All images: WOMADelaide
WOMADelaide, our favourite four-day festival – celebrating all things music, arts, and dance – is BACK this weekend and we couldn’t be more excited.
If you’re never been before, WOMADelaide offers a kaleidoscope of experiences, from live music, large-scale installation works, lively discussion panels, workshops, Planet Talks, food and cooking demonstrations, a KidZone, and more.
With around 500-600 artists every year, we thought it would be handy to highlight some of our must-see acts and things to do!
MUSIC AND DANCE
Baker Boy | FRI and SAT (pictured above)
Baker Boy’s debut album, Gela, was an incredible introduction to the young Yolngu rapper and dancer. Nominated for the 2021 J Award for Australian Album of the Year, Baker Boy has a boundless energy and onstage presence. Bright, funky, and lyrically engaging – the former Young Australian of the Year has won multiple NIMAs, attracted multiple ARIA nominations, and become renowned for his electric live shows.
Friday – 8:30pm, Foundation Stage
Saturday – 3:30pm, Foundation Stage
Courtney Barnett | SAT
The charming indie-rock artist, Courtney Barnett, is easily one of Australia’s most successful musical exports, boasting a Best New Artist Grammy nomination in 2015. Barnett released her intimate third LP, Things Take Time, Take Time, in November 2021, signalling a new, exciting chapter for the talented lyricist and guitarist.
Saturday – 9:45pm, Foundation Stage
King Stingray | MON
King Stingray – five Yolŋu (Aboriginal) and balanda (non-Indigenous) mates – are one of Australia’s hottest acts right now. The band released their hook-laden debut single Hey Wanhaka in 2020, and quickly followed up with Get Me out, which held the title of #1 Most Played Australian Track on Triple J for a time.
Monday – 6:15pm, Stage 2
Paul Kelly | MON
One of Australia’s greatest and most enduring songwriters, Paul Kelly, is making a welcome return to WOMADelaide after performing at the inaugural event in 1992, on the one-off WOMAD Indian Pacific train trip in 1996, and at the 1997 and 2006 festivals. His eclectic repertoire has featured folk, rock and country sounds, earning him 4 ARIA awards, the 1997 Hall of Fame, and the 2017 Order of Australia.
Monday – 9:30pm, Foundation Stage
THE PLANET TALKS
The Minefield: Should Children Get the Vote? | SUN
16 and 17 year old’s are already paying taxes, working, driving, and volunteering for political parties. Waleed Aly, Scott Stephens, and Lisa Hill are now asking the question – why can’t young people vote? Especially when policy decisions in regard to energy, climate and the environment will be felt for decades to come.
AROUND THE PARK
Cathedral of Light | All Days
Australian company Mandylights have created a magnificent tunnel, mimicking the shape of traditional arched windows found in our historic churches. With tens of thousands of LED light globes, it’s worth a visit and a few insta shots.
Cocoloco | All Days
Alice in Wonderland and The Shining meet with this performance troupe, Cocoloco. The street theatre group promises to be loud, boisterous and absolutely hilarious and it roves throughout WOMADelaide.
Friday – 6:30pm
Saturday – 1:00pm, 3:30pm
Sunday – 1:00pm, 3:30pm
Monday – 1:00pm, 3:30pm
TASTE THE WORLD
Get the knew any of the festival’s artists in a relaxed setting, as they share their stories while cooking their favourite global dishes.
Grace Barbé | FRI, SAT, MON
From the Seychelles, Grace Barbé fuses the tropical rhythms and dances of the unique Kreol culture with psychedelic rock, Afrobeat, reggae and pop. Listen to Grace’s fascinatingly huge sound at one of her Saturday or Monday performances and/or check out her Friday Taste the World experience.
Friday – 8:00pm (Taste the World)
Saturday – 2:30pm, Stage 3 (Performance)
Monday – 2:00pm, Stage 2 (Performance)
MARLON X RULLA | MON
Marlon Motlop and Rulla Kelly-Mansell, AKA MARLON x RULLA, will be presenting an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture inspired dish that will consist of native Australian foods. Coconut Curry Barramundi is on the menu! You’ll be able to find out the cultural significance of the dish, the origins of every ingredient and the vital role they play in Aboriginal culture. Marlon and Rulla are fantastic performers and will be doing acoustic versions of their music, accompanied by guitarist Grayson Rotumah.
Monday – 5:00pm
ARTIST-LED WORKSHOPS
Ausecuma Beats | SAT, SUN
Join master percussionists from Senegal, Mali, Guinea and Cuba as they explore the different traditions of West African music and how it links to life here in Australia. The ensemble will share their history, teachings and philosophy through this interactive workshop.
Saturday – 4:30pm, Stage 3
Sunday – 1:00pm (Zoo Stage), 4:00pm (Stage 7)
Yoga | SAT, SUN, MON
Adelaide yoga studio Human.Kind will be providing free yoga sessions! No bookings required. Just bring your own yoga mat, picnic rug or sarong to stretch on.
Saturday – Two 12:30pm sessions, Stage 7 and Moreton Bay Stage
Sunday – Two 12:00pm sessions, Stage 7 and Moreton Bay Stage
Monday – Two 12:00pm sessions, Stage 7 and Moreton Bay Stage
KIDZONE
Designed for kids 12 and under, the KidZone will cover everything from arts and crafts sessions and museum discoveries to nature-play and interactive entertainment.
Story Time with Eddie Betts | SAT, SUN
Role model and proud Wirangu/Kokatha/Guburn man, Eddie Betts, experienced significant literacy challenges as a young person and has a deep understanding of the disadvantage this can cause young people. Eddie’s Lil’ Homies is a fun, educational series seeks to inspire a love of learning and educate readers about Aboriginal culture.
Saturday – 3:00pm, KidZone
Sunday – 3:00pm, KidZone
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