WOMEX 2024 Celebrated 30 Years of World Music and Cultural Exchange

(headline image: WOMEX 2024 Awards concert with Hermeto Pascoal’s band, Nave Mãe – Photo by Yannis Psathas)

The 30th annual WOMEX conference, held from October 23-27, 2024, in Manchester, UK, concluded with an Awards Ceremony at Aviva Studios, capping five days of performances, discussions, and networking. The event drew 2,850 music professionals, including 290 artists from over 45 countries, and featured 61 artist showcases on seven stages, 18 music documentaries, and 88 conference speakers and mentors discussing key issues in the world music industry.

Highlights included a stirring performance by Hermeto Pascoal’s band, “Nave Mãe” (The Mothership), in honor of the Brazilian jazz icon who received the 2024 WOMEX Artist Award. Although Pascoal could not attend due to health reasons, his son and the band accepted the award on his behalf, complemented by a video message from Pascoal expressing his gratitude.

The Professional Excellence Award was presented to the nonprofit “In Place of War” (IPOW), recognizing its efforts in using music and art to foster resilience and unity in conflict-affected areas.

Ruth Daniel, CEO and artistic director, In Place of War, received the award with her team onstage and shared: “Our work is needed now more than ever. We must use music and our platforms to rally for peace, to rally for ceasefires, because violent alternatives are never the answer…The weight of being an artist with the horror of what is happening on our screens every day is huge. So, I extend this award to every person, artists, and activists fighting for peace and the more far and just world…Let’s be that change and let’s do that together.”

Additionally, WOMEX celebrated 20 Top Independent Labels of the Year for their contributions to promoting diverse global sounds.

The event’s trade fair, with over 738 companies and 246 booths (stands), served as a dynamic meeting point for industry connections, facilitating collaboration and cultural exchange. This milestone edition reinforced WOMEX’s role as a cornerstone of the global music community, dedicated to fostering diversity and celebrating the power of music to bridge cultures.

WOMEX is gearing up to celebrate its 31st edition in Tampere, Finland. Set to take place from October 22 to 26, 2024, this marks the second time in Finland with its last edition in 2019.

More about WOMEX.