The Worldwide Music Expo (WOMEX) marks its 30th anniversary this year, bringing together an impressive lineup of 61 acts from 44 countries to the vibrant city of Manchester.
IAM catches up with WOMEX’s Press and Communications Manager Gaurav Narula and Director Alexander Walter to explore how this vital platform for the global music industry continues to showcase diverse talents, foster cross-cultural collaborations and adapt to the evolving needs of the music community
WOMEX is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year in Manchester. What makes this city the ideal host for such a significant milestone event in the global music industry?
After the tremendous success of our previous UK editions in Gateshead (Newcastle) in 2005 and Cardiff in 2013, it was only a matter of time before we came back – this time to the vibrant city of Manchester. It has a world outlook and an amazing music scene with a rich musical heritage on the global stage, making it a fitting host for our return to the UK. The city has world-class venues and a robust infrastructure, perfectly equipped to host an event of WOMEX’s scale. And, most importantly, the unwavering support from Manchester City Council, Brighter Sound and English Folk Expo, which has been crucial in bringing WOMEX to life in this dynamic cultural hub of the UK.
The complete lineup features an impressive 61 acts from 44 countries performing across seven stages. How does this diverse representation reflect WOMEX’s mission and its evolution over the past three decades?
WOMEX is committed to reflecting the global music community with fairness and equity at its core. At the beginning of every year, we invite the global music community to submit proposals for conference sessions, films and showcases through an open call. To maintain the vibrancy, relevance and fairness of our programme, we appoint a new, independent seven-member jury each year. This jury is tasked with the challenging responsibility of curating the official WOMEX programme from over 1,000 submissions. With such a diverse range of applications, the jury carefully curates a showcase line-up that reflects a wide array of musical styles, cultural backgrounds and geographic origins. As a result, the jury’s choice is shaped entirely by the submissions that we receive—what is not proposed by the community cannot
be selected.
The Opening ceremony, “Together in Music; We Welcome the World,” showcases four artists that embody the breadth of Greater Manchester’s music scene. Can you tell us more about how these performances will set the tone for the entire event and celebrate the city’s rich musical heritage?
Manchester is a fertile music hub and has never been shy of its pride in its cultural and musical boldness. We like to see the opening performances as showcases in themselves, and they act as both part of our showcase “offer” and a celebration of the city. They display a broad range for the ears and hearts. They call Greater Manchester home, but they can stand up to any international challenge, and they take on the bold task of being the welcome party and the sonic scene setters. Please don’t miss them!
In addition to the official showcases, the offWOMEX programme provides an extra platform for artists to present their music to the global audience. How does this initiative contribute to WOMEX’s goal of discovering and promoting emerging talent from around the world?
The offWOMEX stage at WOMEX provides an additional platform for artists, industry professionals and delegations to present music showcases to complement the other elements of our WOMEX showcase programme. It offers an opportunity for emerging artists, export offices, support structures and cultural organisations to showcase their talents and projects, often organised in collaboration with country or region-specific delegations. While it is not part of the jury-selected showcases, offWOMEX is integral to our programme, enriching the overall WOMEX experience by highlighting certain regions from around the world. It’s an equally important stage at WOMEX for discovery and connection, offering exposure to both artists and audience.
WOMEX has been a vital platform for the global music industry since 1994. As you reflect on its 30-year history, what have been some of the most significant milestones or success stories that have emerged from the event?
Since its inception in 1994, growing out of the pre-WOMEX cradle of the then “Worldwide Music Days” within the Berlin Independence Days conference, WOMEX has been a travelling event, moving across Europe. With every new location, we face fresh challenges not only for us but also new opportunities for our global delegates.
Thankfully, our experienced team, together with strong local partners, has consistently ensured the success of each edition. A key factor in WOMEX’s journey is its strong supporting community and continuous development. What began as an intimate gathering of around 250 professionals has, over the last 30 years, organically grown into a diverse marketplace attracting nearly 3,000 attendees.
WOMEX stands apart as the most diverse and internationally recognised music gathering; it is constantly evolving, shaped by the innovative ideas and contributions of its community. Notably, many of our today’s delegates were born after WOMEX’s founding in 1994, highlighting that the event’s future rests in the hands of the next generation.
Looking ahead to the future, how do you envision WOMEX continuing to adapt and evolve to meet the changing needs of the music industry, particularly in light of the challenges posed by the global pandemic?
As previously mentioned, we are grateful to have the continued support from a committed community who stayed with us during our pandemic-induced digital edition, and who reunited with joy when we were able to meet again in person at our Porto edition. We are committed to being consistent in offering this platform while remaining flexible in terms of content and adapting to an ever-changing, creative and challenging world. Ultimately, our primary desire is to keep the cultural channels open for dialogue in all directions!
For delegates attending WOMEX 2024 in Manchester, what are some of the key highlights or must-see performances that you would recommend they add to their schedules?
It is difficult to pick a few performances out of all the artists attending this year since every artist brings a special talent and music to the audience, representing diverse regions of the world. We have no headliners or special artists; for us, they are all equally important for the audience.
That said, during the five days of WOMEX, a lot of exchange of knowledge, ideas and resources takes place. Sudden, random meetings in the hallways between conference sessions or expo area often lead to everlasting connections—moments that can only happen when you meet in person. You could say that, as well as the published programme, we are the curators of those chance meetings, unexpected connections and surprising travels together. That’s a wonderful privilege.
We understand that with so many activities unfolding simultaneously, WOMEX can feel a bit overwhelming for first-time attendees. That’s why, each year, we host a special session, Orientation for New Delegates, designed to help newcomers fully immerse themselves in the experience.
This session serves as a launchpad for networking, knowledge-sharing, and creating connections with both seasoned delegates who have been attending for many years and fellow first timers.
WOMEX takes place in Manchester from 23 to 27 October.
To discover the full programme and to book tickets,
visit www.womex.com/
