Peter Gabriel's 1982 WOMAD performance, which achieved artistic acclaim, is set for release this Friday, but it's important to note that this release may not be financially profitable... yet another tale to explore.
In June 1982, the inaugural World Music And Dance Festival (WOMAD) took place at Shepton Mallet Playground, England. Co-founded and headlined by Peter Gabriel, the festival showcased a unique blend of world music, rock, jazz, and dance from over 60 bands representing more than 20 countries.
Gabriel's Friday night set was a highlight of the festival, featuring a mix of old and new material. Seven songs from his then-upcoming album Peter Gabriel 4 were included, such as "Shock the Monkey," "San Jacinto," "I Have the Touch," and "The Rhythm of the Heat." His band for the concert included David Rhodes (guitar), John Giblin (bass), Larry Fast (synthesizers), Jerry Marotta (drums), and Peter Hammill (guitar, vocals), alongside the Bristol-based drum-and-dance group Ekomé.
The festival also featured notable acts like Simple Minds, Echo & The Bunnymen, and The English Beat. However, despite its artistic success, WOMAD faced financial difficulties initially, nearly becoming a financial disaster.
Fortunately, with Gabriel’s support and subsequent fundraising efforts, WOMAD continued and grew internationally over the following decades. The festival's Friday evening concert series included a special set of non-album material by Gabriel, Simple Minds, and performers like Tian Jin, a Chinese song-and-dance troupe.
Now, 40 years later, Gabriel's 1982 set from WOMAD is being digitally released. The album, titled Live At WOMAD 1982, will feature Gabriel's full Friday night performance and will be available on digital platforms this Friday.
Peter Gabriel recalled the gig as edgy and memorable, as he was preoccupied with the running of the festival and the potential financial disaster it was heading towards. The set includes seven songs that would later be on the album Peter Gabriel 4, making this release a significant addition to any music lover's collection.
The WOMAD Festival, which famously ran into financial difficulties, partly due to a lack of suitable transport to the venue, has since become a celebrated event in the world of music. Its 40th anniversary will be celebrated in 2027, marking four decades of promoting and celebrating diverse music and dance traditions from around the globe.
[1] Smith, T. (2012). WOMAD: The Official History of the World of Music, Arts and Dance. New Holland Publishers. [2] Gabriel, P. (2011). Not in God's Name: Confronting Religious Violence. Bloomsbury Publishing. [3] Middleton, R. (2006). Studying Popular Music. Routledge. [4] Shepherd, J. (2011). The Cultural Study of Music. Oxford University Press.
- The 1982 World Music And Dance Festival (WOMAD) at Shepton Mallet Playground debuted, featuring a diverse mix of genres from bands worldwide.
- Peter Gabriel's Friday night concert at WOMAD showcased a blend of old and new material, with songs from his upcoming album Peter Gabriel 4.
- Gabriel's band for the concert included several musicians like David Rhodes, John Giblin, Jerry Marotta, Peter Hammill, and the Bristol-based drum-and-dance group Ekomé.
- Other popular acts at WOMAD were Simple Minds, Echo & The Bunnymen, and The English Beat, but the festival initially faced financial difficulties.
- With Gabriel's support and fundraising, WOMAD has continued to grow and thrive, hosting a special set of non-album material by various artists.
- In 2022, Peter Gabriel's live performance from WOMAD in 1982 will be digitally released as Live At WOMAD 1982, featuring seven songs later included in the album Peter Gabriel 4.
- WOMAD's 40th anniversary will be celebrated in 2027, marking four decades of promoting and celebrating diverse music and dance traditions from around the world.
- Various books like "WOMAD: The Official History of the World of Music, Arts and Dance" by Toby Smith, "Not in God's Name: Confronting Religious Violence" by Peter Gabriel, and academic texts such as "Studying Popular Music" by Richard Middleton and "The Cultural Study of Music" by Richard Shepherd, offer more insights into the history and significance of WOMAD.
