WOMADelaide is the World’s Festival and 25 new artists from around the world have been added to the list of 48 acts already announced for 2025.
From the Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir to the Saigon Soul Revival from Vietnam, the team have scoured the globe to bring a diverse array of artists for the upcoming festival. Held over four days of Adelaide’s March long weekend, WOMADelaide has become a respected institution in the hearts of both locals and those that travel to attend. The location in Tainmuntilla (Botanic Park) brings a connection to earth. Within the expansive parklands the majestic Moreton Bay Fig trees provide shade as well as a beloved habitat to the local bat colony.
Previously announced artists include PJ Harvey, headlining Friday night and Ireland’s Róisin Murphy. She partnered with Mark Brydon to form the celebrated group Moloko in 1995. The first thing she said to him upon meeting—”Do you like my tight sweater? See how it fits my body!”—became the title of the project’s unforgettable debut album, including the hit single “Sing it Back.”
Expect the unexpected with WOMADelaide. UK duo O. caused a stir at this year’s SXSW Sydney with their brash distortion of trombone and drums. Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir blend baroque choral arrangements with ancient sacred songs. Acclaimed Australian actor Tilda Cobham Hervey turns letter writing into an adventure with unexpected human connection between strangers.
French street theatre artists ilotope have created an interactive roving performance with Les Gens de Coleur (The Coloured People) turning brightly painted performers into living statues.
As well as Arts and Food, the Festival is renowned for its musical offerings. Grammy Award winning singer Yemi Alade from Nigeria merges Afropop, rumba, reggae and R&B. Jamaican singer Protoje & the Indiggnation has collaborated with Jorja Smith and Alicia Keys. He blends hip-hop, soul and jazz into the sounds of his native reggae. Legendary 90s hip-hop trio Digable Planets from the USA will be smashing up the stage as well.
Australian leading performing arts company, Bangarra Dance Theatre, presents its first mainstage cross-cultural collaboration, The Light Inside. The breathtaking performance work, created by Māori choreographer Moss Te Ururangi Patterson and Bangarra alumna Deborah Brown, explores cultural forces that bind us together, across oceans and the First Peoples of the Oceania region.
The WOMADelaide x Northern Sound System Academy have selected two exciting emerging artists to showcase, Bousta and Meena De Silva. Bousta is a proud Eastern Arrernte rapper who raps in English and Arrente. Meena De Silva melds her classical training into endearing soul and R&B tracks.
Sanctuary Restaurant returns in 2025, offering a refined dining experience inspired by Australia’s native ingredients and botanical richness. With views across Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla guests can enjoy shared plates featuring locally-sourced ingredients and bold native flavours led by Executive Chef Jamie Musgrave, Restaurant Botanic.
On top of this there are 40 market stalls, The Studio, a theatre space in Adelaide Botanic High gym with Adelaide’s own Restless Dance Theatre in Seeing Through Darkness and actor/theatre-maker Dorcy Rugamba’s musical reading Hewa Rwanda : Letter to the Absent. Don’t forget the ever popular Planet Talks forums and KidsZone – where adventure meets young festival goers.
This is literally just a taste of what’s on offer over the four packed days of celebration of World Music and Arts.
WOMADelaide returns to Adelaide’s Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla from 7-10 March 2025.
For tickets, the full lineup and more information visit: www.womadelaide.com.au
A-Z of artists announced today:
- Amaru Tribe (Aus)
- Ane Ta Abia by Aaron Choulai, Australian Art Orchestra and Tatana Village Choir (Aus/PNG) • Bess Atwell (UK)
- Bousta (Aus)
- Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir (Aus)
- The Cloud Maker (Aus/NZ)
- Dear Stranger by Tilda Cobham-Hervey (Aus)
- DEVAURA (NZ/Aus)
- Digable Planets (USA)
- Dojo Rise (Aus)
- Dustyn (Aus)
- Elisapie (Canada)
- ilotopie – Les Gens de Couleur (France)
- Kara Manansala (Aus)
- Meena De Silva (Sri Lanka/Aus)
- Ms Chipeta (Aus)
- Nana Benz du Togo (Togo)
- O. (UK)
- Owelu Dreamhouse (Aus)
- Protoje & The Indiggnation (Jamaica)
- Saigon Soul Revival (Vietnam)
- Sauljaljui (Taiwan)
- Sofia Kourtesis (Peru)
- TEK TEK Ensemble (Aus)
- Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
