WOMADelaide have revealed the first offering of their 2019 programme, with 19 acts from 14 countries creating yet another diverse line-up presenting plenty of sonic adventures for the intrepid music explorer.
Three-time Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo will perform her re-imagining of Talking Heads' 1980 classic 'Remain In Light', which the New York Times describes as: 'Transformative … raises the ante on every parameter of the original.'
On the local front, John Butler Trio will return to WOMADelaide for the first time in 11 years as part of their massive 'Home' album tour. At the other spectrum, Adelaide's own rising star, Tkay Maidza will make her debut at the festival off the back of her biggest international touring yet.
The 35-strong Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir will also be in attendance direct from Central Australia 'singing centuries-old German hymns in Western Arrarnta and Pitjantjatjara, the two living languages of the NT and SA'.
Click here to read our review of 2018 WOMADelaide.
Another powerful choir experience comes direct from Taiwan with Taiwu Ancient Ballads Troupe, a children's choir of 18 exquisite voices who will perform the traditional Indigenous songs of Taiwan's Paiwan villages.
One of the world's leading cellist, Yo Yo Ma will bring his international supergroup Silkroad Ensemble, comprising musicians from over 20 countries, that the Vancouver Sun dubbed 'one of the 21st Century's great ensembles'. Another 2019 addition will be BCUC (Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness), a band turning the page on the next generation of musicians from South Africa's Soweto.
"Offering the first taste of the programme awaiting our audiences for next March is always a thrill," WOMADelaide Director, Ian Scobie says.
"With the combination of the fearless work of artists like Angelique Kidjo, John Butler, the wonderful voices of the Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir, and Taiwu Ancient Ballads Troupe, alongside a powerful new generation of musicians, WOMADelaide 2019 is certain to be a unique and memorable sonic journey around the world."
Other additions to the 2019 programme include rapper Baloji, 79-year-old Dona Onete, renowned as 'the Grande Dame of Amazonian Song', the melancholic folk of Julia Jacklin, Afro-Mexican hip hop, folk and native American rhythms of Las Cafeteras, Welsh folk musician Jamie Smith's MABON, Ireland's famed accordion player Sharon Shannon Band and NZ's newest rising star TEEKS.
TEEKS
Yet more highlights include Artonik's homage to India's Holi festival, 'The Colour Of Time'; contemporary flamenco Maria Pages brings together eight dancers and seven musicians into a visionary and flamboyant version of Bizet's opera with 'Yo, Carmen'; Thai-flavoured psychedelic grooves of Texan trio Khruangbin, who will also make their Australian debut; and daughter of Jesus 'Aguaje' Ramos (trombonist and Musical Director of the Buena Vista Social Club), the Cuban vocalist, flautist and percussionist, La Dame Blanche.
The full WOMADelaide 2019 lin-eup will be announced in November.
