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.
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WOMADelaide is best known as a glorious long weekend of music and dance from around the world. But Planet Talks also gives some special opportunities for sharing ideas with some of the world’s most inspiring thought leaders and activists who are working on key global environmental and justice issues.
For 2023 much of the focus will be on the First Nations Voice to Parliament, the Race to Netzero, Rights for Nature and Crimes Against Nature.
Read MoreThe Goanna reunion performance was a wonderful emotion-charged event. It was clear they were having the time of their lives on the main stage at WOMADelaide 2022. Respect was flowing freely from and to the band.
Together and in their solo careers Shane Howard, Rose Bygrave & Marcia Howard have made Australia a better place through their music and activism.
They’re great storytellers, in their songwriting, performing and in person.
And it’s storytelling with a purpose. They helped clear a path forward for First Nations audiences and performers.
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With WOMADelaide 2022 coming up fast, it made me reflect on previous festivals.
Might it be that – in simplistic terms – there are two types of people: those who use their talents to enrich themselves, and those who use their special skills to enrich the lives of others? My experience in media leads me to think so.
I’ve been very fortunate to interview some special people over recent years, people who have dedicated their lives to ensuring they contribute to safeguarding our planet and improving social equity, and have been guests at WOMADelaide as part of the superb Planet Talks series. Here are some of the best.
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WOMADelaide 2021 opening night was an emotionally-charged event with Archie Roach and Lior fulfilling in style the WOMADelaide goals of celebrating cultural and creative diversity.
Archie Roach came on stage for his 7th and final WOMADelaide show – more repeat performances at WOMADelaide than any other artist – and the crowd responded with a standing ovation before he’d sung a note.
Read MoreI had a chat with Fatoumata Diawara ahead of her appearance at WOMADelaide 2019.
Brian: First of all, many congratulations on your nomination for this year’s Grammy Awards for your album Fenfo. Will you be attending the Awards Ceremony?
Fatou: Yes, I’m going to go, definitely. Last year it was the Victoires de la Musique in France, so I’m familiar with the significance of the ceremonies.
Ahead of his appearance at WOMADelaide 2018, I spoke with Chilean singer, multi-instrumentalist and song-writer Nano Stern about cultural heritage, his hopes for the future and the incomparable instrument, the human voice.
Brian: It’s been six years since we last saw you perform at WOMADelaide, and eight years since your Live in Concert album was recorded in Mullumbimby. What are the main changes we can expect at WOMADelaide 2018? Different instruments and band line-up? More influence of rock and jazz or stronger influence of Chilean roots since your return to live in Santiago?
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I have a confession. Each year when I look at the WOMADelaide program and study the list of artists I draw a blank. Well, not quite a blank. There are always a few celebrities – the likes of Baaba Maal and Lo’jo who make welcome return visits.
But each year I head to WOMADelaide confident that these will be the best four days of the year for music, culture and dance, as the artists whose names mean little to me, then burst onto the stage; so colourful, so rich a mix of traditional and modern culture.
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BrianLoffler 