Issue #903

by Duncan Forsyth and the LUMA crew

So, according to the grapevine, there are still a few of you out there who haven’t decided if you’re heading over to LUMA this weekend. That’s fair enough, it’s not everyone’s bag but it’s always been a pretty good time.

Having said that, we thought it might be worth giving you a quick run-down on what’s occurring over the first five days of Winter.

So firstly, it’s a long weekend so there’s no better reason to get together with some friendly faces and head off in search of some WTF moments.

LUMA has always been about switching things up. Changing things that worked last time, just because we can. Fixing stuff worth fixing and finding new portals into different sensory experiences. This year is no different, in fact, we’re pushing on to another place entirely.

As you’re reading this the players are gathering, the structures are growing and the performers are honing their show… and what is that show?

Well, there’s five nights of darkness filled up with a soundscape curated and managed by Mike Hodgson from Pitch Black who’s looking after the audio for the whole of the Gardens all weekend. There’s a lot of sound this year. A lot.

Emma Vickers is bringing performers from all over to keep the place humming. The team from Creature are bringing in some sea monsters and a mapping experience which Illuminates a new monolithic landmark in the Lost Forest.

The Liquid Salon will offer a chance to see four or five live performances every night in a uniquely designed, multi-stage audiotorium.

Angus Muir and his team have taken over the whole lower headland and turned it into “Harmonious Resonance” for those who are prepared to go out ‘to the end’…

The LUMA team have been working on this version for nearly two years now. We’ve got mermaids, DJs, violinists, aerialists. Food trucks, augmented reality and candyfloss. There’s lovely people pouring drinks and making brews, there’s the Dishrupt crew keeping us on the path to zero waste, more than 200 artists and over 150 volunteers helping out over the weekend to give you the best experience possible. Plus it’s not every day you get a chance to have your fortune told by the Children of Zoltar. I see your future… there’s a tall dark, handsome… oh no,wait, I don’t wanna spoil it.

Hopefully we’ll see you there, or if not you can just scroll your feed and watch everyone else who made it. Just saying.