It must rank among the most pleasurable homework in the world: previewing the performers who are on the bill for WOMADelaide in March 2024. With just over 100 sleeps to go till opening night on 8th March, it’s time!
It’s so easy to get into the swing of it because WOMADelaide have already released a playlist for the 2024 artist lineup on Spotify.
WOMADelaide – Sounds of the Planet. Photo: Brian Loffler
Here are just a few of my picks from the impressive artist announcements for WOMADelaide 2024:
- Illapu. I was living in South America in 1973, the year of the brutal military coup in Chile, which eventually forced Illapu into exile. Deeply imbedded in my memory is the unique sound of the flute, panpipe and charango – so typical of music from the Andes – that is made even more memorable when teamed up with powerful vocals and lyrics from poets such as Pablo Neruda.
- DakhaBrakha. Their “ethno chaos” music from Ukraine was a huge success when they first appeared at WOMADelaide in 2011. No doubt they’ll be even more enthusiastically received in 2024. Their performances cover a huge sweep of styles, vocals and instrumentation, from achingly poignant through to wild exuberance. Can’t wait! Putin will not approve.
- Nitin Sawhney. For something completely different I’m very much looking forward to the return of Nitin Sawhney who was also last at WOMADelaide in 2011. He’s such a fine guitarist, composer and producer, often collaborating with artists as diverse as Paul McCartney, Brian Eno and Anoushka Shankar. I particularly like the South Asian atmosphere he generates, such as his work with the extraordinary vocalist Nicki Wells.
- Baaba Maal. African superstars often become much more than musicians, making good use of their influence. Baaba Maal is a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, campaigning on sustainable development, gender equity and environmental action. I will never forget his superb performance at WOMADelaide 2012, but he also surprises with collaborations such as his 2016 performances with Mumford & Sons and his work helping create the sound of Wakanda on the movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
“Just when you thought that Baaba Maal had no more surprises up his sleeve, along comes Being, a shimmering, stomping work of glory.” – New Internationalist review of his 2023 album “Being”.
That’s just a taste; there’s still so much more to sample, from Morcheeba (UK) to José González (Sweden); from Tio (Vanuatu) to Arooj Aftab (USA/Pakistan); from Ziggy Marley (Jamaica) to Sharon Shannon Big Band (Ireland); from Witch (Zambia) to Moonlight Benjamin (Haiti/France).
DakhaBrakha. Their “ethno chaos” music from Ukraine will be a welcome return to the 2024 WOMADelaide stage.
More world music:
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