An eclectic mix of artists played the Friday edition of The MONA Sessions, with headline act Mogwai being joined by indigenous star, Kutcha Edwards (accompanied by the Australian Art Orchestra) and The Shruti Sessions.
First up was The Shruti Sessions, an ensemble of Hindustani/Rajastani musicians (Anandi Bhattacharya, Asin Khan Langa, Debashish Bhattacharya, Sadiq Khan and Zakir Khan) and a number of Australian contemporary players (Bobby Singh, Jeff Lang, Luke Plumb and Benjamin Walsh) who combined to deliver a wonderfully meditative and trance-like performance of Indian-styled music with a twist, which cut across the realms of the old and the new.
Following on from this was indigenous performer, Kutcha Edwards, who was joined on stage by contemporary ensemble, The Australian Art Orchestra. Together, they re-imagined many of Kutcha’s songs of country, culture, history, pain and joy and captivated the crowd with his wonderful story-telling ability and the heart-breaking plight of indigenous people right across this vast continent.
Mogwai, the Scottish post-rock/shoegaze legends then took to the stage, and thrilled us with their fantastic brand of (mostly) instrumental rock coupled with a superbly atmospheric light-show, totally mesmerising the large, assembled audience who moved ever closer to the stage to enjoy a not-to-be-forgotten spectacle.
Thanks must go to the team at MONA Foma for continuing to bring us the superb calibre of dynamic, and eclectic mix of acts from all corners of the globe that grace our shores in Tasmania each summer.
Mogwai Gallery:
Kutcha Edwards & The Australian Art Orchestra Gallery:
The Shruti Sessions Gallery:
All Images: ©fullonrockphotography/Andrew Fuller
