TWO of the biggest names in the world of heavy music – Faith No More singer Mike Patton and Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan – are set to headline this summer’s Mona Foma festival in Hobart.

Mofo 2017 will run from January 18-22 – including another “Weekend at Walshy’s” on-site at Mona from the 20th-22nd – and feature performances by the two US alt-metal icons: Patton giving the exclusive live premiere of his latest project Tetema, and Keenan out front of his experimental theatrical rock band Puscifer.

Now heading into its ninth year, Mofo is one of Tasmania’s most popular annual events, attracting thousands of tourists each summer. Total attendances topped 40,000 this year, with nearly 40 per cent of the ticket sales going to visitors from interstate or overseas.

The 2017 instalment is shaping up to be just as big, with dozens more acts to be announced next month.

media_camera Faith No More singer Mike Patton will give the exclusive live premiere of his latest project Tetema at Mona Foma in Hobart in January. Picture: JAY BLAKESBERG

Patton will play his only Australian show at Mona on January 21, teaming up with Australian experimental composer and pianist Anthony Pateras to present Tetema.

The duo – who released the album Geocidal in 2014 – will be writing new material for the performance, which will also feature Australian percussionist Will Guthrie and violinist Erkki Veltheim.

A multi-instrumentalist, film composer and actor renowned for his eclectic influences, experimental projects and huge vocal range, Patton has fronted a number of bands including Mr. Bungle, Tomahawk, Fantômas and Peeping Tom. But he is best known for his work with Faith No More, who became MTV favourites in 1989 thanks to their single Epic and went on to release the albums Angel Dust, King for a Day ... Fool for a Lifetime and Album of the Year during the ’90s.

Keenan formed Grammy-winning prog-metal group Tool in Los Angeles in 1988 and created Puscifer as a manifestation of his “creative subconscious” in 1995, before going on to front A Perfect Circle.

media_camera Puscifer has been announced as one of the headline acts for MOFO 2017.

Set to play at Mona on January 20, Puscifer combines digital programming and industrial rhythms with acoustic harmonies in theatrical live shows that often feature costumed characters, convoluted storylines and elaborate stage props. Puscifer’s third album Money Shot was released last year, following “V” Is for Vagina (2007) and Conditions of My Parole (2011).

“Mofo is thrilled to be able to present some of rock’s most notable luminaries out on musical joy rides,” curator Brian Ritchie said.

“Mike Patton and Maynard James Keenan are both visionaries and serial musical adventurers.

“They are just the tip of the iceberg of avant-garde musicians crashing into Tasmania in January.”

The rest of the Mofo 2017 line-up will be announced on October 12, with tickets to go on sale from www.mofo.net.au on the 17th.