Molchat Doma @ MAC2
Their intertwined dark beats and grooves, accompanied by a spine-tingling aura, held me captivated
Photos & Review by Dayna West Gilmore
My first shoot of Dark Mofo 2023 featured the Belarusian bandits, Molchat Doma. Making their debut Australian appearances this June, Molchat Doma has steadily climbed the music ranks since 2017. Their 2018 record 'Etazhi' garnered international interest.
The night began with the haunting melodies of "Kommersanty," followed by "Fil'my," "Toska," and "Zvezdy," which filled the MAC2 venue with pulsating post-punk energy. Roman Komogortsev's penetrating synth waves created a ripple effect, coursing through the venue and captivating the audience. The first half of the set established an emotional, eerie atmosphere, akin to a dystopian audio-scape, evoking a sense of yearning for an unfamiliar place. Molchat Doma's dark wave sound acted as a prism of peculiar nostalgia, leaving the audience oddly uplifted yet despondent.
Vocalist Egor Shkutko commanded the stage with confidence, gliding through each synth note with a pep in his step and an unwavering gaze. He immersed himself in the MAC2, gripping the microphone like a dagger and piercing the air with his melancholic melodies. The juxtaposition of their somber sonnets against the backdrop of purple and blue stage lights created an ironic pairing that further intensified the Lynchian atmosphere, etching itself in my memory.
The second half of the set took an upbeat turn, with shouts of "DANCE DANCE DANCE" heralding a high-tempo segment that was enthusiastically embraced by Dark Mofo's signature celebratory crowd. As I navigated the room, capturing every angle, patrons shed their layers and surrendered to the enchantment of synth-pop. Guitarist Pavel Kozlov came to life, delivering a highly energetic performance. He darted across the stage, drawing attention to the waves of chords he skillfully strummed. I appreciated the structure of the performance, gradually easing into a groove, warming up the crowd, and eventually creating an irresistible space for dancing. It's a format I'd be intrigued to witness in other genres, and one that I might apply in my own shows.
The desolate nature of Molchat Doma made them a perfect fit for this year's Dark Mofo lineup. Their intertwined dark beats and grooves, accompanied by a spine-tingling aura, held me captivated, maintaining unwavering eye contact with the stage. Nothing could break my concentration; any distractions would surely face the consequences.
