Mona Foma Unveils 2019 Line-up

An eclectic celebration of creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, Mona Foma has revealed its bustling 2019 line-up.

Set to take place at its new home in Launceston next January, the music side of things is headed by Swedish singer-songwriter/rapper Neneh Cherry and UK Welsh electronic outfit Underworld.

US composer/producer Oneohtrix Point Never, aka Daniel Lopatin, will deliver a “spectacular collision of music, theatre and art” via a four-part performance titled Myriad.

Through medieval folk, electronic music, R&B, sci-fi-esque visuals and more, Lopatin will tell the story of an alien intelligence that has absorbed the entire history of our planet.

Also gracing the 2019 bill will be Ethio-jazz legend Mulatu Astatke with Black Jesus Experience, while Courtney Barnett performs a specially curated set and a handful more local and international guests sign on.

Here’s the first 2019 music line-up in full:

Neneh Cherry, Underworld, Oneohtrix Point Never: Myriad, Mulatu Astatke & The Black Jesus Experience, Julia Holter, Jonathan Bree, Courtney Barnett, Nakhane, Hańba!, Les Filles de Illighadad, Southeast Desert Metal, WWWater, Yirinda, Satu Vänskä & The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, group A

“This road trip [to Launceston] is fraught with potential danger but also a sense of adventure,” curator Brian Ritchie said.

“Not only musical and artistic adventure but also cultural and social.

“We ask you to support this endeavour, not only for the kick-ass musical anarchy and artistic abandon that epitomises Mofo, but also to help us with this social engineering stunt.

“The utopian ideal we all desire for Tasmania hinges upon our success.”

The first line-up announcement also includes a stack of art, dance and other events, including an all-Australian visual art line-up that will see Heath Franco, Rosie Deacon and Lou Conboy among others explore Australian suburbia and sentimentality, the myth of Sisyphus, and more through works at Mofo HQ, aka the historic Launceston Workers Club.

Meanwhile, festival staples Faux Mo, Morning Meditation and more also make a return.

Mona Foma runs from 13 - 20 January; check out the festival's website for all the details.