M’era Luna is a constant date for goths -and not only- from all over the World since decades. Over 20.000 people gathered (in Hildesheim, Germany at Flugplatz, a former British Army airbase) for an intense weekend of music and pleasure in the middle of the Summer. This time the weather hasn’t been so clement with us yet rain didn’t stop the crowd attending the festival to enjoy every minute of it; hereby we collected a colorful gallery of portraits of some the beautiful people we met between the concerts. As for the music, along with big names such as And One and Korn, we gladly discovered some interesting new acts as well as pleasant reconfirmations. All the bands gave their very best in terms of energy and presence in front of a massive audience and we challenged ourselves to pick the five key performances of M’era Luna 2017. Bands for the next year have not been revealed yet, so stay tuned on the website because for sure #mera18 will reserve us great surprises.

5. Tyske Ludder
On this choice we might be biased…We have a predilection for this kind of dunkel electro: raw EBM made of martial beats that shake the ground, aggressive attitude and so on. This band is active since the end of the 80’s and knows so well how to push it hard.

4. She Past Away
The Turkish dark wave duo has been one of the biggest surprises of the festival. They played very early in the afternoon but the Hangar area was already full of people waiting for their show. Some (well evident) Joy Division, The Cure and french cold wave references blended with an exotic (many of their songs are written in their native language) and yet personal touch make everyone appreciate their melancholic celebration.

3. Solar Fake
This is a band that almost every kind of listener could probably like. Sven Friedrich’s project sounds very catchy with well curated vocals and melodies along with a great presence on stage; all these elements made their concert worthy of being remembered as we were front row singing loudly all their tracks, ranging from Broken Grid to their great last release Another Manic Episode.

2. D.A.F.
A piece of history of the electronic music still present and raging. The German cult band has earned the warmest and most vehement crowd, who was deeply enjoying all the pathos and energy (…and water) that Gaby Delgado seamlessly spread from the first to last song. No breaks, fractured rhythms, holding the breath until the end. The old school never seemed so alive.

1. Front Line Assembly
F.L.A. have a quite unique capacity to coagulate the perception of time so their hour of show passed over way too fast. It’s been a real pleasure to see Bill Leeb’s band live once again with a super setlist for connoisseurs, including classics like Neologic Spasm, Resist and Iceolate. Great part of the in-vogue contemporary techno scene owe a lot to the Industrial/EBM pioneers and for sure they are one of those who deserve to be known by the new generations.