Many feel that 2026 has already been a difficult year, with global tensions on the rise. This affected even WOMADelaide with some acts not able to attend this year due to travel disruptions and other issues. However, a feeling of hope and resilience was front and foremost for this year’s event. Celebrating cultural diversity, honouring female artists and raising awareness of global issues through the medium of art is no small feat. WOMADelaide this year felt like a reset that the festival and the world needed right now. Rather than relying on drawcard artists, there was more of a community atmosphere whereby people allowed themselves to reconnect, with each other and with the world.
With such a large offering of events throughout Botanic Park, it is easy to get lost. Which is a good thing. Finding a bargain in the market stalls, watching friends gathering together in a shared space, stumbling across new musical discoveries; this is all part of the WOMAD experience. The creations from Osadia, the artists from Barcelona, were spotted all over the park. The zebras from Born in a Taxi were spotted having a cheeky visit to the Cooper’s Bar. The poetic performances of French acrobatics Cie Hors Surface, entitled “Le poids des Nuages” (The Weight of Clouds) explored the concepts of individualism, trust and ambition on a giant trampoline.
On the Foundation stage, French group Orange Blossom, headed by singer Maria Hassan blend Arab and Western music with an emotionally charged performance. It’s described as a sonic journey through Mali, Egypt and Cuba. They featured songs from their 2024 album, Spells from the Drunken Sirens. It was a beautiful afternoon made even more beautiful with their soulful sounds.
Allowing oneself to wander means that one stumbles across hidden gems such as New Zealand’s singer Mā tucked away on the zoo stage. She’s part singer, part rapper and a spoken word poet, with magnetic energy. Her songs embody Maori concepts such as te taiao (the natural world) and whakapapa (ancestry) with a sense of honesty and vigour. She’s been nominated as “one to watch” in NZ and I’m sure that we will see more of her in Oz. A very pleasant surprise.
The Northern Sounds NSS stage was located near the entrance to the market stalls, and several local bands had a chance to show their skills. One that drew this reviewer’s attention was Donni Heat. He’s a rising punk-rock force in the Adelaide music scene, releasing his first EP Echoes From The Fallout in December 2025 and becoming a finalist in the SA Music Awards in the same year. The explosive energy and enthusiasm has not gone unnoticed and we look forward to seeing more of him in the future.
Over on stage 2, the blazing sun wasn’t going to stop Fantastic Negrito from blitzing a super hot set. His incredible funk and soul groove tore up the stage with his timeless R&B sound. A blistering set on a blistering stage.
Back at the Foundation stage, Marlon Williams and his Yarra Benders gave us a satisfying and afternoon of music. Drawing from his latest album Te Whare Tīwekaweka, his Maori version of songs were a delight to listen to. The single he released with Lorde, “Kahore He Manu E” sent shivers up my spine, it was so beautiful.
As the evening drew to a close, Canadian ensemble BADBADNOTGOOD delved into a set of mind blowing distortion and improvised jazz. With a trippy light show swirling around, it felt like the perfect way to end the evening. It was a cosmic head cleaner after a full weekend of incredible performers.
Swirling sounds from Eva Lazaraus and her Mungo’s Hi Fi serenaded us as we headed to the exit gates, with another year over,
Check out the gallery from John Goodridge
For more information on WOMADelaide check out their website
