Current Issue #488

Philip Glass, The Specials to Headline WOMADelaide

Philip Glass, The Specials to Headline WOMADelaide

WOMADelaide will celebrate its 25th anniversary with the local WOMAD debuts of English ska revivalists The Specials and the Philip Glass Ensemble, who will present Koyaanisqatsi – Life out of Balance, to mark the minimal composer’s 80th birthday.

Aside from Glass and The Specials, other acts part of the first line-up announcement include Bebel Gilberto (daughter of Joao Gilberto), Archie Roach (who performed at the first WOMADelaide in 1992), The Waifs, Jamaica’s Bushy One String and The Warsaw Village Band while France’s Cie Carabosse return for their fourth WOMADelaide to present a nightly fire installation The Exodus of Forgotten Peoples, which explores themes of global migration.

It is the headliners for the March 10-13, 2017 festival who will excite many. The Specials will make their WOMADelaide debut nearly 40 years after leading the late ‘70s ska revival with hits such as Ghost Town and A Message to Rudy.

Minimal innovator Philip Glass is one of the most lauded contemporary composers thanks to operas such as Einstein on the Beach (which was performed locally by the State Opera in 2014 as part of a Glass trilogy), soundtracks such as his groundbreaking Errol Morris documentary scores as well as Hollywood work, and accessible albums such as Glassworks. Koyaanisqatsi – Life Out of Balance is Glass’ enduring score for the 1982 experimental film by Godfrey Reggio.

The full WOMAD program will be announced over the coming months with the next announcement dropping on November 8. The first 21 acts announced are below.

WOMADelaide first announcement:

9Bach (Wales)
Ana Tijoux (Chile)
Archie Roach (Australia)
Bebel Gilberto (Brazil)
Brushy one string (Jamaica)
Cie Carabosse (France)
The East Pointers (Canada)
Gawurra (Australia)
Hanoi Masters (Vietnam)
Inna Modja (Mali)
La Mambanegra (Colombia)
The Manganiyar Classroom (India)
Mercedes Peón (Spain)
Philip Glass Ensemble Koyaanisqatsi Live – Life out of Balance (USA)
Sinkane (Sudan/USA)
The Soil (South Africa)
The Specials (UK)
Sudha Ragunathan (India)
The Waifs (Australia)
Warsaw Village Band (Poland)
Xylouris White (Greece/Australia)

WOMADelaide
Botanic Park
March 10-13
womadelaide.com.au

Get the latest from The Adelaide Review in your inbox

Get the latest from The Adelaide Review in your inbox