Funeral

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https://tickets.midsumma.org.au/event/396:835/396:2029/

Date Reviewed: 30/01/2026

I have been to the Howler before. This kind of show is almost perfectly designed for it's band room.

The show was fantastic but the title was a little misleading, so I shall explain. The show is called FUNERAL. The performer is KING IV.

The audience was unlike anything I have seen in a band room like this before. A mix of all kinds of people, young and old, queer and straight presenting drawn from all corners of Victoria and (I suspect) beyond. They make up a small but passionate crowd of longtime supporters.

Drawn like moths to the flame of raw talent that is King IV.

The aesthetics and imagery employed is built around an appreciation of physical form over material values.

The show had a religious and ceremonial tone to it with hooded dancers and solemn costumes. It reminded me of neo-pagan events with effects designed to give onlookers a feeling of respect and dignity. The show did this and also proved to be very entertaining. The passionate, menacing and at times erotic performance clearly transfixed the audience.

The coffin brought onstage towards the end of the show was obviously a big piece and worked well to bring the piece together aesthetically. Colour also played a key role in the show. Beginning in blues before changing to oranges, reds and finally ending in dramatic splashed of a burnt yellow brings an alternative perspective on the very idea of a funeral being inherently a black and morbid thing.

Whenever I think of a funeral I think of orchids and brooches, for what it's worth.

A show like this may not have instant mainstream appeal. The high stimuli and adult themes may not suitable for television or more child-minded audiences. However, I think it's great that it doesn't. The room was filled with passionate supporters of the work and the artist. There should be more of that kind of content scattered throughout Melbourne.

Funeral is a work of singular passion and vision brought together by a talented performer. What was on display however is more than enough to delight you if you want something to do after work.

Saying that, credit is deserved by the dancers, stage hands, musicians and technical team who brought all the elements together to present a real and full performance.

I loved this show!

Reviewed by Nicolas Van Der Haar