LUNE – Gig Review 12th January @ Bergy Bandroom, Melbourne VIC

LUNE
Bergy Bandroom, Melbourne/Naarm, VIC
January 12, 2024
Support: Broken Earth, Silver Fang & Earthbound

There’s nothing cooler than seeing a band step up from ‘local band’ status to something bigger and bolder. LUNE have worked exceedingly hard over the last few years, and it absolutely shows in their brand-new EP The Change Around Us & The Change In You. It was one of the strongest Australian releases of 2024 and delivered something fresh and exciting to a scene that can often feel very stale.

I managed to catch LUNE live a few times in the second half of the year in support of Thy Art Is Murder and The Gloom In The Corner, but the prospect of seeing them play a headline show is something I’ve been eagerly waiting for.

Yes, it’s been great to have international bands returning to Australian shores over the last couple of years, but I will never tire of heading along to a two hundred cap room and seeing some great local talent on display. Which is exactly what this bill offered.

Broken Earth from Sydney were full of energy from the first note, and it’s been a long time since I’ve seen a band open a bill and immediately get the crowd moving. Probably could’ve done without the Metalcore cover of Linkin Park classic ‘Faint’, but that’s mostly because I’m a firm believer that no one should cover Linkin Park as no one could ever do that band justice.

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Silver Fang brought the groovy, dark and moody vibe which was a nice change of pace to the previous set’s unbridled energy. This band is doing something unique and there’s nothing wrong with that at all.

It’s easy to see why Earthbound keep getting chosen for international band support slots, as they were so damn tight. A great frontman/vocalist coupled with crazy tight musicianship, made for an immensely enjoyable set. They are definitely a band to keep your eye on this year.

Three bands down and it was time for the main event. It was nice to see the Bergy Bandroom packed to the rafters, although the AC was certainly struggling to keep the room cool in the gross Melbourne humid heat.

With no time to waste, LUNE kicked straight into their set with the ripping one-two punch of ‘Progeny’ and ‘Letting Go’, the opening tracks from their new EP. I wish I could explain it, but the opening moments of ‘Progeny’ hit like a freight train. Every member of the band sounded so dialled in, the mix was enormous and vocalist Nathaniel Smith just commanded the room in an instant.

Like I said, I had seen LUNE a few times last year but this was different. You could tell that they had something to prove and god damn, they were proving it. Drummer Harrison Mills managed to make some of the most intricate drum parts I’ve ever heard seem so effortless and casual. Guitarist Krys Smith and bassist David Freeland didn’t miss a beat and kept the energy high for the entire set.

The band continued pummelling with ‘Ghost’ from their 2020 EP of the same name, which made the crowd absolutely erupt. Unsurprisingly, the two big highlights of the set were ‘Left Behind’, the emotional second single from the band’s new EP and ‘Healers’, the EP closing track. Maybe I’m just a sucker for the emotional ones but both of those tracks were incredibly moving and it was great to see them getting the love they deserve.

Closing out the night with the ferocious and immense ‘Manipulator’, the house lights came on and I looked around to see a room full of stunned and happy faces. LUNE delivered a relentless, emotional and immense fifty minutes and every second of it was exhilarating. I firmly believe that Nathaniel is a world class vocalist and that was only reaffirmed by his insane performance on this evening.

Full disclosure, LUNE are good friends of mine so the last thing you should expect from this review is something impartial. It’s been a pleasure to see this band grind and they deserve the flowers they are receiving and will continue to receive. Back in 2012, I saw Northlane headline The Evelyn Hotel in Fitzroy to three hundred plus people in support of the recently released Discoveries. I walked away from that show very aware that I had just seen a band destined for world domination. I felt an eerily similar feeling walking out of the Bergy on Friday night.

Get ready 2024, LUNE are coming at you hard and fast. Trust.

Review by Nicholas Simonsen @blackechomusic