Photo / Youri Lenquette
WOMADelaide today announced its initial line-up of 25 international artists, led by legendary Senegalese singer, percussionist and social revolutionist, Youssou N’Dour; for the 2015 festival to be held in Adelaide’s Botanic Park, 6–9 March.
Returning for his third appearance at WOMADelaide, Youssou N’Dour boasts a career spaning over three decades, including a recent period as Senegal’s Minister for Culture and Tourism, and an attempt at the countries presidency. N’Dour is today one of the most influential cultural figureheads within political and musical circles in Africa.
A pioneer of the prevalent Senegalese dance music known as mbalax, a fusion of popular western music and dance blended with the Senegal’s traditional griot percussion and praise-singing. Youssou N’Dour is hailed as the man who brought Senegalese music to the world.
WOMADelaide Director, Ian Scobie, said that it is a real honour to again host Youssou N’Dour, an artist who played the very first WOMADelaide in 1992.
“Youssou’s long standing relationship with WOMADelaide and its fans is something we hold very dear. He is a true leader on and off the stage and it’s a privilege to again exclusively host him at WOMADelaide in 2015.”
Further bolstering WOMADelaide’s initial announcement is the inclusion the transatlantic folk super-group, The Gloaming. Merging traditional Irish folk with New York contemporary, The Gloaming create an inimitable fusion of music that is as sparse and sacred, as it is rich and authentic.
Consisting of New York pianist Thomas Bartlett, sean-nos singer Iarla Ó Lionaird, Chicago guitarist Dennis Cahill, fiddler Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and fiddle master Martin Hayes; The Gloaming is a group of virtuoso musicians that have gone on to sell out some of the worlds most prestigious venues including London’s Union Chapel, Dublin’s National Concert Hall, at Holland Festival in Amsterdam and Paris’s Cite de la Musique.
Joining Youssou N’Dour and The Gloaming on the inaugural 2015 WOMADelaide announcement is:
– Legendary South African jazz pianist and composer; Abdullah Ibrahim Quartet
– The politically edged, beat-heavy world party sounds of Balkan Beat Box
– The nomadic prince of the desert blues, Niger’s Bombino
– Performing their contemporary style of Southern Italy’s traditional Pizzica music and dance; Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino
– American electric blues harmonica player, Charlie Musselwhite
– The explosive and powerful punk and reggae sound of Europe’s multinational, Che Sudaka
– Brazilian rap and soul singer, Criolo
– Northern Romania’s infamous Balkan brass band, Fanfare Ciocarlia
– The Brazilian sounds of Samba-reggae from Flavia Coelho
– Dancing to their own old-time bluegrass meltdown is Gordie MacKeeman and his Rhythm Boys
– Interweaving free heavy post-rock and avant-garde on traditional Korean instruments is Jambinai
– Drawing inspiration form the indestructible beat of Kinshasa ‘s social rhythms and melodies; Jupiter & Okwess International
– The Boston born soul sounds of Lake Street Dive
– Modernizing the concept of live film and the cinematic score is Live Live Cinema
– The queen of Bolivian song and diva of the Andes, Luzmila Carpio
– Marrugeku Theatre company will premiere their new production, Cut The Sky
– Crafting inspiring gospel songs from Malawi’s roadside is, Malawi Mouse Boys
– India’s new Hindustani vocal virtuoso, Meeta Pandit
– Swedish born singer songwriter, rapper and DJ, Neneh Cherry with RocketNumberNine+
– Reconstructing the past from old public information films, bedded to post-rock electronica is Public Service Broadcasting
– Solo folk-inflected instrumentalist and leader of the Palestine National Ensemble of Arabic Music, Ramzi Aburedwan and Ensemble Dal ‘Ouna
– A special showcase of one of the most beautiful male voices on the planet in, The Best of Rufus Wainwright
– Japan’s leading undertakers of ‘death jazz’, Soil and ‘Pimp’ Sessions
The next instalment of WOMADelaide artists will be announced on October 28.
WOMADelaide will be held from 6 – 9 March 2015 in Adelaide’s Botanic Park.
For tickets and event information visit: www.womadelaide.com.au
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