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LUNA IN CONCERT:
Beloved ‘90s dream pop outfit Luna ended a decade-long hiatus in 2015, thrilling fans with the announcement that they were bringing their fuzzed-out, gauzy tunes on the road for a US reunion tour. The band’s relaxed tempos, dreamy guitar swirls, and poetic lyrics make for a sublime live show, and the 10-year break has fans dying to catch them back in action. In concert frontman Dean Wareheim is a master of chill intensity, delivering his unadorned vocals with effortless cool while the rest of the band conjures up a beautifully nuanced sound world of spindly guitars and snaking basslines. Whether they’re waxing nostalgic with early favorites like “Slide” and “Anesthesia” or performing cuts from their 2004 farewell album Rendezvous, Luna always immerses ticket buyers with their catchy melodies, soaring guitar work, and relaxed stage presence.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
Singer and guitarist Dean Wareheim formed Luna in 1991 following the breakup of his influential alt rock group Galaxie 500. He enlisted bassist Justin Harwood and drummer Stanley Demeski, and in 1992 the trio released Luna’s debut album Lunapark. The record was a critical success, leading to extensive touring that firmly established the band as an indie pop force to be reckoned with. Guitarist Sean Eden joined the band in 1993 for the release of the Slide EP, and in 1994 the quartet issued their sophomore album Bewitched. They followed up in 1995 with Penthouse, a seminal record that Rolling Stone named one of the essential albums of the ‘90s. Following the release of 1999’s The Days of Our Nights, Harwood was replaced by bassist Britta Phillips, who eventually married frontman Dean Wareheim. The band released several more albums in the early ‘00s but disbanded after 2004’s Rendezvous. In 2015 Luna reunited for a tour of Spain and the US, proving they hadn’t lost a beat with a string of nostalgic performances that have fans crossing their fingers for a new album.
Luna came out firing - after "Brussels" Dean said "this is usually the encore" since they were playing Penthouse from start to finish. I've seen them a couple of times but this was the best - everyone was "on" and Sean Eden was truly amazing.
The opening night of Luna's current tour began at the Paradise in Boston and it was tremendous. The band played the entire Penthouse LP in order; yet still rose to an encore-like energy for such stalwart songs Chinatown and 23 Minutes in Brussels even from their midset placement. The encores included Galaxie 500 favorite Blue Thunder and an entertaining tale of a late '80s performance at the same club. Luna finds its greatest strengths in its cohesion with the Whole being much Greater than the Sum of its Parts. The band soars with swirling interplay of Dean and Sean's guitars and yet remains well grounded from their solid rhythm section of Britta Phillips and Lee Wall. As the band continues its tour playing either Penthouse or Bewitched end to end on opposite nights, it behooves one to attend back-to-back shows for a complete sonic experience.
I don't know much about Luna other than I've collected several singles by them over the years for which I have really liked. I figured....'Let's go check them out!'. I'm SO glad I went. These folks are so talented and good together on stage. The guitars were amazing and most of the songs were performed like a free-styling' jam band. We loved it.
my favorite band. been listening to them for 23 years. glad they are still together and touring. will see them any time they play seattle. masterful musicians. layered and textured sonic music. the greatest band that not everybody knows about.
Another great show. Definitely my favorite live shows ever are all Luna. Dean and Sean's guitar work was both creative and dynamic in ways that honor the original records as well as showcase their raw live talent. Britta's original work was amazing and Lee's drumming compliments the flow incomparably. This show featuring "Bewitched" in it's entirety was as good as any of the 5 previous shows that I've been to, and that is saying a lot, since those held the title of fav's up until this point. Please play more shows in L.A. now that some of you live here!
Luna's on fire these days. Doesn't get any better than this, folks!
When Dean & Britta first starred out playing as a duo they did a practice set in a small restaurant in the west village (can't remember the name -help!). It was amazing -the intimacy, the sound, the vibe. This Luna show at the Birchmere reminded me of that night in NYC - probably a decade ago. I've seen Luna probably about 20 times- lost track long ago. This was one of the finest sounding shows I've seen. Please keep it up dean,Britta, Sean and Lee. And thank you!
Luna is without a doubt the most talented band you've never heard of.
I simply cannot believe that at this point in time, more people aren't going nuts over this band. So God damn good!! In a way I suppose for selfish reasons that's good because it makes it easier for me to get tickets, but for altruistic purposes, I want more people to go so you can experience the magic, too!!
Dean Wareham's voice is gone. Britta Phillips just went through the motions. The sound was not very good and a third of the people left early. Not a memorable show by any standard.
Luna returns after a long hiatus to deliver scorching sets of kick ass tunes. They're better than ever. Definitely check them out if you haven't already!
Great show, sound and set list! What else do you need to know?
It was a treat to see Luna performing after a 10-year hiatus.. and the crowd was ecstatic and very vocal in their appreciation. Dean was smiling as were other members of the bands at the Fillmore Friday night as they launched into their 90 minute set including tracks off every Luna album. Having seen them in Chicago on the same tour, the SF crowd had to be one of their biggest crowds played on the tour. Brilliant sound, and the band was especially tight matching the sound quality from their record releases.
Never got to see them the first time around,so I was really looking forward to this show.They did not disappoint.They brought a lot of intensity to the live performance of these songs,even the slower ones.The volume level and sound quality were just right. Very enjoyable show.
After many years of inactivity, my favorite band of all time returns with a new setlist including some gems from deep within albums such as "Rendezvous". The last time we saw them was in Minneapolis at the end of a long tour after announcing their intent to break up. They were obviously tired, sad, and stressed out at that time and we had a very depressing night as they said goodbye. I managed to get them all to sign a promo photo of them on the Staten Island Ferry and they were all very kind and accomodating that night. My wife and I said goodbye with tears in our eyes. Needless to say we were overjoyed when they announced new 2015 tour dates and we bought Chicago House of Blues tickets right away. We upgraded our seats at the venue and had great sight/sound lines. As usual and without fanfare, Luna took the stage and opened with "Slide" - the first song on the first Luna album "Lunapark". It was obvious from the very start that the crowd and the band were very happy to be together once again. Throughout the set Luna did their usual shoe gazing knob twiddling and added several flourishes to their outstanding catalogue. Several fans including myself were teary eyed as Luna pulled out their best songs and rarely played gems. The night was magical and Britta actually danced(!) a little. Many smiles were had by the band and the enthusiastic crowd. THANK YOU SO MUCH LUNA! Tell me did you miss me.....
I stepped into a crowded Bowery Ballroom at 10pm with hopes that the band would repeat the quality of their first New York return show, outdoors in McCarren Park this Summer. I was not at all disappointed. The room was full, wall to wall,with many of the fans, like me, mouthing the words to every song. The set list was not much different from the show in the park but there were a couple of notable, novelty additions such as Bonnie and Clyde and, in the encore, Fuzzy Wuzzy.. If you're a fan of the band, there's not a lot I need to say to recommend the show. You already know how 'groovy' they are. I particularly enjoyed Sean's guitar playing but the whole band was tasty and tight. Luna is one of my 90's bands 'go to' when I'm home listening to music and, if you get the chance I'd say you should 'go to' a live show. You won't be disappointed. 5 stars.
