MOFO 2014

First things first, let me explain what MOFO means; it’s the Museum of Old and New Art‘s Festival of Music and Art. AKA MONA FOMA AKA MOFO.

MONA FOMA Tasmania
Clear blue skies for the opening night of Mona Foma

Curated by Brian Ritchie (ex Violet Femmes), it’s a genre stretching mix of music, art, food and booze primarily situated on the waterfront of Hobart, Tasmania.

I’ve been hearing people rave about MONA since it opened in 2011, and heard similarly positive reports from MOFO and it’s winter festival DARK MOFO.  The hype felt hard to live up to, but consider me a convert to the church of MONA.

Most of the MOFO acts on the bill were new to me, but like most of the best festivals, the joy is in discovering new bands to love (or hate), it’s the location, the people you’re with, the surprises, the weather, the food, etc…

What follows is a number of my pictures of MOFO and MONA, i’ll save some other Tassie photos for a follow up post.

Outside the main venue on Macquarie Wharf
Outside the main venue on Macquarie Wharf
The ADA Project by Conrad Shawcross featured singers (soprano Teresa Duddy in this case) performing to a moving robot.
The ADA Project by Conrad Shawcross featured musicians (soprano Teresa Duddy in this case) performing to a moving robot.
The Lepidopters, featuring Indonesian band Punkasila
The Lepidopters, featuring Indonesian band Punkasila
Young and old rocking out
Young and old rocking out
Floridian rapper Astronautilus
Floridian rapper Astronautilus

Faux Mo

Most wild tales that emanate from MOFO are from Faux Mo, the club night/after party that starts at 10pm and runs till the early hours.

This spaceship, apparently a 1/3 size replica of the real thing, greets guests arriving at Faux Mo
This spaceship, apparently a 1/3 size replica of the real thing, greets guests arriving at Faux Mo
Gooch Palms played a typically nude set at Faux Mo
Gooch Palms played a typically nude set at Faux Mo
One of the rooms at Faux Mo was a packed little dance party you enter via slippery dip
One of the rooms at Faux Mo was a packed little dance party you enter via slippery dip
Colourful characters like Matt Format roam about
Colourful characters like Matt Format roam about
Limbo party on the dance floor
Limbo party on the dance floor

MONA

A visit wouldn’t be complete without a trip to MONA. We went 3 times.

The journey to MONA is best done via boat on the MONA ROMA
The journey to MONA is best done via boat on the MONA ROMA
MONA covers many levels, tunnels and nooks and is literally carved into the sandstone cliff.
MONA covers many levels, tunnels and nooks and is literally carved into the sandstone cliff.
Cybele watches bit.fall by Julius Popp
Cybele watches bit.fall by Julius Popp
Oysters and a Moo Brew.
Oysters and a Moo Brew.
Feeding the birds back at MOFO
Feeding the birds back at MOFO

The Bombay Royale
The Bombay Royale

The crowd learns some Bollywood moves from Bombay Royale
The crowd learns some Bollywood moves from Bombay Royale

Kathleen Hanna performs with The Julie Ruin
Kathleen Hanna performs with The Julie Ruin
The Julie Ruin inspired dancing
The Julie Ruin inspired dancing
Dancing to The Julie Ruin
Dancing to The Julie Ruin
Ambient metal artist STRIBORG in a rare performance at the Chapel at MONA
Ambient metal artist STRIBORG in a rare performance at the Chapel at MONA
John Grant fills the MAC2 performance space
John Grant fills the MAC2 performance space
John Grant
John Grant
RGB, a laser and sound performance by Robin Fox
RGB, a laser and sound performance by Robin Fox
Client Liaison and their water cooler music
Client Liaison and their water cooler music
The Orb
The Orb

And that’s it for my MOFO experience. Thanks so much to Bec and MOFO who hosted Cybele and I.

Dancing to The Julie Ruin
Enjoying Gooch Palms
This spaceship, apparently a 1/3 size replica of the real thing, greets guests arriving at Faux Mo
Colin Thile
Sun Ra Arkestra
Limbo party on the dance floor
The Lepidopters, featuring Indonesian band Punkasila
MONA
The Lepidopters
Food Demo with Vince Trim
HIVE
The Bombay Royale
The Orb
Punters recline on the sought after bean bags
Cybele watches bit.fall by Julius Popp
Floridian rapper Astronautilus
Kathleen Hanna performs with The Julie Ruin
Ambient metal artist STRIBORG in a rare performance at the Chapel at MONA
The Julie Ruin inspired dancing
Sophia Brous performing with Mick Harvey
Sensible ear wear for Russell Haswell
Gooch Palms played a typically nude set at Faux Mo
Earplugs required for Russell Haswell
MONA Markets
MONA
MONA
The journey to MONA is best done via boat on the MONA ROMA
Young and old rocking out
Blacksmiths & Nick Smithies – MONA FOMA Tasmania
Treats from the Posh Pit on the MONA ROMA ferry
Betty Grumble performs at Faux Mo
The ADA Project by Conrad Shawcross featured singers (soprano Teresa Duddy in this case) performing to a moving robot.
MONA
MoMa Mona Markets
RGB, a laser and sound performance by Robin Fox
An artwork in MONA’s The Red Queen exhibition
Fans of the Julie Ruin
Client Liaison and their water cooler music
The Julie Ruin
Sun Ra Arkestra
The crowd learns some Bollywood moves from Bombay Royale
Client Liaison
Sun Ra Arkestra
One of the rooms at Faux Mo was a packed little dance party you enter via slippery dip
MONA covers many levels, tunnels and nooks and is literally carved into the sandstone cliff.
Feeding the birds back at MOFO
John Grant fills the MAC2 performance space
Outside the main venue on Macquarie Wharf
John Grant
Roland Tings
Russell Haswell’s set was especially loud and challenging
Matt Format
The view from our room window at Hotel Grand Chancellor. You couldn’t ask for a more convenient spot to travel to and from the festival each day.
Oysters and a Moo Brew.

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