Having begun in 1992 as a brilliant experiment and daring programming initiative of the Adelaide Festival developed from an approach by the organisers to the WOMAD organisation in the UK, took on an independent life of its own in 1993.
WOMAD was co-founded in England by Grammy-winning musician Peter Gabriel: “Music is a universal language,” said Gabriel early on. “It draws people together and proves, as well anything, the stupidity of racism.”
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Peter Gabriel performing at WOMADelaide 1993
Initially staged biennially from 1993, in alternate years to the then-biennial Adelaide Festival, WOMADelaide moved to an annual cycle from 2004 a move which encouraged the Adelaide Fringe and then the Adelaide Festival to become annual events, with WOMADelaide expanding to become a four-day event from 2010, with the program on environmental discussion forums, the Planet Talks being added in 2013.
Over its 30 + years the WOMADelaide festival has become a unique part of the Australian festival landscape, showcasing the best, the essential – and the surprising – in music, arts, dance and ideas from around the world, from large scale site performance installations to a renown approach to showcasing national and international artists in the stunning surrounds of Botanic Park / Tainmuntilla as a testament to the power of music, art, and multiculturalism.
Artists have included:
- Archie Roach – 1992
- Crowded House – 1992
- Geoffrey Oryema – 1995
- Mahlathini & the Mahotella Queens – 1993
- Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – 1995
- Oliver Mtukudzi & The Black Spirits – 2001
- Paul Kelly - 1992
- Peter Gabriel – 1993
- Rokia Traoré – 2001
- Salif Keita – 1993
- Terem Quartet – 1997
- Yothu Yindi
- Youssou N’Dour – 1992
- Ravi & Anoushka Shankar
- Gil Scott-Heron
- Dirty Three – 2012
- Gotan Project – 2007
- Kathakali Dance Ensemble – 2010
- Mavis Staples – 2008
- Mahotella Queens – 2007
- Artonik’s The Colour of Time
- Mariza – 2007
- Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 – 2009
- Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings – 2008
- Xavier Rudd – 2010
- Anoushka Shankar – 2017
- Australian Dance Theatre - 2016
- BAKER BOY – 2022
- The Manganiyar Seduction
- Bangarra Dance Theatre Terrain - 2023
- Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn - 2023
- Billy Bragg – 2014
- Cimafunk - 2023
- Florence + The Machine – 2023
- Gaia By Luke Jerram
- Gratte Ciel Place des Anges – 2023
- Hugh Masekela – 2013
- John Butler Trio – 2019
- Kronos Quartet – 2023
- Transe Express – Mobil Homme
- MEUTE - 2023
- Nakhane - 2023
- Neneh Cherry & Youssou N'Dour – 2015
- Sampa The Great - 2023
- Sinéad O'Connor – 2015
- Soweto Gospel Choir – 2013
- TAO Dance Theater – 2018
The capital of South Australia has a history of cultural vision and social reform and is known internationally for its thriving arts festivals. Adelaide has a proud musical heritage, being the first Australian city to establish a tertiary music institution in 1883, and since 2015 has been Australia’s only designated UNESCO City of Music – a worldwide network among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.
We acknowledge the Kaurna people as the Traditional Owners of country on which WOMADelaide is presented, and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
WOMADelaide is produced and presented by the WOMADelaide Foundation and managed by Arts Projects Australia and WOMAD Ltd.