This is going to be a long piece so settle in with a drink and read on. I felt like it was only fair to share the story of how I discovered the magic of Lunar Vacation in addition to a review of the show. So let’s kick things off with the story, followed by the show review. Are you ready? Let’s do this!
THE STORY
Very few (if any) good things come out of serving jury duty… unless you’re me. Ok, I know that sounded weird, but I will be honest here. My life is a continuous string of serendipitous moments all connected to create a narrative that is my life. Very rarely have I had an experience that didn’t develop into a story I would tell for years. Well, serving jury duty sure as hell didn’t disappoint because it ended up introducing me to one of the best bands I’ve heard in over ten years or so.
So how did this happen? Like any good citizen, I reported for jury duty in the summer of 2022, and I had no idea what would happen. After a day full of sitting, waiting, answering questions, more sitting, and more waiting, the choices were made for the jury, and I was one of them. Anyways, one day turned into two, three, and so on for about five days.
While there, I met a remarkable woman, and we got to talking about music. It turned out that she and I had many of the same bands in common, and then suddenly, she dropped this one on me: “Hey. My daughter (guitarist/songwriter Maggie Geeslin) has a band. They’re called Lunar Vacation. Maybe you can check them out and write about them on your blog.”
I felt a lump in my throat because I knew this could end badly. I had at least another four days to be locked in a room with this awesome lady, so what happens if her kid’s band sucks? I’m a terrible liar, but I also have this curse of actually saying what I think before thinking about what I’m saying. Nevertheless, I figured I should check them out on the way home. I nervously pulled up Lunar Vacation’s 2021 album, Inside Every Fig Is a Dead Wasp.
As “Purple Dreams n. 4” started, the dreamy, lush reverb-laden instrumental grabbed my attention, and before I could even process it, “Peddler” kicked in, and I was amazed. “This is insane. How have I not heard of this band before this?” So I raced home (safely, of course) and purchased a vinyl copy of Inside Every Fig is a Dead Wasp.
The music of Lunar Vacation is a patchwork quilt of influences: Neko Case, The GoGos, the crunchy yet melodic guitar of Billy Corgan, and other ‘90s bands like The Cranberries The Lemonheads with some good ol’ ‘80s alternative ala early REM for good measure. As a result, their sound has many facets, but not one particular influence dominates the others. So it’s hard to pinpoint just one artist that they sound like because they found a way to incorporate all the things they love and are inspired by and mash it all together to create Lunar Vacation.
I listened to the album on Spotify at least 15 times before it showed up; when it did, I played it another 15 times at least. After that, I became obsessed with Lunar Vacation’s music, but I wanted to see them live. We were still amid Covid at this point, but things were winding down, and bands were starting to do shows again, but I was bummed when I found out that they had played a bunch already for this tour, and I probably missed my chance.
I wished; I crossed my fingers, I obsessively listened to every song they had on Spotify, and daily checked Lunar Vacation’s social media. After months, they finally announced they would play two hometown Atlanta shows on 12/29 and 12/30/2022 at the Masquerade. I was beside myself and immediately pulled up my Ticketmaster app and purchased my ticket for the 29th. I’m glad I did it when I did because both shows ended up being sold out.
THE SHOW REVIEW OF 12/29/2022
When show day rolled around, I was so excited. I got to the Masquerade shortly after doors opened and caught the two opening acts, Dream Wave and the fantastic Girlpuppy. As much as I enjoyed them, I just wanted them to be done because I wanted my Lunar Vacation! Finally, after patiently waiting, the house lights went down, and the sold-out room cheered so loud I felt my inner ear vibrate. They kicked things off with “Purple Dreams no. 4” and then went into “Peddler.” I was so excited! I danced, smiled, and sang every word along with the band.
Lunar Vacation continued with the following two songs from Inside Every Fig is a Dead Wasp, “Shrug” and “Where is Everyone.” During “Where is Everyone,” I was so delighted and felt myself becoming part of the song. Lead vocalist/guitarist Grace Repasky greeted the crowd and thanked everyone for coming out. The ear-to-ear smile on her face resonated with the crowd, making me smile just as big. There are few things greater than watching an artist genuinely enjoying themselves on stage and not being ashamed or too cool to show it.
The setlist was comprised of a fine representation of Lunar Vacation’s impressively vast catalog. Songs from Inside Every Fig is a Dead Wasp dominated the set list, but songs from their previously released EPs, such as “Swell,” “Blue Honey,” and the alt-pop-tinged “Blue Honey,” went over just as well, if not better with the crowd. These people knew every word to every song (except for the “new one”) that was performed, and every song was like “the hit” of the night.
In addition to a fantastic collection of perfectly sequenced songs for this show, the music was accompanied by a visual display of animation and shapes on a screen behind the band. It was a fantastic enhancement to the music. It created an experience of the senses that made me realize that Lunar Vacation is as much a visual band as they are a musical band. Much like Pink Floyd, the visuals enhance the songs and take them to a whole other plane of enjoyment.
At one point in the set, Grace took a moment to sentimentally introduce their first song, the independently released single “Anna.” It was a real treat to hear this song played with so much more maturity, experience, and confidence than when it was written. “The Basement” from the band’s Artificial Flavors album was another showstopping highlight for me with its infectious head-bopping alt-punk vibe. If this song had come out in the ‘90s, Alternative Nation on MTV would have this one sandwiched between REM and World Party.
Concluding their marathon hour-plus set with the stellar “Monterey” from the Swell EP was perfect. With its Laurel Canyon/San Francisco sunshine hippie rock elements, “Monterey” was the song that tugged on my heartstrings. So nostalgic, yet in the now, this song had me feeling comfortable in both places as opposed to one of them. It was a dreamy, nearly weightless return to Earth from where Lunar Vacation had taken me.
Grace returned to the stage and thanked everyone for coming out. She was all smiles as she told the adoring crowd, “This is one that I can play for you guys if you want!” She then played “But Maybe” from Inside Every Fig is a Dead Wasp, and you could hear a pin drop. When the song was over, the fans roared, and Grace bid us all good night.
Knowing that Lunar Vacation is performing these fantastic songs with such a magical live performance makes me happy. It makes me happy to know that there is a young band out there with many years ahead of them that have captured that spirit, that magic of being a truly spectacular band of performers and songwriters.
A Lunar Vacation show is something that I think everyone who loves good music should see. It’s an experience, not just something to do. It’s not just a concert but a journey and a journey that is such a sweet ride that I dreaded returning from. But, like other rides, while they may come to an end, you can always queue up to get right back on. The recorded music of Lunar Vacation is an excellent souvenir of their live shows, so if you miss being on a Lunar Vacation, their albums will be a perfect simulation for you until the next one.
At 49 years old, I’m hard-pressed to be impressed much by bands, but Lunar Vacation was just what I needed at this time and place in my life. It’s wrapped in nostalgia but makes living in the now not so bad. Lunar Vacation also reminded me that you are never too old to discover a new favorite band. Trust me, I did.
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