FUNERAL
KING IV
Thursday, 29th January, 2026
Inspired by the words; “It’s time to lay your old self to rest — and be reborn as the ultimate version of yourself, as you were always meant to be. This is your ending. This is your beginning. This is FUNERAL”, I ventured over to Howler in Brunswick on 29/1/26 to see ‘Funeral’, a “live music performance from dark, electronic, alt-pop phenomenon, KING IV.” (Pronounced I-V-Y.)
‘Funeral’ is the live performance of KING IV’s dance-pop album, ‘Psychopomp: the other side.’ Melbourne artist, Cheyenne Harper, is professionally known as King IV, who imagines herself as a conduit between two worlds, which provides her – and in turn, us – with a feeling of freedom and power.
The MIDSUMMA festival program is made up of diverse art forms and genres, so I knew ‘Funeral’ by King IV would be far from vanilla. I certainly got more than I expected – as I’m sure crowds discovered from King IV’s past gigs at Beyond the Valley, Melbourne Music Week and previous live and large events.
All songs are originals, written and composed by Harper and backed by a visual feast of cinematic projections and dark choreography, to live and synth-ed music. Don’t fear or judge the synthesizer. These songs are truthful and from the soul. There is a rawness and honesty thrown artistically and boldly in-your-face, and each track leaves you wanting more.
Beginning with a video wall as wide as the stage and evocative words conveying her “red being” crossing to the other side, we meet a sensual King IV with her 2023 single, ‘See you later’, a song about seeking pleasure and letting the light of passion free one from darkness.
King IV told Australian Music Scene in 2022 the song “…poured out of her after a night out clubbing and being love-bombed by the person she was out with.” When writing ‘See you later’, she was also influenced by psychotherapist, Carl Jung, and his quotes on passion, including, “…they must be on fire even if they make a fool of themselves…”
‘See you later’, is both erotic and clubby so, everyone at Howler moved towards the stage where we could be closer to even more surreal imagery from this extraordinary artist and her voice-over, asking;
“Did you become the forest? Or the space between the stars?
The wind crossed through the valley, or the harsh and ancient jars?
I reach for you in the wind…. in earth, in flame, in sea.
Whatever form you’ve taken, please leave a space for me.
Tell me if you’re alright, even if you’re not.
Even if you’re gone now. Is your soul forever lost?
Welcome to the cosmos and floating on the stars.
A break inside the universe. You’re always in my heart.”
She has taken us to the Afterlife. It’s something we’ve all considered, especially after profound loss.
King IV, as her “red being”, then returns with a plethora of pumping poetry.
A funky kick-beat of a song, ‘Wicked’, was one of my favourites.
– “We can cross the seasons. We can reach the stars.”
I resonated with her “wicked witchy woman” story.
Next, ‘Night and Day’ with IV singing inside a red-lit coffin, standing centre stage. Loved the electric guitar riff on this one.
– “I like it when you taste it. I do. I do. I like it when we’re naked. I do. I do.”
‘Murder’ mixed ethereal vocals and electronic layers.
‘Psychopomp’ was a stand-out.
– “I’m a fire-breathing dragon. Always ready for some action.”
Ultra-talented Pat Gabriel, composer and musical director – @pattyboomba – plays the keyboard, the strings and other recorded pieces throughout the whole show and, it’s obvious to everyone he loves what he’s doing. Heavy on the bass, he interprets his talents within King IV’s compositions.
The Funeral dancers are fit and fast with dynamic and demonic moves, framing King IV fabulously along this unique journey she’s created for us.
‘Psychopomp; the other side’ is an excellent electronic, dance compilation, moody and theatrical, exploring hedonistic lifestyle, personal transformation and pushing each of us to claim our own unique identity.
– “To truly transform, you must let the old self die – and trust that something greater is waiting to be born.”
Words of wisdom to live by as we venture into 2026.
Purchase King IV’s ‘Psychopomp: the other side’ album from Bandcamp, an online site that directly support the artists who make music.
@kingivsound
To book tickets to Funeral, please visit https://www.midsumma.org.au/whats-on/events/funeral-king-iv/.
