A Guardian profile of Ted Milton, the 82-year-old saxophonist, poet and former puppeteer behind Blurt, who continues touring Europe and releasing new work with the Odes while his son documents his wild, influential career and fraught family dynamics in The Last Puppet Show.
Geordie Walker, founding member and guitarist of the post-punk band Killing Joke, has passed away at the age of 64. Walker, along with Jaz Coleman, was the only constant member of the band until his death. Known for their goth rock sound, Killing Joke released several albums throughout the 1980s and continued to produce music in the 2000s and 2010s. Walker's bandmates confirmed his death, stating that he had suffered a stroke.
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.
The Cruel World Festival, featuring goth rock, new wave and post-punk music, was rescheduled for Sunday evening at the Rose Bowl complex in Pasadena after severe weather forced the cancellation of Saturday's event. Siouxsie and Iggy Pop will perform, with Siouxsie giving her only North American concert appearance this year.