Eclectic cultural celebration, WOMADelaide, will once again showcase a rich assortment of music, arts and dance from across the globe in 2025.
“WOMADelaide is when Adelaide throws its arms around the world to welcome, share, discover and celebrate music, arts and dance,” WOMADelaide Festival Director Ian Scobie AM says.
“Today’s announcement of 47 groups from 28 countries demonstrates why it truly is ‘the world’s festival.’”
First up on the bill is someone returning to Australia for the first time in eight years: legendary multi-instrumentalist and two-time winner of the Mercury Music Prize, PJ Harvey. She’ll bring her live show and full band experience – performing songs from the GRAMMY-nominated tenth studio album ‘I Inside The Old Year Dying’, and her back catalogue, for opening night.
Berlin-based Nils Frahm is up next, defining the space between classical and electronic music. Since his 2011 breakthrough, Nlis has become renowned for his unconventional approach to piano.
Born in Mozambique and raised in Lisbon’s Mouraria district, Mariza (Portugal) is a global superstar, with a career spanning more than 20 years, 30 platinum albums, and countless accolades. Mariza has shared the stage with the likes of Sting, Lenny Kravitz, and Tito Paris.
Goran Bregovic & His Wedding & Funeral Band (Serbia) has forged a unique sound, both universal and unmistakably his own, with iconic anthems like ‘Bella Ciao’, ‘Kalashnikov’ and ‘In The Death Car’.
Shabaka (UK) transcends conventional notions of genre, drawing from a vast palette of cultural influences. He has become one of the most celebrated jazz musicians of the decade.
47SOUL (Palestine/Jordan) performed to the 2016 festival audiences to huge acclaim, and will return with their message of equality for the world. . . Melding hip hop, electronica and R&B with the sounds of the Dabke.
Duo Ruut (Estonia) intertwines the haunting sounds of a single zither, with two distinct voices. . . Crafting a minimalist, yet imaginative, musical tapestry. Their sound and songwriting is influenced by diverse cultural beliefs.
Sydney-based artist Ngaiire (PNG/AU) will premiere her new project ‘PAIA’, set to be a spectacular live performance and visual experience. Known for her captivating fusion of electronic neo-soul, gospel and pop, she’s shared stages with the likes of Sufjan Stevens, Alicia Keys, and Flume.
Another Australian act is multi ARIA Award nominee Emily Wurramara. She sings in both English and Anindilyakwa language, serving up high-energy, infectious grooves.
They formed on Invasion Day in 2022, and First Nations trio 3% (Dallas Woods, Nooky, and Angus Field) released their debut album ‘KILL THE DEAD’ earlier this year. It’s been impressively nominated for four ARIA Awards: “We’re not just 3% – we’re 100% black magic.”
In an Australian premiere, Yoann Bourgeois Art Company (France) will being ‘The Unreachable Suspension Point’ to WOMADelaide. It’s a captivating work comprising a revolving staircase, trampoline, and dancers exploring weightlessness, and the spiralling themes of life. Bangarra Dance Theatre will present its first mainstage cross-cultural collaboration, ‘The Light Inside’ – a performance work from Māori choreographer Moss Te Ururangi Patterson and Bangarra alumna Deborah Brown.
Elsewhere in Botanic Park will be the return of the WoMarkets, featuring more than 40 retail stalls, in the tradition of a marketplace where different cultures share their wares.
Also returning is The Studio. This year, the festival welcomes Adelaide’s Restless Dance Theatre in ‘Seeing Through Darkness’, and actor/theatre-maker Dorcy Rugamba’s musical reading ‘Hewa Rwanda: Letter To The Absent’.
Tickets are on sale now.
WOMADelaide is on at Botanic Park (Adelaide) from 7-10 March, 2025.
WOMADelaide 2025 Line-Up
3% (Aus)47SOUL (Palestine/Jordan)
Ana Carla Maza (Cuba)
Andrew Gurruwiwi Band (Aus)
Bala Desejo (Brazil)
Bangarra Dance Theatre – The Light Inside (Aus)
Bonny Light Horseman (USA)
Chris Kamu’ana Rohoimae - Pacific Break winner (Solomon Islands)
Cie Paris Benares - Chamôh (Camel) (France)
Delgres (France)
DJ Paulette (UK)
Dream Engine – Heliosphere (UK)
Duo Ruut (Estonia)
Durand Jones & The Indications (USA)
Ela Minus (Colombia)
Eleanor Jawurlngali – (Aus)
Elsy Wameyo (Kenya)
Emily Wurramara – (Aus)
Etran de l'Aïr (Niger)
Goran Bregović & His Wedding & Funeral Band (Serbia)
Hewa Rwanda (Rwanda/Senegal)
John Grant (USA)
The Joy (South Africa)
Khruangbin (USA)
Lindigo (Réunion)
The Lofty Mountain Band (Aus)
Majnun (Senegal)
The Mande Spirit (Aus)
Mariza (Portugal)
Miss Kanina (Aus)
Ngaiire (PNG/Aus)
Nils Frahm (Germany)
Nitin Sawhney (UK)
Norsicaa (UK/Aus)
O.TA.I.KO ZA MYOJIN (Japan)
PJ Harvey (UK)
Queen Omega (Trinidad & Tobago)
Restless Dance Theatre – Seeing Through Darkness (Aus)
Satish Vyas & U Rajesh (India)
Shabaka (UK)
Silent Observers (Aus)
Sun Ra Arkestra (USA)
Talisk (Scotland)
Trio da Kali (Mali)
UPK Allstars (Aus)
Wrong Way Up (South Sudan/Aus)
Yoann Bourgeois Art Company - The unreachable suspension point (France)
