MUSIC from the streets of Johannesburg launched the annual festival of world music at the Old Town Bowl on Saturday.

The Soul Brothers were the first of six acts drawn from around the world as part of the 10-week music extrava-ganza.

Morgan Heritage, a Roots Reggae group, will take to the stage on June 21.

And Roberto Pla's Columbian-based Latin Ensemble will playing their blend of sizzling salsa on July 5.

Other acts include Scottish folk band Shooglenifty, playing on July 19, whose music is a blend of traditional Celtic roots fused with electronic and dub reggae.

And DCS take to the stage on August 2 with a blend of Punjabi Bhangra rhythms and western pop music.

The series of concerts ends on August 16 with a Caribbean Party night with the music of SW Storm.

The concerts are held in the Bowl, in the Old Town Gardens , just off Bath Road.

The Bowl is regarded as one of Swindon's hidden gems.

Designed by Alfred Ridout and built in 1936, the Bowl stands in an amphitheatre created by quarry workings in the 18th century.

Since the bowl was built, it has played host to a variety of music. Originally it was used to host brass bands, but by the 1970s the structure had fallen into disrepair although it was still used by local bands to host occasional concerts.

The world music concerts were launched at the bowl after Burmah Castrol agreed to sponsor a complete refurbishment of the bowl in 1995.

Tickets for any of the acts in this summer's programme of World Music cost from £7.50 in advance or £9 on the day. Concessions are available for Swindon Card holders.

Themed hot food and a well stocked bar is available, although visitors are welcome to bring their own food and drink to the event. For all enquiries regarding wheelchair access, call David Hoar on 01793 464731.

Congo rhythm hits the Bowl

The insistent rhythms and lyrical guitar riffs came out of Africa, bringing warmth and colour to a damp Old Town Bowl for the first of this year's World Music concerts.

It's become almost a tradition for the heavens to open simultaneously with the musicians at one of the events and so they did on Saturday.

And just as traditionally, an enthusiastic audience of more than 500 ignored the weather and got on with the business of enjoying themselves, dancing in the rain as Congolese singing star Robert Maseko and his band Congobeat kicked off the summer season

The Congolese invented the rumba, and the underlying Latin feel to the music gives it a character all its own. It appealed to the audience who danced for hour after hour and hopefully not too many backs were put out.

The musicians gave an exuberant display, with Maseko and fellow vocalist and songwriter Rissa Risa contributing boundless energy and additional percussion.

Behind them was the wonderfully lyrical sound of lead guitarist Otis Lumumba and backing vocals from two South African girls, Yanee Yanela and Bonane Bune.

As the band reappeared for their second encore, Robert Maseko called out "Swindon nice place!" having given us a great reason for feeling good about the town.

He may be back next year. If he is, then don't miss him.