OUR TOP PICKS FOR WOMADELAIDE 2024

WOMADelaide has such an eclectic lineup it can be hard to know who to see. So we’ve made it easier by selecting our top picks you don’t want to miss.

Words by Tobias Handke

The 32nd edition of WOMADelaide is almost here and we are getting super excited about this year’s event. Arguably Adelaide’s (and maybe even Australia’s) best festival, the 2024 edition features a cracking lineup of talented musicians and artists from around the globe.  

Unlike last year’s festival which went slightly commercial with the inclusion of Florence + the Machine and Bon Iver, WOMAD 2024 feels like the festival has gone back to its roots with a genre-spanning line-up that includes both Australian and international acts. 

Looking at the program it’s easy to be overwhelmed. 72 acts make up this year’s festival and in a perfect world you’d be able to see them all, but then the festival would have to run a week and nobody has time for that.  

To make sure you get a great feel of what WOMAD is about and the talent on show, we’ve handpicked a selection of artists we believe are must-see. Read on and discover The Note’s top picks for WOMADelaide 2024. 

José González (Sweden)

2023 marked the 20th anniversary of Swedish singer-songwriter José González’s seminal debut album Veener. In celebration of this historic landmark, González has been touring the globe playing the album in full and is bringing this special live performance to WOMAD.

Having caught his performance in Paris last year, I can attest to how magical González is in the flesh. Not only does he play Veener in full, but the guitarist performs select songs from his three other albums along with several amazing covers. Not to be missed. 

Playing: Saturday 6:30pm @ Stage 2

Pongo (Angola/Portugal)

Prepare to shake your booty when Pongo hits the stage at this year’s WOMADelaide Festival. The Angola-born, Portugal-raised artist combines traditional Kuduro music with Afrobeat, pop, funk and dancehall, creating up-tempo bangers ready-made for the festival environment. 

In 2020, Pongo won the Music Moves Europe Talent Award and has continued to go from strength to strength, touring Europe and racking up Spotify plays by the millions. 

Playing: Friday 7:00pm @ Stage 3, Saturday 7:30pm @ Adelaide Botanic High & Monday 9:30pm Zoo Stage 4

Ziggy Marley (Jamaica)

With eight Grammy Awards to his name, Ziggy Marley is a reggae icon who is not only a famous singer, songwriter and producer, but also an acclaimed author, humanitarian and political activist. 

Stepping out from the shadow of his famous father, Ziggy has carved his own path spanning almost 40 years which has seen him release 18 albums and touched the minds and souls of millions worldwide. We are truly blessed with the opportunity to see the great man in the flesh. 

Playing: Monday 9:30pm @ Foundation Stage

Black Jesus Experience (Ethiopia/Australia)

Commonly referred to as BJX, the Black Jesus Experience is a Melbourne-based ensemble that blends traditional Ethiopian music with modern hip-hop and funk.

At the heart of the ten-piece band is singer-songwriter Enushu’s beautiful vocals, juxtaposed by Zimbabwe-born, Outback-raised rapper Mr Monk’s fierce lyrics. 

Creating music that blends genres and addresses important social and political concerns, Black Jesus Experience deliver powerful statements that will also get you grooving. 

Playing: Saturday 1:30pm @ Adelaide Botanic High, Saturday 6:30pm @ Stage 7 & Monday 8:30pm @ Stage 2

Corinne Bailey Rae (UK)

Even if you’re not too sure who Corinne Bailey Rae is, you’ve no doubt heard her 2006 smash hit ‘Put Your Records On’. 

Having sold over 10 million albums and collaborated with the likes of Paul McCartney, Mary J. Blige and Stevie Wonder, her two performances on the Foundation Stage are going to be special, with Rae’s soulful vocals sure to mesmerise all in attendance. 

The British artist and two-time Grammy Award winner’s appearance at WOMAD is also an Australian exclusive, making her one of the must-see acts. 

Playing: Friday 10:00pm @ Foundation Stage & Sunday 3:00pm @ Foundation Stage

Thee Sacred Souls (USA)

Staring life as a duo in 2019, this San Diego retro-soul act has evolved into a seven-piece band crafting 60s and 70s-inspired soul and R&B tunes. At the core of Thee Sacred Souls are vocalist Josh Lane, bassist Sal Samano and drummer Alex Garcia, who together with the rest of the band, sound like they’ve taken a time machine from the Motown era to the present. 

Although they have only one album to their name, their 2022 self-titled record received rave reviews and turned the likes of Gary Clark Jr. and Timbaland into fans. For those who enjoy anything from Daptone Records. 

Playing: Saturday 4:30pm @ Stage 7 & Monday 2:00pm Stage 3

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 (Nigeria)

If Seun Kuti’s name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the son of legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. Seun began playing with Egypt 80 at age nine and then took the helm at 14 after his father passed away in 1997. 

Keeping his father’s legacy alive, Seun & Egypt 80 have released several critically acclaimed albums and toured the globe countless times, with their 2022 Glastonbury performance a highlight. 

Expect an energetic showing from Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 that will feature a mixture of incredible instrumentation, traditional dancing and Kuti’s probing vocals. 

Playing: Saturday 9:45pm @ Foundation Stage

Morcheeba (UK)

Coming out of the British trip-hop scene of the ‘90s, Morcheeba cemented their reputation amongst downtempo electronic fans with their third album Fragments of Freedom in 2000. 

Throughout the years the band has gone through several line-up changes, with the current iteration featuring original vocalist SKYE and multi-instrumentalist Ross Godfrey. 

Their only performance at WOMADelaide will see the group play all their biggest hits, including ‘The Sea’, ‘Otherwise’ and ‘Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day’. 

Playing: Monday 7:15pm @ Foundation Stage

Saliah (Lebanon/UK)

If you’re looking to party long into the night, then make sure you get to Stage 7 on Sunday evening. British-Lebanese DJ and producer Saliah will be behind the decks crafting a set mixing UK club classics with remixes of traditional Arabic tunes. 

Her mixes are internationally acclaimed, with her Boiler Room London: Middle of Nowhere set from 2023 an awesome illustartion of what to expect when she takes the stage in Adelaide. 

Playing: Sunday 10:00pm @ Stage 7

Jen Cloher + T'HONI (Australia/New Zealand)

Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Kahu songwriter Jen Cloher has been crafting emotionally relevant folk-rock tunes for close to 25 years. They are an award-winning artist who has won everything from a J Award to an Air Award and received critical praise for their incredible 2023 album I Am the River, the River Is Me.

Cloher and their five-piece band will be joined by T’HONI, a Melbourne-based Māori cultural performance group for two not-to-be-missed performances at this year’s WOMAD. 

These shows will mix Cloher’s thought-provoking lyrics with T’HONI’s traditional and passionate dance performances linked to Maori culture and identity.

Playing: Sunday 4:00pm @ Stage 2 & Monday 2:00pm Moreton Bay Stage 5

Son Rompe Pera (Mexico)

Keeping alive the tradition of marimba music (tunes created using a palm wood xylophone with bamboo tube resonators, accompanied by drums and maracas), Son Rompe Pera is known for their colourful live shows that have seen them play all across the globe. 

Formed by brothers Jesús Ángel "Kacho" Gama and Alan "Mongo" Gama in 2017, the band also incorporates rockabilly, punk and ska into their sound, creating a Latin-flavoured melting pot of good vibes and highly danceable music. 

Playing: Saturday 8:45pm @ Stage 3 & Monday 4:00pm @ Stage 2

Emel Mathlouthi (Tunisia)

Ten years since her last WOMADelaide performance, Tunisian artist Emel Mathlouthi returns for two exclusive appearances at this year’s festival. Rising to fame with the release of the protest song ‘Kelmti Horra’, which would become the anthem for the Tunisian Revolution and the Arab Spring in late 2010, Mathlouthi’s hypnotic vocals will bring tears to your eyes. 

Joining Mathlouthi will be her band and three Adelaide-based string players from the former Zephyr Quartet, performing contemporary Arab music that will hit you in the feels. 

Playing: Friday 9:00pm @ Stage 3 & Sunday 2:00pm @ Stage 2

WOMADelaide takes place Friday March 8 - Monday March 11. Tickets are still available via womadelaide.com.