The Womad festival celebrated a successful return this summer, taking over its new home at Neston Park in Wiltshire after a year's hiatus in 2025. The event, renowned for its diverse global music offerings, managed to blend its signature joyous performances with a palpable thread of political engagement, resonating with a crowd eager for both entertainment and meaningful discourse.
Attendees at the new arboretum site experienced a more intimate, village-like atmosphere, with significantly shorter treks from camping areas. The limited phone signal inadvertently fostered a sense of community, encouraging analogue meet-ups and a more present experience. The festival's unique charm, where headliners mingle with the crowd and participate in intimate discussions, remained a core feature, reinforcing the boundary-dissolving ethos Womad is known for.
Musically, the festival delivered several memorable moments. Reggae icon Barrington Levy captivated the Friday crowd with a defiant performance, extending his set beyond scheduled times and earning enthusiastic support. Brazilian sensation Daniela Mercury delivered a powerful, politically charged set, incorporating visuals highlighting conservation issues and advocating for democracy, notably concluding with a rendition of Michael Jackson's 'They Don't Care About Us'. Greentea Peng also impressed, closing Friday with a sultry performance backed by an all-female brass section.
The political current ran deep throughout the weekend. The festival's talks stage hosted robust discussions on political instability and the rise of right-wing populism. Green Party leader Zack Polanski drew a large audience as he spoke on arms sales and called for rent controls, while Rick Wilson of The Lincoln Project offered insights into the mechanics of 'Maga' movements. This message of peace and solidarity was echoed across the music stages, with artists like The Garifuna Collective and Oumou Sangaré delivering unifying messages.
Beyond the main stages, hidden gems were discovered in smaller tents. Eighty-three-year-old Aboriginal Australian elder Kankawa Nagarra delivered spellbinding desert blues and gospel, while Sabine McCalla's timeless vocals captivated audiences on the Village Stage. Despite minor structural issues, such as low stages at workshops, the overall consensus was that Womad's community spirit and passion, exemplified by long-standing stallholders and multi-generational attendees, continue to be its enduring strengths. The festival's chaotic energy and determination were perfectly encapsulated by Japanese outfit Seppuku Pistols, whose performance saw a band member break their ankle mid-show, continuing unaware to a chanting crowd.