Angelique Kidjo & Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir among first 19 acts of WOMADelaide

Angelique Kidjo, John Butler Trio and the Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir are among the first 19 acts for WOMADelaide 2019, announced this morning.

The festival returns to Adelaide’s Botanic Park from March 8 –11.

The fill lineup is unveiled next month.

Three-time Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo presents the Australian premiere of her full circle re-imagining of Talking Heads’ 1980s classic album Remain In Light.

Originally influenced by West Australia’s Afrobeat, Kidjo has redefined it as an African record with contemporary issues.

The New York Times hailed it as “Transformative…raises the ante on every parameter of the original.”

Kidjo’s work is complemented by Afro-psychedelic outfit BCUC (Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness), who highlight the latest talent to sweep out of South Africa’s Soweto.

Also with a similarity are the Thai flavoured psychedelic grooves of Texan trio Khruangbin, making their Australian debut.

The John Butler Trio returns to WOMADelade after eleven years behind their Home album.

Getting national attention of late are the 35-strong Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir who combine centuries-old German hymns taught in mission schools in the desert sung in Western Arrarnta and Pitjantjatjara, two of the living languages of the NT and SA.

The Taiwu Ancient Ballads Troupe, a children’s choir of 18 exquisite voices perform the traditional indigenous songs of Taiwan’s Paiwan villages.

“Offering the first taste of the program awaiting our audiences for next March is always a thrill,” said WOMADelaide director, Ian Scobie.

Also unveiled were:

Grammy-winning international supergroup Silkroad Ensemble comprising musicians from over 20 countries and founded by cellist Yo Yo Ma.

Grammy winner, virtuoso and master of the sarod, India’s acclaimed Amjad Ali Khan has two performances with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and a performance of classical Indian repertoire accompanied by his sons Ayaan and Amaan.

Cuban vocalist, flautist and percussionist La Dame Blanche (daughter of Jesus ‘Aguaje’ Ramos, trombonist and music director of the Buena Vista Social Club) whose music combines Cumbia, dancehall, reggae and hip hop.

Adelaide hailed hip hop act Tkay Maidza.

Madrid-baaed dancer/choreographer and pioneer of contemporary flamenco Maria Pages, with eight dancers and seven musicians into a visionary and flamboyant version of Bizet’s opera with Yo, Carmen.

Artonik’s homage to India’s Holi festival, The Colour of Time, a joyous processional kaleidoscope of dance, music and colour.

Remarkable 79 year old Dona Onete, Brazil’s Grande Dame of Amazonian Song’

Congo-Belgium rapper and political activist Baloji.

Folk troubadour Julia Jacklin previewing her second album.

Welsh folk musician, Jamie Smith’s MABON looking at 20 years worth of Celtic-inspired roots music.

Afro-Mexican hip hop, folk and native American rhythms proponents Las Cafeteras.

Irish accordion player Sharon Shann, who at 14 joined The Waterboys and now fronts her own band.

New Zealand’s rising nui-soul singer TEEKS.