Mona Foma is back baby, and this year’s line-up is looking more eclectic, lawless, and vibrant than ever. The festival will be spread over two weekends, kicking off in Launceston from Friday 17 until the Sunday 19 of February, and finishing in nipaluna (Hobart) on Friday 24 until the 26 (with a little something special in the middle). We’ll be taking you through a rundown of all the best on offer during the two revel-filled weekends, with all the highlights the festival has to offer you.
The Launceston weekend is primarily revolving around a brand new focal point: the reUNIÓN district, formerly known as the Old Tafe Building to the locals. Best of all, all the performances held at the reUNIÓN district will be free, and we know, we can’t believe it either. Hobart on the other hand will be a frankly dizzying array of musical performances, including none other than Bon Iver, Bikini Kill and Peaches, to name a few. There’ll be over 370 artists performing over the entirety of the festival, which makes Mona Foma one of the biggest parties in the southern hemisphere to say the least.
Launceston
Old Tafe Sessions
Forget a bog-standard Sunday sesh; Mona Foma is upping the ante to a Friday, Saturday and Sunday sesh. An all-day party from arvo to night, each day has different artists to serenade you well past your bedtime. Artists include (but are definitely not limited to) hip hop poet Kae Tempest, NZ rock band The Chills and French synth-wave musician Perturbator, so there’s a mix-up in sound from performance to performance.
THE DETAILS:
When: 1pm until 11pm, Friday 17 to Sunday 19 February
Where: reUNIÓN district, 10-16 Wellington Street, Launceston
For more information, click here.
Punk Bunker
The title kind of explains this one: it's punk in a bunker. Jammed into a concrete box is probably the most hardcore way you could listen to music, so this one will scratch the itch of any true and tested punk fans out there. Acts will include Hazeen, an anti-racist Muslim death metal band where underground metal is fused with the sounds of Turkey and Iran, and 208L Containers, absurdist rockers who melt the line between post-punk and pub rock.
THE DETAILS:
When: 7pm until 11pm, Friday 17 to Sunday 19 February
Where: reUNIÓN district, 10-16 Wellington Street, Launceston
For more information, click here.
Floors Of Heaven
Bring your bathers for this one, because Cataract Gorge, a river gorge just 1.5km from the city center is being turned into the swimming destination of your dreams. Fitted out with underwater speakers, float easy and listen to the pre-recorded soundscape washes of electric UK artist, Leon Vynehall.
THE DETAILS:
When: 11am until 8.30pm, Friday 17 to Sunday 19 February
Where: First Basin Pool, Cataract Gorge, Launceston
For more information, click here.
Fantastic Futures
Arguably the perfect place to hold an exhibition dedicated to the promise of ‘fantastic futures’, the Old Tafe Building has been further converted into a showcase of 'coming-togetherness', both earnest and formulated. Artworks include Breakfast in Bed by Kenneth Tam, a piece that is part social experiment, and part absurdist theatre, and Olho da Rua by Jonathas de Andrade, a work done in collaboration with an extensive cast of homeless persons from Recife.
THE DETAILS:
When: 1pm until 7pm, Friday 17 to Sunday 19 February
Where: reUNIÓN district, 10-16 Wellington Street, Launceston
For more information, click here.
Book Club
Not your mother’s book club by any means, this one is hosted by DJs instead. Make your way into the late-night library and nestle yourself on a beanbag with a bev in hand, and chill out while they spin you softly into the night.
THE DETAILS:
When: 11pm until 2am, Friday 17 February to Sunday 19 February
Where: reUNIÓN district, 10-16 Wellington Street, Launceston
For more information, click here.
nipaluna / Hobart
Mona Sessions
The lawns right outside of Mona are the place to be when the weather is putting on its best face. Even more enticing is live music and food and drinks aplenty, which is what is gonna happen as soon as the Mona Sessions start. Summer evening concerts will be playing over the weekend, with each night having a massive array of artists. Some of the acts playing will be Peaches, Chloe Kim, Angel Olsen, Bikini Kill, Jockstrap and many, many more.
THE DETAILS:
When: 5pm until late, Friday 24 to Sunday 26 February
Where: Mona Lawns, 655 Main Road, Berriedale, Hobart
For more information, click here.
The Party
This one is pretty aptly named: it says it right there on the tin. The Party is for the night owls, as it only kicks off at 10pm and goes till the early hours of the next morning. Performers, DJs and the like will be partying it up all weekend, so there’s no excuse not to dance. Also in the precinct will be a karaoke portal and art interventions, so all senses are set to be alight with this one.
THE DETAILS:
When: 10 until 3pm, Friday 24 to Sunday 26 February
Where: Old Mercury Print Hall, entry via 24 Argyle Street, Hobart
For more information, click here.
Bon Iver
Straight outta Wisconsin, the timeless crooning of Justin Vernon is like a warm blanket, so let Bon Iver serenade you into a daze during this special Mona Foma event. Taking place in between the two weekends, this one falls on a Tuesday night at the MyState Bank Arena, where you get to enjoy the sweet sadness of their discography. Supporting artist of the night will be Gordi, an Aussie folksinging up-and-comer.
THE DETAILS:
When: 6pm until 10.35pm, Tuesday 21 February
Where: MyState Bank Arena, 601 Brooker Highway, Glenorchy
For more information, click here.
The Queer Woodchop
No need to separate the two worlds: wood chopping and queerness go hand in hand at this delightfully camp (pun intended) event. Head to the tennis court outside Mona and watch the wood fly, and maybe try your hand at it too.
THE DETAILS:
When: 3.30pm until 6.30pm, Friday 24 February
Where: Mona Tennis Courts, 655 Main Road, Berriedale, Hobart
For more information, click here.
A Mouthful of 'C' Words
Yes, it’s as provocative as it sounds. This play is inspired by La Ronde, a play so controversial that it led to the author being charged with immorality back in the 1800s. In this adaptation, five authors have worked together to write the stories of ten different couples, always played by the same two actors. We should probably mention that the characters have sex in every scene. Enjoy.
THE DETAILS:
When: Various times, Thursday 23 February to Saturday 25 February
Where: Peacock Theatre, Salamanca Arts Centre, 77 Salamanca Place
For more information, click here.
Check out the full Mona Foma program here.
Need a place to stay, check out these prime stays in Hobart.
Image credit: Mona Foma (supplied)