National Artists

The Bellingen Global Carnival features an impressive line-up of Australian-based acts. Enjoy an incredible variety of sounds influenced by music from the Pacific, Eastern Europe, Africa, India, Colombia, Jamaica, Brazil, Russia, Cuba and more, in a crossing of genres and a truly global atmosphere.

Global National Artists:

Armandito y su Trovason

Cuba

Hailing from Santiago de Cuba (known as “The Cradle of Son”) the forerunner of salsa, Armando Garcia Perez blasted into Sydney in 2002, bringing his trademark explosive Cuban sounds. Known as Armandito, he has been at the forefront of contemporary Latin music, filling dancefloors with mambo, bolero, son and salsa. His style is exuberant and [...]

Band of Brothers

Slava & Leonard Grigoryan Joseph & James Tawadros Band of Brothers is a unique collaboration between two of Australia’s best loved world/classical musical families, Joseph & James Tawadros and Slava & Leonard Grigoryan – and while they have been individually lauded for their contributions to that scene, together their performance lift music to another dimension. [...]

Bandaluzia Flamenco

Led by composer/guitarist Damian Wright, Bandaluzia bring the fire and passion of flamenco which has seen them play for sold out audiences around Australia, to Global Carnival. From their performances at Karavan! International Gypsy Music Festival 2011 and Cafe Carnivale to gigs at Melt Bar and The Vanguard their music and dance performance have inspired [...]

Bukhuchuluun Ganburged

Bukhuchuluun Ganburged (Bukhu) is a master student of the Music and Dance Conservatory of Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) and performs the folk music of Mongolia, while also exploring the aural dimensions of sounds generated by traditional instruments and harmonic, overtone vocal techniques. His music brings a contemporary take on the tradition of Mongolian bards of the Middle [...]

Djangoholix

The unique music of Gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt has long been celebrated by musicians and this outfit puts a spring in the step of his music, swinging and sliding all the way. Djangoholix is five Sydney-based musicians hailing from different parts of the globe and who share a love for European music styles – [...]

Dubmarine

Live and direct from Brisbane, Dubmarine have been taking the world by storm with their take on dancehall/dub. From WOMADELAIDE 2011 to a packed out European tour which took in shows from Amsterdam Roots Festival to Afro Latino Festival in Belgium with their bass heavy sounds and conscious lyrics they have impressed all who have [...]

Frank Yamma with David Bridie

Frank Yamma is one of Australia’s most recognised singer songwriters whose work brings an emotion laden intensity and drama to the stage. In personal stories of romance, love of country and poverty he plucks at heartstrings but is also uplifting at the same time whether singing about loss or joy in whichever language he chooses. [...]

George Kamikawa & Noriko Tadano

Known as the Japanese Blues Cowboy and the Tsugara shamisen player, George and Noriko have been kicking up a storm wherever they play. His lightning fast blues licks, and growling harmonica enhanced by the percussive sounds of the traditional, fretless three-string shamisen has morphed into a kind of bluegrass hard country blues. Noriko has thrilled [...]

Grace Barbe

Since exploding onto the world music scene with her 2007 single ‘Mon Arive’, Grace has delighted audiences with her mix of reggae, soul, funk and afrobeat, a sound she calls “Afro-kreol”. And with her roots set firmly in the small nation of Seychelles in the Indian Ocean, she effortlessly navigates and mixes the music from [...]

I Viaggiatori

I Viaggiatori (The Voyagers) are a wonderful outfit that brings new and traditional Italian and Greek folk songs to the stage with a gentle touch of longing, as they chronicle the hopes and memories of the early Italian community in Australia. Formed by the much loved Kavisha Mazzella of La Voce Della Luna Italian Womens [...]

Linsey Pollak

Much loved Linsey Pollak returns to Global after many years to bring his quirky and hilarious music to the stage. While his antics can leave audiences gasping with laughter, his intent is serious, the understanding and appreciation of how music is, and can be made. He brings out the music in us all. As the [...]

Lotek

BOOM! is the sound that International Rudeboy Lotek makes when he takes to the stage and throws down his hip hop inflected ska reggae. Known as an outstanding producer in London for his work with hip hop superstar Roots Manuva and 2009 Mercury Prize winner Speech Debelle’s album Speech Therapy, he has been mixing up [...]

Madakto

Madakto is a new Parramatta-based 10-piece ensemble. The band’s evocative sounds take audiences on an imaginative journey through the refined sounds of traditional Persian and Kurdish instrumentation and their sweet songs and melodies reminiscent of the court of the Persian Kings. Coupled with the heart racing thrill of traditional percussion and the adaption of western [...]

Mama Kin

With a fresh burst of energy and a voice that alternates between sweet soul and gutsy blues, Mama Kin (aka Danielle Caruana) is bringing her stomping sound to the Global stage. Known as a raconteur as a well as an incredible performer, Kin’s music is all about her personal stories, some bittersweet, others joyful but [...]

Nayika

Featuring a musical interplay and dialogue between Mongolian throat singing and Indian music, this show is both an original and innovative cultural collaboration. This unusual Mehfil (an Indian cultured gathering with music) features Bukhuchuluun Ganburged (Mongolian throat singing), Indu Balachandran (Karnatic vocals) and Sivakumar Sethupathi (South Indian Drumming). A unique element in the collaboration will [...]

Public Opinion Afro Orchestra

POAO return to Global mix down and mash up their hard hitting and fiery Afrobeat sounds. Inspired by Nigerian sensation Fela Kuti and the myriad of sounds emerging from the diaspora of South African hip hop, Ghanaian high life and Tanzanian jazz, POAO has earned the reputation as one of the funkiest and exciting bands [...]

Shellie Morris

Shellie Morris is one of Australia’s finest Indigenous singer songwriters and her voice and heartfelt music has seen her grace the stage from Melbourne to Vancouver Winter Olympics, Japan and London. As a featured singer with award winning Black Arm Band, her collaborations with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, as well as her intimate shows she has [...]

Soulman O’Gaia

Soulman O’Gaia comes via Jamaica and England to land finally in Australia. A towering 6 foot 5 inches tall and accompanied by his acoustic guitar, he is a fluent and contemporary raconteur, spreading feel-good vibes with a Caribbean blend of soul, jazz, blues, reggae and a touch of folk. Beginning in the depths of London’s [...]

Suara Indonesia Dance Group

This impressive dance group comprises Australian Indonesian siblings Alfira and Joshua who work with Murtala, a choreographer and dancer from Aceh. Between them they have a wealth of knowledge about Indonesian dance styles and in this exciting performance share their stories through movement. Their grace and energy take all on a journey through the diversity [...]

Súnas

Súnas is a ﬁery four-piece Celtic band featuring multi-instrumentalists and exquisite four-part vocal harmonies. They play a unique and unforgettable blend of original, contemporary and traditional tunes and songs. Having been in existence for more than a decade and establishing a strong presence on the Australian folk music festival scene they bring all the mystery [...]

The Picture Box Orchestra

This 9-piece outfit is unlike anything else you have ever seen, combining Indian classical music techniques with hip hop, jazz and western classical techniques. The Picture Box Orchestra is led by composer, violinist and producer Alies Sluiter. Mostly known for her film and television scores and as a violinist for artists such as Nitin Sawhney, [...]

Wild Strings

Wild Strings – a musical collaboration between two extraordinary string players, Cye Wood and Laura Targett. Combining swinging rhythmic fiddling, sublime improvisations and harmonizing vocals, their original compositions conjure deeply emotive sound-scapes inspired by the ocean, sky and wild bush. The inspiration for their music also ranges from the folk tunes of Ireland and India [...]

Yeshe

Born in Germany, Yeshe immersed himself in the European world music scene of the ‘70s, beginning his musical education early when meeting with African master drummer Mustapha Tettey Addy and touring the world from age 16. For many years Yeshe lived the passionate life of the quintessential musical nomad, making numerous pilgrimages to Africa, the [...]