NEW WAVES DAY 2018

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2018-05-26 DE – Oberhausen - Turbinenhalle

Fields Of The Nephilim - The Damned - Chameleons Vox - The Young Gods - Trisomie 21 - Clan Of Xymox - Der Fluch - Holygram

After last year’s successful inauguration of the NEW WAVES DAY, the organizers came quickly up with a new edition and even topped the billing with British Goth masters FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM headlining and many other illustrious guests sharing the bill. Fans were once again invited to join the ceremony at :: Turbinenhalle :: Oberhausen.

To see FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM playing live nearby always works but also CLAN OF XYMOX I like a lot and do not see that often. All the other bands I only knew by name or have never heard of before. So, this year’s edition of NEW WAVES DAY turns out to be a field of new discoveries to me :)

:: pics ::

First, to be honest, I was in doubt, if it was a good idea to place the festival only 5 days after the massive Wave Gotik Treffen. When I arrived at the Turbinenhalle a half hour before the show, even the parking along the street outside the area was still free. I was worried that something bad might happen. By the way, the parking at Turbinenhalle was free this time. Nevertheless, the festival took place in the big hall (which was a good decision after all ;)), but all secondary rooms and the gallery were closed. What caught my attention was the strict “no flash” order. As soon as a fan started to take photos or filmed with a (mobile) flash, security intervened. Sound was good at all bands, and lights… well… we attended a Dark Wave festival… so, it was dark ;)

The NEW WAVES DAY FESTIVAL was opened by :: HOLYGRAM ::. I would like to declare them straight as one of the wonderful new discoveries of the festival. The Cologne-based band enchanted me with an irresistible blend of Post-Punk, Wave and Shoegaze. The first track, Hideaway, also reminded me a bit of legendary Goodbye Horses by Q Lazzarus. Unfortunately, the hall was sparely filled at this time but present fans enjoyed the music as much as I did. The applause was deservedly much bigger than a polite clap. While the stage was bathed in dark blue lights, HOLOGRAM played songs from their self-titled debut EP, plus two more songs I think that were new ones. Great kick-off for this festival. I want more!
Setlist: Hideaway, Daria, Signals, Still There, Distant Light, She's Like The Sun

The cursed & the damned… what belongs together comes together. I never heard of the next band before. Hailing from Cologne too, :: DER FLUCH :: already exists for ages, since 1981 to be exactly. DER FLUCH play harsh Psychobilly-tinged Horror Punk with German lyrics, easy to sing along but exaggerated and provoking ;) To me the music was a little bit like DAF without the Electro sound. What I realized afterwards was the fact that DER FLUCH do not play their songs that fast anymore as they did in the past. It seems, this band hardly ever plays live, so that the NEW WAVES DAY festival was one of those rare opportunities.
Setlist: Ich bin der Fluch, Hexen leben länger, Betet für uns, Fürsten der Nacht, Herr der Fliegen, Das Grauen geht um heut Nacht, Die Nacht der Toten, Rattengift, Halb Mensch halb Tier

Finally, I range in familiar fields. :: CLAN OF XYMOX :: I know and like since the release of Creatures in the late 90s. Unperturbed, the partly in Germany living Dutch band stays its course, have released umpteen albums, EPs, singles, maxis and compilations and still do so on a regular basis. I rather like their old stuff but also newer material had its charm and worked live really well. COX played kind of a best-of set, and suddenly, the venue was packed. Wow, would not have expected this. Awww, it was great to have seen them live again :)
Setlist: Intro, Obsession, Louise, Loneliness, Emily, Jasmine Rose, A Day, Your Kiss (Muscoviet Musquito)

New discovery part 2. Also French duo :: TRISOMIE 21 :: can look back on career spanning more than 35 years. Old warhorses they are, Philippe and Hervé Lomprez, who once co-founded the French Cold Wave scene. Watching the old videos afterwards, the singing of Monsieur Philippe was already special in the past and that did not change over the decades. Every now and then, he was a bit off singing-wise. Musically, TRISOMIE 21 range between Wave and electronic music with partly an experimental approach and this special French originality. TRISOMIE 21 still do records, the latest one, Elegance Never Dies, was released last year. Yep, I liked this show too :)
Setlist: Where Men Sit, Waiting For, The Camp, Hear Me Now, Glistering Like Gold, La Fête Triste, Tender Now, The Last Song

But much more I loved the one of :: THE YOUNG GODS ::, another long-established band. The Swans came to mind immediately. Not because the music would be similar but because of look, feel, intensity, and the performance. No wonder, the Swiss took their name from a Swan song. What a coincidence ;) When musicians such as Mike Patton (who has released two of their albums on his label), Devin Townsend, Nine Inch Nails and Ministry name THE YOUNG GODS as an impressive influence, it does not wonder either. Even less that I got hooked up so easily. Excellent show, I’m blown away. I need to dig deep into their discography. My personal highlight of NEW WAVES DAY!

:: CHAMELEONS VOX :: were also founded back in 1981. Must have been a very prolific year for the Wave scene. The Brits I only knew by their name. I never dealt with them any closer but yeah, I was curious. After the rather experimental sound of the young gods, the CHAMELEONS VOX went back to classic Wave melodies with tremolo picking guitars, melancholic melodies and reverb singing. CHAMELEONS VOX played a best-set set from the early days (from 1983-1986) with songs from the first three albums and the EP. Their last regular released album dates back to 2002 and is probably covered covered with a thick layer of dust. Once again a wonderful show in the crowded and hot Turbinenhalle.
Setlist: A Person Isn't Safe Anywhere These Days, Monkeyland, Thursday's Child, Perfume Garden, Less Than Human, Swamp Thing, Soul In Isolation, Second Skin, Singing Rule Britannia (While The Walls Close In), Nostalgia

We go back in years even further, to 1976, the year of birth of :: THE DAMNED ::. Did not know them either. Seems, there is a gap in my in musical education ;) Now we got Punk-tinged Wave-Rockabilly or so. The only song I knew was Eloise, the original version, coz I’m old too ;)
The show was surely done in good manner but not really my cup of tea. Sorry, have to say so. I instead took a break to get me some water (0.3 for 3 Euro) and a pretzel (2 Euro).
'Setlist: Street Of Dreams, Wait For The Blackout, Plan 9 Channel 7, Standing On The Edge Of Tomorrow, Love Song, Machine Gun Etiquette, I Just Can't Be Happy Today, New Rose, Eloise (Paul Ryan cover), Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, Ignite, The History Of The World (Part 1), Neat Neat Neat // Smash It Up

Time flew so fast. The end of the second NEW WAVES DAY was near. Well, not too near. :: FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM :: taxed the tired crowd’s patience a lot with waiting time. With around a half hour delay the Brits finally got on stage. If you ever have seen a FOTN show you will not be surprised by any other one. For many years, the Goth rockers have the same stage outfit, light and smoke setting, and play the same ol’ hits, just in a different order. Reserved acting, no banter, no new songs, and a short playing time, even as a headliner. It is all so typical for them. Predictable. And though, despite all the equability, FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM are always a pleasure to watch playing live. They always deliver a nonchalant performance that makes every fan’s heart beat faster. You cannot elude and will always be fascinated. Venues are packed and crowded. As you can see, it works fine for them. There is no inducement to change a winning formula that does not cost any further effort. Plus, the fans responded with enthusiasm.

That’s that. The festival is over. The NEW WAVES DAY is the perfect one-day festival aside of usual trends and mainstream. Great line-up, I discovered 6 out of 8 bands, and the ticket price is just fair. The venue… well, it is the Turbinenhalle. We all know its proceeding. The air condition sucked (what air condition?). It was utterly hot and sweaty inside. Also, the merchandise was meager (except for the festival itself). Some bands did not even bring anything. Anyway, great festival and I’m much looking forward to see what’s coming next year! :)