Darker Waves festival makes SoCal the goth capital of the U.S.

The inaugural Darker Waves festival in Huntington Beach, California showcased the thriving post-punk and goth music scene in sunny Southern California. The festival featured iconic bands like New Order, Echo and the Bunnymen, and Soft Cell, as well as newer acts such as Cold Cave and Drab Majesty. With its rich history of supporting alternative music and events like Bats Day and Cruel World, Southern California has solidified its position as the goth capital of the United States. The festival attracted thousands of fans dressed in gothic attire, and despite some setlist disappointments, the event was a success and plans are already underway for Darker Waves 2024.