Red Lights Promotions presents The Lunar Youth

at Friars Court, Warrington

with special guests Red Light Racers and Pacifier 

Saturday 27th July 2024

The  Lunar Youth are a relatively new band but over the last year or so have taken the local music scene by storm. Featuring on line ups of every type of venue including some large festivals and playing Warrington’s Parr Hall in January of this year alongside heavyweights Syfta and Standin Man, and in my opinion were every bit as good. So I’m excited for this tonight, to see this magically vibrant band headline an iconic local venue such as this. 

It’s slightly different for this one, and given the sunny weather it’s perfect as our set-up for tonight is outdoors in the well-known courtyard area; under fairy lights, it really sets the scene. Friars Court has long been the home of live music and has seen some epic gigs in its time, including the Ks, Crawlers, Satyr Play and a very early Catfish and the Bottlemen. It’s a laid-back and welcoming vibe as we arrive, all 3 of our bands are chatting and mingling, with a real summery feel in the air, which will suit the sounds of later to a T.

(Pacifier_Credit: Shot by Court)

Support: Pacifier

This is a new band for me, but I’m instantly a fan; the energy levels are up there. One very enthusiastic performance and incredibly watchable.  Sounds are a melting pot of inspiration.  I get so many influences coming through, all blending together superbly. Very up-tempo – the steady beating of drums and accomplished guitar riffs with angst-style vocals with a real scratching effect, a wonderful grate that comes and goes. During faster-paced tracks the vocal gets intense, screaming in an almost punk style, notes reached and held seemingly with ease, and it’s filled with character.

Original songs are feisty, punchy and attention-grabbing – a great, fast, crashing indie anthemic style set with so much variety of sound.  A bloody great set – what a great start!

Support: Red Light Racers

 Another new one for me here and another that hits the musical spot right from the get-go. A shift in sounds and feels, very cool and quirky, initially I’m struck with real Joy Division feels but as the set continues more and more sounds come through. Lively, fast-paced and original material, alternates from a Kooks feel with Stone Roses bass lines. Fascinating and nonstop, brimming with original content. Vocal is gentle, lilting with brilliance, a clarity that makes it shine musically, then when needed becomes depth-filled, sorrowful and intense. Hats off to this dynamic duo as they even manage to make a cover of Peter Andre‘s ‘Mysterious Girl’ into a cool, indie-style soundtrack (words I thought I’d never write!) A really fun, kooky and joy-filled performance and a very likeable stage presence. Another brilliance-filled set!

(The Red Light Racers_Credit: Shot by Court)

Headliner: The Lunar Youth

And so to our glorious headline act! I’m already a huge fan of the Lunar Youth, they’re just one of those bands that just get better and better each time you see/hear them, and I never tire of them. In a heart-stopping surge of the most shimmering guitar lines, cascading cymbals and soaring bass lines, our headline set cataclysmically explodes before us. Mesmerising, musically bewildering, it’s a delight for the senses, such an uplifting, yet haunting sound and energy of the highest vibration. Songs are layered, textured, brimming with interest and the real atmosphere is contoured – this is really added to when the vocal comes in. 

Like a narrative, stamping its musical authority over us;  wise, knowing, angry at times, angst-ridden and eerie at others and then an almost pleading, a longing tone. All four of our band members give 150 per cent, nonstop throughout this entire set – dancing, heads bobbing, guitars swinging and often out among the crowd whilst singing and playing, which is very well received – and at one point guitars are up behind heads. Bass lines are melodic, joyous, really bringing the feels right up there, then fizzing,  jangling guitars make the sounds almost transcendental with statement drumming, steady yet light and skippy. There is a feel that’s moving, moody and hollow but with a real happiness to it, a beautiful juxtaposition of joy and sorrow and it works brilliantly. 

Within the lyrics is a witty weirdness not dissimilar to Pulp, but musically I get real The Cure feels, with a hint of The Smiths and maybe a bit of Cassia in the mix. There seems a real 80s alt influence coming through with some David Bowie 70s. 

(The Lunar Youth_Credit: Shot by Court)

Songs start gently building; glittering musical waves become crashing swirls as the sounds become a frenzied brilliance. It’s all-consuming, thoroughly immersive and honestly, it’s fantastic to be part of. This band genuinely do have that something, that musical magic that feels that this could be something big, it already has the sound of bigger things, and the ease with which these guys perform, coupled with the most spell-binding and captivating original songs surely it’s a winner? It already is for me, every time! Intoxicating sounds that just leave you wanting more, I guess maybe that’s the  Lunar Youth effect? A gig I’ll never forget. Love them just a little bit more each time! 

Red Lights promotions will be doing regular local live music events at Friars Court Warrington, well worth checking out.

Review by Janet Harding 

Photography by Shot by Court

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