On November 18, a diverse crowd, including punks, goths, Gen Xers, and their kids and grandkids, gathered for the highly anticipated Darker Waves Festival in Huntington Beach. Despite the looming threat of rain, the inaugural event turned out to be a delight, featuring cheery and sunny weather with an unmistakable OC vibe. The enchanting power of 80s hits from mainstream bands like Devo, Soft Cell, Human League, Echo & The Bunnymen, OMD, The B-52’s, The Psychedelic Furs, Violent Femmes, The English Beat, and headliners Tears For Fears and New Order brought the Gen X crowd together for a night of dancing under the moonlight and enthusiastic sing-alongs to the iconic tunes that defined the heydays of new wave.
With over 30 acts on the lineup and three stages—Darker, Waves, and Tiki—hosting performances in a single day, there were inevitable schedule overlaps. Notably, dilemmas arose with simultaneous sets from The Cardigans and Devo, as well as Echo and the Bunnymen and The Psychedelic Furs, forcing fans to make challenging decisions about which bands to prioritize. I actively participated in several of these collective sing-alongs, including renditions of “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell, “Love My Way” by The Psychedelic Furs, “Love Shack” by The B-52’s, and “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” by Tears for Fears. And yes, I remained exclusively at the Darker Stage since I hadn’t seen Tears for Fears before and didn’t want to forfeit my spot. And speaking of Tears for Fears, Roland Orzabal, co-lead vocalist, main songwriter and a co-founder of Tears for Fears made a hilarious statement about being at the first Darker Waves, “It’s at this point that I do a little bit of talking. Maybe make a wisecrack just to relax myself and the band, but at this point in time I gotta admit that I’m really stuck for words. It’s such an honor to playing at Darker Waves Festival. What an incredible … what a day! You guy must be exhausted (making a sarcastic funny remark by shaking his head side-to-side). I mean there are bands that have been playing today that Curt and I grew up with. Bands that influenced us. Bands that we are deeply jealous of, Echo and the Bunnymen. Well, Curt and I managed to get out and see few of the bands. Today obviously we have to wear a disguise. I was in one of those red Devo hats. Curt was in a pair of swimming trunks. No one bothered us, in fact, most people got out of the way. We’re gonna play some songs … we have a new album (crowd cheered). Before we hit you with the bangers and a possible Kanye West cover (crowd laughed), we’re gonna play some songs from the album. This is Long, Long, Long Time”.
Experiencing Tears for Fears, one of my favorite bands, was truly magical—a nostalgic journey back to my teen years. While festivals may not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially for the Gen X crowd, the event was worth the expense, enduring long wait times to secure a prime spot, and practicing patience. It’s akin to preparing for a boot camp – bringing your own food, ensuring you’re well-fed and energized, visiting the restroom before the headliners, and maintaining friendly relations with those around you, especially if you need to step away and return to the same spot. Carrying a sweater is a must, given the day-to-night duration of the event.
Darker Waves proved to be a remarkably enjoyable and well-organized festival. With medical aid stations scattered throughout and a substantial security presence, assistance was readily available. I witnessed instances where individuals needed help—perhaps feeling unwell or dizzy—but the response was swift and efficient.
As I left, it was evident that the majority of the audience was buzzing with excitement after witnessing their old favorites grace the stage once again. Darker Waves’ inaugural year appeared to be a resounding success. Strolling along the sidewalk, “Mad World” resonating in my mind, I reflected on a full day of experiencing some of the most influential music of my life. I was surrounded by a community of unknown kindred spirits who shared the same deep love for the music. Darker Waves felt like a portal to the past—a time-warped radio where diverse individuals came together peacefully to revel in their collective passion for music.
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