Arrested Development, Oumou Sangaré & Jovanotti Join Massive WOMADelaide 2026 Lineup
Arrested Development, Oumou Sangaré & Jovanotti Join Massive WOMADelaide 2026 Lineup
WOMADelaide today announces 20 more exceptional artists for its 2026 celebration of music, arts and dance across the March long weekend (6–9 March 2026) in Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla.
With exclusive Australian performances from trailblazers Arrested Development, the first hip-hop artists to win Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards, and one of Africa’s greatest female voices and activists Oumou Sangaré, plus beloved Italian pop icon Jovanotti headlining the opening night of the festival, WOMADelaide 2026 promises to be a wild and adventurous musical journey.
Other sonic joys in today's announcement include Canadian jazz-fusion group BADBADNOTGOOD; The Netherlands/NZ blues-funk trio MY BABY; American gospel family band Annie & The Caldwells – whose latest album was been praised by the likes of Sir Elton John – and psychedelic Amsterdam-based six-piece Nusantara Beat whose music is a nod to their Indonesian roots. They join soulful blues guitarist/singer Fantastic Negrito from the USA; festival favourites KAIIT and Mama Kin Spender, and newcomers including Brazilian Australian artist Alcides Neto.
“The real magic of WOMAD lies in discovery – many leave raving about artists and genres they never knew existed.”
– Double J.
These artists join the recently announced legendary Australian band Yothu Yindi; the Afro-funk Fred again.. collaborator Obongjayar; 82-year-old First Nations gospel singer Kankawa Nagarra; renowned Belgian choreographer and dancer Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker’s groundbreaking dance work Rosas danst Rosas; Yolngu rapper and dancer Baker Boy; singer-storyteller Troy Cassar-Daley accompanied by a string quartet; London-based DJ Jyoty and all-female Moroccan group Asmâa Hamzaoui & Bnat Timbouktou.
With more than 600 artists in 69 groups from 38 countries, the 2026 edition of WOMADelaide promises to deliver an extraordinary four-day festival unlike any other in Australia.
“The sense of wonder, community and togetherness that WOMADelaide captures so well – an oasis of calm and contentment in a complicated world.”
– The Sydney Morning Herald
Quote from WOMADelaide director, Ian Scobie: “We are delighted to announce these amazing artists joining us in the finishing touches to our lineup, to grace the WOMADelaide stages over the March long weekend. Whether you’re already a fan or getting to know these artists for the first time, WOMADelaide 2026 is ready for you.”
Quote from WOMAD founder, Peter Gabriel: “It's brilliant to have an audience that cares so much about what WOMAD is, could be, and stands for. In a world in which many bad actors seem to be achieving power by fanning the flames of hatred, racism and division, a meeting place for all the world’s cultures and dreams, built on mutual respect, seems all the more precious.”