Leake Streets’ brick-walled halls glowed with majestic, electric neon lights, paving the scenery with the perfect ambience to greet the fans and their colourful attires. Artists, staff and fans all mingled together and shared drinks throughout the night, whether it be at the bar, in the concert hall or at the popular cardboard arcade, and every square inch of the venue was filled with a palpable sense of love and passion, for a shared sense of nostalgia, for a past we may or may not have known. Those lucky enough to have wandered through the halls at the right time will have even run into a fully armed T-800 Arnold Schwarzenegger impersonator shouting classic Terminator catchphrases and posing for pictures alongside festival attendees, begging the question: what more could you want out of a Retro-themed music festival?

Presided over by emcee DJ She-Ra whose tireless work ran all throughout the night, the Synth marathon ran uninterrupted for twelve hours, from dusk till dawn. As any connoisseur would have guessed from the lineup announcements for the festival, RetroFuture Fest left no room for disappointment in its running order of artists. Whether you like your retro synth music funky, sparkly, epic, funky or downright pitch-dark, the festival had you covered and then some, featuring just about every type of lineup you could think of onstage. Amongst our top three personal favorites in the festivals’ flawless set of shows, Sunglasses Kid pumped the funky vibes up to critical levels with a set featuring guest vocalist SJBRAVO and dancer Jean Frais, Lebrock destroying the stage with some of the most epic vocal performances we’ve ever seen at a Synthwave festival, and Danger unleashing the nights’ monumental finale with the heaviest set of all.

Although this marked our first time as attendees, the loyal Retro Future fans were unanimous in their verdict; the festival had once again outdone itself with this third edition. As for us, we’re certainly looking forward to seeing how its organizers plan on following up on such a tour de force. Young though it may be, Retro Future Fest is already well on its way to becoming a landmark event in the Synthwave music scene.

See you next year!

All Photos by Robin Ono

All Rights Reserved.

First off: how’re things on your end and what’ve you been listening to lately?

Things have been going well. Lately, I’ve been listening to a pretty decent amount of vaporwave music including telepath, nmesh, and luxury elite. Oddly enough I’ve also been listening to Herb Alpert and some other old funky tunes.

Your upcoming set at Retrofuture Fest will mark your UK debut. What can fans expect from a live Betamaxx show? What’s your thought process when it comes to putting a live set together?

Fans can expect mostly classic material as well as 2 or 3 fresh new tunes. I’ve worked with a new visual artist for a new backing display while I play. My thought process is the same for pretty much all shows. Pick a good setlist and get it down as tightly as possible.

Any sets you’re looking forward to catching? Any artists you look forward to meeting while you’re there?

Looking forward to meeting everyone, but especially excited for Duett and MAVS.

Having played in a number of other projects across numerous genres (Wicked Chief, Young Fuck, Headdie Rock Steady…), does anything stand out in particular with regards to a ‘Synthwave’ crowd? Anything you particularly appreciate about the scene/community?

I tell this story a lot, I am frankly more comfortable writing music independently. I got sick of relying on others and vice-versa to make music in bands. I do enjoy the synthwave crowd. They’re generally friendly and open-minded people.

You took a short break from Betamaxx with the desire to branch out towards more experimental musical endeavours. Having returned to the project with a third album full of fresh new sounds, what would you say is your approach to keeping things fresh and standing out in the scene as Betamaxx?

Recently I finished building a new recording studio and did a much-needed refresh on hardware and software. The new environment has inspired me to write and experiment more than I normally would.

What’s next for Betamaxx? Any projects on the way?

I am just about finished with a full-length record which I am hoping to release in September or October. I’m also working on scoring a short horror film here in the coming months.

Finishing off : Can you name one of your favourite albums, movies and books?

Albums: Alvvays: Antisocialites, Tame Impala: Currents, Software: Digital Dance, Boards of Canada: The Campfire Headphase, Surfing: Deep Fantasy.

Movies: Repo Man, Escape from New York, Christine, Nothing but Trouble, Blue Velvet, Return of the Living Dead.

Books: Mostly synthesizer manuals, 1984, American Psycho, Women, and I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell.

Special thanks to James and Betamaxx

London, be sure to catch Betamaxx on his European debut show at RFF.

Tickets and info available here

Be sure to catch Betamaxx on social media
Bandcamp
Facebook
Twitter

More than a hefty lineup of talent, this latest edition of Retro Future Fest returns with a full convention-like experience. “There will also be gaming arcades, a food vendor, plenty of craft beer on tap, cosplay competitions and much more! For VIPs too there is a private bar and more live music. From 5 pm to 5 am, it’s pure synth heaven. We can’t wait for you to experience it.” Explains Secker.

Born from what was originally meant to be a small, one-off event, Retro Future Fest has come to expand into a household yearly event for Synthwave fans, rounding up some of the finest acts that the scene has to offer. Secker elaborates: “The scene has expanded massively with various styles. With hints of funk, metal, EDM, it’s an ever-changing scene. My goal is to create a line-up which everyone can enjoy with different variations in the scene. You are going to have a blast seeing what these acts bring to the table.”

More than a strictly Synthwave event, the festival is offering is reaching to represent a full spectrum of Retro culture in all of its shapes and forms, pushing the festival experience further beyond established bounds with each subsequent edition. “I want to give the people something that really blows minds. Every act will be completely different and unique. These artists all truly shine in their respected fields and on July 27th they will be unleashed upon London…”.

We can hardly wait. And we hope to see you there!

Retro Future Festival will be happening on July 27^th at 26 Leake Street, underneath Waterloo station.

Doors will open at 5pm.

Come say hi and party with us! We want to meet you!

Tickets are available here

Further Info :
Official Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

21.02.2019 @Petit Bain (Paris) Photo by Robin Ono

You recently What’s the first thing that struck you whilst travelling around and discovering the North American scene whilst on tour?
North Americans are even more passionate than we are. Up until now, I thought that this was our thing. They also see things from the opposite perspective. They see France as being at the forefront of it all. It’s quite interesting, really, because it’s not necessarily a specifically French thing but rather, more generally, a European movement. We’ve got the Swedes, the Dutch… North Americans also seem to have a thing for large-scale events too. My first gig over there was at the Neon RetroFest, which was a huge festival! It was like a Synthwave convention, with a bunch of rooms everywhere, gaming consoles, stands, role-playing, conferences… It was amazing!

In February you released your latest single ‘DNA War’. Given that you’ve stated that the song will not be on your upcoming record Omega, how does it tie into your musical chronology?
‘DNA War’ is actually the prologue to the new album. ‘DNA War’ is Absolute Valentine’s arch nemesis. He genetically mutates people to turn them into perfect emotionless soldiers. The new record is going to be an adventure story revolving around Absolute Valentine against DNA War.

Is it a sequel to your previous album, Police Heartbreaker?
Absolutely, it’s a direct follow-up, only for this record I wanted to inject a little more maturity and more elements from various electronic music genres that I enjoy. It won’t be 100% Synthwave like some of my previous releases. It’s a very diverse record. It’s got some darker cuts and some more rhythmic songs.

DNA War feat Billy Mays Band by Absolute Valentine

Was there a change in your gear or workflow for this particular record?
I used pretty much the same tools as usual but my workflow was definitely different. I’ve had a lot of different experiences last year, which caused things to go a little more slowly. I really wanted to transcribe all these feelings I’ve had this past year.

How long did the writing process last, then?
It took about a year and a half. I usually take a year between each record but this time around I really wanted to focus on further developing my sound. I wanted to create something a little more mature and less “cliché” as far as Synthwave goes. I wanted to use my entire musical palette rather than restrict myself to one or two types of sound.

21.02.2019 @Petit Bain (Paris) Photo by Robin Ono

DNA War marks a return to a darker side of your sound. Would it be fair to relate this taste for dark, heavy tracks back to your youth in Black Metal bands?
Metal was basically a step in my musical journey. I started out playing classical music on Piano at Marseille’s conservatory, and since it was a very ‘rigid’ musical framework and I needed something a little more expressive and ‘Rock n’ Roll’, I started learning learning bass and guitar on my own. I started a few Black Metal bands and I was a really passionate metalhead at the time. I don’t listen to as much of it anymore though, so it doesn’t really have an influence on what I do. With that being said, I have a love for distortion, regardless of music genres. It’s true that metal has a lot of distortion but there also electronic music genres that utilize it as well. I love big low-ends, thumping kicks and all of that jazz. I discovered this through bands like In Flames, Hypocrisy, At the Gates and other bands who have a very aggressive sound. The new record also has a bit more distortion than on Police Heartbreaker.

Moving into Synthwave has allowed you to work autonomously as well. Was this a necessity for you?
It’s true that I was in need for some autonomy, specifically because of my metal bands. I wanted to be a little more free and do whatever I wanted. With that being said, I’ve now been working alone for the past ten or fifteen years and I feel the need to work more closely with other people. However, I really need to work with collaborators I’m excited to work with and with whom I share a strong friendship or bond with. I only work with people I’ve known for a while.

Speaking of your musical affinities and relating this back to Lazerdiscs Records: how do you determine which artist to sign?
There’s are a few criteria Darren and I look for, actually. Firstly, and obviously there’s the music. It needs to be mature enough, but the artist also needs to have a holistic vision that goes beyond the music. He needs to a few visual ideas, even if it’s just a logo. To us, it shows that the artist has taken the time to think about what they want to do and share through their music. It’s always a plus if the music is well mixed and mastered, but it’s not a make-or-break factor. Another criterion, which is even more important that the first, is the human aspect. We can turn down people because I feel like they’re not willing to invest themselves in a collaborative project. It’s important to know that when you’re working with a label or with other people, you need to learn how to listen, discuss and adapt. You’re working with people so you necessarily need to have a good sense of rapport in order to progress.

With regards to fans, We’re still dedicated to picking out lesser-known artists to help them break-out. We want to keep doing this, even if we also focus on bigger household names like Stilz and Robert Parker. Neoslave, who’s playing tonight, is a good example of this. He wasn’t well known but he sent us his demo and we started working with him and helped him evolve. Patience on our end is a very important factor as well. When you’re an artist I think it’s also important to disregard certain considerations, such as whether what you’re doing is going to blow up or whether what you’re doing is going to get you hits or views. I don’t think people care about that. What counts is the emotion people get out of it.

We’re reaching the end of the interview. Would you like to share any closing words?
Thank you for coming! And thank you to NewRetrowave for the support! Shoutout to Ten, as well! And congratulations on soon reaching one million subscribers on Youtube!

Finishing up: name, one of your favorite albums, movies and books?
Film-wise, I’m going to pick to classics: Robocop and The Crow.
Lately I’ve been listening a lot to the new Prequell. I really like the mix of electronic and symphonic sounds.
Book-wise, I’ll go for 1984 by Orwell.

Interview and concert photos by Robin Ono

“I will be back in Philadelphia, PA hosting a Delirium Tremens reading in support of the NEW Hainesville album “Natural City” dropping this year. That’s right I will be reading Hainesville stories some from the new album and one other. The event is FREE and there will be some free food. And as with every D.T. reading, there will be a limited open mic window.”
– SamHaiNe (Hainesville, Jade Palace Guard, NewRetroWave)

SamHaiNe presents: Hainesville “NATURAL CITY”
A cold winter night in the secret city.
A collection of short monologues and flash fictions highlighting some of the individuals that call Hainesville “Home”. Stories about people living outside the margins that define civility and existing in the moment. This is a future-present inspired by neo-noir, retro nostalgia and some cyberpunk aesthetics. Coming Soon in 2019 at SamHaiNe.bandcamp.com with physical media distributed by The Jade Palace Guard.
Go like at facebook.com/allhailming
or on IG @eternallydragon

Cold air from entrance door bites at the back of my neck and soon dissipates as I ascend a short staircase to the main floor of the “Big Room Bar.” The brewery-district venue has a partnership with the local alternative station, CD102.5, but it’s the first time I’ve attended a show here. The “Big Room Bar” is, in fact, deceptively big – but that’s hard to discern with so many bodies packed in so tight. The show hasn’t yet begun, and already the main room is nearing at least 75% capacity.

The attendance is a great surprise for a Wednesday night synth-metal show. Ohio is often overlooked by artists on tour and I’m pleased to see the number of fans here showing their support. One lone bartender furiously works the bar – the poor bastard – it’s clear that not even the venue was expecting such a turnout.

Of course, they’ve never dealt with Dance With The Dead or Daniel Deluxe.

I meet with the tour manager and step into the green room to meet Justin and Tony of DWTD and Daniel of Daniel Deluxe. Their mood is very relaxed as they sip on a few beers, readying for the show. Tony looks up, guitar in hand, and introduces himself. While we chat he continues to practice almost subconsciously – not unlike Skwisgaar from Metalocalypse. I begin our small interview before the show.

How has the tour has been so far?

“It’s been awesome man – it’s been great. We’re at the halfway point right now,” says Tony. Justin nods and pipes up, “I feel like our tours always go by pretty fast.”

Tony relates that it’s Daniels first time to the states. I ask him how he’s liked it so far and he gives it a good to mixed review.

“So far,” Daniel says with a laugh, “the most surprising thing was how cheap our sodas are!”

So, you’ve been touring a new album, “Loved to Death,” How do you feel about the reception of the new album?

“It’s the most energetic records we’ve put out and written, one of the hardest. We’re really proud of it. Sometimes we can pump out songs pretty fast, but with this one we took our time and dissected every part of the song until we got what we thought was perfection. We’re stoked on it, we’re touring for it – and so far we’ve had great feedback!”

“Loved to Death” is one of your most intense albums so far – how was your production different between this album and your previous?

“We put in a lot of time for this record. We wanted to make sure the record slammed into fifth gear and took the listener on a journey.”

Do you plan on getting heavier over time? What’s next in the Dance with the Dead sound?

“We’re not sure yet… but we’re always exploring for new inspiration so we shall see!”

The synthwave and darksynth scenes have been steadily growing over the past few years – do you think the genres are getting to big for their own boots, or do you think it still has room to grow?

“I think there’s still room to grow and it should be interesting to see where it’s at in the next year or so.”

How has the tour been so far? What are you favorite highlights or conversely, some of the more difficult moments?

“Tour has been great so far. Some of the highlights are playing places we’ve never been to and meeting and making new fans. Difficulty’s would be dealing with Van and trailer issues. Those are never fun…”

(After the show) How did you like the Columbus crowd?

“We didn’t know what to expect since it was our first time but the crowd and energy was great! Looking forward to coming back.”

I notice Daniel has exited behind me to start the show, so I thank them for their time and make my exit to take some photos.

Daniel Deluxe puts on one hell of a show. He mixes his tracks together in a deft manner – subtly changing the tracks to amazing effect. His darksynth sound is deep and raw enough to get even the metal heads in the audience head banging.

Too soon, his set is over – and Dance With The Dead takes the stage. As they do so some curtains are lifted, revealing two massive skulls that blast neon green light into the audience. The crowd rushes forward and soon it becomes difficult to get photos with the erratic mix of head banging and dancing going on. They absolutely tear up their sound – hitting every note with an expert flourish. Often they switch between keyboard and guitar.

I had specifically chosen not to listen to their new album beforehand, and I’m greatly surprised by the evolution of their sound into heavier, darker territory. Vocal stabs from horror movies punctuate the end of tracks, and as soon as it began the show is over. The audience screams for an encore before they’ve left the stage – and they return quickly with three full final tracks.

This tour is certainly not one to miss – grab your ticket for one of their last remaining shows if you haven’t already!
Click Here to see their remaining tour dates!

Written for his daughter, “Little Angel ” is the final passionate track of FM Attack’s set – and the final track of the Human Music 2 synth festival.

It’s an odd feeling – being nostalgic for a moment happening in the present. The melancholic realization that something beautiful is about to end.

Three days earlier I awoke with a start.

Late. Shit!

A quick, cold shower – the flurry of clothes flying into unpacked bags – a gag of artificial stimulation and a final pat of the pockets – and I’m ready for my nine hour drive. I have to make up for lost time or I’m likely to catch rush hour near Philly, a special kind of hell. Peeling away I remember some things I’ve forgotten – but there’s no time to turn back now.

It’s not until I’m a hundred miles away that I begin to feel truly awake. Running on empty, I make a quick stop for gas and splash of water on my face. I’m jittery – perhaps a bit too much of the stimulants. I shrug my shoulders. Better to be too awake than tired.

Soon again I’m back on the road, screaming down I-70, with Gost’s “They” pumping through the speakers as loud as they’ll go without clipping. Just as I settle into my seat, I realize the car in front of me is nearly stopped. I slam on my breaks a second too late and have to squirm into the burm to make sure I don’t rear-end the poor fucker in front of me. Suddenly I’m thankful for my jitters.

Deer. At Noon. In the middle of an eight-lane highway.

Quickly the hooved rats pass and traffic starts up again. It’s rare to see them out this late in the day – and on a highway this size. A glance at my rear mirror reveals they’re heading back towards the road. As the minute mark nears on “They” and the high pitched horror synths begin to peal, I watch as a ruby red semi slams full speed into the creature – which in turn explodes into a literal mist of gore and viscera. As the darksynth swells I wonder if this is a bad omen – or a good one. Then I remember I don’t believe in omens.

The rest of the drive is relatively uneventful – though as I hit New Jersey I’m reminded that everyone here drives like they want to die. Soon I pull into my friends garage. I’m late, but I’ve made it.

DAY 1

Click Here for a full gallery of photos from Human Music 2!

The next day I arrive to the venue a bit late as well. QXT’s sits on edge of the industrial Ironbound neighborhood and on the corner of the street – the perfect spot for a venue dedicated to “Alternative, EBM, New Wave, Industrial, Darkwave, Goth, and Punk.” The outside walls are made of ribbed concrete and painted a dutiful shade of black – save for a large set of double doors which are braced open and manned by a well-built bouncer. I give him a nod as I make my way inside, were brick and mortar walls exude a gothy industrial vibe which plays well off of cyberpunk transhumanist art which has been prepared for Human Music 2. The venue staff are extremely caring – and the only thing more marvelous than them seems to be their liquor prices.

Photo By Matthew Sperzel, Artwork By Jen Biro

The artist meet and greet is winding down as I don my various wristbands and grab a drink. I decide to make the most of the leftover time and dive in. It’s always fantastic to put a face to a name. In a scene where much of the correspondence happens online, I had already spoken with probably half of the artists in attendance – but never met in person. Being able to communicate face to face instantly changes my perspective as for the first time I feel a real sense of community.

For now though there’s only time for brief introductions before the lights dim and and portent plumes from the fog machines signal the show is about to begin.

When the lights come back up, a wash of soft technicolor illuminates the stage and the stunning artist GlitBiter from Los Angeles along with it. Her beautiful blend of dreamwave and synth begins, the intro followed with lush soaring vocals – the perfect start to the festival. I have little time to dawdle and soon I’m snapping photos with an older DSLR which I borrowed surreptitiously from my dayjob.

“It was so much fun and such an honor to play with so many incredible Synthwave artists. Human Music brought together so many people (both fans and artists) from around the world, and I’m so grateful I was able to be apart of it.”– GlitBiter

Photo by Andrew Zistler

Her set ends with a great applause, and it’s only a few minutes before the next artist – just enough time to step outside for a cancer stick. The first thing I’ve noticed is that the sound in Q’s is absolutely pristine – somehow even sounding better than if I were listening through a pair of headphones. Before long I hear the next act announced and scurry back inside.

Next on stage is Korine – a duo from Philly that specializes in a solid mix of energetic synthpop and gloomy new wave. I haven’t heard them before and I’m instantly a fan. This set is filled with a palpable emotion that fills the venue and really gets the audience moving.

“Human Music was an amazing experience. So much unique talent in one room. It was great to meet fans and artists alike in a truly humbling and exciting atmosphere.”- Korine

Photo by Andrew Zistler

Next up is New Jersey based The Encounter – the first act that is more traditional synthwave. He has a wealth of material to choose from with various influences, and he chooses his tracks well. Each piece flows into the next perfectly, bringing an unbridled energy to the dancefloor. He announces halfway through that his set that his mother is actually in the audience – to great applause and whoops from the crowd. In a genre that capitalizes on nostalgia, I can think of no greater challenge than playing for family. He absolutely kills it.

Photo by Andrew Zistler

Aeon Rings takes the stage. Hailing from Brooklyn, this is the first taste we get of the darker side of synth. This sound is a deft blend of synthpop, new wave and darkwave that really gets the crowd amped. They’re dressed to kill and bleed cool. The animated duo are no strangers to performance and consistently strike fluid, engaging poses, stoking the spectators to a fever pitch.

“Human music is a great festival that Damian Hrunka has worked very hard to organize and give synth wave fans and dark electronic music fans alike the opportunity to see some of the best bands in the scene all come together for a 2 day fun in the sun Memorial Day weekend. The comradery amongst the fans and bands is incredible and I haven’t seen that much support in a long time. It gives a chance for lesser known acts to get the boost they need to expose themselves to a proper audience that is open to their art. Would love to see it keep going and growing for sure. They work hard on it and the curation is top notch.” – Aeon Rings

Photo by Andrew Zistler

Next on stage is the bombastic Belgium based Neoslave. His set is unbridled energy and the first to really delve into pure darksynth territory – though there are elements of outrun and disco interlaced. Veins bulge in his face, threatening to burst as the synth grows deeper and more intense. His arms swing back and his form exudes pure energy. His sound is fantastic, and the crowd is electrified as his set draws to its conclusion. The audience releases an amped applause.

“Human Music 2 was a BLAST to the past, retro-futuristic goodness wrapped up in the perfect setting that is QXT’s. I was thrilled to be a part of this sick fest that embraces both darksynth and synthwave and hope to be back soon! Shout out to all involved.” -Neoslave

Photo by Andrew Zistler

The marvelous Cali based Protector 101 is on next – and he dons the stage wearing his eponymous mask based on the horror film “Chopping Mall.” Twin red beams stream from his mask, targeting the audience for dance this time instead of destruction – and he succeeds greatly in this prime directive. At times the venue is so filled with fog you could only see his mask and the beams emanating from it – a radical sight to behold.

Photo by Andrew Zistler

Cooling things down a bit with a return to OG retrowave is Pittsburgh based Betamaxx – and boy is he fucking thrashed. Full disclosure – it’s probably my fault – I’d bought him more than a few drinks. Any worry is quickly dispelled though as he rocks out an astounding set that connects deeply and emotionally with the crowd. For many of us Betamaxx is some of the first synth we heard, and his fingers seem fueled by our nostalgia, racing across the keyboard and never missing a note. His newer sounds are just as good as his classics – and the end of his set is marked by emphatic shouts of joy from the audience.

“My experience at human music was a blast, as it was my first year playing. I got to meet some really amazing artists for the first time, and catch up with some old friends from last year. My highlight was getting to meet and hangout with Shawn, from FM Attack. He’s always been one of my ultimate favorites in the scene, and he was a super awesome guy as well. I really enjoyed all the performances, and the fans were all really into it. Needless to say, I will be back again for Human Music 3.” – Betamaxx

Photo by Andrew Zistler

The final act of the first night is Timecop1983 – who hails from the Netherlands. Filled with romance and a truly cinematic feel, the audience reaches a fervor-peak during his set. The vibe is overwhelming, and for a time I forget I’m supposed to be taking photos. Swinging from sentimental to groovy and everything in between, he rocks the house. The applause echoes in our ears as the first night of Human Music 2 winds down.

Photo by Andrew Zistler

But the fun isn’t finished yet – it continues late into the morning with NIGHT.WAV afterparty – a monthly synthwave dance party usually held at Saint Vitus Bar – but exported to QXT’s especially for the Human Music 2 festival. These folks absolutely kill it, showing off some expert mixing and production skills. As I slink deeper into my drinks, I find myself wishing there was a monthly like this in Ohio.

DAY 2

I wake up the next day facedown on a cold wood floor, back stiff but surprisingly not hungover in the least. I’d made it back to my friends apartment. Picking myself up, I start to go through the photos I’d gotten the night before. The day is a warm fumble of Indian food and street vendors in China Town and it eventually ends in a quick nap before I’m back at QXT’s.

Photo By Matthew Sperzel

Everyone seems a bit worse for wear after the late night that ended just over 12 hours ago. The conversations are a bit sluggish but you can tell there isn’t a soul there who would rather be sleeping. The best cure for a hangover is more booze – and the bar is serving up hair of the dog like cucumber sandwiches in a fat camp.

As everyone settles in, Shredder 1984 takes the stage – guitar strapped to his back. If anyone was drowsy before they certainly aren’t after his music starts. A mash of cyberpunk, darksynth and metal, this Frenchman rocks the stage with some fantastic guitar work – truly expert riffs. Halfway through his set he pulls back his hood revealing a large mane of righteous black hair  which he windmills in proper metal fashion. Brutal is an understatement.

Photo By Matthew Sperzel

After the last guitar chords fade, Tokyo Rose rises to the stage. Wearing a mask with his eyes marked as two big X’s, he performs his first ever live set and absolutely destroys it. His themes range from darksynth to outrun and dreamwave and nearly everything inbetween, but somehow he retains his own fantastic sound. The melodies he deploys swirl into one another with seemingly effortless ease – infusing the audience with adrenaline. He dismounts the stage to a cheering crowd.

“Human Music 2 was definitely a fun experience. It was an honor to have performed my first live show at HM2. The love and support from my fans and artist was out of this world and I would love to do it all over again!” – Tokyo Rose

Photo by Andrew Zistler

Soon after Virginia based The Rain Within takes the stage. Their sound is a heavy synth pop deliciously drenched in new wave vocals – really groovy stuff. Partway through their set their mohawked frontman activates a laser gauntlet which streaks neon through the dancing onlookers. If looks could kill we’d all be dead.

Photo by Andrew Zistler

Teeel is next to bat at the synth extravaganza – and their setup is truly an amazing thing to behold. Numerous synths old and new line the duo in a semi-circle, backlit by their own light setup. Donning the stage in sunglasses and cool, their guitarist rips licks for the crowd like he’s breathing – his bandmate beside him belts out some fantastic retro vocals as he rips up the keyboards like only a professional could.

“I’ve waited in anticipation all year since the first Human Music Fest to rock out again. Where else can you hear so many amazing Synthwave artists under one roof? I had an absolute blast playing and watching all of the other artists and hope they continue this fest into the future. QXT nightclub sounded fantastic and the staff rocked. The highlight to the weekend for me was seeing FM Attack. We’ve been digital friends for years but it was amazing hanging in person and his set was phenomenal. I can’t wait for next year.” – Teeel

Photo by Andrew Zistler

Arcade High, another duo this time from Pittsburgh, takes the stage side by side with an array of radical controllers. The light show for this one is truly spectacular, blowing beams of colored cool through their concentrating faces. The lights are nothing though – compared to the their signature arcade chiptune dreamwave sound and the clear fervor the artist have for their music. This set is fills the room with passion and draws a clamor of ecstatic shouts from the crowd.

“We absolutely adore Human Music. Its currently the largest US synthwave show, two years running, but yet it’s a very humble affair. Artists are expected to rub shoulders with guests and get up close and personal throughout the whole event. You can’t go five feet without meeting somebody who’s supportive of you, or that you’ve known online for years and never met in person, whether it’s a fan or an artist.” – Arcade High

Photo by Andrew Zistler

Before Human Music 2, I hadn’t listened to much Mr. Kitty. I found myself photographic a particularly interesting looking person dressed in all white – with no idea he was about to play a set. His white attire seemingly absorbing the lightshow, Texas based Mr. Kitty is hardly still during the set – his particular blend of blend of electronic synthpop exhilarating the audience and even himself beyond belief. As he leaves the stage sweat drips from his brow – but not a bit shows through his inhuman jumpsuit. The energy in the room is almost crackling.

Photo by Matthew Sperzel

The second to last set is Makeup and Vanity Set – hailing from Tennessee. This synth titan has been quiet and reserved for the past day or so – until he dons his signature balaclava mask. Anyone familiar with MAVS will know that his sound quite eclectic – so much so it’s hard to pin down a description. The set he plays is intricately complex and engaging – all while juxtaposed against Weebls Stuff’s Badger Badger Badger animation. It’s a special kind of nostalgia only accessible to those exposed early internet. These visuals are mixed with a nearly unmatched virtuosity and make for a set I will forget anytime soon.

Photo by Andrew Zistler

The final set of Human Music 2 is performed by FM Attack. As he takes the stage everyone gathers closer. He’s wearing a simple white button down a black tie, standing in the center of the stage. Neon lights dance over his form – but he doesn’t move, completely absorbed in mixing together and playing his tracks. The set is powerful – for a moment everyone in the room feels connected, not by some superficial high but by a sense of shared memories and emotions only the expert tones FM Attack could produce. The final beautiful track he plays, “Little Angel,” was written for his daughter. The speakers bleed their last warm nostalgic tones as the festival draws to a lachrymose close.

Photo by Andrew Zistler

“Human Music 2 was a truly special event for those in the scene. Personally, it was great to see old friends, meet new ones, and meet those in person — finally — whom I’ve been chatting with on Skype or facebook messenger or text since 2014. In that way it was a bit like a family reunion. That alone made it memorable for a lifetime.

But if we’re getting down to the music — which is the most important part, right? — the music was just top-notch quality. Each of the artists put on amazing performances that would defy the stereotype that synthwave live is just a boring person behind a laptop. When you attend Human, it’s pretty clear it goes way beyond a laptop and some Ableton sessions. These were engaging and captivating performances that variously involved dancing, synths, v-drums, guitars, and yes, computers; often paired with laser-wear and theatrics. It was a blast.” -VEHLINGGO

Photo Credits
Matthew Sperzel
Andrew Zistler

Click Here for a full gallery of photos from Human Music 2!

Co-sponsored by Plague Productions and NewRetroWave

Listen to more of “The Midnight” here.

TOUR DATES:
SEP 20
Constellation Room
Santa Ana, CA

SEP 21
The Fonda Theatre
Los Angeles, CA

SEP 23
Hard Rock Hotel Rooftop
San Diego, CA

SEP 27
Fortune Sound Club
Vancouver, Canada

SEP 28
Neumos
Seattle, WA

SEP 30
Holocene
Portland, OR

OCT 05
Velvet Underground
Toronto, Canada

OCT 07
Brighton Music Hall
Allston, MA

OCT 10
Brooklyn Steel
Brooklyn, NY

OCT 12
U Street Music Hall
Washington, DC

OCT 13
The Foundry @ The Fillmore
Philadelphia, PA

OCT 20
The Independent
San Francisco, CA

Pre-sales begin April 4 at 12pm EST at https://www.themidnightofficial.com/shows/
Presale pswd: ‘kids’
“The Midnight” will also be doing a Reddit AMA in the outrun subreddit tomorrow beginning at 2pm EST.

Mark your calendars folks. Betamaxx and Arcade High will be coming to San Francisco to take over Turbo Drive!! Get your tickets below!

https://www.dnalounge.com/calendar/2017/12-10.html

Tickets here: http://bit.ly/MidnightFM84