Preview: M’era Luna Festival 2013

M’era Luna Festival 2013 Hildeshein, Germany – Sat 10th & Sun 11th August 2013

It’s no secret that Germany has a repetition for its dark music and diverse culture. Throughout the years, the country has been a large part of the rock scene; from playing host to some of the biggest festivals such as Hammer Fest to giving birth to some of the biggest rock icons in modern history from industrial metal powerhouses Rammstein to heavy metal legends Scorpions.

However, despite the country’s credentials, many British rock aficionados have still yet to discover the magic of M’era Luna Festival.

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Situated in Hidelshiem at a former British Army base, the two-day extravaganza is one of the finest festivals in Germany and a celebration of all things goth, metal and industrial. On the 10th August over 20,000 audience members will drive, fly, walk and travel from around the world to the festival’s gates, all for what lies inside.

M’era Luna’s history stretches back to 2000 when it hosted one of the biggest and most revered goth bands in existence - the inimitable Sisters of Mercy. Since then it’s hosted blistering sets from the likes of Placebo, The Prodigy, Marilyn Manson, Killing Joke, Fields of the Nephilim. Epica, Dir En Grey, Nitzer Ebb, Bauhaus, New Model Army, Soft Cell, The Cult and hundreds more.

!Thirteen years on from its inaugural event and the line-up this August is as brilliant as ever. For two days both the festival’s stages will be filled with some of the biggest names in underground rock music, including the symphonic Nightwish and regular visitors to the event, HIM and ASP. There will also be lots of amazing gothic acts such as Apoptygma Berzerk, The 69 Eyes and an acoustic performance from avant-garde German outfit Deine Lakaien.

However, it’s not just the live bands that play a part in the weekend’s entertainment. M’era Luna will be filled with a goth market and fashion show, for those that love their lace, corsets and PVC attire. There will also be brilliant late night parties and DJ sets for those that want to stay up past the witching hour.

Keeping with the airbase theme, the second stage is even a former aircraft hangar, which is something to experience in itself.

So this year, if you fancy a festival outside of the UK, full of Gothic clothing, industrial rock and metal bands and of course, unforgettable people then maybe M’era Luna is the place you should go.

You can book travel or travel, festival ticket & camping packages to Me’re Luna through Planet Festival RIGHT HERE.

Travel departures are available from Birmingham, Manchester, London and Dover and include a return ferry crossing.

Words: Sophie Sparham