WOMAD Charlton Park is the name given to the World of Music Arts and Dance (WOMAD) festival held in Charlton Park in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England, since 2007. It is the direct successor to WOMAD Reading, which was held in the town of Reading each year from 1986 to 2006.[1]
WOMAD festival is held on the last weekend of July, and currently lasts three and a half days, stretching from the Thursday evening to early Monday morning.[2] The line up is predominantly World Music, but Blues, Jazz, Hip hop and Rock artists also appear.
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WOMAD was pioneered by various international artists, notably Peter Gabriel in Shepton Mallet, the first concerts took place in 1982. Peter Gabriel is still a major driving force behind the organisation and its various branches of activity in the music industry. [3]
Reading became the regular site for WOMAD in the UK four years after its inception, and the festival became established there over 20 years. The first Womad Reading was held in 1986, and the last festival was held in 2006.[1]
The festival took place every year on the last weekend of July, at the Rivermead Centre and Little John's Farm in Reading. By the end of its run in Reading, the festival had three stages:[1]
In light of the mud caused by poor weather prior to the first festival in its new location, and on the Saturday night, many festival goers nicknamed the festival WOMUD.[4]
WOMAD 2008 was luckier, a weekend of blistering sunshine in an otherwise poor summer. The 2008 festival was well received and reviewed for its broad lineup and inclusive atmosphere.[5] Mercury Prize-winner Roni Size Reprazent said: "What makes this festival different from every other festival that I've been to is when you walk into the tent. It's filled up with kids and buggies and their mothers and their fathers. Now that is an unbelievable sight."[6]
The format has evolved and expanded since 1986. Stages in 2008 included:[7]