Hazel: ‘My mum’s been coming every year for about five years, but this is my first time. We’re having an amazing time. It’s a wonderful festival. We’re in a big family group. My mum comes with about 10 tents of people every year, and this time we decided to join them. We’re looking forward to Lee “Scratch” Perry, beyond that we’re just going to eat lots of nice food and listen to lots of music. I think I might also go and find a hula hoop and do some hula hooping!’ Photograph: Andy Hall for the Observer
Ian: ‘I came here because Sue wanted to come. I haven’t done music festivals for 30 years – it’s time I got back into it again. Back then festivals used to be mud and nud! ... it’s nice not to have the mud. In the 60s, mud was inevitable, clothes were optional. I think we’ll be a little more decorous this time.’ Photograph: Andy Hall for the Observer
Simon: Trees, loveliness, the fact that it’s not on a flat playing field with a carpark brings us here. It’s my first time, but I’ve got very good friends who come every year. Jon and I are friends but have just bumped into each other.
Jon: I’ve been coming to Womad for years. I’m DJing at Molly’s bar on Sunday night. I’m literally closing the festival. The police closed me down last time. I used to go when it was in Mersea Island of the Essex Coast in the early to mid 80s. Photograph: Andy Hall for the Guardian
Evelyn: ‘I’ve always wanted to go to Womad, I’ve waited for ages to come, then I hooked up with my cousin June after a long time, last December, and we both thought, “Let’s go!” We did felt-making this morning, and then some crafting. Later on and we’re looking forward to seeing Arrested Development and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry. Everyone is so friendly. On the campsite yesterday everyone around me was helping me as it’s our first time camping.’ Photograph: Andy Hall for the Observer
Caitlin: ‘We went to Reading festival last year and there was nothing really to do, apart from the music, so this year we came to Womad for a different kind of experience. Our friends went last year and heard good things.’
Chloe: ‘I was trampolining and I stretched a ligament by landing on it weirdly. It swelled up massively – it looks like I ‘ve got two ankles in one.’
Mary: ‘I got my parasol in Rome. I’m very sensitive to the sun so I’ve got all the gear you could possibly need!’ Photograph: Andy Hall for the Observer
Ali: ‘It’s our first WOMAD as a family (Steph and Rebecca are sisters). We used to go to V festival but feel a bit too old for that now.’
Rebecca: ‘We wanted somewhere we could bring Alfie, and that would also be ok for me, pregnant. We’re camping, but we didn’t travel light.’
Ali: ‘I just bought the hat. £20. Apparently it makes me look really good. Is that right? I brought £40 out for the afternoon and I’ve already blown half of it in the first five minutes!’ Photograph: Andy Hall for the Observer
Jude: ‘I’m a kora student at SOAS. I’ve only been playing it for two years so I still feel like a baby, learning I started playing djembe but I wanted something more melodic. In my other life I’m a French and German teacher.’
Sefo: ‘I’m a musician, a kora player, but I’m not performing here this time. I’m just here to meet lovely people! The best thing about Womad is how it brings people together.’ Photograph: Andy Hall for the Observer
![WOMAD vox pops: Worldroots [oneword] Voice Choir, Bristol, ages 14-22](https://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/7/26/1374858479076/Worldroots-oneword-Voice--007.jpg)
‘We’re a charity (Gathering Voices) who work with young people. We’re here walking around performing, impromptu, to anyone who wants. We’ve got 40 songs, from all over the world, you can choose anything you want from our list. We describe our look as Moulin Rouge escapees!’ Photograph: Andy Hall for the Observer
Adam: ‘We’re staying with Gabriel’s parents, although we’re camping separately. They’re … somewhere around … we’ve no idea! It ‘s our first time at Womad. We’re here because it’s pretty cool. We like all the different types of music. We heard something that sounds like Spanish Mumford and Sons earlier. That was pretty good. The agenda for the weekend is simply to listen to as much as we can, relax and enjoy ourselves!’ Photograph: Andy Hall for the Observer
Shirley: ‘The boys have just put this hat on me! This is our second WOMAD. There’s so much good music I’ve lost track already of what we’ve seen. We’re camping near Molly’s Bar so not sure how much sleep we’re going to get!’
Bailey and Ashley: ‘The best thing about WOMAD? The music!’ Photograph: Andy Hall for the Observer
‘We’re a team of drag queens, we go round all the festivals in this 1968 Overlander that we converted last year, cooking up Anglo-American tasty treats!’ Photograph: Andy Hall for the Observer
Tracey: ‘It’s my second, and Mark’s third WOMAD. We love the atmosphere, the music, the layout, the world food – it’s great. We’re looking forward to seeing Lee “Scratch” Perry, and Huun-Huur-Tu. Our whole evening’s booked up tonight – from 6 to 11 we’ll be shuttling between two stages, so we’re just having a rest and a bit of late lunch before that. Our tips for a happy WOMAD? Relax. Enjoy it. And keep hydrated!’ Photograph: Andy Hall for the Observer
