Dark Mofo Reveals 2016 Line-up

Iconic Tasmanian event Dark Mofo has unveiled the massive line-up for this year’s event, featuring American electronic legend Chelsea Wolfe, UK rockers Savages, Swedish black metallers Tribulation and more, as well as a wealth of arts.

Those names perfectly illustrate the complexly and scope of the 2016 program, which follows a one-year funding agreement with the State Government.

Mona’s midwinter festival will run from 10 – 21 June, this year extending its reach as it runs across Hobart’s waterfront from Salamanca Place to Dark Park at Macquarie Point, consuming the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Mona the historic Willow Court.

UK electronic-house producer ZHU kicks off the opening night party at Neon City, with a slew of eclectic, dark and fitting music taking over a number of venues across town, including the festival’s go-to Wharf Shed No.1 as well as local favourites Odeon Theatre and Mona for the Winter Feast music program.

Death metal comes out with all guns blazing as Cult Of Fire, Tribulation, Dead Congregation and Inverloch consume Odeon Theatre, Denver’s Itchy-O will make surprise appearances at various venues without warning, and Chelsea Wolfe’s only Australian show will see her share the stage with with Jarboe of Swans and Neurosis fame, and acclaimed Melbourne composer JG Thirlwell, while UK outfit Savages join program.

Pop-up performance space Black Box welcomes some exciting and intimate events, including performances from Ryoji Ikeda, Lustmord, Tim Hecker, Marcel Weber and more. 

Dark Park, an industrial public art playground, will transform Hobart’s docks at Macquarie Point from the festival’s opening day until 19 June with an array of immersive and interactive installations coming to life each night, while Asylum, constructed by Mike Parr at Willow Court in the Derwent Valley, will see seminal Australian performance artists produce works surrounding the site of an historic mental institution from the early 1800s.

All this is accompanied by more visual arts, late-night art parties and an impressive film program by curators Nick Batzias and James Hewison that features local and international talent.

The line-up announcement comes two months after founder and promoter David Walsh was recognised as Members of the Order of Australia by the Governor General on Australia Day.

Tickets for Dark Mofo 2016 go on sale this Monday, 11 April, at 11am AEST. For more details on Dark Mofo 2016, check out the official website.