Midnight Oil to headline music and arts festival Mona Foma 2022

Transcending traditional boundaries of music theatre and rock concerts, Mona Foma’s When Water Falls is a “funky, groovy” show about the importance of water. FULL FESTIVAL GUIDE >>

TRANSCENDING traditional boundaries of music theatre and rock concerts, When Water Falls is a “funky, groovy” show about the importance of water.

The music and visual arts spectacle will be held on Saturday on the Mona lawns as part of the 2022 Mona Foma festival, which kicked off in Launceston over the weekend before moving to Hobart this week.

At the heart of the program is telling millennia-old stories of indigenous Tasmanians.

“We are exploring themes of the importance of custodianship, so when it comes to looking after our land and ecology our First Nations people should have a big say,” musical director Jay Jarome said.

Sabine Bester and Jay Jarome lead artists who will perform at Mona as part of Mona Foma 2022. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“It is part of a broader collection of artistic works that Big hART have been doing on kelp, pollen, rain and soil and we are rain.”

Just eight years ago Jarome discovered his own Aboriginal lineage, with the Queensland-born and now Tasmanian resident tracing back his roots to the state’s prominent Maynard family.

“I found out that during the Stolen Generation my family pretended they were Greek, so growing up I didn’t know until one day my great grandfather pulled out all these photos locked away in a box,” he said.

Mona Foma Artistic director Brian Ritchie said the outdoor focus of this year’s festival had been a hit.

“(Our) strategy of big outdoor venues, indoor venues with durational work, mask wearing, and working to capacity for the times has enabled us to present a fun but safe event,” he said.

The festival will continue across Hobart until Sunday, for tickets visit www.mofo.net.au/

Full schedule

• Laser show Beacon, and accompanying audio Panupiri, Withi Mapali: Friday – Sunday, 9.30pm – 12am, free event viewable from Hobart, Clarence and surrounds.
• Mo’Ju: concert by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria, Thursday 8-9pm, ticketed event at Federation Concert Hall in Hobart.
• All Day Breakfast: music and art installation, Sunday, 10am-5pm, free event at the former Mercury building, 91-93 Macquarie St.
• Time No Longer: Computer-generated musical work, Friday 3-8pm, Saturday-Sunday 12-6pm, free event at Princes Wharf 1.

Full program at mofo.net.au

Rock gods ready to ignite Mona Foma

LEGENDARY Aussie rockers Midnight Oil will bring the power and the passion to Launceston this weekend as jam-packed music and arts festival Mona Foma kicks off in style amid the shadow of Covid-19.

Event curator Brian Ritchie described the big-name act as the best band Australia has ever produced, saying it was a massive boon for Tasmania to have them playing in the state.

“The last time Midnight Oil played in Hobart, there was 7000 in an indoor venue. This time we’ll have 1400 people in an outdoor venue, so it’s considerably adjusted for the time,’’ Ritchie said.

Legendary rockers Midnight Oil will headline Mona Foma. Picture: Robert Hambling.

“It’s a remarkable thing that we have four shows from this legendary band, which I consider the best band Australia has ever produced, on their farewell tour. That’s a Tasmanian coup.”

Mona Foma runs from Friday to Sunday in Launceston, before Hobart has its turn the following weekend.

Ritchie acknowledged the challenges of putting on an event in such unprecedented times.

“I’ll be honest, it’s been a very difficult process trying to launch a festival in the middle of the transition from no Covid in Tasmania to living with Covid,’’ he said.

“Planning wise it was already well organised ... but you now have an audience that is not necessarily confident to go out.”

Mona Foma curator Brian Ritchie and Mona curator Emma Pike inside the old K&D Warehouse building which will be turned into an art exhibition space for Mona Foma. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Nevertheless, Ritchie said the event had reached 95 per cent of its box office target, though some events were underperforming, which he attributed to Covid-related reluctance.

He assured those thinking about going to the festival that all possible precautions were being taken to mitigate the risk posed by the virus.

“Everything has been planned to have large spaces with a small controlled amount of people,’’ Ritchie said.

“People should feel confident to come to any events, and it will be exceeding the government guidelines in terms of capacity and space.

“It’s as safe as it can be for an event.”

Among events where tickets are still available include the Mofo Sessions at Launceston’s Royal Park and Hobart’s Mona lawns.

Ritchie urged Tasmanians and tourists alike to get behind the much-loved festival.

“A lot of people get comfort from it, not the least of which are the performers themselves,’’ he said.

“A lot of people have been having a hard time of it, with not many gigs.”

But he said Mona Foma was a great way to showcase Tasmanian talent alongside mainland performers.

For the full festival program head to mofo.net.au/

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