Now that the winter solstice has passed and Dark MOFO 2014 has come to an end, it’s time to say goodbye to what’s quickly becoming one of this nation’s most popular cultural festivals. Mona FOMA’s ‘darker sister’ featured an impressive line up and promised experiences like no other, so what was it really like? We asked two of our writers to give us a run down on the highs and lows of MOFO 2014.
High
High Tension + The Bronx at Faux Mo (The Odeon Thursday 19th June)
I’m not much into the punk rock scene but I still always enjoy the energy at a live show. Also being new to High Tension I totally fell in love with lead singer Karina Utomo from the moment she got ontostage and spat on it. Fuck yeah.
Bronx by comparison had a polite demeanour, only because lead singer Matt Caughthran repeatedly called the audience ‘ladies and gentleman’. I spent most of their set avoiding the various moshers and marvelling at Caughthran’s ability to roll atop a crowd without choking himself on the microphone cord. Until song ‘Strobe Life’ of course, which even a square like me could bang her head too. There was time for some top quality late night pizza around the corner from Odeon at La Bella Pizza before the debauchery ofFaux Mo started. Got to the love the excess of Dark Mofo, bottles of wine were available at the bar. Didn’t feel so decadent the next day though. (HJ)
Low
Too Much Food at The Winter Feast (19th – 22nd June).
Why is my stomach not bigger? Why am I not a millionaire? These are the questions I asked myself as I wandered under the fairy lights of a large shed on Hobart’s Waterfront which was decked out like a party at Hogwarts. Theremin God Miles Brown could be found performing in an outside corner one night, while inside suddenly a trapeze artist would appear. Screw normal life, I want to eat half a dozen oysters followed by pulled pork and potatoes and mulled cider every night until forever. The death choir that appeared under the Ferris Wheel of Death gave me nightmares. I also now have the constant ache that somewhere in Hobart there is a bakery that sells sourdough donuts and there is now miles of sea between us. (HJ)
Inside the Winter Feast. Photo Credit: Bianca Fioritti
High
Seeing The Native Cats Play A Hometown Show at Afterlife (The Odeon Saturday 21st June)
One of Australia’s most underrated bands The Native Cats opened their set on The Odeon Theatre’s intimate Forest Stage with “hey guys we’re Jim Jarmusch presents The Native Cats, we’re not Jim Jarmusch, but we’re his muse” taking a light hearted but appreciated dig at Chrysta Bell’s ‘David Lynch presented’ appearance at the festival.
Between bass player Julian Teakle’s and singer/ drum machine and Nintendo DS operator Peter Escott these guys make not much sound like a whole lot. Though the room was (arguably) filled with Melbournians, seeing these guys play on home turf was definitely special. (LD)
Low
Screening of All This Mayhem at the State Theatre, followed by Sunn O))) at Odeon. (Friday 20th June).
All This Mayhem is probably one of the best skate films anyone’s ever going to see but I haven’t witnessed a tale of such destructive personalities like the Pappas brothers since a film called Chopper.
I made my way back to Odeon to catch the remainder of Sunn O))) which my friend informed me she had to leave from as it sent her to a near panic attack. I lasted about ten minutes inside. Drone metal is not what you go see performed after an emotionally draining documentary about the rise and fall of two skateboarding brothers. Lesson learned. (HJ)
Sunn O))). Photo Credit: Bianca Fioritti
High
20,000 Days on Earth screening at the State Theatre (Saturday 21st June).
Nick Cave is a regular guy. He’s just cooler than you, more creative, passionate and his music makes me feel like a rose is blooming in my chest. For Dark MOFO his new film 20,000 Days On Earth played an advance screening to a modest cinema audience at the State Theatre.
20,00 Days On Earth is a ‘day in the life’ style film, which makes for one of the most honest and humbling depictions of the creative process. It’s a must see for fans, but creatives across all mediums will find inspiration from it. After the low feeling of the previous nights film, it was nice to be revitalised by Cave’s dedication to his art. (HJ)
Low
Missing The Winter Feast
Planning to grab a little dinner at the Winter Fest on Saturday night was an almost impossible idea – that line was so long, I heard it went all the way to Launceston. That said those who went said the food was delicious and it looked like the perfect scenery in which to take some #DarkMOFO Instagram snaps.
According to the festival organisers the huge line was due to an unexpectedly overwhelming amount of interest from both punters and locals, all of whom have been very understanding. Hopefully the insane demand just means that next year’s feast will be bigger and better. (LD)
Inside the Winter Feast, Photo Credit: Bianca Fioritti
High
All The Noise
After feeling every organ vibrate from Sunn O)))’s set at Odeon Theatre Friday night, it’s hard to imagine you could be moved (physically and metaphorically) by pure sound. But then Saturday night Melbourne duo HTRK came along and played a hypnotising live set, drawing punters in with the heart palpitating bass that carried through the entire The Odeon Theatre, which was followed by NUN‘s manic, ear drum liquifying performance on the Forest Stage at Afterlife.
HTRK. Photo Credit: Bianca Fioritti
Between all the glory of Afterlife, Dark Faux Mo and chance to witness the queen of darkness Diamanda Galás’ five an a half octave vocal range first hand at the intimate Royal Theatre on the final Sunday evening, one thing is certain- Dark MOFO festival’s greatest strength is that it gives punters the opportunity to be challenged and rewarded like no other. (LD)
Diamanda Galas. Photo Credit: John Raptis
