By Chris Lambie
WOMADELAIDE 2025
Tainmuntilla/Botanic Park, Adelaide, South Australia, March 7-10, 2025
The annual celebration of music, art and dance delivered another diverse line-up with many among the 50+ acts mixing a cocktail of ancient traditions with contemporary influences. Some of the most beguiling were those in-between.
Five-piece group Saigon Soul Revival recapture the psychedelic grooves of Vietnamese pop music from the 50s to the mid-70s. Formed in 2016, SSR are new to the international circuit. Their Womadelaide sets quickly drew crowds that defied the high temperatures in dancing delight. Trippy retro vibes in the vein of the Australia-based Cambodian Space Project.
Led by Choir Master Morris Stuart, the Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir infused the Botanic Park air with exquisitely blended voices. The 30 core members hail from numerous remote Central Desert communities. Ancient living languages bring a unique gravitas to Baroque and Romantic Era arrangements. These evolving Songlines captivate and ground the listener.
From Niger, Tuareg band Etran de l’Aïr created a buzz with their two evening performances. The vocal echo of centuries past took flight with hypnotic rocking Desert Blues. The three thrilling guitars and cracking drums (three brothers and a cousin) sent punters of very possible demographic into a frenzy. Fans of Western Saharan rhythms knew they’d be in for a treat. The uninitiated were quickly swept up in a united reverie. I’d vowed to remain seated at their Day 4 outing, given kilometres walked with management of heat, hydration and fatigue. Yeah, nah. I was quickly up and bouncing again in the moonlight.
It’s always heartening to hear young artists preserving tradition with a modern twist. Wandering near the Academy stage, I was drawn to an instrumental lilt. Certain I was hearing the Borneo sapé, I discovered Koleh (and band) from the island’s Kenyah tribe. Hidden beyond the headliners list, he deftly played the boat-shaped lute made by his uncle. The NSS Academy is a training & development program for young and emerging First Nations and culturally diverse artists. Alumni include Dem Mob, Tkay Maidza and Elsy Wameyo. The latter on the 2025 bill, attracted an enthusiastic crowd.
The shady Moreton Bay Stage hosted workshops and welcome chilled-out performances. Chris Kamu’ana Rohoimae (Solomon Islands) was accompanied by panpipes, guitar and percussion. The 2024 winner of ABC’s Pacific Break, he warmed hearts and cooled the clammy. From Senegal, Majnun delivered a set infused with reggae, Afro-beat, trance and global grooves. His dynamic guitar-playing led to a broken string. Clearly pained by the need to retreat and repair, he was touched by a rousing ‘welcome back’ from the audience.
The five-part a capella harmonies of The Joy delivered the iconic sound of South Africa. Rarely has a group been so aptly named. Formed from meeting in a school choir, their combined voices were exquisite and utterly enchanting. The baritone vocal bore deep into the night sky.
Among many ‘single show’ acts, Melbourne-based griots The Mande Spirit were a hit and would likely have drawn even more people to further sets. They recently formed for a Toumani Diabate tribute night, at the instigation of PBS Radios’ Stani Goma. They opened with the soothing strings of Gambian Amadou Suso’s kora, inviting passers-by like a pied piper. Once joined on stage (by Malian multi-instrumentalist Aboubacar Djelike Kouyate, Guinean percussionist Mohamed Camara on calabash and kamale n’goni and vocalist Aminata Doumbia) it grew to another feel-good dance party.
International highlights that got hips shaking and feet jigging: Nana Benz du Togo (featuring fabulous thong and PVC pipe percussion), the incandescent Queen Omega with high energy Jamaican Dancehall joy and philosophy, Delgres(from France with Caribbean flavour and tuba basslines), Scottish super-trio Talisk, Lindigo (Maloya magic from Reunion Is), Bala Desejo (Brazil) and seductive soul from Durand Jones & The Indications (USA).
Stand-outs with a difference: Taiwan’s Sauljaljui (moon lute, nose flute and hilarious dance instructions), big bold Japanese drums by O.TA.I.KO ZA MYOJIN, jazz/hip hop/soul meetings from Digable Planets (USA) and heavenly horns from Jamaican icons Protoje & The Indiggnation. Satish Vyas & U Rajesh (India) gave a sublime and totally captivating interpretation of Carnatic classical music. Pandit Satish Vyas on the santoor (hammered dulcimer) with Uppalapu Rajesh matching his mastery on mandolin.
Locals (familiar and upcoming) starred: The Divine Miss Em, ARIA winner Emily Wurramara, Ngaiire (PNG/AUS) with her world premiere of new project PAIA – a feast of music, art and dance (Step aside Kylie!), stunning vocals from Eleanor Jawurlngali, from the APY lands UPK Allstars and Afro-Latin rhythm-meisters Amaru Tribe. Hot on the heels of their debut album success, (‘Sing Your Own Song’), The Andrew Gurruwiwi Band. The exciting funk outfit from N-E Arnhem Land signalled a future as festival favourites. Lyrics are sung in Yolngu Matha language. It’s been a long road since The Warumpi Band’s 1983 hit ‘Jailanguru Pakarnu’, the first rock song released an Aboriginal language. We’re finally hearing this as more of the norm among Australian First Nations performers.
Of course, the big-name international headliners did not disappoint. Especially two who were scheduled to appear last year. After withdrawing in 2024 for medical reasons, UK’s Nitin Sawhney confirmed his celebrated status across two shows. The musician, producer and composer delivered impossibly cool sets with his superb outfit (featuring tabla, flute and vocals). 47SOUL (Palestine/Jordan) were warmly welcomed after their controversial ‘un-invitation’ in 2024). The legendary Sun Ra Arkestra, Texan trio Khruangbin and Portugal’s Fado queen Mariza gave their all. PJ Harvey opened her single performance with an extended showcase of new album I Inside the Old Year Dying. From the slow-ish theatrical beginning, Harvey went on to satisfy fans of rockier hits with the likes of ’50ft Queenie’ and ‘Man-Size’. Longtime collaborator John Parish shone among her backing.
Even the most avid punter must shake off FOMO. Inevitably, I missed a few sets that others raved about. But that’s OK. From Friday’s Kaurna Welcome To Country, WOMADelaide 2025 highlights were many and took the sting out of the (once again) challenging globally-warmed conditions.
WOMADELAIDE PHOTO GALLERY BY ROB SFERCO
