THE full line-up has been announced for the BBC Radio 3 Charlie Gillett Stage at Womad.

BBC Radio 3 and Womad confirm Ghada Shbeir, Parvathy Baul, Afro Celt Sound System and many more artists from around the globe, from festival debuts to world-renowned bands.

There will be more live broadcasting than ever before at Womad, as it returns to Womad at Charlton Park in Wiltshire from July 27–30, with 11 hours on Radio 3 across the weekend, and the stage will be hosted by World on 3 presenters Lopa Kothari and Kathryn Tickell.

Cerys Matthews returns for Sunday morning simulcast on Radio 6 Music and Radio 3

BBC Introducing returns to WOMAD with performances from Introducing alumni Don Kipper and Kourelou

From electro fusion veterans Afro Celt Sound System magically merging hip African beats with traditional Irish rhythms, to Ghana’s cult legend King Ayisoba redefining the genre of kologo music, to the Fado voice of her generation, Portuguese singer Raquel Tavares, the BBC Radio 3 Charlie Gillett Stage continues to build on its reputation for welcoming fresh and eclectic artists from all over the world.

The stage, named after the late BBC broadcaster and world music pioneer Charlie Gillett, will be hosted by Lopa Kothari, presenter of BBC Radio 3’s World on 3 programme, alongside Kathryn Tickell, leading light in Northumbrian folk music and World on 3 presenter, who made her WOMAD presenting debut last year.

Musician and BBC presenter Cerys Matthews is also back to co-present her weekly BBC Radio 6 Music show on Sunday, July 30, as a special live simulcast with BBC Radio 3.

With more hours of live broadcasting than ever before at Womad, this year’s eleven hours on Radio 3 across the festival weekend will include the diverse range of artists performing on the BBC 3 Charlie Gillett Stage, plus interviews and performances from the Siam Tent and Open Air Stage.

Womad highlights will be broadcast on World on 3 in the weeks after the festival. Radio 3’s exclusive backstage Session Tent returns to Womad this year, with intimate performances from a variety of festival artists from the BBC Radio 3 Charlie Gillett Stage and further afield captured exclusively on film for the Radio 3 website.

Controller of BBC Radio 3 Alan Davey said: “World and roots music has always had a place in the Radio 3 schedule and continues to play a key part in our exploration of amazing music and culture.

“Womad is going from strength to strength, as one of the only festivals with every genre from every country in the world. We are thrilled to be continuing our partnership this year with the BBC Radio 3 Charlie Gillett Stage, bringing a glorious array of international musical talent to audiences both at the festival and through Radio 3, with more hours of live broadcasting than ever before.”