AN “anti-algorithm” festival is to be staged in Scotland this summer when WOMAD comes to Glasgow for the first time.
Founded in 1982 by Peter Gabriel and other like-minded musicians, the festival has become a global phenomenon, staged in countries across the world from Spain to Chile, New Zealand and Australia.
The acronym stands for World Of Music, Arts And Dance, and in Glasgow audiences will be encouraged to reject the influence of algorithms that suggest what they should listen to and embrace the unexpected.
They will be encouraged to wander between stages to see if they happen to fall in love with an artist they have never heard, or find themselves captivated by a genre or instrument they never knew existed.
“WOMAD Glasgow’s programme is built on a love of musical curiosity, rather than artists’ online views or streaming stats,” said WOMAD International Programmer Paula Henderson.
“World music is both ancient and contemporary, it’s fluid and profoundly interconnected, so we’re encouraging audiences to become explorers for the weekend and move between genres, languages and influences.”
Homegrown talent like Peat & Diesel, Talisk, Shooglenifty and Kim Carnie will sit alongside international artists spanning continents, traditions and styles, including Malian guitar virtuoso Vieux Farka Touré, Ghanaian innovator King Ayisoba, Gambian kora player Suntou Susso and Indian folk-rock star Raghu Dixit.
Henderson said: “If you threw a pin on a map of the world, you would more than likely land on a country whose music will be represented at WOMAD Glasgow.
“In an increasingly divided world, it’s a precious thing to embrace internationalism with open arms.
“We’re asking audiences to ditch the checklist of artists they already know and get lost for a while – that’s the point!”
Carnie, who will play the festival’s Gravity Stage at Kelvingrove skatepark on July 4, said it would be “a melting pot” of culture and music.
“It’s an opportunity to stumble upon something you’ve never heard or experienced before,” she said.
“It’s going to be a high energy, fun celebration of music from around the world – it’s not something I’d want to miss and I’m excited to be playing a small part in it.”
She added: “There’s something really special when someone who isn’t aware of your music, accidentally finds you and instantly connects with what you are sharing.
“When you have that sort of organic growth within your fanbase, it feels super authentic, so it’s wonderful to be part of a festival which promotes that sense of fortuitous discovery and musical open-mindedness.
“It’s true what they say about a Glasgow audience – one of the best in the world.
“To combine that energy with WOMAD coming to the city is going to be so special for both performers and the audience.”
WOMAD Glasgow will bring 30 artists from 22 countries to four stages this summer in Kelvingrove Park, alongside a programme of creative workshops for children and adults.
It will take place on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4. The full programme and tickets are available at womadglasgow.com
