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WOMAD Festival: More acts announced for July 2024

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WOMAD, today announces a new slate of inspiring artists from around the world to Wiltshire’s Charlton Park from Thursday 25 to Sunday 28 July 2024.

Announced for this year’s festival is the Sicily-born reggae superstar Alborosie [Italy] who will absolutely get the party started on Thursday night. This Jamaica-residing singer and producer has collaborated with the likes of the Wailing Souls and King Jammy. DJPaulette has consistently broken the mould as a female DJ, trailblazing the way for others, from ruling the Hacienda in the early ’90s to touring the globe many times, she is a true icon.  

Joining them will be the varied musical talents of singer and composer Sid Sriram [India / USA], who combines Indie and R&B with his native Carnatic music, forming the unique sound he is known so well for. Another exciting announcement is that Ghana Special [Ghana] will be performing, including an all-star line-up and some bona-fide highlife legends; Pat Thomas, Kwashibu Area Band, Charles Amoah and K.O.G, they’re sure to showcase the rich sounds of this corner of West Africa.  

Also announced is LINA_ [Portugal], regarded as one of the finest interpreters of the Portuguese fado tradition and exploring the more bluesier influences, Leyla McCalla [USA / Haiti] who takes her cello into the folk traditions of both North America and the Caribbean, an homage to her mixed heritage. Also added is New York-based singer-songwriter Emel [Tunisia / USA], whose barbed political songs have often been banned on the airwaves in her native Tunisia, golden-voiced singer Brittany Davis [USA], who takes inspiration from Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys and Erykah Badu, and the all-female Pankisi Ensemble [Georgia], whose stirring four-part harmonies are sure to bring the drama.  

On top of that, Gnawa Blues All Stars [UK / Morocco] join the lineup, bringing together the deep and irresistible grooves of North African Gnawa with the sounds of West Africa, South America, Asia and beyond, and a rare female take on the same sound the warm voiced Asmâa Hamzaoui fronts the bluesy intensity of her all-woman band Bnat Tombouktou [Morocco].  

Orange Blossom [France], who take their deep appreciation for the music of North and West Africa with a masterful command of electronica, Flamingods [UK / Bahrain] who deal in mind expanding electronica-seasoned psych-rock, and Maria Türme [Spain], who as one of Spain’s leading DJs encompasses much from Balkan beats, ghetto funk, electro-swing and much more.  

The much-loved trio from Montreal, Genticorum [Canada], who delve deep into Québécois folk traditions using an array of instruments will also be gracing the stage, as will the five-piece Gangar [Norway], who fuse their homelands folk heritage with that renowned Scandinavian love for various shades of metal, and folk trio Hack-Poets Guild [UK] will be resurrecting generations-old broadside ballads that still find their voice in the 21st century.  

Bringing the sounds of classic-era Latin jazz from Havana and New York city are the New Regency Orchestra [UK], who add a contemporary London re-rub to the genre, GS Collective [UK], whose heartfelt and heady musicians, MC’s and singers brilliantly deliver performances of jazz-inflected hip-hop and R&B, Levitation Orchestra [UK] who create a spiritually progressive form of London Jazz that absorbs and reshapes electronica and ambient sounds and ten-person juggernaut of sound Bixiga 70 [Brazil], brilliantly fusing the urgency of Afrobeat with the cool of Latin Jazz.

Flying in from Ho Chi Minh City is Saigon Soul Revival [Vietnam], who revisit the classical sound of sixties and seventies Vietnamese soul and rock, Mangrove Steelband [UK], 11 time national steel champions of the irrepressible sound of carnival, and TC & The Groove Family [UK], a ten-strong outfit who supersede the musical boundaries of Afrobeats, Jungle, breakbeats, highlife and ska, combining them all into a unique groove, and Skarra Mucci [Jamaica] who is equally at ease with reggae, dancehall and hip-hop.

Giving a live set at WOMAD will be Romare [UK] bringing his much admired cut’n’paste creations to vivid and vivacious life, funk DJ WBBL [UK] with wall-shaking drum & bass, hip-hop and house, Mista Trick [UK] with his extensive record collection perfect for getting the crowds dancing away, musical polymath Jason Singh [UK], and O.B.F. [France] the much-lauded dub-wise sound system, inspired by dub-cultures of Jamaica and the UK, who over the weekend will welcome grime MC Iman [UK] on the mic.  

They will bejoining the showstopping lineup which includes multi-genre hero Sampa The Great [Zambia], progressive hip-hop trio Young Fathers [UK], electronic trailblazer Alison Goldfrapp [UK], bluesy duo Amadou & Mariam [Mali], cultural visionary Baaba Maal [Senegal], punk-rock showstoppers Gogol Bordello [USA] and the first hip-hop group to rap in Arabic, DAM [Palestine].

WOMAD is not just about incredible music; it has an abundance of activity; more announcements on the World of Words coming next week.

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Soultasia Brings a Night of Soul & Disco to Reading This August

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Soultasia at Prospect Park , Reading

Soul and disco fans are in for a treat as Soultasia makes its Reading debut with a spectacular open-air concert at Prospect Park on Friday 14 August 2026.

Running from 5:00pm to 10:30pm, the event promises an evening packed with timeless anthems and legendary performers, as one of the UK’s fastest-growing soul and disco concert brands brings its acclaimed live show to Berkshire.

The star-studded line-up features some of the biggest names in classic soul, funk and disco, including The Real Thing, Gwen Dickey – the iconic voice of Rose Royce – Odyssey, Loose Ends, and Phil Fearon & Galaxy. The evening will be hosted by Ian Reading, with DJ Darren Bull keeping the party going throughout the event.

Since launching in 2021, Soultasia has become one of the UK’s leading touring soul and disco festivals, attracting thousands of music lovers with its nostalgic celebrations of classic hits and legendary artists. The brand now stages events across the country, combining iconic live performances with a vibrant festival atmosphere.

Held in the picturesque surroundings of Prospect Park, the Reading edition is expected to draw fans from across the South East for an unforgettable summer evening of live entertainment. Tickets start from around £23 plus booking fees, with VIP Golden Circle upgrades also available for those wanting front-of-stage access and exclusive facilities.

Tickets are still available, but with strong demand expected, organisers are encouraging fans to book early to avoid disappointment.

With feel-good classics, singalong favourites and some of soul music’s most celebrated performers all on one stage, Soultasia Reading is shaping up to be one of the area’s standout live music events of the summer.

Soultasia Reading takes place on Friday 14 August 2026 at Prospect Park, Reading, from 5:00pm until 10:30pm.

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Just Ten Days to Go Until Stowaway’s 5th Birthday Celebration!

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Stowaway Festival - main stage at night 2 (c) Alastair Brookes 2024

There’s just two weeks to go now until one of the UK’s fastest growing music festivals Stowaway Festival celebrates its fifth birthday. An independent, family-friendly festival, Stowaway is happening over the weekend of July 31st – August 2nd in idyllic surroundings near Stowe, north Buckinghamshire. Weekend tickets are still available starting from just £249, with adult day tickets costing £90 – purchase here.

On Friday July 30th, the incredible Brooklyn trio Say She She will top the bill, preceded by a stacked list of dance music luminaries including Eris Drew b2b GallegosDr BananaMove DAlex Kassian, and DJ sets from Gabriels and Ishmael Ensemble.  Legendary drum‘n’bass label Hospital Records will celebrate their 30th birthday with a takeover of the Shake Off stage with sets from London ElektricityLens, DJ Zinc and Makoto.

Saturday August 1st will see drum‘n’bass legend Skream headline Stowaway on a day which includes sets from Ewen McVicarCalibreScientistFrancois K1-800 GirlsNicky Blackmarket plus live performances from Emma-Jean Thackray and Joshua Idehen.

Sunday August 2nd will see the mighty Nightmares on Wax (DJ Set) & Kokoroko bring Stowaway to a close, preceded by Hot 8 Brass BandWheelUPRohan Rakhit, and the hilarious Loco Cricket, which happens on the green on Sunday afternoon and always draws a huge crowd.

As well as its eclectic musical mix, Stowaway offers wild swimming, canoeing & paddle boarding, wellness & relaxation, kid’s activities (all included in the ticket price), and a lakeside woodland spa. The artisan food & drink available on site is carefully curated, with healthy and not-so-healthy eating options and no-and-low drinks as well as craft beers and cocktails.

Founded in 2022 by Duncan Wheeler, who grew up on Blackpit Farm, Stowaway is 100% independently owned and has no corporate sponsors. The festival’s inclusive mix of eclectic dance music with family friendly vibes is proving ever more popular – in 2025 they increased their audience by over 20%, bucking the trend in a very difficult market for the festival sector.

Created by friends, for friends, Stowaway is a secret world for you to discover.

“What makes Stowaway unique isn’t just their music or food, it’s the vibe. Everyone is there to have fun, smile, and make memories” ★★★★★ (Fab Festivals)

“Not only does Stowaway have a musical bill which is the envy of many bigger festivals, but it has clung to its roots as an intimate, laid-back, uncommercial family-friendly event” (Yahoo News UK)

For a taste of what to expect watch the Stowaway 2025 Aftermovie

Stowaway Split Poster

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Reading Festival Unveils Biggest Arena Overhaul in Its History

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Reading Festival 2026

Pepsi MAX presents Reading and Leeds Festival have announced major new plans for the on-site festival experience at both shows this summer, with a completely revamped stage layout that marks the biggest staging and arena overhaul in the festival’s 37 year history. This year’s Reading Festival is now SOLD OUT with only remaining Sunday Day Tickets available now at https://www.readingfestival.com/ with final Leeds Festival tickets available at https://www.leedsfestival.com/

Synonymous with unforgettable weekends and always looking ahead to pioneer the next chapter in modern culture, this years’ Reading and Leeds Festival will see new stages with their own new identities offering an experience never seen before. These include:

The Grid

The home of the festival’s main stage, The Grid is where iconic headline moments happen. The greatest place to watch live music for the whole of summer, it’s a crowning platform that welcomes the biggest artists on the planet and those leading the way in the here and now. Expect to witness headliners Charli xcx, Fontaines D.C., Dave, Raye, Florence + The Machine and Chase & Status alongside Sombr, Skepta, Role Model, Loyle Carner (Reading only), Blossoms (Leeds only), Declan McKenna, Jade, Maisie Peters, Keo and more soundtracking The Grid this year, with Kasabian making history in Leeds as the first ever Thursday night headliner of Leeds Festival.

The Gallery presented by Budweiser

A brand new stage for 2026, The Gallery is an undercover immersive stage. Innovative LED screen lights and immersive production runs throughout the entire stage. The Gallery is ready to create iconic moments from Josh Baker, Geese, Kneecap, Skye Newman, Kettama and Holly Humberstone amongst others with Gunna, Chris Stussy and Viagra Boys adding to proceedings in Reading whilst Jamie Webster, The K’s and Rose Gray add to the lineup in Leeds. The Warehouse

Previously announced, The Warehouse is a brand-new purpose-built home for dance music with viewing platforms in front and behind the decks, plus huge screen production welcoming special sets from Skepta b2b Prospa, Hybrid Minds, Hedex, Silva Bumpa and Rossi. amongst others. Max Dean goes b2b with Luke Dean as well as Bou, in what will be the first ever custom built, experiential dance stage for Reading and Leeds. 

The Ballroom 

As the name might suggest, for the first-time ever, Reading and Leeds Festival will have a transformed stage complete with unique chandeliers and draping that plays host to artists who are defining and dominating 2026. Mixing together genre, styles and moments – The Ballroom is primed for legendary breakthrough sets from YT, Florence Road, Niko B, Paris Paloma, Bassvictim, Overpass, SPEED, Frost Children, Bleech 9:3, Westside Cowboy, Chloe Qisha, Radio Free Alice, dexter in the newsagent, WHATMORE and Clementine Douglas amongst others. 

The Canopy 

New music has been at the core of Reading and Leeds Festival since the very beginning, and in 2026 The Canopy will usher in a new chapter for new music – with a stage dedicated to festival fans’ next favourite artists. It will play host to the likes of Violet Grohl, Villanelle, December 10, Camille Blackman, Kibo, Finessekid, Cruz Beckham and The Breakers and more. 

The Yard (Reading Only)

The Yard will bring the industrial edge of alternative club culture. Situated in the open-air with shipping containers The Yard this year will offer something completely different to any other stage at the festival. 

These new stages are joined in Leeds Festival by the return of much-loved fan favourites LS23 (lineup for which was revealed last week and sits as one of the most popular late-night destinations) and Piccadilly Circus, with full programming to be revealed in the coming weeks. Leeds Festival sits as the only opportunity for fans to still secure their spot at Reading and Leeds Festival this summer to experience the full weekend’s programming, and ticket buyers are encouraged to purchase now to avoid disappointment. 

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