They include international acts African singer Salif Keita; Mali guitar hero Vieux Farka Touré; Colombian 12 piece salsa orchestra LA–33; Mali’s Bassekou Kouyate & his band Ngoni Ba; Illapu, who were exiled from Chile during Pinochet's brutal regime; Peru’s mixer of old and new traditions Novalima; Azerbaijan singer Alim Qasimov, and UK jazz-rappers The Herbaliser DJs.
Australia is putting together a Sing Sing (a large musical gathering) of 16 Pacific nations, including Melbourne-based the Bull Sisters (Tonga), George Telek (PNG) and Darwin’s Ego Lemos (Timor Leste). The Australian contingent includes a team-up of Tim Rogers and the Bamboos, a rare show by drum n bass trio The Bird, Mia Dyson, Clairy Browne & the Bangin' Rackettes and Northern Territory’s emerging act East Journey.
The 2013 event introduces two new programs: a late night lounge showcasing Adelaide ambient electronica DJs and musicians, and a series of environmental discussions called The Planet Talks. Said festival director Ian Scobie: “We believe The Planet Talks is an obvious extension to our already global program and that it will provide a valuable forum for everyone to engage in a discussion about the many environmental issues facing us all.”
In June, a study by Economic Research Consultants found that this year’s Womadelaide injected $11.1 million into the South Australia economy. Nearly half of the 87.500 who attended came from interstate, and on average stayed for six nights or more.
- by Christie Eliezer, The Music Network
