Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Grammy Award-winner, not to mention a living musical legend and civil rights icon, Mavis Staples headlines the first round of 20 artists set to play WOMADelaide's 2020 event.
Master of lo-fi and underground rock Smog's Bill Callahan, 'The Golden Voice of Africa' Salif Keita (Mali), Cuban big band Orquesta Akokán (who redefine the golden era of Cuban Mambo) and New Zealand's indie superstar Aldous Harding will also head down under to play the picturesque surrounds of Adelaide's Botanic Park when WOMADelaide returns 3-6 March.
On the local front, The Cat Empire (fresh from the release of their seventh studio album and a tour of Europe that included two shows at Glastonbury) and Grammy-nominated Hiatus Kaiyote (who have a new album on the way) will also join the bill.
From jazz, Afrobeat and hip hop to classical Indian music, Krautrock, folk, and lush, dreamy soul as well as electronic, hip hop, reggae, dancehall and neo-soul, there is no shortage of diversity when it comes the musical programming offered by WOMADelaide.
"We are thrilled to be announcing a programme which includes artists at the peak of their craft exemplified by Salif Keita and Mavis Staples, as well as Orquesta Akokán – a stunning tribute to the Cuban big band era - and a powerful call to arms on climate change in As the World Tipped," WOMADelaide Director, Ian Scobie says.
The aerial spectacular As The World Tipped, a politically charged and environmentally focused work for our times by renowned UK company Wired Aerial Theatre, will be presented nightly in Frome Park.
Towering 13 metres above the audience, As The World Tipped is a beautifully crafted aerial performance where dance and theatrics entwine with extraordinary projections that illustrate the very real and immediate realities of climate change.
Other additions to the line-up are Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita (Wale / Senegal), Ezra Collective (UK), Kikagaku Moyo (Japan), L. Subramaniam (India), Liniker e os Caramelows (Brazil), Sleaford Mods (UK), Muthoni Drummer Queen (Kenya / France), Odette (Aus), Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi (USA / Italy), Spinifex Gum (Aus), Trio da Kali (Mali) and Tuuletar (Finland).
WOMADelaide takes place 6-9 March, 2020, at Adelaide's Botanic Park. For festival tickets, click here.
WOMADelaide 2020 Line-up
Mavis Staples (USA)Salif Keita (Mali)
The Cat Empire (Aus)
Orquesta Akokán (Cuba)
Bill Callahan (USA)
Hiatus Kaiyote (Aus)
Aldous Harding (New Zealand)
As the World Tipped (UK)
Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita (Wale / Senegal)
Ezra Collective (UK)
Kikagaku Moyo (Japan)
L. Subramaniam (India)
Liniker e os Caramelows (Brazil)
Sleaford Mods (UK)
Muthoni Drummer Queen (Kenya / France)
Odette (Aus)
Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi (USA / Italy)
Spinifex Gum (Aus)
Trio da Kali (Mali)
Tuuletar (Finland)
