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Exploring the Pulse of Goth, EBM, Postpunk, and Electronic Music: Wave Gotik Treffen 2025 A Full review
Photography is my language, not words. I tell stories by freezing moments in time, not by stringing sentences together. Yet, my recent five-day adventure was so powerful, so alive with energy, that I can’t help but break my usual silence and share the experience.Here is my Wave Gotik Treffen 2025 A Full review
Our small crew—three photographers, each representing a different online magazine—set off at dawn. By mid-afternoon, we rolled into Leipzig, a city humming with excitement. After settling into our hotel, we grabbed our festival credentials and made a beeline for the opening event: the EBM warm-up party at the legendary Felsenkeller.
Inside, the air crackled with anticipation and a sense of community. As night took hold, the venue pulsed with both fresh and familiar sounds. Emerging acts like Buzz Kull, Nordarr, Kreign, and Oszylayter took turns with established names such as Absolute Body Control and Kontravoid.
Buzz Kull, a one-man force, and Absolute Body Control especially captivated me. Their driving rhythms andreating sounds and voices electrified the crowd, imprinting themselves on my mind and memory.
The festival had barely started, but it was already clear: this would be a thrilling odyssey through the worlds of goth, EBM, postpunk, and electronic music. The journey ahead promised indelible experiences, not just through the images I’d capture, but through the sounds and moments that would define these unforgettable days
DAY 1 :5 june 2025 WGT EBM Warm up
Oszylayter
Nordarr
Buzz Kull
Kreign
Kontravoid
Absolute Body Control
Wave Gotik Treffen 2025 kicked off in style on Friday, June 6th, with a night dedicated to the freshest darkwave and electronic sounds. Leipzig once again transformed into the heart of alternative music as fans from around the world gathered for the festival’s iconic opening night.
The lineup was a feast for the senses, featuring Skelesys (Germany), VVV [TrippinYou] (Spain), Selofan (Greece), Rue Oberkampf (Germany), and Labyrinth Ear (UK). Each act brought a unique flavor to the stage, but it was Rue Oberkampf who truly stole the show. Their magnetic stage presence and hypnotic melodies resonated deeply with the crowd, making them the most talked-about act of the evening. Fans couldn’t get enough of their energetic performance and signature darkwave sound.
As the night progressed, the atmosphere was electric, with festival-goers dancing and connecting over shared passions for underground music. The evening reached its peak with a closing set from the acclaimed electronic group Kite. Their pulsating beats and immersive lightshow provided the perfect conclusion to an unforgettable opening night.
Wave Gotik Treffen 2025’s first day set the tone for a weekend of unforgettable music, community, and darkwave magic.
DAY 2 friday 6 June 2025
Skelesys
VVV Trippin You
Selofan
Rue Oberkampf
Labyrinth Ear
Kite
Anticipation filled the air as I began the second day journey into the heart of gothic, post-punk, and deathrock. Legends like Eva O(see Christian Death), Lucas Lanthier, and Fangs on Fur stirred my excitement, while newer acts such as Christ vs Warhol and Shrouds promised fresh energy.
Taubchental’s halls became my refuge, echoing with haunting melodies and driving beats. The performances showcased the genre’s enduring vitality—veterans and newcomers alike enthralled audiences with passion and presence.
The night closed with Combichrist delivering an electrifying EBM and industrial set in Agra Halle, proving the scene’s relentless power and appeal
DAY 3 saturday 7 june 2025
Christ vs Warhol
Shrouds
Lucas Lanthier “Cinema strange”
Eva O
Fangs on Fur
Combichrist
Wave Gotik Treffen: A Grateful Goodbye to Five Days of Musical Magic
The fourth and fifth days of Wave Gotik Treffen were a true celebration of the festival’s eclectic spirit, effortlessly weaving together electronic, darkwave, post-punk, and punk sounds. Each performance was a new discovery, and every venue buzzed with excitement and camaraderie.
On Day 4, we explored the enchanting new event space at Parkschloß, moving between the Baroque Hall and Ballroom. Highlights included the energetic Lone Assembly, the soulful Phil Shoenfelt & Southern Cross, the captivating French act Soror Dolorosa, and the atmospheric darkwave of Saigon Blue Rain. The night at Parkschloß concluded with the established favorites Escape with Romeo. Later, we soaked up the unique atmosphere of Agra before Public Image Ltd took the stage at 1 a.m., delivering a legendary close to the evening.
DAY 4 sunday 8 june 2025
Lone Assembly
Phil Shoenfelt & Southern Cross
Soror Dolorosa
Saigon Blue Rain
Escape with Romeo
PIL
Day 5 began with a powerful lineup at Felsenkeller, featuring the dark electronic act Protokoll, Torul, and Vomito Negro—a personal favorite from my Belgian youth. The festival’s final hours at Haus Leipzig saw the explosive energy of The Exploding Boy and the punk pioneers The Membranes, leaving everyone exhilarated.
As closing act we had the known New Model Army in the Agra who put the room in flames and nostalgic
Day 5 monday 9 june 2025
Protokoll19
Torul
Vomito Negro
The Exploding Boy
(no frontstage too late arrival in Haus Leipzig)
The Membranes
New Model Army
As Tuesday morning arrived, we packed our bags and headed home, our hearts full and our bodies weary from five unforgettable days. The festival had offered a perfect mix of legendary acts and exciting newcomers, all set against the backdrop of passionate fans and a truly inclusive community.
