Overview
Tasmania may sit forgotten and ridiculed on the outskirts of our borders, but every January it truly shines. Attracting tens of thousands of visitors from all over the country, MONA's annual Festival of Music and Art is a cultural icon. Now, in its seventh year, it's still bringing in the goods. The 2015 lineup will include legendary post-punk outfit Swans, Dan Deacon, Amanda Palmer, Paul Kelly and — because why not — author Neil Gaiman. And that's not even mentioning the art.
Curated by Brian Ritchie of the Violent Femmes, the musical program is incredibly eclectic — a tasting plate of genres for those not quite so fascinated with predictable summer festivals like Laneway or Future. In their 2015 festival you can relax while Neil Gaiman reads you a story accompanied by the ambient sounds of Jherek Bischoff, go local with Paul Kelly's Soul Sessions featuring Dan Sultan and Kira Puru, or melt your brain with some Dan Deacon goodness. MOFO caters to all.
The art on display will be just as strange. UK group Architects of Air will be bringing their giant inflatable sculpture — read: artsy bouncy castle — EXXOPOLIS down south from the Brisbane Festival. Melbourne artist Atticus J. Bastow is acting as maestro to an orchestra of iPhones. Johannes S. Sistermanns will be wrapping thing (and possible people) in cling wrap to create terrifying sound art. Then, Alvin Curran will combine both art and music while mobilising rafts and dinghies to make music on the Derwent River.
"We are thrilled that the audience for MOFO has developed to the point where we can present this dazzling array of creativity and know the people are ready, willing and able to come along for the ride," said Ritchie. "It’s a party with brains, heart and soul."
For a little look at what you're missing, check out our write-up from last year's Dark Mofo. January's festivities are bound to be about the same with 100 per cent more sunshine. What's not to love?
MONA FOMA will run from January 15-18, 2015 in Hobart. Tickets are on sale now via the festival website.
Full lineup:
Alvin Curran
Allan Halyk And Adam Wojcinski
Amanda Palmer & The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
Amir Farid
Anna Von Hausswolff
Architects Of Air
Ava Mendoza
Atticus J. Bastow
Ben Frost
Brendan Walls
Chordwainers
Dan Deacon
David Francey Trio
Debashish Bhattacharya
Emma Dean And The Hungry Truth
Faux Mo
Francesca De Valence
Gabriella Smart
Genevieve Lacey
Jim Moginie
Johannes S. Sistermanns
Li Binyuan
Marduk
Martine Corompt And Philip Brophy
Melisandre
Michael Kieran Harvey
MOFI Eastern Sho
MOMA (mona Market)
Neil Gaiman
Omar Souleyman
Paul Kelly Presents The Merri Soul Sessions – Featuring Dan Sultan, Clairy Browne, Kira Puru & Vika And Linda Bull
Phillip Johnston
Rektango
Robyn Hitchcock
Ruth Roshan And Tango Noir
Senyawa & Lucas Abela
Shonen Knife
Speak Percussion
Swans
The Clean
Tim Hecker
Xylouris White
Young Wagilak Group & Australian Art Orchestra
Zammuto
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