MORE than 35,000 people descended on Malmesbury last weekend to enjoy over 200 performances by artists from around the world at this year’s WOMAD festival, which organisers are calling the most successful ever in its 35 year history.
Legendary Jamaican reggae group Toots and the Maytals headlined the packed programme at the music, arts and dance festival which also included performances from Latin funk band Bixiga 70 and Afro-Cuban dance ensemble Orchestra Baobab.
Students from Malmesbury School also put on a fantastic performance.
The weather held out for the most part and despite heavy rain on the Sunday, spirits were never dampened.
WOMAD festival director Chris Smith said: “This was a WOMAD for the ages; one of our best programmes ever featuring a quite extraordinary melee of cultures, voices and musical styles, an incredible crowd who came in record numbers, and a very bright future for the festival, with our residence at Charlton Park extended until at least 2030.”
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