This was my first time at WOMAD Festival and whilst I didn’t get to see all of the acts that I had hoped to, here are a few that really caught my attention.

Friday saw Fantastic Negrito, an extravagant, blues-influenced act from Massachusetts take to the Open Stage. His teenage years were filled with drug dealing and other crimes before music offered him an escape. He clearly took the right path and his show was completely electrifying!

Saturday kicked off with Tom Webber, a 50’s loving songwriter with a soul-tinged voice. Tom is a 21st-century singer-songwriter with an unabashed, heart on his sleeve approach, devoted to the sounds of the early 1950s and 60s.

Then came ADG7, an unusual name for an unusual band, this is where traditional folk music fuses with pop. Hailing from Korea, this Shamanic folk pop act has plenty to offer with his extraordinary nine-piece band, pure brilliance!

What can I say about the next band, introduced by the one and only Peter Gabriel, OSIBISA performed a specially selected set to celebrate the 40th WOMAD festival. They were unbelievable and remain one of the best bands around, I beg you to check them out, you can thank me later!

Sunday was the last day and it started with me heading off to see Mariachi Las Adelitas aka ‘the sisters of Mariachi’, this London based outfit are utterly authentic, so much so that Mexico’s most famous actress, Salma Hayek, booked them to serenade her at her own birthday party. They are a must see!

Hollie Cook was next and filled the arena with her sunny vocals which were supported by the rumbling rhythm of her band as it blasted out its perfect blend of roots reggae. Hollie comes from good stock, her father, Paul Cook was the drummer in the Sex Pistols and her mother was a backing singer for Culture Club. Hollie refers to her music as “tropical pop” , welcome to the sound of summer, welcome to Hollie Cook.

The last artist I saw on Sunday was Sussex based singer-songwriter Bess Atwell. She was blessed with the purest of voices and sounded sublime. Here’s an artist who’s not afraid to set songs in the here and now, taking in what’s close around her, hence her song ‘Co-Op’ being about the convenience store across the road from her flat. For me, I can’t help thinking that great things surely beckon for this up and coming artist!

I loved my time at WOMAD, it was a laid bak, chilled weekend of live music, smiles, love and laughter and I cannot wait until next year!

Leigh Bruin