The third day of the WGT was also the trickiest in terms of compromises. There were a ton of great bands to see, and we had to make choices. There was Klangstabil in Täubchenthal, Sturm Café at Haus Leipzig, Janus in the magnificent Peterskirche, and Kalandra at Heidnisches Dorf. We considered curling up in a corner all day so we wouldn't have to choose. Let's discover what we finally decided.
Bleib Modern
We headed to the Volkspalast to see Bleib Modern, the post-punk sensation of the last ten years in Germany. And as soon as we arrived, we regretted it. Apparently we weren't the only ones with the same idea. Fans lined up for over a hundred meters in the rain for a chance to get in... or not. Rather not, in this case, as the same circus was happening inside. Those lucky enough to get into the main arena were turned away at the entrance of the Kantine, the smallest venue of the Volkspalast, where the Berliners were playing.
With no offense, Bleib Modern can definitely be considered as a girlie band. Five good looking young men, with dark eyes and tortured minds... The average age of the audience dropped drastically during this concert, and the profile of the spectators is much more eclectic than elsewhere at the WGT. Some paid their festival ticket just to see them. And nobody seems to be inclined to move an inch in this packed Kantine. Suffice to say, this wasn't the right opportunity for us to discover the band live. Please forgive us for we couldn't stay long in this sardine can. We'll try again next time under better conditions.
Drab Majesty
Back to the Agra where one can at least breathe and stand without feeling completely oppressed. But what did they have in mind to schedule Drab Majesty, an American coldwave duo, renowned but still far from a headliner at the largest WGT venue, on this huge stage of the Agra? The room is still half empty and the audience is rather composed of curious people. It's hard to see how the band, which plays with a dark imagery and a slow tempo and hardly moves on stage, can convince the audience now well drained from the previous two days. From a quick look, we're rather not convinced about the idea. But the truth is: finally!! Finally, a real depressive goth band plays on the main stage of a depressive goth festival. The day's lineup does not make much sense: symphonic metal with Xandria just before, and legendary bands like Silke Bischoff and Public Image Limited after. Usually, the Agra brings together all audiences with dance genres, aggrotech, metal, or more pop sounds like Kite. Drab Majesty is a UFO in this landscape. But that's my WGT. It's 6 p.m., 30 degrees, it's June, in a huge hangar, do you want to party? Well, too bad you have come to a goth festival, guys. Forget the ounce of positivity that was still shining faintly in you. Come and get depressed by treading water at Drab Majesty. The vibes of Nitzer Ebb on the mainstage of the Hellfest are back.
As a bonus, the lightshow is unbelievably great. Seeing the duo in these conditions is a real blessing. The keyboardist, who plays the character of Mona D., manages to add a bit of movement to counterbalance Deb Demure's permanent impassibility. It's almost exhilarating. The setlist is a pure distillation of the band's discography, as they play one song after another without addressing the audience. Everything we love. It's a shame this set is only a short break within the usual turmoil at the Agra. If we could order a whole day of this kind of concerts, normally relegated to Moritzbastei or the Stadtbad, we would do it without hesitation.
Light Asylum
So here it is. The dilemma of the day. There was the possibility of going to Täubchenthal to applaud Klangstabil, whom we adore and whose live sets are to die for. But we can't hide the fact that we're huge fans of Linea Aspera, like really huge fans. And that we've managed to miss them every time since their reformation. Plus, just before, at the Stadtbad, there's Light Asylum. So we made a choice we wish we'd never have to make. But we don't regret it. Light Asylum may be a solo project, with no instruments on stage, and which hasn't released anything in over a decade, it still would have better fit for the Agra than Drab Majesty. Because even if you think you don't know Light Asylum, Light Asylum knows you. Shannon Funchess has rocked your goth parties all over the world, thanks to her hit Dark Allies. Its danceable rhythms and gloomy atmosphere converge towards post-apocalyptic music, at the forefront of synthwave.
Light Asylum's show is very controversial. Many don't understand the point of going to see a woman alone on stage turning a knob. Well then we won't insult you by revealing which of your favorite bands don't even turn on their synths or sing in full lip-sync. Light Asylum doesn't pretend to play live, but they don't feign their enthusiasm on stage. And her voice... go find such a deep and powerful voice in the entire goth scene. Shannon doesn't need anyone to personify, interpret, or represent her music. She offers an original, minimalist, sincere, and incomparably powerful show. Her setlist is full of gems like Skull Fuct. The Stadtbad is packed, and the audience follows Shannon into her endless trance. This is the epitome of a true concert. At the microphone, she thanks people for standing together in this dance, defends the rights of minorities with pride, and celebrates this very special communion. The set ends in a liberating orgasm with Dark Allies, of course. And thunderous applause.
Linea Aspera
It's time. Time for the verdict on this very first time of one of my favorite bands. We've seen Alison quite a few times with Zanias, with Keluar, almost always covering some Linea Aspera songs. But we've never seen the original duo. And we've been warned: Alison may have the charisma of a Kalku witch in the middle of a rite, she still can't save the immobility of her partner Ryan Ambridge, glued to his mixing desk like to the prow of a sinking ship.
To be honest, we can't really judge the performance during the first few songs. There are only backlights and a lot of smoke. A typical Stadtbad setting. We can't see anything, so let's listen. The machine takes a little while to start. After the Light Asylum orgy, the darkness of Linea Aspera requires effort. But as the set progresses, we finally get into their world. The lights also end up illuminating the stage, and Alison sweeps everything away in her path. Chatting between songs, she tells us that they also won't be able to play an encore because it's already late, but that they can play until midnight and will give us an extended set with a few surprises. And we particularly enjoy hearing Vultures.
True to her commitment, which would later lead her to cancel her appearance at the Amphi Festival, Alison discusses the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and calls on the public to give as much voice to bring peace as they do at her concerts. She emphasizes the importance of the alternative scene, which has saved her, which has saved us all once, and encourages us to give of ourselves today to save others.
