Womad 2017

The Specials spearheaded the late 70s 2 Tone movement in the UK. They were a staunchly multi-racial band in an era that was divided by racial intolerance. Their back catalogue of hit singles is home… Video, Audio

Produced by Graham Kennedy for RNZ Music Audio

Produced by Graham Kennedy for RNZ Music Audio

Recording Engineer Graham Kennedy. Mixed and Produced by Steve Burridge for RNZ Music. Audio

Produced by Graham Kennedy for RNZ Music Audio

Produced by Graham Kennedy for RNZ Music Audio

The Hot 8 Brass Band live at WOMAD 2017. Audio

Recorded and produced by Darryl Stack for RNZ Music Audio

Marlon Williams' magical performance on opening night at WOMAD Taranaki 2017, a rare chance to catch this local hero on home turf, at the peak of his powers. Audio

Recorded and produced by Darryl Stack for RNZ Music Audio

Engineered by William Saunders for RNZ Music. Audio

New Zealand reggae outfit Sons Of Zion play WOMAD Taranaki 2017 Audio

Nick Bollinger reports from the first day of WOMAD 2017. Gallery

Nick Bollinger reports from the 2nd day of WOMAD 2017.

Roving reviewer Nick Bollinger reports back on some of the highlights of the last day of WOMAD 2017. 

Trevor Reekie talks with contemporary South African a cappella group The Soil, and discovers their Kasi Soul sound. Audio

Hailing from Prince Edward Island on Canada’s east coast, The East Pointers are an acoustic trio drawing on Celtic roots. Trevor Reekie asked them about their music and their home. Audio

Trevor Reekie talks to Brushy One String, with songs live in session backstage at WOMAD 2017. Audio

Trevor Reekie talks with Wojciech Krzak of the Warsaw Village Band, and the band overjoyed with being at WOMAD 2017 share some traditional Polish wedding songs. Audio

Trevor Reekie talked to Marlon Williams backstage at WOMAD, shortly before the recording of his new album. Audio

For over 20 years, one of the most popular and visible funk-style brass bands in New Orleans has been the Hot 8 Brass Band. Sousaphone player Benny Pete talks to Trevor Reekie backstage at WOMAD 2017.

Yadana Saw joins Sinkane, one of the artists at WOMAD 2017 to explore the grounds and some of the acts playing. Video, Audio

WOMAD kicks off in New Plymouth this evening with thousands of revellers flocking to the festival to relax and enjoy music, art and food from around the globe. In the lead-up, more than 100 low-level… Audio

The Hot 8 Brass Band are coming from the US to play WOMAD in mid-March. The band, direct from the streets of New Orleans, has re-cast traditional marching band jazz with funk, R&B and hip-hop. Kim… Audio

Bebel Gilberto talks to Kathryn Ryan about what it is like when your Dad is João Gilberto, the founding father of bossa nova. She's performing in New Plymouth at WOMAD, which runs Friday 17th - Sunday… Audio

Total language immersion is at the heart of 9Bach - an alternative folk group formed by Welsh singer-songwriter and pianist Lisa Jen and her husband English guitarist Martin Hoyland. Audio

Australian reggae artist Nattali Rize is best known as front woman for roots band Blue King Brown. Fresh from Jamaica, she is bringing her brand of soulful and political harmonies to WOMAD Taranaki… Audio

Whether she’s singing in French, English or Bambara, French-Malian hip-hop artist Inna Modja is speaking out against injustice. Video, Audio, Gallery

Sudanese-American multi-instrumentalist Ahmed Gallab speaks to Yadana Saw ahead of his WOMAD 2017 appearance with his band Sinkane Audio

Singer-songwriter Amiria Grenell and professional actor & musician Amy Grace are musical sisters. The duo founded The Swan Sisters after meeting at NASDA and now tour extensively, this year performing… Audio

Singer, song-writer, guitarist, and activist, Archie Roach's song 'Took The Children Away' is widely credited for bringing the story of the Stolen Generation to light. He talks to Nine to Noon about… Video, Audio

Nick Bollinger discusses the joyful noise and violent background of The Hot 8. Audio

Local comedian, poet, presenter, and performer, Penny Ashton, who's taking her show Promise and Promiscuity: A New Musical by Jane Austen and Penny Ashton, to the UK this year, is hosting WOMAD… Audio