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Time to get ready. This week Womex opens in Copenhagen.

From Wednesday 28 October to Saturday 31 October, not only the music business but also the audience have the opportunity of experiencing local music from out there. High-quality music with a broadness and variation – elsewhere only found at Roskilde Festival.

Therefore, allow me to recommend some bands that have earlier played Roskilde Festival and t now can be reexperienced on Danish soil.

Hasna el Becharia (Algeria): Talk about a rock mama! Not in the ordinary sense – because this isn't about rock music – but musical inheritance from North-Western Africa, in the shape of Gnawa, Berber wedding music etc. Hasna not only plays the electric guitar but also the oud and the bendir. One cool chick!

Socalled (Canada): This is all about klezmer – Jewish music developed partly in Central Europa, partly in North America. But when dealing with Socalled, it's so much more. Here you can hear mixes of hip hop, funk and minimalistic elements that you wouldn't think possible. The first time I saw a concert with Socalled, more or less the whole crowd ended up on the stage playing all sorts of instruments.

Valravn (Denmark): One of the best takes on contemporary Danish roots music. With a starting point in folk music the band adds power and magic in a fascinating mix – not least Anna Katrin Øssursdottir Egilstrød's almost graceful performance really embraces the audience.

Hanggai (China): On a late sunday afternoon I went under the tent canvas of the Astoria stage. I couldn't believe my own eyes and ears. The tent was in a fever of excitement. On-stage was a band of very exotic-dressed men – and on the floor was an enthused festival crowd whose enthusiasm for the great surprise from Beijing wouldn't end.

SpokFrevo Orquestra (Brasilien): The first time I saw SpokFrevo was at a carnival in Recife, Brazil in February 2006. On one of the many stages at the carnival I was roped in by the sound of a big band on speed. Even in this cacophony of sounds from the many parades, SpokFrevo stood out from the crowd. Getting them to Roskilde seemed impossible. Such a big ensemble, such a long journey. But… in 2008 we succeeded. First as the opening act at Copenhagen Jazzfestival where it was reviewed as the best opening act in 30 years, the day after at Roskilde Festival where the tempo seemed doubled. Now they're back – it's exciting to see which tempo they're going for this time around.

Kenge Kenge (Kenya): Kenge Kenge was last in the country in 2008 when they entered  Roskilde's Cosmopol stage. It was 75 unforgettable minutes with this wonderful mix of rumba, benga and whatnot. Rarely have I seen such an engaging show, not driven by technique or decorations but something so important as drive and engagement. We were speechless and the cheering wouldn't end. The band sold more CDs after the show than they have ever done before.

You can experience all this at Womex. Furthermore, there will also be lots of other groups that haven't played Roskilde Festival (yet?).

Enjoy!