WOMEX looks to Manchester to celebrate its 30th anniversary

The international music convention WOMEX is set to mark its 30th edition this year in the vibrant city of Manchester (23-27 October, 2024). This milestone event, a first for Manchester, emphasises the city’s rich cultural heritage and position as a dynamic hub in the global music industry.

The bid to host the event in Manchester was led by the city council and partners Brighter Sound and English Folk Expo, with support from Arts Council England (ACE), British Council, Horizons and Marketing Manchester. The city’s iconic venues, including Manchester Central, Aviva Studios, Albert Hall, Bridgewater Hal, and O2 Ritz, will host the conference, trade fair, live music showcases and international film programmes
at HOME.

Piranha Arts, the producers of WOMEX, will collaborate with Marketing Manchester to promote the event globally. Tom Besford from English Folk Expo feels that “Manchester will be an amazing place to host WOMEX,” highlighting the event’s significance for both the international music industry and local audiences. Alexander Walter, WOMEX Director, echoed the sentiment, expressing enthusiasm for marking the convention’s 30th anniversary in Manchester’s culturally booming and diverse atmosphere.

In a further announcement, Piranha Arts have revealed that they are on the lookout for the next “Host City” with proposals now open for the 2027 and 2028 editions.
The deadline for submissions is 12 January 2024. For more information,
visit www.womex.com/