WOMADelaide has unveiled the first wave of artists for its 2025 festival, to be held at Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla in Adelaide from 7-10 March.
The lineup features 47 artists from 28 countries, including PJ Harvey (UK), Nils Frahm (Germany), Mariza (Portugal), Goran Bregović & His Wedding & Funeral Band (Serbia), and Bangarra Dance Theatre (Australia), alongside the previously announced Khruangbin (USA).
Marking her first return to Australia in eight years, two-time Mercury Music Prize winner PJ Harvey will perform on the festival’s opening night. Renowned for her live performances and innovative approach to music, she will be showcasing songs from her tenth studio album I Inside the Old Year Dying, as well as revisiting highlights from her celebrated career.
WOMADelaide
- 7-10 March 2025
- Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla, Adelaide
WOMADelaide lineup
• 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)
Explore Melbourne’s latest arts and stage news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Berlin-based pianist and composer Nils Frahm, known for blending classical and electronic music, will also grace the stage. Frahm’s unique approach to the piano has earned him international recognition for both his live performances and albums. Mariza, the acclaimed Fado singer from Portugal, will bring her powerful voice and more than two decades of musical history to the WOMADelaide stage.
The lineup further includes a variety of performances, from Goran Bregović’s fusion of Balkan folk and rock, to the soulful sounds of Trinidad & Tobago’s Queen Omega, a star in the global reggae and dancehall scene. The legendary Sun Ra Arkestra (USA) will also perform, continuing their tradition of pioneering free jazz and synthesiser-based music.
WOMADelaide Festival Director Ian Scobie described the festival as a unique moment when Adelaide embraces global cultures through music, dance, and art, saying: “Today’s announcement of 47 groups from 28 countries demonstrates why it truly is the world’s festival.” Minister for Tourism South Australia, Zoe Bettison, also highlighted the significance of the event, emphasising its role in attracting visitors and supporting local tourism.
Additional highlights include performances by Palestinian-Jordanian group 47SOUL, known for their innovative genre of Shamstep, Australian multi-ARIA nominee Emily Wurramara, and the UK-based jazz artist Shabaka. Australian performing arts company Bangarra Dance Theatre will debut a new main-stage performance, The Light Inside, created by Māori choreographer Moss Te Ururangi Patterson.
WOMADelaide will also feature a range of international food stalls, cultural retail experiences, and family-friendly activities such as KidZone.
The next artist announcement is expected in November. Keep up to date with WOMAD here.
