Review: Substance Fest Hosts an Immersive Escape for Darkwave Fans And Beyond
In the age of social media and phones existing as our other half — there are very few music spaces that still exist where being in the moment with sound takes ultimate priority over getting the perfect video -- Substance Fest is one of those places.
The 4-day event returned to downtown Los Angeles, this time taking over the historic Globe Theatre. Rumored to be haunted, the long-standing venue hosted dozens of bands and DJs within the dark rock, electro-industrial, and darkwave space over the span of the first two weeks of November.
The festival was organized by the nightlife guide & ticketing platform, Restless Nites, who have a reputation for putting on specially curated music events across all genres. Substance Fest’s lineup was no exception with captivating groups like Osees, Chat Pile, and Twin Tribes occupying headlining slots.
Two stages, one underground and the other acting as the main stage, offered two different listening experiences. Sets at the basement stage felt incredibly immersive given the fact that there was practically no stage at all. Instead, acts like LA-based HALLOWS and the rock trio Flat Worms played at the audience’s level, delivering the feeling of a 1990s house party just before it gets shut down. But in this case, no amps are getting cut. Music remained alive and loud until almost 2 AM each night with soundwaves bouncing off the low ceilings and bored walls. While most of the crowd couldn’t necessarily see the artists, most fans didn’t seem to mind as they pulled energy from the crashing drums and sharp guitars.
Above ground, the main stage drew a larger crowd for bands like Panther Modern, and psychedelic-leaning Lightning Bolt, with accompanying on-screen visuals that mesmerized.
With most phones remaining tucked away (and not just to protect them from becoming mosh pit casualties), it was clear that escapism and personal release were at the forefront of the event’s dynamic experience. Whether that was expressed through passionately moshing to heavy tracks in the middle of the audience, headbanging on the sidelines, or even attempting to crowd surf, festival-goers had one thing in common: being fully present with the hypnotically freeing nature that darkwave music offers.
