Just when you thought Dark Mofo provided enough weirdness for the year, MONA is back at it again with Mona Foma. But this year, the experimental arts festival will be brought to a new home: the city of Launceston.
Mona Foma will bring together a collection of unexpected and surprising events, art works and performances. Atists from around the globe have been invited to share their unique styles in this ecelectic mix of wonder and curiosity.
On the music side, Courtney Barnett will be performing a specially curated set just for festivalgoers. Swedish singer-songwriter Neneh Cherry will be bringing her newly released album, Broken Politics, to the Mona Foma stage.
Launceston locals Bansheeland will show what the city has to offer the rest of the world with their stoner rock tracks, in addition to tunes by Southeast Desert Metal, who hail from Arrernte land in central Australia.
Mona Foma attendees are welcome to join the morning meditation sessions and late night concerts that will be running throughout the eight-day festival. The late night art party, Faux Mo will also be making a spectacular return.
To justify moving the festival this year away from Tasmania’s capital, Mona Foma curator Brian Ritchie has said relocating the festival was necessary to bring Launceston and its older sibling Hobart together in harmony.
“Our partner, the Tasmanian State Government (aka citizens and taxpayers), has asked Mona Foma to help it break down the Berlin Wall/Mason-Dixon Line/Demilitarised Zone that runs through the state, using music and art as the battering ram,’ Ritchie said.
And if you happen to be from the Amish community of Lancaster County, you’re in luck. You have been chosen by Mona Foma this year to experience the festival in all its glory for free.
“We’ve put up a bunch of billboards around Pennsylvania, inviting the local Amish to the festival — for free,” Ritchie said.
“We haven’t received any emails from them yet, but we’re hopeful some will take up our offer.”
Check out some Mona Foma highlights and the program announcement below:
MUSIC
- Neneh Cherry
- Underworld
- Oneohtrix Point Never: Myriad
- Mulatu Astatke and The Black Jesus Experience
- Julia Holter
- Jonathan Bree
- Courtney Barnett
- Nakhane
- Hańba!
- Les Filles de Illighadad
- Southeast Desert Metal
- WWWater
- Yirinda
- Satu Vänskä and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
- group A
ART
- Kenny Pittock
- Heath Franco
- Lou Conboy
- Lou Hubbard
- Margie Livingston
- Parer Studio
- Pete Matilla
- Rosie Deacon
DANCE
- Dana Gingras
- group A
- Sonya Stefan
- Stompin
- Tasdance
EVENTS
- Faux Mo
- Morning Meditation
- Late night concerts
