Gil Scott-Heron to play Womad

Legendary US political poet and smart rap ancestor Gil Scott-Heron will break his World Tour to perform at this summer's WOMAD festival. Without a doubt one of the most important voices in 20th century music, he will close the festival on Sunday 25 July and enchant the crowd with tracks from his stunning new album "I'm New Here".

Festival Director Chris Smith said "The Main stage at WOMAD is the natural home for a musical legend, the godfather of rap music who unlike so many of todays 'artists' embeds powerful messages in exceptional music. It will be a highlight of this year's festival for me"

Also joining this year's line-up is Malian afro-pop star Salif Keita, the world-famous Drummers of Burundi and indigenous Australian superstar Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, the extraordinary Congolese street musicians Staff Benda Bilili, Jamaican star (and Massive Attack collaborator) Horace Andy, Australian/Anglo institution Rolf Harris and his band and the glorious, home-grown talent of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.

Others artists confirmed are; Afro Celt Sound System (UK), Alim Qasimov Ensemble (Azerbaijan), The Bays & The Heritage Orchestra with Simon Hale & John Metcalf (UK), Bibi Tanga & The Selenites (Central African Republic/France), La BrassBanda (Germany), Calypso Rose (Tobago), Dan Sultan (Australia), Dobet Gnahore (Cote D'Ivoire), Don Letts (UK), Hanggai (China), Imelda May (Ireland), Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara (UK/Gambia), The Kamkars (Iran), LA-33 (Colombia), Lepisto & Lehti (Finland), Little Axe (USA), Mayra Andrade (Cape Verde), Nouvelle Vague (France), Novalima (Peru), Orchestra Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou (Benin), Poirier feat. Face T (Canada/Jamaica), Rango (Egypt), Sentimento Gypsy Paganini (Hungary), Steven Sogo (Burundi), Syriana (UK/Ireland/Algeria/Jordan/Palestine), Tanya Tagaq (Canada) Toumast (Niger).

www.womad.org