#nepofm.event005

The stage was completely black as the opening vocals for Tunnel Vision came through and Llorona Luna invited us into their world for the next hour and twenty minutes. Once the lights go up timed with the beat kicking in, we’re able to see that instead of just a stage outfit, she has opted to perform in the same faerie creature prosthetics inspired by Guillermo Del Toro films, that we’ve seen in the Death and Void music videos. As cool as the four eyes, exaggerated ears, and scaly details throughout looked on stage, it did raise concerns for how their stage presence would come across as no one could see the upper part of their face behind the mask. But she was quick to quell those worries with the choreography. With the help of the dancers, they were able to use their body to express the energy to the audience just as well as her facial expression during previous eras had done. 

They don’t let up as Tunnel Vision ends and goes straight into Faerie Soirée, Womb, and Spider Web all from the Portals album. Fan favorite Show & Tell from K-12 and though the choreography is some we’ve seen before, she’s able to alter it in a way that better aligns with the more mystical story she’s telling now. Known for the contortions and body bending they’re able to do, she teases the audience with subtle tweaks to the Show & Tell choreo that leads into the intense body contorting they do throughout The Contortionist. Each bend is perfectly timed to the bone snapping effect on the track which was enough to make anyone flinch if you weren’t familiar with them beforehand. The backbending and arm twisting offer a beautiful juxtaposition with the waltzing happening with the back up dancers. When Field Trip rolls around right after we’d getting a stronger picture of the story Luna is stilling. The first part of this performance being about their journey as an artist. They come in strong with Tunnel Vision declaring how sure they are of themselves, and as we get further into the set we’re shown glimpses of her relationship with not only the fans but the execs on their team with songs like Spider Web and The Contortionist. Bringing in Field Trip brings us back to the core of who Luna is as an artist. A song that came out during the lull between K-12 and Portals but never performed until now. 

Finding that renewed confidence in themselves leads us to Lunchbox Friends. Certainly, a metaphor for keeping those who support them and bring out the best in them close against all the noise the industry can bring. An assumption that’s proven near the end of the song when Luna brings out close personal friend, Beena Kapoor, to perform the iconic final dance sequence of the song. There’s no hiding the smile on their faces as Luna let’s the audience sing them out and the two share a loving embrace. It’s the perfect set up for the pair that follows.

Her brother, Sebastán Dominguez Herrera, is introduced along with reggaeton master, Bad Bunny, to perform Otro Atardecer. An inclusion that could feel out of place for casual listeners, but Luna has always taken great pride in being Latine and their culture. Bringing out Bad Bunny on a track they worked on with her brother was just another way to showcase how much they appreciate it. The three of them look like they’re having so much fun you almost forget one of them is in a complete creature costume by the end of it. Once the song ends and Bad Bunny exits with much love given to Luna, Sebastián stays and the pair perform the songs Heavy and Hush and it’s a pleasant surprise to hear just how well the sibling’s voices compliment each other. We’re sure the google search for Llorona Luna’s brother was at an all time high that night.

After discussing their friendships, Luna turns the focus to love with another fan favorite from K-12, High School Sweethearts. This segment leans more into an idea of misfortune in love with Notebook and Detention following but the tragedy of it helps to lead us into a full circle moment back to Cry Baby’s origin with Sippy Cup and Cry Baby following suit. The Cry Baby performance is a powerful goodbye to the story that made them, but also a reminder that the dramatics and leaning into the emotional is what led them to something so magical. 

They take us into the last four songs with a song never heard before; Milk of the Siren ( a hint at a deluxe album to come ? ). A dark track about taking down the men who have caused harm and not feeling bad about it. Its choreography is grounded in more classical/ballet moves which makes for a beautiful scene as lights flash and bodies drop with the vocoder on their vocals adding another disorientating layer. She does a great job in making the audience feel like they are following a siren song. Nymphology brings back the high energy choreography and the interaction with the audience is especially heavy. Being in the audience for the performance was its own treat. You could hardly hear Luna singing over the way everyone was screaming the lyrics at the top of their lungs with seemingly no end in sight. It almost felt like that should have ended the show, and as the dancers exited the stage it seemed like it would. But once Luna was up there alone the instrumental for signature ‘Into the Void’ opening lines started for Void.