The 3 musicians from Mali playing Kora, Oud and the vali — a unique 21 stringed instrument from Madagascar strung with Bicycle break cables. 3MA are individually all virtuosos — collectively — just stunning!

Lido Pimienta is a Colombian musician, singer, and songwriter who resides in Toronto, Canada. Her music incorporates a variety of styles and influences, including traditional indigenous and Afro-Colombian musical styles as well as a huge chunk of ‘pop’ sensibility.

Tamikrest’s fifth studio album, the music addresses the volatile political situation in the Saharan ancestral lands from which Tamikrest come… and as they say: this is more than an album. This is resistance.

Paul Bosauder is a NZ born flamenco guitarist and a composer who has performed in Europe, Lebanon, UK, USA and New Zealand.

Santtana’s s song “Brazil Patriota” reminds us of the beauty, wildness and fragility of nature, as Santtana directly targets corrupt politicians, speaking about the pain of the deforestation of the Amazon… His music is saying stop, listen to the birds and allow nature to rebel against man.

Toumani Diabate from Mali is a virtuoso of the Kora — a 21 stringed harp — an instrument that has been passed down in his family from father to son for over 700 years!

Malian singer and successful businesswoman Oumou Sangere is often referred to as the ‘songbird of the Wassalou’ a historical region south of the Niger River.

The ensemble Constantinople was formed by Kiya Tabassian who sings and plays the Iranian 4 stringed setar. Originally from Iran, the Tabassian family relocated to Montreal in 1998 and over the years, the ensemble has built a reputation playing a repertoire that includes music from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance and in the process they have collaborated with many different artists.

The Cuban 16-piece big band Orquesta Akokán are a band assembled and led by Cuban vocalist José “Pepito” Gómez, and featuring a collective of some of the finest Cuban musicians. At Womad 2020 they were one of the highlights of the weekend.

Allen is one of the most distinctive drummers I ever heard and played a big role in the development of Afro Beat when he worked as a musical director for Nigerian super star Fela Kuti. South African trumpet player Hugh Masekela who had a global hit called Grazing in the Grass back in the 60’s also played Womad NZ in 2013. He passed away in January 2018.