DARK MOFO

Weird. Whacky. Wondrous. Wayward. Warped. Woo-Woo. Wild.

Just some of the words I would use to describe Dark Mofo. Dark Mofo has brought Tasmanian winter back from the depths of despair and catapulted it into the depths of fever dreams and firelight. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year in Tasmania. The excitement feels like the night before Falls Festival Marion Bay (RIP). After a year-long hiatus, Dark Mofo is SO back, and it looks like it's going to be epic. Find your (faux) fur, and get amongst it.

I’ve had a few messages from some interstate friends asking about the program and how to work out “what’s good” and honestly my answer is always: lean in. Have an open mind.

Once I watched a naked man paint a wall with a paint roller strapped to his hips. He just thrusted up and down the wall until it was partially painted. I watched Pope Alice bless The Hanging Garden. I watched a giant teddy bear shoot red laser beams out of its eyeballs across the city. I was told by a sign that laughing was not permitted. I watched a DJ perform a set from 3 stories up an external stairwell. I have feasted with thousands. I drove over a man who sealed himself in a shipping container and buried himself under the main road in Hobart before re-sealing the road only to be dug up 3 days later (in the name of art - duh). I watched a woman pull a string of ivy from her vagina and wrap it around a small potted tree, before strapping the tree to herself like a backpack, and exiting stage right. I was given an oyster submerged in vodka to shot. I fell in love with The Kid Laroi (don’t @ me). I watched the burning of the ogoh-ogoh.

One year, there were posters around the city in signature Dark Mofo colours (black and red) that simply read “CURIOUS?” with a phone number below. I texted the number, saying “I’m curious” and was sent a location for an otherwise un-advertised party at a secret location. Rewarded for your curiosity. How grand.

One thing I suggest not missing, is Night Mass. This year you’ve got ‘Night Mass: God Complex’ to look forward to. The description is as follows “Temple of unrest, shrine to excess, pulpit for your sins: this is the house we’ve built for you. Unfolding in a new secret location—the world is your stage, until the curtains fall. Dress heavy”. - Dark Mofo.

Night Mass dates are: 6th & 7th June, and 13th & 14th June (I would be choosing Friday the 13th just to really spook things up). For those without tickets, tough luck. Sold out with no door sales this year. Sob. Although I’ve always managed to score an 11th hour ticket for myself or a friend through resale (usually via insty stories, so Tassie folk - eyes peeled).

Tasmanian’s either rally or retreat during Dark Mofo. I hope you do the former.

Major FOMO for MOFO this year. Enjoy it for me!

Squiz @bear.ltd on Instagram for videos of Dark Mofo treasures from previous years.

Stray beautiful,

BEAR.

DARK MOFO

DARK MOFO

Paradise Pool - Blue Mountains, NSW