Main photo: Frankie The Creative
This week, an eclectic mix of talent and culture from around the world will be welcomed to Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla for the iconic annual World of Music, Arts, and Dance festival, WOMADelaide.
Across four days from March 8 to 11, visitors can immerse themselves in a tapestry of sounds, sights, and experiences from around the globe. Artists from 25 countries will perform both on and off stage, forums and workshops will promote conversation and stimulate creativity, and a new WoMarkets precinct welcomes visitors to meet creators and purchase special pieces.
Here’s our breakdown of WOMAD 2024 >>
MUSIC / DANCE
WOMAD is known to showcase all manner of music, and this year is no exception with over 70 acts set to perform.
Favourites on the lineup include London-raised producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Yussef Dayes who will bring a dynamic rhythmic sensibility to the stage, and Swedish folk hero José González who will perform classical guitar and vocal melodies.
San Diego’s Thee Sacred Souls will deliver timeless soul music capturing the essence of ’60s soul and ’70s groove. Senegalese superstar Baaba Maal returns with his fusion of traditional and contemporary West African sounds. Meanwhile, Pakistani vocalist Arooj Aftab draws on a musical influences from jazz to minimalism to poetry.
Of Adelaide talent, 14 (or so) musicians who make up the folk band Bromham will play a wide range of instruments to tell stories. Druid Fluids will evoke powerful tones of pop, psychedelia, and rock with psychedelic visuals to go along. You can visit the WOMAD website for the full lineup and set times.
AROUND THE PARK
Bringing the show offstage, artists, installations, and surprise performances will play out across the festival. See French ensemble Cie L’Immediat and their captivating La lévitation réelle (real levitation), where performers will appear to float into the sky; Compagnie On Off who use music and humour in their piece Le Chant de l’Eau, and acclaimed aerialists Gratte Ciel with RoZéO, where performers dance in the air atop 10 metre poles.
Canadian dance company CORPUS combine movement with theatrical imagery for Divine Interventions, featuring four singing goddesses; and Melbourne physical theatre ensemble Born in a Taxi’s Illuminated Angels bestow light and joy wherever they land.
Throughout the festival, attendees can also take part in workshops, sharing creative inspirations, techniques, and cultures.
FOOD / DRINK
WOMAD shares a diversity of flavours from around the world with over 60 stalls scattered throughout the festival. Enjoy authentic Cuban street food with Cuban Cantina, Greek vegan dishes with Staazi & Co, and charcoal Barbeque with The Filipino Project.
For something sweet, try traditional Ukrainian desserts with Kobza Café, artisan Malaysian sweets with Aromalay, and Middle Eastern ice cream with Sassi.
Along with the standard festival fare of alcoholic drinks, attendees can sip on kombucha by Scull and freshly squeezed juices by Cane, who make up just a few of the drink stalls.
The Sanctuary restaurant at the Adelaide Zoo will be opening its doors for WOMAD with the “Taste The World Restaurant” bringing a fine dining experience. Visitors will get to explore South American and Caribbean cuisine while immersed in the ambiance of WOMAD.
MOWARKETS
A brand new precinct joins WOMAD this year with WoMarkets, sheltered by a sculptural structure designed by Australian specialists in future-focused tensile fabric structures, Tetrik. The covered marketplace will represent talented makers and creators, emphasising artisanship and ethical commerce. It will stretch over Plane Tree Drive and be a key shaded channel for attendees to shop and explore with over 50 stalls offering handmade crafts, artworks, textiles, and one-of-a-kind pieces.
Shop handmade jewellery by Australian-born Palestinian Artist Elassaad, and see ethical high-quality Aboriginal art with Warlukurlangu. Find Moroccan wares with Morocco by Mish and dyed fabrics with HunterMade.
Planet Talks
From Saturday to Monday, Planet Talks is a forum of conversation and discussions about the environment and how we can work to ensure a sustainable future for the planet. It will feature some of the world’s foremost thought leaders, activists, scientists, and change-makers including former President of the Republic of Kiribati Anote Tong, proud Kulkalaig woman from the Island of Masig and Badugal, and First Nations rights advocate Tishiko King, and many more.
WOMADelaide: Friday March 8 to Monday March 11 // Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla Adelaide 5000
