The DARK MOFO 2014 lineup has been announced with a delectable selection of music, public art, film, food, light and noise set for Tasmania this winter.

The “darker sister” winter counterpart to MONA’s summer MOFO series, DARK MOFO will return after for its second ever edition this June, taking over Hobart and its surrounding venues for 10 days of unique sights, sounds, and experiences.

Along with an extensive of large-scale art installations, gourmet food and wine selections, and public events, DARK MOFO 2014 stars an eclectic bill of music-makers and creative bands.

Lovers of drone metal will flip their lid at the presence of a triple-bill featuring genre connoisseurs SUNN O))), American experimental heavy rock group Earth, and Saskatoon metal four-piece Veil of Darkness. There’s also a blistering co-headline performance from The Bronx, paired with Australia’s own High Tension, and another triple threat show starring The Gin Club with guitar heroes Jeff Land and Mick Thomas.

Also on the bill, American filmmaker and cult favourite David Lynch will present Chrysta Bell, the Texan singer-songwriter who partnered with Lynch for 2011 album, This Train, and Yo Gabba Gabba Live! will bring the popular US kids TV show, which regularly hosts cutting edge stars from the music world, Down Under. Along with an extensive of large-scale art installations, gourmet food and wine selections, and public events, DARK MOFO 2014 stars an eclectic bill of music-makers and creative bands

The DARK MOFO 2014 lineup’s music programme is rounded out with a showcase titled Afterlife, which will present Aussie sound mavericks Total Control, Kirin J Callinan, and HTRK; cross-dressing hip hop artist and poet Mykki Blanco, Greek Australian double bass virtuoso Nick Tsiavos, plus performances from Rainbow Chan, Graveyard Train, Native Cats, Baseball, and many more unique gigs.

The DARK MOFO films program will also screen Nick Cave documentary 20,000 Days On Earth, the unique film which covers the Dark Prince of Australian music’s career directly through the man himself as he spends his titular 20,000th day working on the award-winningAMP-nominated Push The Sky Away. Cave collaborators like Kylie Minogue, Blixa Bargeld, and Ray Winstone also star in the film, interviewed by the musician as he ferries them about in the backseat of a makeshift taxi.

Aside from the music, DARK MOFO features a long roll-call of arts, theatre, exhibitions and events taking place across multiple spaces and unique venues around Hobart, such as the Town Hall Underground, Prince of Wales Battery, Narryna Heritage Museum, the Old Mercury Building, and MONA’s new festival hub, The Odeon Theatre.

Other highlights include Mexican-Canadian electronic artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer lighting up the Harbour City (June 13-22); a waterfront-hosted banquet of “fire, music, and community” for the (June 19-21); after-hours debauchery at Dark Faux Mo (June 19 & 21); the Future Hobart 2014 public space forum with architect Vito Acconic (June 17), and the return of the annual Nude Solstice Swim.

Taking place at sunrise on 22nd June to “welcome back the light” the skinnydip drew a bit of controversy for DARK MOFO’s inaugural edition last year after Tasmania police cancelled the Nude Solstice Swim for being “too obscene” before redacting their ban on the 50 metre swim, designed as a ritualistic tribute to northern hemisphere winter traditions.

Last year’s DARK MOFO also coaxed 128,000 people to Tasmania for 10 days of events, with a lineup featuring Martha Wainwright, Boris, Mono, You Am I, The Drones, and The Presets among a programme of 83+ musical acts. The event was also set to expand to Launceston in North Tasmania for 2014, confirming dates in an announcement in February, until the festival’s Creative Director Leigh Carmichael confirmed last month that it was “withdrawing from its expansion into Launceston.”

But its only strengthened the resolve of Mr Carmichael to deliver a stronger DARK MOFO in Hobart. “This is a festival of firsts,” he says, “we are featuring an interactive public artwork on the waterfront, Washing River 2014 by Chinese artist Yin Xiuzhen, the Dark MofoFilms program features national and world premieres, and we are hosting the inaugural Future Hobart 2014 public space forum with Vito Acconci.”

Tickets for DARK MOFO go on sale 10am Monday 14th April, full program and info at: www.darkmofo.net.au

(Photo Credit: MONA/Rémi Chauvin. Supplied)

DARK MOFO 2014 Lineup

SUNN O))) + Earth + Veil of Darkness
David Lynch presents Chrysta Bell
Yo Gabba Gabba! Live!
Afterlife: Total Control + Kirin J Callinan + HTRK + MORE
The Bronx + High Tension
The Gin Club + Jeff Lang + Mick Thomas
Dean Stevenson and the Arco Set Orchestra: Tim Passes
Nick Tsiavos
Mykki Blanco
Rafael Lozano-Hemmer: Articulated Intersect
Diamanda Galás
Yin Xiuzhen (尹秀珍): Washing River 2014
Future Hobart 2014: Vito Acconci
In Praise of Darkness with the TSO
Dark Mofo Films
It’s Dark Outside
Dark Faux Mo
The Red Death Ball at Hobart Town Hall
City of Hobart Winter Feast
Nude Solstice Swim
Ross Manning: Different Rhythms
Marco Fusinato: Spectral Arrows
Pat Brassington: À Rebours
Motel Dreaming
Grimoire at The Brisbane Hotel
A Night at the Museum (TMAG)
Amelia Rowe Memoriam
Ningher Canoe
The Twilight Girls and Mark Shorter: 50 Ways to Kill Renny Kodgers
Huon Valley Midwinter Festival
MONA till Midnight
Michael Goldberg: An Inn for Phantoms
Ferris Wheel of Death
Snowtown: Live

DARK MOFO 2014 Dates, Tickets

Hobart: Thursday 12th to Sunday 22nd June
MONA’S WINTER EXHIBITION OPENING, JUNE 17
WINTER FEAST, JUNE 19-21
NUDE SWIM, 7.42AM JUNE 22

Tickets on sale 10am Monday 14th April from www.darkmofo.net.au

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