LUNAR ELECTRIC’s one and only Newcastle show is happening on the 18th December, after several attempts to bring the people of N.S.W a Lunar Electric experience again it is finally happening. While the Gold Coast events have avoided disruption to their dates, N.S.W wasn’t so lucky. The bushfires and extreme weather conditions in 2020 saw Maitland canceled, 2021’s scheduled show for September in Newcastle suffered a Covid postponement so it’s no understatement when we say ‘The Steel City’ is beyond excited for the festival to go ahead in their hometown. With the event just days away we were lucky enough to talk to Katrina Hunt, Organizer Extraordinaire of L.E. about the Newcastle event, what it takes to produce a festival in the age of Covid and what punters can look forward to with the announcement of a four show National Tour scheduled for 2022. .

Lunar Electric is the biggest home grown EDM festival in the country and you have just released news that it’s about to get a whole lot bigger. What do you put the almost instant popularity of the Lunar Electric festival down too?

That would have to be our Incredible team and the fact that we are tenacious with our growth and always want to make the next festival better than the last. Our line up continues to exceed people's expectations. While we started using only Australian Artists next year we are bringing a few Internationals along for the ride.

Co-Owner and Co-Director Shaun Dunn works diligently to have a wow factor and we love to showcase new Acts. We are blessed to have offered many Artists such as Hooligan Hefs, Lisi and Day1 their first festivals.

Lunar Electric started in 2018 as a single yearly event, by the beginning of 2020 its growth was so large a second date was added. Then Covid hit. Was that a hard blow to pick yourself up from and regenerate momentum?

Having to Postpone Newcastle the first time due to the extreme heat and bushfires that devastated so much of NSW was incredibly tough for us, we had put a year's worth of effort into it… however the safety of our Festival Goers is always at the forefront of any decision we make. We were all onsite ready to start putting the festival together when the weather predictions changed. The forecast when we chose the date was 31 degrees, still very hot but managed by our water stations, shade and misting tents. It changed to 42 degrees which prompted us to postpone. On the day the temperature actually hit 48 degrees so we knew we did the right thing. It also freed up Emergency services personnel to go assist those in need.

“The safety of our Festival Goers is always at the forefront of any decision we make. ”

— Katrina Hunt

L. E has been one of the few festivals to actually happen through the pandemic period, your March event on the Gold Coast was not only blessed in its timing but also thoroughly successful and without incident. How did your team manage this when other festivals found it easier (were forced to) to postpone?

We had an incredible Covid plan and Simon Leigh’s (Co-Director and Co-Owner) planning and organisational skills are second to none. We work closely with Event Co and Cross Promotions who are the best in the business. We have a big team that feels more and more like a family the more festivals we do together.

Timmy Trumpet and Will Sparks sharing the Lunar Electric stage

What has been the hardest Covid-19 rule/regulation to plan for or accommodate in this new age of restrictions, besides the basic social distancing?

Having to downscale our operations to maintain adequate room for social distancing guidelines. We sell out every festival and I receive hundreds of emails from people desperate for tickets. We wish everyone could come!

“Our aim at Lunar has always been to keep expanding and getting bigger and better”

— Katrina Hunt

Now in its fourth year L.E has expanded to ‘National Tour Status’ with four dates announced for next year, which demonstrates its huge growth and the support this festival has received from festival goers. What made the team take that step to expand further?

As our aim at Lunar has always been to keep expanding and getting bigger and better, we have had this in the pipeline for a while now. Who knows where we may end up in 2023!

What can you tell us about Lunar Electric, the National Tour? What can fans look forward to?

Our line up gives me shivers. Finally being able to have International Artists in a (hopefully) post Covid world will be a treat. I don’t want to give anything away but our production team is in full swing working their magic and 2022 will be out of this world. Pun intended.

At present you run two stages Hip-Hop/Bass and Dance/EDM, will this expand with the National Tour?

We are happy with the two stages for the moment. This is actually something we argue about at meetings often. Shaun loves a third stage but Simon and I have to restrain him. Hahaha. We prefer to have the Artists that would play that third stage on the Main stage in the earlier slots. How incredible for them to begin their Festival Careers opening a stage that Timmy Trumpet will close on.

Lunar Electric has consistently provided above average festival amenities, limited wait bars and a premium range of facilities and food, how are you able to pull this off when so many struggle to get even one of these right?

We make these things a priority. It is all trial and error and each festival we learn more so that at the next one we improve areas that we felt need it.

The A Team Shaun Dunn, Katrina Hunt & Simon Leigh with Will Sparks

What’s the easiest part of organizing a successful festival?

Knowing that the end result will make thousands of people happy!

What’s the hardest part of organizing a successful festival?

I can only speak for myself but getting the work/life balance. Emails and messages come in 24/7 and I sometimes have to turn off my phone and remember I have a family during peak festival time. They are incredibly patient thankfully!

What has been the highlight or favourite moment for you so far in the L.E journey?

Every festival I have a pinch me moment. I look around and I am still so grateful that I was given this opportunity not only to work with the best Artists in Australia but also the best event management team. Hanging out with Timmy Trumpet’s Mum and Dad at the first Lunar I worked on is still so special to me. As a Mum seeing how proud they are of their boy onstage was truly heartwarming.

Is there anyone from the stage, sound or staff crews that deserve a special shout out?

The production is led by Darren Bell from Eventco who always has the best possible outcome in mind no matter what event he is working on and Lunar is no different. We have an amazingly talented production crew who are going above and beyond their brief.

Lastly, Lunar Electric Newcastle is only a week away, what is your message for ticket holders, what do they need to know?

Firstly a great big THANK YOU to all the original ticket holders who have held onto their tickets all this time. We appreciate you!!!

Secondly, get ready for our biggest Lunar yet. This will be our only Newcastle show and we are going to SEND IT!

Interview by Michelle Symes

December 2021

Katrina Hunt, Lunar Electric's Hostess with the Mostess