MONA FOMA 2019

Posted on Jan 22, 2019 in Festivals

Check our pictorial of the MONA FOMA Festival 2019

Black Jesus Experience Bob Sedergreen – piano,

MONA FOMA 2019

13 – 20 January 2019

Launceston, Tasmania, Australia

By Jim Jacob

Since its establishment in Tasmania in 2011, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) has dared to be different and provocative. The museum is located on a picturesque wine estate in Hobart and is the largest privately funded such facility in Australia. Its visionary owner David Walsh has filled the architecturally awe-inspiring Museum with his personal and extensive collection (over 400 items).

MONA hosts the MOFO festival (MONA FOMA), and the wintertime Dark Mofo, with an exciting range of live performances and art exhibitions. Brian Ritchie, bassist for The Violent Femmes, is musical curator for these events.

In 2019 MOFO moved to the town of Launceston in the Tasmanian north as part of a vision of culturally enriching other parts of this beautiful Australian island State. The main three days of the event (Friday 18 to Sunday 20 January) enjoyed plenty of sunshine and near-to-perfect weather conditions. The primary outdoor venue is the courtyard of the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (former rail yards). The area is surrounded by reminders of days past – blacksmith shops, fitter and turner sheds and unused heritage tracks and sheds. Here were two stages of alternate performances / beer and wine equal to none / plenty of space to relax / some deck chairs provided / well prepared food – limited selection but perfect for the event – chilli con carne hot dogs , chicken and pork tacos, bbq corn, calamari, fish – no disposable plates forks etc provided with enamel plates, metal knifes and forks and material serviettes .

The music was eclectic, dare-to-be-different, but all exhibiting class and poise. The headliners were Neneh Cherry and Courtney Barnett. Here is some of the life I captured.

(Read about last year’s Mona Bloc Party with The Violent Femmes).