World's first WOMAD in 12 months

Adelaide will host the world’s first WOMAD festival since the coronavirus pandemic hit, when a reimagined WOMADelaide returns to the city at a new park lands venue this long weekend.

Organisers have been burning the midnight oil to deliver a COVID-safe version of the much-loved music festival, helped by the power and the passion of the South Australian community and its response to COVID-19.

The 2021 WOMADelaide will present four sunset concerts in King Rodney Park over the four days from 5-8 March, featuring an all-Australian line-up headlined by rock favourite, Midnight Oil.

South Australian Tourism Commission chief executive Rodney Harrex said the festival is iconic to Adelaide and it is sensational to see it return to 2021.

“In any other year, we’d see artists and visitors come from all over the globe to enjoy the celebration of music and culture that is WOMADelaide,” Mr Harrex said.

“While this year’s festival will be a little different, as the world’s first WOMAD to be held since the pandemic and since the successful 2020 WOMADelaide, it is a huge coup for South Australia and helps put our state on the global stage as a world-class destination and event host.

“It’s also been fantastic hearing from hotel and restaurant operators around the CBD who’ve seen a surge in trade and bookings, as visitors make the most of festival season in Adelaide.”

The 2020 WOMADelaide attracted a record crowd of 97,000 to Botanic Park over the four-day festival.

While the sunset concerts are a departure from the format of previous years, organisers have worked hard to create a joyful celebration of WOMADelaide’s 29-year history and place in Adelaide’s renowned summer festival season in a COVID safe format approved by SA Health. The concert series will feature one large stage, limited capacity and reserved seating.

Midnight Oil headlines a sold-out Saturday night concert. Tickets are still available for Friday, Sunday and Monday. Gates open at 5pm each day.

The South Australian Tourism Commission, through Events South Australia, is the major sponsor of WOMADelaide.

Full line-up:

FRI 5 MAR – Lior, Nigel Westlake and The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra - Compassion / Archie Roach / Sarah Blasko

SAT 6 MAR – MRLN x RKM / Vika & Linda / Midnight Oil

SUN 7 MAR – Miiesha / Kaiit / Tash Sultana

MON 8 MAR – Siberian Tiger / The Teskey Brothers / Midnight Oil & First Nations Collaborators: Makarrata Live.

For tickets and further information visit: womadelaide.com.au