Ziggy Marley has withdrawn from his scheduled appearance at next week's WOMADelaide Festival.
In a blow to fans and the promoter, the son of the legendary Bob, announced the news just days before he was scheduled to close out the world's second-largest world music festival.
“I had some unforeseen family responsibilities that came up and I have to take care of it,” was all that Ziggy offered by way of explanation.
“I always love coming. I was really looking forward to this trip and we haven’t been there in a while. . . alas, next year at the WOMAD festivals. My apologies to everyone – WOMAD crew, music fans, music lovers, everyone.”.
Ian Scobie, WOMADelaide Director, was deeply disappointed that Ziggy would no longer be attending. The festival, which features over 600 artists from 32 countries, is “very much looking forward to WOMADelaide's four spectacular days of music, arts and dance in Botanic Park”.
WOMADelaide promoters had previously said the “singer, songwriter, producer, author, humanitarian and visionary, if anybody can encourage change through music, it's Ziggy Marley”.
“We are now working hard to secure a new artist to fill Ziggy's Monday night time slot, and will be able to make an announcement about this in the coming days,” added Scobie.
Ziggy is a seemingly proud environmentalist. This is not only shown through his latest album and its political meanings but gestures as well. At one of his latest events he asked his tour manager to change from disposable water bottles at his events to reusable ones. Marley released his seventh and most recent solo reggae album in 2018, titled 'Rebellion Rises'.
