WOMADelaide 2023 sees record crowd after three-year hiatus

WOMADelaide returned to the South Australia capital for the first time in three years from March 10 to 13 and turned into a record-breaking festival. Over 110,000 people visited the festival throughout the weekend and there was a record number of first-time attendees. Photo: JamBase website

WOMADelaide returned to the South Australia capital for the first time in three years from March 10 to 13 and was a record-breaking festival.

Over 110,000 people attended throughout the weekend and there was a record number of first-time attendees. Also 50% of advance sales were by interstate visitors to South Australia.

The program saw more than 700 artists from 30 countries including Bon Iver and Florence + The Machine.

Florence Welch from Florence + The Machine performs at WOMADelaide 2023. Photo: Jack Fenby/WOMAD 2023

The audience got to watch Gratte Ciel, French acrobatic artists, perform each night along with Bangarra Dance Theatre perform 65,000 years worth of contemporary dance. Kronos Quartet celebrated 50 years and their final Australian tour over the weekend.

Gratte Ciel, French acrobatic artists, perform at WOMADelaide 2023 festival. Photo: Michael Selge/WOMAD 2023

Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn, “King and Queen of the banjo” performed on March 10 and Billy Bragg returned to the festival for the first time in nine years.

The final day of the festival saw Angel Olsen, U.S. folk-country singer; Nakhane, South African singer; and Sister Nancy Meets Legal Shot.

Angel Olsen, U.S. folk-country singer, performs at WOMADelaide 2023. Photo: Michael Selge/WOMAD 2023

Youssou N’Dour, Senegalese singer, was the final show of the weekend. He performed at the first WOMADelaide festival in 1992 and in 2004 and 2015.

Ian Scobie, WOMADelaide director, said this year was a major step in the evolution of the festival, which has created so many defining moments over the last 31 years.

He said it felt amazing having the festival back after the pandemic shut it down for a few years.

“Having endured somewhat of a hiatus for the past three years, being able to present such a celebratory and welcoming return for the festival from so many extraordinary artists from around the world was an absolute job,” Scobie said. 

Tickets for WOMADelaide 2024 are already on sale and will be held from March 8 to 11, 2024 at Botanic Park: https://www.womadelaide.com.au/ 

What: WOMADelaide 2024 

When: March 8-11

Where: Adelaide’s Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla

To find out more, click here