WOMEX 2024￨23–27 October￨Manchester (UK)
Smaller, but not less present
Worldwide Music Expo (WOMEX), the world’s largest trade fair for ethnic, traditional and folk music, celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. The event, which has been touring Europe since 1994, made a stopover this time in Manchester, England. With 2,850 professionals (compared to 2,750 the previous year) and 61 showcases (compared to 60 the previous year), the event was undeniably bigger than the one held in 2023 in the northern Spanish coastal city of A Coruña.
The Swiss presence – organised by SWISS MUSIC in collaboration with the SUISA FOUNDATION, Pro Helvetia, Swiss Music Export, SUISA and Artlink – returned to normal levels with 27 co-exhibitors, after last year’s record 42.
However, this did not detract from the quality of the event: the traditional reception on the Swiss stand on Friday attracted a large number of professionals, who took advantage of the opportunity to expand their network and forge new professional links. WOMEX also had a clear, well-organised structure in the Manchester Central exhibition hall. And the fact that the concerts and panels were also held there also contributed to the event’s practical and compact nature. Although there were no Swiss artists on site this year, the Swiss stand attracted many visitors over the five days.
The 2025 edition of the Worldwide Music Expo will take place from 22 to 26 October in Tampere, Finland.
SWISS MUSIC @ WOMEX 2024 ⎪ IMPRESSIONS:
