WITH musicians hailing from all corners of the globe, Womad prides itself on being a festival where people can discover new bands they’ve never heard of just by ambling around the site.

The festival features a hugely diverse line-up every year, but this was arguably one of the most eclectic in its three-venue spanning history with brass bands, veterans and emerging talents from a myriad of genres and cultures all embarking on the idyllic, sun-drenched Charlton Park.

American singer-songwriter John Grant had the Open Air Stage captivated on Saturday night with his frank, at times highly self-deprecating lyrics and endearing personality. ‘I’ve never had an encore at a festival before,’ he said, after the crowd urged him and his band to come back on for a few more.

Before him, legendary soul singer Charles Bradley demonstrated that his voice is still as good as ever, particularly on his piece-de-resistance ‘The World (Is Going Up In Flames)’. His suave blue suit was equally as impressive.

Later that evening New Orleans exports Hot 8 Brass Band rattled through their infectious covers before Ibrahim Maalouf, a French-Lebanese trumpet player, won over plenty of new fans with his exuberant performance in the Siam Tent.

It became very clear very quickly on Saturday that funk forefather George Clinton, along with his Parliament Funkadelic, was the thing to see that evening.

And that's because it was an absolute party from start to finish. The 75-year-old’s mic was clearly turned down quite considerably, but the whole performance in general was a real stomper with classics such as De La Soul’s ‘Me, Myself and I’ featuring, to the crowd's delight.

Earlier in the day, rapper Roots Manuva, once dubbed "one of the most influential artists in British music history”, demonstrated just why he attracts such laudation and Indian sitar player Anoushka Shankar stunned everyone into silence with a goosebump-inducing set.

Sunday threw up another surprise in the form of Manchester-based guitarist Stuart McCallum, whose epic and intimate soundscapes sounded superb on the mightily impressive Bowers and Wilkins sound system.

Other highlights on the final day included Bosnian seven-piece Dubioza Kolektiv, French beatmaker Onra, who uniquely blended hip hop and Asian-influenced riffs to very good effect, and the dulcet tones of Portugal's Maria de Lurdes, aka Lura.

A special mention must go to the sound engineers on every stage, who clearly appreciate and understand that a good sound system is crucial to the success of a festival.

Womad once again proved why it’s so popular with music fans from across the world of all ages.