Thursday 26th. It would take one hell of an act to follow such a show and Henge (9.2) were that act. Basically a group of 4 aliens playing a silly revamped take on space rock. Mixing elements of surf rock, progressive rock and techno together. Few things match the joy of seeing a Roy Wood lookalike with a glowing orb on his head who claims to be a 1000 year old alien wearing a fleshy human clone suit shredding his guitar. For all the silliness Henge have a serious environmental message at heart. On Keyboards is Henge's Brother Juul. The last descendant of Venus, warning us in his own language (a sort of freaky scat singing) not to destroy our own planet like his race did theirs. The message did little to bum out the freaks who had only just woken up and come out to dance.
Snooker legend Steve Davis finished the night off the night with a DJ set mixing post punk rhythms with psychedelic sounds with typically cold precision.
Friday 27th
One of the best changes to Lunar in 2018 was the addition of The Half Moon stage. A smaller stage directly opposite the main stage. This works well because it means that not only do lesser known bands get to play alongside big hitters but also that there is a constant stream of music without having to move from your spot in the field. Opening this stage on Friday was the brummie psychedelic rock trio The Good Water (6), followed by a lovely set from 77:78 (8), bringing warm summer vibes to the hot Friday morning. While John J Pressley (6.8) played some heavy Tom Wait-ish blues rock I was hugely looking forward to Boy Azooga (8.4) and wasn't disappointed. The Cardiff band have rightly broken through in 2018 as one of the most fun, unique and talented young rock bands of the moment. Throughout the set they were constantly smiling and cracking jokes, Frontman Davey couldn't be happier to be spending his 27th birthday in this field with us. BA covered other Cardiff bands, as well as an odd medley featuring their takes on Black Sabbath and Kelis. Yet their own songs shone brightest, including not surprisingly 'face behind her cigarette' and loner boogie' yet many great unrecorded B.A. songs prove that the future is looking even better for this young band.
Nabihah Iqbal (6) was a tad disappointing. Her slightly amateurish vocals and heavy reliance on keyboards not quite cutting the mustard on this Lunar bill, although a cover of The Cure's A Forest was definitely a highlight. The Go! Team (8.8) bought a spaceman and all the colourful exuberance that they're known for, despite having been in the game for over a decade they have endless energy on-stage and all the naive fun of a primary school music class. Singer Angela 'Maki' said she felt like Beyonce and invited all the ladies in the crowd to booty shake with her. Basement Jaxx gathered crowds to dance in the sun, but I instead decided to become indoctrinated to Nutopian society in an utterly bizarre yet brilliant experience. If you know, you know.
Amadou and Mariam (8.4) killed their set with a load of funky African blues and strangely enough a fire breather who despite some great tricks seemed a bit out of place. What made Amadou and Mariam stand out was Amadou's fantastic guitar shredding and Mariam's clear love for him after their many years together.
One of the best changes to Lunar in 2018 was the addition of The Half Moon stage. A smaller stage directly opposite the main stage. This works well because it means that not only do lesser known bands get to play alongside big hitters but also that there is a constant stream of music without having to move from your spot in the field. Opening this stage on Friday was the brummie psychedelic rock trio The Good Water (6), followed by a lovely set from 77:78 (8), bringing warm summer vibes to the hot Friday morning. While John J Pressley (6.8) played some heavy Tom Wait-ish blues rock I was hugely looking forward to Boy Azooga (8.4) and wasn't disappointed. The Cardiff band have rightly broken through in 2018 as one of the most fun, unique and talented young rock bands of the moment. Throughout the set they were constantly smiling and cracking jokes, Frontman Davey couldn't be happier to be spending his 27th birthday in this field with us. BA covered other Cardiff bands, as well as an odd medley featuring their takes on Black Sabbath and Kelis. Yet their own songs shone brightest, including not surprisingly 'face behind her cigarette' and loner boogie' yet many great unrecorded B.A. songs prove that the future is looking even better for this young band. 
Nabihah Iqbal (6) was a tad disappointing. Her slightly amateurish vocals and heavy reliance on keyboards not quite cutting the mustard on this Lunar bill, although a cover of The Cure's A Forest was definitely a highlight. The Go! Team (8.8) bought a spaceman and all the colourful exuberance that they're known for, despite having been in the game for over a decade they have endless energy on-stage and all the naive fun of a primary school music class. Singer Angela 'Maki' said she felt like Beyonce and invited all the ladies in the crowd to booty shake with her. Basement Jaxx gathered crowds to dance in the sun, but I instead decided to become indoctrinated to Nutopian society in an utterly bizarre yet brilliant experience. If you know, you know. 
Amadou and Mariam (8.4) killed their set with a load of funky African blues and strangely enough a fire breather who despite some great tricks seemed a bit out of place. What made Amadou and Mariam stand out was Amadou's fantastic guitar shredding and Mariam's clear love for him after their many years together.
After a short walk through the pitch black woods we came to a clearing and listened to Nick Drake's own copy of his seminal 3rd LP 'Pink Moon' by a roaring campfire on his family's own turntable. It is an album that deserves to be listened to in full with silent reverence. This is one of many special experiences that only Lunar can provide.
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