zimbabwe’s Tonga people is further flavoured by occasional forays into rap and reggae.

Nano Stern (Chile) Young singer-songwriter with stirring set of protest songs.

Ondatrópica (Colombia) All-star aggregation of young and old Medellin musicians, co-conceived by Will ‘Quantic’ Holland.

Osibisa (Ghana/Antigua/Jamaica/USA) Sunshine grooves from reconvened Afro-rock veterans.

Sam Lee & Friends (UK) Mercury-nominated folk singer and song collector continues his quest to guide the tradition into the 21st century.

Schlachthofbronx (Germany) Bottom-end worshipping Bavarian bassheads brew up dancehall, dub, techno, baile funk and kwaito.

Syd Arthur (UK) Young folky psychedelicists whose mesmerising songs channel the ghost of the recently departed Kevin Ayers.

Tamikrest (Mali) The songs of these desert bluesmen will carry even more gravity and significance following the events of the last few months in northern and central Mali.

Urna & Kroke (Mongolia/Poland) Polish band Kroke (a favourite of the late DJ Charlie Gillett) in collaboration with the strikingly voiced Mongolian singer Urna.

WOMAD Festival 2013 takes place at Charlton Park, Malmesbury from Thu 25th to Sun 28th July 

Tickets available from here