WOMADelaide 2027 First Artists Revealed

WOMADelaide today unveils the first artist lineup for its 35th anniversary, at Adelaide’s Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla from 5–8 March 2027. Rooted in musical discovery, the 2027 program brings together generations, genres and geographies across four unforgettable days and nights of music, arts and dance.

Since 1992, WOMADelaide – The World’s Festival – has brought the sounds, cultures and artistic excellence of the world to Adelaide. An annual tradition for many, it has become one of Australia’s longest-running, most cherished and culturally rich festivals – a place where the world comes together.

Marking this milestone, WOMADelaide 2027 promises to thrill: from the visionary duo Underworld (UK) whose acid house, British rave sound and generation-defining hit Born Slippy .NUXX’ changed the course of dance music and cemented its place in rave history; to the math-rock, space-voyaging, viral pair Angine de Poitrine (Canada), whose signature polka dots, tall papier-mâché masks, and elongated noses are set to surprise both visually and sonically; and the Grammy Award-nominated African icon Fatoumata Diawara (France), whose soaring vocals and soulful Malian roots music deliver the bold, distinctive sound that has been elevated through collaborations with music industry heavyweights Damon Albarn (Gorillaz, Blur), Oumou Sangaré and Disclosure.

They join the recently announced Leon Bridges (USA), Madness (UK), and Tinariwen (Azawad).

Returning for the 35th anniversary celebration is Kyiv-based DakhaBrakha (Ukraine), who have performed at Glastonbury and made their first appearance in Australia at WOMADelaide 2011 – powerfully blending Ukrainian folk traditions, global rhythms and contemporary sounds. Making her three-decade-long return is multi-ARIA Award winning and iconic voice across generations, Christine Anu (Australia), who performed at the 1995 and 1997 festivals. Also returning is the legendary Dr. L. Subramaniam (India), who performed at the very first WOMADelaide in 1992. A master of his craft and one of the world’s most revered violin virtuosos, he has captivated audiences for more than five decades.

Returning for the 35th anniversary celebration is Kyiv-based DakhaBrakha (Ukraine), who have performed at Glastonbury and made their first appearance in Australia at WOMADelaide 2011 – powerfully blending Ukrainian folk traditions, global rhythms and contemporary sounds. Making her three-decade-long return is multi-ARIA Award winning and iconic voice across generations, Christine Anu (Australia), who performed at the 1995 and 1997 festivals. Also returning is the legendary Dr. L. Subramaniam (India), who performed at the very first WOMADelaide in 1992. A master of his craft and one of the world’s most revered violin virtuosos, he has captivated audiences for more than five decades.

In the 2027 program, and for the first time in Australia, camp carnival-pop duo Haute & Freddy (USA) bring their fusion of theatrical flair and synth-driven maximalism, which has garnered millions of Spotify streams and fans including Lady Gaga; Altın Gün (Türkiye/The Netherlands) who are propelling the worldwide revival of Turkish music, capturing the sounds of 1970s Anatolia with their psychedelic folk-rock; and one of the most groundbreaking voices to come out of contemporary Spanish music, 2025 Gaudí Award recipient Maria Arnal (Spain). Heating up the dancefloor will be the legendary DJ/producer and four-time Grammy Award nominated Kenny Dope (USA) of Masters at Work as well as acclaimed DJ and one of the original Boiler Room programmers, Bradley Zero (UK), bringing a taste of the London scene.

From further afield, the festival welcomes the debuts of Wild Wild Women (India), the first-ever Indian all-female rap group; the high-voltage trance-rock of Claudio Rabe (Madagascar/Réunion); the energetic dub-reggae of Hempress Sativa (Jamaica); and the Afro-psychedelic fire of seven-piece BCUC (South Africa). Also joining the program are multi-generational Thai trance ensemble Khun Narin (Thailand); Bhutan Balladeers (Bhutan) the first Bhutanese group to perform at the festival; Latin big band trailblazers El Laberinto del Coco (Puerto Rico); contemporary folk Anglo-Irish quartet The Haar (Ireland); and multi-instrumentalist rapper/producer, Trials (Australia), one half of A.B. Original, with his new solo project.

Body Concert by Ambiguous Dance Company (South Korea) delivers an exuberant and joyful exploration of dance, rhythm and the limits of the human body, structured like a live music concert.

Beyond the stages, the Around the Park program will see Helios, a spectacular seven-metre diameter replica of the sun by artist Luke Jerram (UK) light the night sky, and the hilarious and absurdist Les Goulus (France) return with three of their interactive shows The Horsemen, Equicoaches and Cupids.

WOMADelaide’s much-loved Taste the World program will see artists sharing cherished food recipes and stories from home. KidZone will be jam-packed with activities for the youngest festival-goers, while The Planet Talks will continue to dissect and discuss environmental and global issues – and importantly, bring some hope.

Quote attributable to WOMADelaide Director Ian Scobie AM: “Beginning as a wild experiment, WOMADelaide has brought some of the world’s most extraordinary artists to Adelaide for 35 years – and 2027 will be no different. To have stood the test of time and become one of Australia’s longest running and most cherished festivals is an enormous honour. But what makes it truly special is that the spirit of discovery, connection and celebration that sparked WOMADelaide in 1992 is as alive today as ever. People flock to WOMADelaide to experience its magic, and it’s a privilege to spend every March long weekend surrounded by audiences and artists from Adelaide and around the world. After 35 years, we are immensely proud of what this festival continues to bring to our city – and to the people who return year after year to be part of it.”

Quote attributable to WOMAD Founder, Peter Gabriel: “As we celebrate 35 years of WOMADelaide, I’m reminded how extraordinary this festival and its audience truly are… I am immensely proud of what this festival stands for and for the open-minded and adventurous audience that brings it to life.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Tourism South Australia, Emily Bourke MLC: “For over three decades, WOMADelaide has been a jewel in our state’s major events calendar, bringing together extraordinary artists and audiences from every corner of the globe into our beautiful parklands. With the diverse and talented first artist lineup revealed today, we are in for a fitting celebration of the World’s Festival’s 35th anniversary. The South Australian Government has been a proud primary partner since WOMADelaide’s inception in 1992, and the beloved festival continuously delivers an incredible economic boost for our tourism and hospitality sectors.”

WOMADelaide returns to Adelaide’s Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla from 5–8 March 2027. Tickets are now on sale, with more artists to be announced.

The WOMADelaide 2027 lineup (as of 14 October) is:
Altın Gün (Türkiye/The Netherlands)
Ambiguous Dance Company – Body Concert (South Korea)
Angine de Poitrine (Canada)
BCUC (South Africa)
Bhutan Balladeers (Bhutan)
Bradley Zero (UK)
Christine Anu (Australia)
Claudio Rabe (Madagascar/Réunion)
DakhaBrakha (Ukraine)
Dr. L. Subramaniam (India)
El Laberinto del Coco (Puerto Rico)
Eliza Hull (Australia)
Fatoumata Diawara (France)
Gravity & Other Myths and SAZ – Mortal Coil (Australia/India)
The Haar (UK/Ireland)
Haute & Freddy (USA)
Hempress Sativa (Jamaica)
Jamaica Moana (Australia/Aotearoa/Samoa)
Kenny Dope (USA)
Khun Narin (Thailand)
Leon Bridges (USA)
Les Goulus – The Horsemen, Equicoaches & Cupids (France)
Luke Jerram – Helios (UK)
Madness (UK)
Mambe (Colombia/Denmark)
Maria Arnal (Spain)
Mohammad Reza Mortazavi (Iran/Germany)
Musik Blok by Ngaiire (PNG/Australia)
Seamas Carey – Community Service (UK)
Seppuku Pistols (Japan)
Tarta Relena (Catalunya/Spain)
Tinariwen (Azawad)
Trials (Australia)
Underworld (UK)
Wild Wild Women (India)
Yegor Zabelov (Belarus)

For tickets and more information visit: www.womadelaide.com.au