Underworld, returning pioneers from the festival’s earliest years and a host of international debuts will take the stages at Adelaide’s Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla from 5 to 8 March 2027.
WOMADelaide has announced the first artists for its 35th anniversary festival, bringing Underworld, Christine Anu, Dr L. Subramaniam and a wide international cast to Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla from 5 to 8 March 2027.
The program continues the festival’s long-standing focus on musical discovery across generations, genres and continents. Underworld join previously confirmed acts Leon Bridges, Madness and Tinariwen. The UK duo, whose acid-house track “Born Slippy .NUXX” became a defining moment of 1990s dance culture, will appear alongside Canadian math-rock pair Angine de Poitrine and Grammy-nominated Malian singer Fatoumata Diawara.
Three artists with deep personal histories at the festival are also returning. Dr L. Subramaniam, the Indian violin virtuoso who performed at the very first WOMADelaide in 1992, will be back on stage. Christine Anu, who appeared in 1995 and 1997, makes her first return in three decades. Ukrainian ensemble DakhaBrakha, who made their Australian debut at the festival in 2011 and have since played Glastonbury, complete the notable homecomings.
Several acts will perform in Australia for the first time. American camp carnival-pop duo Haute & Freddy, Turkish-Dutch psychedelic folk-rock band Altın Gün, and Spanish singer Maria Arnal all make their local debuts. Further firsts include Wild Wild Women, described as India’s first all-female rap group, Bhutan Balladeers as the first Bhutanese act at the festival, and high-voltage trance-rock from Claudio Rabe of Madagascar and Réunion.
Dancefloors will be served by four-time Grammy-nominated DJ Kenny Dope of Masters at Work and London’s Bradley Zero, one of the original Boiler Room programmers. South African seven-piece BCUC bring Afro-psychedelic energy, while Jamaican dub-reggae artist Hempress Sativa, Thai trance ensemble Khun Narin, Puerto Rican Latin big band El Laberinto del Coco and Anglo-Irish folk quartet The Haar add further breadth.
Australian contributions include Trials, one half of A.B. Original, with his new solo project, alongside other local and regional names already confirmed.
Beyond the main stages, South Korean company Ambiguous Dance Company presents Body Concert, an exploration of movement structured like a live music performance. British artist Luke Jerram’s seven-metre diameter solar sculpture Helios will light the park at night. French troupe Les Goulus return with three interactive shows. The established Taste the World program, KidZone activities and The Planet Talks series continue as part of the broader experience.
WOMADelaide Director Ian Scobie AM said the festival began as a wild experiment and has now stood for 35 years. “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.”
WOMAD founder Peter Gabriel added: “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.”
South Australian Minister for Tourism Emily Bourke MLC noted the festival’s long partnership with the state government since 1992 and its ongoing contribution to the local tourism and hospitality sectors.
Tickets for WOMADelaide 2027 are already on sale. Further artists will be announced in the months ahead. The festival returns to Adelaide’s Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla from 5 to 8 March 2027.
The WOMADelaide 2027 lineup announced to date includes:
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
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