Gothic Rock

Gothic Rock: 59 upcoming festivals, including 23 with tickets on sale.

Gothic rock typically features a dark, atmospheric sound driven by prominent basslines, often echoing post-punk's rhythmic energy but with more expansive, often melancholic guitar textures and dramatic vocals. Emerging in late 1970s England from the ashes of punk, it was heavily influenced by the darker tones of bands like The Velvet Underground and The Doors, evolving from post-punk's experimental edge. Key early proponents include Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, and The Cure, with Bauhaus, The Sisters of Mercy, and Fields of the Nephilim solidifying its distinct identity. This genre profoundly influenced alternative subcultures, fostering a unique aesthetic and musical sensibility.

Parent genreIndustrial & Gothic