WOMAD Aotearoa has announced 23 new acts for its 2027 lineup, taking the total to 26 artists for three days of music at the Bowl of Brooklands, Pukekura Park, Taranaki, from 12 to 14 March 2027.

The new additions span 18 countries and six continents. The release describes the mix as running from Ukrainian “ethno chaos” to Puerto Rican percussion, Bhutanese traditional music and Indian hip-hop.

Aotearoa artists

Ten New Zealand acts join the previously announced Troy Kingi: Delaney Davidson, Geneva AM, HUIA, LEAO, Pakōpakō, Richter City Rebels, Tami Neilson, T-Bone, YAMAS! and Yurt Party. Kingi plays two unique sets, including the world premiere of his tenth and final 10|10|10 album with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Delaney Davidson brings a songbook set, and Tami Neilson performs “Tami sings Dolly!”, billed as The Glastonbury Set.

International highlights

  • Altin Gün (The Netherlands/Türkiye)
  • BCUC (South Africa)
  • Beth Orton (UK)
  • Claudio Rabe (Madagascar and Réunion)
  • DakhaBrakha (Ukraine)
  • Tarta Relena (Catalunya/Spain)
  • El Laberinto del Coco (Puerto Rico)
  • Hempress Sativa (Jamaica)
  • Mohammad Reza Mortazavi (Iran)
  • Nickodemus (USA)

They join the previously announced Tinariwen (Mali) and Fijian Flying Circus (Fiji).

Acts to watch

  • DakhaBrakha call their sound “ethno chaos”, blending Ukrainian polyphony with influences from India, Arabia and Africa, plus jazz, cabaret, rap and punk. They have played Glastonbury, Bonnaroo and WOMAD Aotearoa in 2024.
  • El Laberinto del Coco are a fourteen-piece collective led by percussionist Héctor “Coco” Barez, fusing bomba rhythms with Puerto Rican music. It is their WOMAD Aotearoa debut.
  • Hempress Sativa draws on roots reggae, dub and Nyabinghi drumming. Her 2026 album Woman was produced by Paolo Baldini DubFiles.
  • Bhutan Balladeers perform Zhungdra, a form of classical Bhutanese music dating back to the 17th century. Their debut album was produced by Grammy winner Ian Brennan.
  • Wild Wild Women are a five-woman hip-hop collective from Mumbai who have played Sziget and WOMAD UK.
  • Yegor Zabelov (accordion) and Mohammad Reza Mortazavi (tombak) are the two solo virtuosos on the bill.

Event Director Drew James said the lineup “celebrates unbelievable musicianship from artists at the top of their game.” More announcements and the wider programme are due over the next couple of months.

Details

WOMAD Aotearoa 2027
12 to 14 March 2027
Bowl of Brooklands, Pukekura Park, Taranaki
Tickets on sale now at womad.co.nz

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