WOMAD, the music festival founded by former Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel, has been cancelled in Glasgow just weeks before its scheduled debut. Organiser Glasgow Life announced the decision on Wednesday, citing insufficient ticket sales that made the event financially unviable.
The festival was due to take place at Kelvingrove Park on July 3 and 4, featuring an eclectic programme of global music including pop, dance, folk, jazz and hip-hop. Headliners were to include London-based reggae singer Hollie Cook, Pakistani instrumentalist Ustad Noor Bakhsh, and Stornoway folk-rock trio Peat and Diesel.
In a statement, Glasgow Life said: 'This has been a difficult decision and one that has not been taken lightly. While audience response to the programme was extremely positive, ticket sales did not reach the level required to deliver the festival sustainably in its inaugural year.'
All ticket holders will receive a full refund within seven working days, as well as access to reduced-price tickets for the next WOMAD event at Neston Park in North Wiltshire, scheduled for July 23 to 26, 2026.
WOMAD has been staged in 30 countries over the past three decades, including events in Spain, Chile and New Zealand. Past performers include Peter Gabriel, Simple Minds, Crowded House, Macy Gray, De La Soul and Echo and the Bunnymen.
