The first announcement of artists to play WOMADelaide 2025 includes the iconic British artist PJ Harvey. Her visit to Australia will be the first in eight years. For the last two years she has been touring with her band across the UK and Europe to outstanding reviews. Her performances have included tracks from her tenth studio album I Inside the Old Year Dying as well as favourites from her vast back-catalogue.
Berlin based artist Nils Frahm has become renown for his unconventional approach to the piano particularly after the release of his 2011 album Felt. He has redefined the space between classic and electronic music and his live performances are something to see.
Goran Bregović & His Wedding & Funeral Band is a Serbian performer who fuses Balkan folk, rock music and classical songs to create an individual style that is instantly recognisable as his own.
Palestinian group 47SOUL return to WOMADelaide after playing to critical acclaim in 2016. They have created their own musical genre, known as “Shamstep” which comes from the people of the Sham region (Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria). Melding hip-hop, electronica and R&B with the sounds of Dabke (the traditional music from the Levantine region) the music is uplifting and very danceable.
As well as the many artists from around the globe, local artists such as Ngaiire, Emily Wurramara, and First Nation trio 3% will be gracing the stage over the weekend. We’re also excited to see the return of Bangarra Dance Company, who always give electrifying dance performances.
Not to mention the food stalls, as well as Sanctuary Restaurant at Adelaide Zoo, the art markets, KidsZone and Planet Talks, which are always popular attractions.
Minister for Tourism South Australia, Zoe Bettison:
‘True to WOMADelaide’s roots, this impressive line-up showcases the best of music, dance, art, and thinking from every corner of the world. We know for more than 30 years WOMADelaide has attracted music lovers and festivalgoers from across the state, country, and world to the heart of our city – and with this diverse line-up, 2025 will be no different.‘This is exactly why the State Government has committed to supporting WOMADelaide for the next five years, to help ensure the festival continues to bring world-class acts, attract visitors, and fill hotel rooms. Now is the time to start locking in your March long-weekend plans in South Australia, to discover why Adelaide is the nation’s only UNESCO City of Music.’
WOMADelaide is proudly supported by the State Government through the South Australian Tourism Commission.
Tickets and more information can be found at womadelaide.com.au
Artists announced:
• 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)
Cover image by Samuel Graves
