Next week WOMEX 24 Festival will take over five of Manchester’s most iconic venues for three nights of incredible live music, DJs and films from across the globe.
The festival, which comes to the city for the first time ever next week, will bring together 50+ international acts representing a mix of musical genres and styles, including folk, afrobeat, roots, jazz, reggae and electronica.
Among the artists performing are Orchestra Baobab, known for their smooth blend of Cuban rhythms and traditional West African sounds; Japanese neo-folk fusion band Mitsune; Parisian group Sarāb, who mix Arabic music, jazz and psychedelic rock; Jamaican artist Kabaka Pyramid who fuses traditional reggae with modern hip-hop; and Les Mamans du Congo x Rrobin who will present an electrifying fusion of Congolese rhythms and modern electronic beats.
A special opening night concert will also take over The Bridgewater Hall on Wed 23 Oct. Hosted by local legend, DJ Paulette and with artistic direction by Jenna G, the night promises a vibrant celebration of Greater Manchester’s music scene.
On the film front, How We Have Loved journeys into the creative process of acclaimed Swedish folk singer Sara Parkman. Machtat tells the story of Fatma and her two daughters Najeh and Waffeh, both of whom are wedding singers in Tunisia — Najeh tries to remarry to escape the authority of her brothers, while Waffeh wishes to divorce her violent husband as Fatma navigates between both, praying for things to get better.
Song of Souls completes the cinema programme. The film follows Shan folk singer Nan Mya Han, and reflects on the loss that pervades people battered by Myanmar’s ruinous politics, interweaving her songs with compelling scenes of rituals around healing, death and birth.
As a WOMEX 24 media partner, we’re offering Manchester Wire subscribers an exclusive discount code giving you 25% off one-Night Festival Passes.
These tickets give you the chance to see up to 18 acts per night across five stages at Albert Hall, Aviva Studios and Manchester Central. Friday and Saturday tickets also get you into the late-night Club Summit and afterparty at O2 Ritz Manchester.
Claim your discounted ticket using the button below.
Thu 24 Oct - Sat 26 Oct, Various city centre locations
- Words:
- Bradley Lengden
- Published on:
- Mon 16 Oct 2023
