Womad Day 4

Felt my age today. Required a morning and evening energy drink. Oof.

Arrived in time for Obongjayar. It was a shame to have missed the evening set prior. This one started slower paced and built up. Twas still fun albeit standing in the killer sun.

Next up one I'd been looking forward to - The Zawose Queens. Such a great act. Blend of traditional sounds and synths.

Then did a workshop with BVT with my nieces. So much fun learning dances and a spontaneous performance.

Highlight of the day and one of my favourites for womad was Kenyan rapper Blinky Bill. Really fricken cool hip hop, jazz, neo soul, funk. So so good!

A total magical surprise was New Zealand Maori singer songwriter Marlon Williams (Kāi Tahu, Ngāi Tai). What a powerhouse. Stunning rich voice. With full Maori choir.

Chilled out to Badbadnotgood. Their transition and cover of Bowie's fame and then Brazilian fusion was another highlight.

Ended the evening with dancing to Arrested Development with friends.

It was a really magical weekend. Food for the soul. I was a wreck at work the following day.

#Womad2026 #womadelaide #blinkybill #badbadnotgood #arresteddevelopment #Obongjayar

Womad Day 3

A slower paced day!

Nusantara beat - Indonesian 60s sound. It was good but I have done that sound to death in my early years so moved on to see something else.

Džambo Aguševi Orchestra - Macedonian brass band. Fun!!

Annie and the Caldwells - Soul gospel. I had walked to see something else and discovered it wasn't what I thought so stopped to rest and watch these ladies. At one point I thought she was saying aint nothing can hold me like cheese. Amen sister.

Naatali Rize - chilled and watched them again. Spicy take but I didn't think this set was as good as the day prior... soz.

Kankawa Nagarra - 83! Singing country. Really lovely but I'm not a huge country fan.

Ganavya - Indian singer based in America. This was a surprise highlight. I didn't think I'd like it (too slow etc). It was stunning. And she's funny too!

Baker Boy - stage set up, sound, and band has had a huge boost since I last saw him. This was A SHOW! Huge crowd dancing. Twas fun.

BVT - I was torn between going with my nieces to this or seeing Obongjayar. Why out these two on clashing!?! Anyway, went with my nieces and bloody hell this set was LIT! Queer political hip hop rooted in Philippines culture. Amazing crowd. Fantastic set. Possibly one of the best live shows I've seen in terms of curation, sound, inclusivity, messaging. I ashamedly knew little about the colonisation of the Philippines and this sparked me to learn more. This set was so important for my nieces to experience and their cultural background. Made me a bit teary watching them. Incredible and a real highlight from the day and festival in general. BVT for foundation stage 2027!

Oumou Sangaré - Caught the last hour of this Mali queen and full backing band. Really beutiful.

#womad #womad2026 #bakerboy #BVT #ganavya #hiphop #firstnations #AboriginalandTorresstraitislander

Womad Day 2

Alogte Oho & His Sounds of Joy - this set started slow but built up into a synth, horn, percussion frenzy.

Derya yildirim & grup şimşek - Stunning. Amazingly rich voice. Reminded me of Selda.

Nattali Rize - Bringing the reggae vibes. This set went off!

Australian Art Orchestra with Kojoe & Hikaru Tanaka. I wasn't sure what to expect but this was a surprise highlight. Jazz and rap. This was perfect to chill and watch from the shade. I loved it.

Jalen Ngonda - A true once in a generation type artists. Phenomenal vocals and musicianship. The spirit of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. Twas really magical.

Yothu Yindi - HUGE packed crowd! Got teary during this set. Djapana and Treaty were incredible to hear live. Brilliant.

Barkaa - What a powerhouse and force. Absolute highlight. Loved all of this set. Funny, humble, fierce. Apologised to all the kids in the front row before singing her spicy ACAB track.

Grace Jones - I don't even know where to begin. Probably deserve her own post. Total diva started late but then played overtime. What a legend. 77 and ended her set swinging a sparkly hula hoop to Slave to the Rhythm. She was totally unfiltered, funny, sexy, swinging back wine on stage, living her best life at the end of her Australian tour. Her voice, looks, glamour- just incredible. I stood down the front with my little niece and Grace high fived us whilst singing Pull Up to the Bumper getting a piggy back on her crews shoulders. In the photos she looks like some demi god with the confetti. Keith Haring Skirt made an appearance in the 6 (i think) costume changes.

"Where is the champagne bucket, I need to piss."

#womad2026 #womad #gracejones #gracejoneslive2026 #barkaa #yothuyindi #jalenngonda #NattaliRize #deryayildirim #AlogteOhoandhisSoundsofJoy