WOMAD

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  I'm I the only one feeling a little underwhelmed by the line-up so far? Given its the 30th anniversary I was expecting a few more big names - there's a real lack of wow factor for such an historic event.
  Of course, much of the fun of Womad is that I'll be finding bands I've never heard before and really enjoying them; but there are fewer acts on my must see list this time than the last three years.
  Perhaps they are saving the best 'til last ?

  Posted on 26-Jun-2012 9:30pm by Best Mate

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  Big names are often a disappointment in my experience. I know some people wait until the final line-up is released before buying tickets, but I'm an early bird fan myself. You're right though - the best thing about a lot of festivals is seeing stuff you've never seen before. Mind you, Radio 3 Stage line-up hasn't been fully announced yet has it?

  Posted on 26-Jun-2012 9:55pm by Purpledawn

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  Ditto BM. . . never felt so luke warm about a womad line-up since I started going 20 years ago. . . sure there will be some gems to be discovered but even so. . .

  Posted on 26-Jun-2012 10:23pm by Mr Beef

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  What sort of thing do you think is missing? I would say it is a rich & varied line-up. I suppose its hard to please everyone all the time

  Posted on 26-Jun-2012 11:37pm by Bassy

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  yes Bassy I'm with you, I love the surprises, the unknowns. Over the years I have made some great discoveries at Womad. If the line up is underwhelming then go to Radio ! weekend or Leeds/Reading. I could make a list of my special moments. Les Yeux Noirs, Che Sudaka, Acetre, Gasandji, Fatou, Gypsy Paganini, Trio Joubran, Zawose family, Radio Mundial, Anda Union, Sierra Leone Refugee allstars and that amazing chap with the horse head cello from Mongolia or someplace who had the Siam crowd transfixed late one night a couple of years back. My list could go on. Bring it on.

  Posted on 27-Jun-2012 12:12am by Retrac

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  A few more big names?
  So far, I can't tell who's headlining, but I believe these artists have the quality and renown to headline WOMAD:

  Linton Kwesi Johnson
  Khaled
  Femi Kuti
  Gurrumul
  Hugh Masekela
  Jimmy Cliff
  The Sensational Spaceshifters
  Buena Vista Social Club

  And that's not regarding the legends who are perhaps less well known, or the up-and-coming talent that have been programmed. I literally salivate when I look at this year's lineup. Overwhelming if anything, I'm not going to be able to see everyone I'd like.

  Posted on 27-Jun-2012 12:48am by JimHxn

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  As PD said earlier, the so-called big names don't always deliver.
  It's the supposed minnows who blow us away, I've found.
  Remember Toumast at WOMUD? Nobody really knew them then. We were dancing like fools to the soundcheck!
  

  Posted on 27-Jun-2012 6:56am by Baz

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  I'm with BM and MrB on this one, which doesn't mean I think it's a bad line up.

  If it was a normal Womad, whatever that is I'd be into it, but it's not. It's the thirtieth anniversary and I was led to expect something really amazing. I reckon the organisers overhyped it and that's caused me to feel let down. Now if they'd had last years line up this year I'd be chuffed to bits.

  Having said that there's still the BBBs, Bueno Vista, Grupo Fantasma, Linton and Jimmy Cliff for me to get excited about. Nobody of the stature of Baaba Maal though.

  Nobody whatsoever from Espana and nothing from the Barcelona music scene for the first time in ages.

  Posted on 27-Jun-2012 8:52am by SkyBlueSaddler

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  the radio 3 line has been leaked and it's on the radio 3 thread

  as for a big names playing WOMAD we believe in quality and not quantity

  Posted on 27-Jun-2012 9:00am by Cal N Del

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  I'm very excited about the line-up - too much to see as per usual but that's the WOMAD way!

  Posted on 27-Jun-2012 2:08pm by Uppo

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