GLOBAL party WOMAD festival has announced the first wave of artists who will be performing this summer.

Amadou & Mariam, Camille, Django Django, La Dame Blanche and Sharon Shannon are just a few of the artists who will be performing at the vibrant and unique festival at Charlton Park near Malmesbury from July 26 to July 29.

Now in its thirty sixth year, WOMAD features a colourful medley of music, dance, food, art, spoken-word, poetry, science and other family fun, bringing together artists and fans from all over the world. After a record-breaking 2017, this year’s festival weekend is set to be one of the most spectacular to date, with an incredible and diverse line-up from around the globe, the first of which are announced today.

Amongst those kicking off the festival on the Thursday night will be the Jamaican reggae musical titan Ken Boothe, whose mellifluous voice topped the UK charts in the 1970s with Everything I Own. He will be joined by celebrated nu-jazz collective from Berlin, Jazzanova featuring Paul Randolph.

Aside from musical talent, there will also be live literary events and conversation, talks and experiments, pampering and relaxation, art, activities and interactive workshops for children, and the only stage in the world where instead of performing, the artists cook for the audience: the legendary Taste the World.

WOMAD's Global Festival Director Chris Smith, said: "We are delighted to make our first announcement for WOMAD UK 2018. This comes just after our fourth WOMAD Chile, where a record 50,000 people turned out, and just before our festivals in Australia and New Zealand which promise to sell out.

"We believe passionately that exploring cross cultural tolerance and understanding through the sharing of great music, arts and dance is the way to a better world."

More artists will be announced shortly, alongside details of exciting partnerships with BBC Radio 3, Ecotricity and Yalumba Wine.

Tickets and full details can be found at www.womad.co.uk.