Synthwave

Synthwave: 31 upcoming festivals, including 9 with tickets on sale.

Synthwave, or retrowave, is a retro-futuristic genre characterized by its shimmering, often melancholic synth melodies, driving drum machine rhythms, and a generally instrumental, ambient soundscape, all crafted with iconic 1980s synthesizers like the Roland Juno-6 and Yamaha DX7. Emerging in the early 2010s, it's deeply rooted in a nostalgic appreciation for 1980s film soundtracks, video games, and electronic music, blending those classic sounds with modern production techniques. Key artists include Kavinsky, Perturbator, and Lorn. Its pervasive aesthetic has significantly influenced visual media, from film to video games.

Parent genreDowntempo / Ambient