WOMEX 2021 unveils Porto programme

WOMEX, which is in its 27th edition, is attended by thousands of music professionals annually. Last year’s edition took a digital format due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The WOMEX showcases will feature performances by musicians from around the world. Representing Africa and the diaspora are Mazaher (Egypt), Lucia de Carvalho (Angola/France), Neuza (Cape Verde), Pongo (Angola/Portugal), Scúru Fitchádu (Cape Verde/Portugal), Manou Gallo (Ivory Coast/Belgium) and Nakibembe Xylophone Troupe (Uganda).

Others are Miroca Paris (Cape Verde/Portugal), Lova Lova (DRC/France), Ebo Krdum (Sudan/Sweden), Bandé-Gamboa (Guinea Bissau/Cape Verde/Portugal), Bab L' Bluz (Morocco/France), Al Bilali Soudan (Mali), Alogte Oho & His Sounds of Joy (Ghana) and Asna (Ivory Coast/Senegal/France).

The WOMEX conference will address the global music industry’s most pressing issues, with many discussions covering the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. There is already a list of discussions and presentations available for attendees to view, with additional panels and speakers set to be announced closer to the event.

Topics include Harnessing Culture for Sustainable Development, Designing Sustainability in Arts Funding/Financing, Creative Europe Funding for Music: Step by Step, African Music to the World and Artists as Terrorists?

Speakers from Africa include Herman Kabubi (Uganda/US), Guy-Marc Tony Mefe (Cameroon), Ouafa Belgacem (Tunisia), Em Ekong (UK/Ghana), Lenna Bahule (Mozambique) and Andre Le Roux (South Africa), among others.

Artistic Freedom Initiative’s co-executive director Ashley Tucker (US) will offer one-on-one legal consultations for persecuted or censored artists while PEN America’s Artists at Risk Connection project director Julie Trébault (France/US) will lead a panel titled Language, Music and Censorship.

The WOMEX film programme will present a curated selection of documentaries that portray music, movements and histories from around the world, including films about African music such as The Rumba Kings, Traces Eritaj, Sing My Sister – A Film Trilogy, and Rumba Rules, New Genealogies.

“The programme is an opportunity for filmmakers, artists, producers and distributors to reach new markets and explore additional distribution and production channels,” WOMEX said. “The section also creates an immersive experience for bookers, curators, label managers and publishers, among others, to discover new musicians, projects and reflect on alternative programming opportunities. Each year, WOMEX facilitates this unique platform strengthening the conversation between the global music and film community.”

Delegate registration is ongoing here.