Iconic UK ska band MADNESS has been announced as one of the headline acts for WOMAD 2027, returning to Adelaide for the first time in more than a decade.

Three acts have been unveiled today in a surprise early announcement ahead of the full program announcements next month, including US Grammy-award winning singer Leon Bridges and Tuareg desert blues band Tinariwen (Mali).

MADNESS rose to fame in the 1980s with catchy hits such as It Must Be Love, Baggy Trousers, Our House and One Step Beyond. The band has carved out an astounding career over four decades and will bring its legendary high-energy, comic performance to the WOMADdelaide stage. They last performed in Adelaide in 2009 at Thebarton Theatre.

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Bridges will present his new tour “Happiness Anytime”, which is also the name of his upcoming fifth studio album, to the WOMAD crowds.

He says of his upcoming Australian tour: “I’m always excited to get back to Australia. I’ve had some really special moments there over the years, and I’m looking forward to returning and sharing this party with everyone.”

The singer/songwriter and producer is known for his R&B, soulful style, rising to fame with his 2015 breakthrough album Coming Home. He won a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Performance for his 2018 single “Bet Ain’t Worth the Hand”.

Grammy-awarding winning Tinariwen, formed in Northern Mali, have carried Tuareg stories to audiences around the world for more than 50 years, and return to WOMAD following the band’s 2004 appearance.

Next year’s WOMADelaide, from March 5-8 in Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla, marks the 35^th anniversary of the world music festival and organisers say, to keep the event accessible, new ticketing options are now available giving audiences greater freedom and flexibility.

The next WOMAD lineup announcement is expected in mid-October.