T5m was at the WOMAD festival in Wiltshire, a fabulous collection of some of the most influential and funky artists, performers and musicians from all round the globe.

With WOMAD standing for World Of Music Art and Dance, the festival takes that name seriously, bringing together everyone from drum n’ bass impresario Roni Size to Malam Mamane Barka of Niger, playing the traditional music of the Boudouma tribe.

That’s really what it’s all about says Senon Williams of the LA based, Cambodian influenced, Dengue Fever. He described the festival as “a completely insane mix of music, that’s why you come to WOMAD, there’s something for everybody!”

Eddy Grant, the godfather of black music in the UK, was full of praise for the ideals of the festival, telling t5m “what is being done here is laudable because it gives an opportunity for musicians from all kinds of backgrounds and cultures to ply their trade.” Grant was right on the money, as throughout the day we discovered talented musicians from every corner of the world who would usually not be playing at such a big venue.

That’s the best thing about WOMAD, that it gives musicians and audiences a chance to discover each other, as the Hebrew singer David d’Or tells us; “Being on stage reminds me why I’m alive and what is my goal in life!”

Who could ask for more than a festival where the performers and spectators are so excited to interact? All this adds up to make WOMAD one of the must-see highlights of the British festival circuit.

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