Live Review + Photo Gallery: Dark Mofo Festival, Molchat Doma at Mac 02, Hobart, 16.06.2023

As with many of the acts at Dark Mofo, I had to do a little research to find out who many of the acts were, and what sort of music they played. This is one of the exciting parts about the Dark Mofo Festival here in Hobart – discovering new and exciting artists, both international and national that escape the mainstream, yet who warrant some serious attention due to their undoubted talents.

This is exactly what transpired when I checked out Molchat Doma, a three-piece post-punk/dark-synth outfit from Belarus. I had heard a few of their songs on Youtube, and thought that they would be a very interesting act – I am often taken by bands that don’t speak, or sing in English, as I know that I often view the singing in many songs as another ‘instrument’, and that the lyrics don’t always have to make sense to me.

Again, this is how I found Molchat Doma to be, with Egor Shkutko’s baritone vocals taking a grand space within the overall sound of the band. Roman Komogortsev (guitar, synthesizer and drum machine and Pavel Kozlov (bass guitar, synthesizer) provide the backbone of the music, with their style leaning heavily on European music from the early to mid 80’s. Hints of Joy Division, The Cure, Depeche Mode and even the motoric beats of danceable Krautrock pervade into into the fabric of their song-writing whilst overall, they continue to pursue their own sound.

This was the band’s first tour Down Under, and judging by the reaction of the large crowd at Mac 02, I doubt it will be their last. I for one, will certainly be there should another tour eventuate.

All images: ©fullonrockphotography/Andrew Fuller

Written by Backseat Mafia