The WOMAD – World of Music, Arts and Dance – Festival was founded in 1980 by a number of influential figures in the music business including Peter Gabriel. The first actual event took place in 1982 in Shepton Mallet and was considered to have been a commercial failure. However the idea was rescued by the band Genesis who put on a special show, re-launching the event into the world-travelling festival you can visit today.

The ethos behind WOMAD is an all inclusive philosophy where all kinds of inspiring and intriguing music, performance and dance are welcome under the festival’s banner. If anything, this is a party that is defined by its very lack of definition – all are welcome and you can expect to catch a myriad show of music here, from the very latest in electronic music production through to the real tribal beats of long lost cultures. WOMAD will never fail to surprise and delight the real festival lover.

There are a whole range of attractions that sit alongside the eclectic musical selection at WOMAD. In addition to the huge range of workshops where you can find everything from story telling and comedy through to the creative arts there’s a rather interesting little feature where bands cook dishes from their homeland. Great if you want to get a little taste of their sound.

28 - 31 July.