Mofo curator Brian Ritchie says the festival’s ‘incursion’ into the state’s North a success

UPDATED: TASMANIA’S rock star Premier Will Hodgman has been asked to help fund Mofo’s permanent move to the “northern capital”. WATCH THE VIDEO, SEE THE GALLERY

UPDATED: TASMANIA’S rock star Premier Will Hodgman has been asked to help fund Mofo’s permanent move to the “northern capital” after an inaugural event in Launceston that community leaders have described as “absolutely brilliant”.

The Tamar River city was filled to capacity at the weekend, hosting its first Mofo festival and Beerfest at Royal Park.

Chris Griffin, from Tourism Northern Tasmania, said hotels were at 90 per cent capacity over the weekend.

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“A combination of Mofo and the Beerfest has created just an absolute premium weekend for both locals and visitors to the city,” Mr Griffin said

“The vibe around town was just amazing, with cafes, restaurants and pubs doing great trade on the Friday and Saturday nights. All events were oversubscribed and, with Mofo moving here permanently in 2019, long may it continue.

“I ran into [Mona owner] David Walsh several times around the city and he was mixing with the crowd asking people what they liked to get a feel for how the event was being received.”

David Walsh, centre, with wife Kirsha Kaechele, left, and Varuni Kulasekera in their onesies during the Mofo Block Party at Inveresk. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Mr Griffin said his organisation and others would work with the hospitality sector to encourage more eateries to open their doors next year after some criticism that very few cafes were open at the weekend despite the city being crowded with visitors.

“We will work with the sector in the lead up to next year’s festival,” he said.

Mofo, usually held in Hobart, had a partial move north this year, with organisers planning to move the entire festival to Launceston from 2019.

Festival curator and Violent Femmes bassist Brian Ritchie said organisers were seeking $8 million from the Government over four years to help relocate the event.

Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman plays with the Violent Femmes Brian Ritchie during the Mofo Block Party at Inveresk. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

A Government spokesman said there would be an announcement on that front soon.

“Mofo is an iconic Tasmanian event and we have provided significant support for it over the past decade. We will continue to discuss future funding arrangements with Mona and will have more to say soon,” he said.

Premier Will Hodgman, who joined the Violent Femmes on stage playing guitar, said his gig had been “great fun” at what he called a “tremendous event.”

“My performance was short and sweet. Sadly, I had to get up at 5am this morning, so I couldn’t live the true rock and roll lifestyle,” Mr Hodgman said.

“I have played guitar for years and have been hassling Brian Ritchie to jam with the band. I can now tick that one off the bucket list.”

The Mofo festival will return to Hobart for another week of music, art and other activities, culminating in the three-day Weekend at Walshy’s party at MONA from January 19-21.

David Walsh during the Mofo Block Party at Inveresk. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

EARLIER: THOUSANDS of Launceston Mofos painted the town pink on Sunday as Mona Foma’s inaugural Launceston Block Party rocked the Inveresk precinct.

One of the day’s musical highlights was a performance by Milwaukee acoustic punk rockers Violent Femmes, who were joined on stage by a special guest guitarist and vocalist — Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman.

Mofo curator and Femmes bass player Brian Ritchie said Mofo’s “incursion” into the state’s North had been a success, with fans also flocking to see contemporary dance show Monumental at the Princess Theatre and Gotye’s performance at the Albert Hall over the weekend.

“To have something with the production values of Monumental in such a beautiful theatre, you can’t top it,” Mr Ritchie said.

“Inveresk is more like our old-fashioned, rustic, makeshift ad-hockery, which is the way we like to do things. It’s not that necessity is the mother of invention — we like to do this kind of stuff!”

Onesie World Stompin during the Mofo Block Party at Inveresk. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

A number of patrons travelled from interstate for Launceston’s Mini-Mofo weekend, suggesting that there’ll be a big influx of visitors when the full festival is held in the city next summer.

“This year we’re obviously using a mixed marketing message because we have the festival in both cities, but next year when it’s just in Launnie people have the choice — go to Launnie or don’t go to Mofo, and we’re confident that many people will choose to come here,” Mr Ritchie said.

Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman belts out a tune with the Violent Femmes. Pictures: CHRIS KIDD

Emma Anglesey performs during the Mofo Block Party at Inveresk.

The Mofo circus will make its way back to Hobart for another week of music, art and activities, culminating in the three-day Weekend at Walshy’s party on-site at Mona from January 19-21 and collaborations between Violent Femmes and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra on the 22nd and 23rd.

Jon Rose Interactive Sonic Ball at the Mofo Block Party at Inveresk. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

“The line-up we have is really remarkable. The emphasis is on inclusion, freedom of speech, protest, people from countries that don’t necessarily have the kinds of freedoms that we have, and people from parts of the social spectrum who aren’t usually given a voice,” Mr Ritchie said.

For details and bookings go to www.mofo.net.au