Dark Mofo 2023 Unveils Epic Lineup

Dark Mofo, Tasmania's haunting, twisted midwinter music and arts festival, has unveiled its jaw-dropping 2023 program today, featuring a who’s who in electronic, metal, punk and alternative music.

Celebrating its tenth year running and its final for visionary founder and Creative Director Leigh Carmichael at the helm, the pagan-influenced festival that rejoices in the southern winter solstice has continually pushed the boundaries of what a music festival can or should be.

This June, Dark Mofo will return to Nipaluna/Hobart for a delightfully spooky two weeks from 8 to 22 June.

Regarding the music side of Dark Mofo, week one will feature an opening ceremony called The Gathering that celebrates First Nations artists BARKAA, Tasman Keith, dameeeela, DENNI, MARLON X RULLA, Uncle Dougie Mansell, Katarnya Maynard, Rob Braslin and many more. 

Elsewhere, week one also includes Max Richter, Thundercat, stoner metallers Witch, Vivid and RISING's Ethel Cain, punk icons Black Flag with an exclusive one-off Australian show, Drab Majesty, Sleaford Mods, Deafheaven will perform their classic 2013 album, Sunbather, exclusively at Dark Mofo, with Laurel Halo, and more on the bill. 

Meanwhile, week two will bring out metal and industrial electronic outfit HEALTH, three nights of electronic exploration at Borderlands featuring Carl Stone, Rama Parwata, Lydian Dunbar, Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth) + Leah Singer (Contre Jour), Julia Reidy, Tujiko Noriko, Hiro Kone, KMRU, and Hüma Utku. 

Melbourne punks RVG also appear on the bill, with Berlin Atonal: Laterne, AKA the international rave cave, returning with a lineup of Caterina Barbieri presents Spirit Exit, Blackhaine, Amnesia Scanner & Freeka Tet: kaaos.ooo, and Rainy Miller. 

The adventures continue throughout the line-up, with art + performance exhibits taking place throughout Hobart and rituals such as the Dark Mofo Winter Feast making a grand return.

The theme for this year’s Dark Mofo is reflection. “We’re excited to announce our tenth Dark Mofo lineup today. The last few years have been challenging and heavily impacted by Covid, so to finally be in a position to again release a full two-week festival program feels overwhelming,” Carmichael revealed in a statement.

The festival’s Creative Director added, “The tenth edition will include the return of Dark Park, a large-scale art program, eight nights of Winter Feast and a massive music program. 

"Night Mass will be expanded to five nights and will be Dark Mofo’s wildest party in our ten-year history. While visitors can expect old favourites, we also have a few new surprises to unfurl.

“This year's festival will be a reflection of the past decade, and while much has changed, our desire to celebrate the longest nights and embrace winter in Tasmania hasn’t wavered. We can’t wait to light the fires again this June.”

Subscriber tickets go on sale at midday next Wednesday, 5 April (AEST) - punters can access general sale tickets from 2 pm that day. Find tickets via the Dark Mofo website.