Womad 2025 Returns with Political Edge and Joyous Performances

Opening at a New Home

The 2025 Womad festival opened its doors at the new Neston Park venue, marking a significant year-long hiatus from its previous location. This transition has brought about several changes, including a more intimate layout and shorter distances between camping areas. Unlike before, where the boundary between spectator and performer dissolves entirely, attendees can bump into headliners in the restroom queue or spot them wandering the site with their kids. The new arboretum setup holds a cosier, village-like feel, complete with a mercifully shorter trek from all camping areas to the main stages.

Musical Highlights and Performances

At Womad, the line between audience and performer is almost nonexistent. Reggae legend Barrington Levy delivered an electrifying performance that extended far beyond his allotted time, engaging the crowd with powerful messages of resistance. He famously turned to the side of the stage to deliver a blunt ultimatum: “Mr Promoter, don’t invite me to your festival and tell me to get off the stage. I’m fucking playing as long as I like.” The crowd back him and he stays, launching into Black Roses and Here I Come, locking in a crowd of nodding, fist-pumping seniors, families, and kids getting a proper musical education.

Greentea Peng closes Friday with a sultry set, backed by an all-female brass section who sound remarkably tight despite having rehearsed only the night before. For sheer stagecraft, though, Brazilian singer Daniela Mercury dominates. Against visuals of favelas and Indigenous tribes raising awareness for conservation, her set is a fierce political charge, and she calls out for democracy before signing off with Michael Jackson’s They Don’t Care About Us. That political edge runs straight through the weekend.

Political Messages throughout the Weekend

The festival's program included discussions on political instability and the rise of right-wing populism, with speakers like Zack Polanski from the Green Party and Rick Wilson from The Lincoln Project offering diverse perspectives. These talks were interwoven with musical performances that echoed themes of peace and solidarity, reminding attendees of shared values. For instance, at Taste the World, Freshlyground cooks a chicken and peanut curry while sharing memories of performing Waka Waka at the 2010 World Cup. The Garifuna Collective bring ancestral grooves from Belize, reminding the crowd that after four songs, “we’re not strangers any more, we’re family.”

Community and Traditions

The enduring strength of Womad is evident in its community, which spans generations. From long-standing stallholders like Marina at Ghana Goods (who has been there for 22 years), to families who first attended as infants, the festival retains a sense of continuity and tradition. Even minor logistical challenges, such as low stages for workshops, are accepted as part of the experience, adding to the event's charm.

Conclusion

The 2025 Womad festival has successfully returned with a mix of joyous performances and political messages, showcasing the enduring community and traditions that have kept it relevant for decades. Despite some minor snags, such as the low stages at workshops, this year’s edition reaffirms Womad's position as a vital cultural event, blending music, culture, and activism in an engaging and transformative way. Hidden gems are found by wandering into smaller tents, where artists hold crowds in cult-like fixation. At the Sunflower tent, 83-year-old Aboriginal Australian elder Kankawa Nagarra delivers spellbinding desert blues and gospel; on the Village Stage, Sabine McCalla’s vocals feel entirely detached from time, howling mid-song like her dog to an unblinking audience.

Source: The Guardian