A Techno Marching Band And The Sahara Hendrix: Find Your New Favourite Band At Womadelaide

Even in the mad rush of the Mad March, Vomadelaide stands out from the crowd. For four days, the Botanical Garden is transformed into a wonderland full of flags, where music and dance are ways to connect with the different cultures of the world.

And after three years of disruption due to Covid, the 2023 festival will be an international festival, with headliners flying in from abroad. Beautiful songs from Florence & the Machine helped sell Saturday tickets more than a month earlier, while indie folk Bon Iver take the stage on Friday night and Angel Olsen on Monday. And after the frenzy in Adelaide five years ago, Gratte Cielen's mischievous acrobats from the beautiful Angels' Square will return to fill the venue with white feathers.

And the catering program includes a new temporary restaurant at Adelaide Zoo; A three-course Thai feast at Terry Intarakhamhaeng in Soi.38.

But one of Womadelaide's greatest pleasures is to give in to the temptation and follow the exotic rhythms and melodies that move through the garden. If you want to make sure you don't miss any of this year's hits, here are some obscure acts that could be your next favorite band.

Cocococo
This eight-piece London-based act churns out ugly, sinister, boundary-pushing funk, fusing soul and jazz with West African-influenced forms such as Afrobeat and Highland. Ragged guitar lines, soulful horns and harmonious vocals are equally suited to Moreton Bay's day and night groove dreams.
Sunday, 18:30 (Phase 2)

Ondatropica
Like Colombia's Buena Vista Social Club, this nationwide supergroup brings together three generations of talent in an ever-changing lineup of 70 musicians. Blending African, European and South American styles and instruments, the band draws inspiration from cumbia, tropical funk, salsa, ska and hip-hop to create fresh sun-drenched jams with a healthy dose of fun (including a great Black Sabbath cover, our favorite ).
Sunday at 22:30 (basic stage) and Monday at 15:00 (Taste the World)

Scholarship to Aman
With only one release to his name ( April's incredible EP), this Tanzanian-Australian artist has become one of Australia's brightest young talents. Aman's style varies from simple folk to R'B and drum jams, but his rich and penetrating voice remains the same as he sings about love, longing and finding his place in the world:
Saturday, 18:00 (from Park Pavilion) and Sunday, 16:30 (Moreton Bay Stage)

Dark
This "techno marching band" follows the tradition of New Orleans brass bands, but instead of updating classic funk, the German group uses party-rocking techno and house jams. Expect the energy level to be high as a dozen drummers and trumpeters begin to create a frenzied rocking disco with tunes like Dennis Ferrer's Hey Hey and You & Me Flume.
Saturday, 14.30 (installation stage); Sunday, 21:30 (Phase 2) and Monday, 17:45 (rotation)

Mdu Moctar:
Tuaregs like Tinariwen and Bombino have presented some of the highlights of previous Womadelaid festivals, but this year Mdou Moktar is ready to take the desert blues sound in a new direction. Dubbed "The Hendrix of the Sahara" by The Guardian , Moctar augments the hypnotic, twinkling rhythms of classic desert blues guitar with 80s drums and strong arena rock solos, creating a sound as richly flavored as the desert where he grew up. . :V
Sunday 20:30 (stage 7) and Monday 15:00 (creative stage)