Mark your calendars, music aficionados! This November, Restless Nites proudly presents the much-anticipated 2023 edition of the Substance Festival — a spellbinding showcase of tantalizing dark rock, high-octane industrial, pulsating electronica, and cutting-edge post-punk and darkwave. The Globe Theatre in Los Angeles shall serve as the hallowed ground for this annual celebration of unbridled creativity, taking place over two days on November 3rd and 4th.
Get ready to be swept away by an awe-inspiring lineup! On Friday, November 3rd, you’ll be treated to the soul-stirring sounds of Gilla Band, the avant-garde genius of Crack Cloud, the raw energy of PVA, and the unapologetic attitude of Special Interest, and the caustic synth-punk of the Serfs. On Saturday, November 4th, the fervour continues with the magnetic TR/ST, Tempers, the electrifying Buzz Kull, Actors, and more. But the festivities don’t end there! Attendees will be treated to a smorgasbord of emerging and established acts from around the globe, including Lust for Youth, SDH, and a bevy of many other talented artists!
Here’s a glimpse at some of the acts to catch at Substance:
The Serfs
The southwestern Ohio band are known for their sporadic, yet concise, music—that is sometimes tough synthpunk, sometimes lo-fi techno, and at other times stripped down post-punk.
Tempers
The New York duo of Jasmine Golestaneh and Eddie Cooper specialize in a sleek strain of low-lit poetic synth-pop with dark synths, atmospheric guitars, propulsive beats, gloomy vocals, and hypnotic song hooks. In 2019 they performed at Grauzone Festival with their concept album about architect Rem Koolhaas’ essay about shopping malls and architecture. Now they’re back with their third album New Meaning.
Harsh Symmetry
Sacramento, California’s Harsh Symmetry, the dreamy darkwave endeavour of musician Julian Sharwarko, courts nostalgia and revivalism with his intriguing flavour of old-school electronic music gloom. Bringing to mind Dave Gahan, Cinder (This Mortal Coil, Cocteau Twins, Cindytalk), Julian Cope, and Human League’s Phil Oakey, Sharwarko’s mournful vocals take center stage.
TR/ST
TR/ST is the Canadian electronic music project of Robert Alfons, combining sparkling synth pop and grimy industrial beats into expansive songs filled with longing, lust, and despair.
Buzz Kull
Buzz Kull’s brooding darkness and experimental nature take centre stage. They have a sharp ear for pop composition, amongst the smog of murky new wave. Despite the frenzy of beats and buzzing frequency, the mastermind behind the project, Sydney-based musician Marc Dwyer, administers a very human delivery.
Lust for Youth
Danish synthpop act Lust For Youth’s signature elements are catchy dance grooves, melancholic crooning, and an icy depth at once effortlessly cool and hopelessly romantic.
Void Vision
Void Vision – a true gem in the world of modern electronic music. The mastermind behind this project, Philadelphia-based producer, Shari Vari, has become a trailblazer in the modern minimal synth movement, winning over audiences with their stunning live performances and crafting music that is both immediately gripping and hauntingly beautiful. With a sound that is equal parts alluring and delectable, Void Vision has been cemented as one of the genre’s most exciting and innovative acts.
SDH
Andrea P. Latorre and Sergi Algiz, the minds behind Spanish duo SDH, combine a range of electronic and avant-garde sounds, such as big beat, Eurodance, synth-pop, hard trance, and EBM, in a deeply personal and emotionally charged way.
Beyond the live performances, the Substance Festival offers a plethora of sonic delights, including DJ sets by a who’s-who of renowned artists, such as Silent Servant, Smilegoth, Eli Glad, Basement 258, Remy Marc, VRK, Malvada, Robert Lane, Gina Kuhn, Baby Magick, Rev.John, and Brian T.
You’ll also get to catch emerging talents such as Agender, Pod Blotz, Mirror of Venus, Touching Ice, Harsh Symmetry, Void Vision, SDH, Houses of Heaven, INHALT, Madeline Goldstein, and The Mall.
Due to limited capacity, festival organizers recommend securing single-day tickets as soon as possible. More information and tickets for other Substance dates can be found here.
Don’t miss this historic event, whether you’re a local Angeleno or planning to travel to the City of Angels for an unforgettable musical experience.
Get your tickets now:
Here is the full lineup:
Friday, November 3rd / 6PM – 3AM:
- Gilla Band
- Crack Cloud
- PVA
- Special Interest
- zzzahara
- The Serfs
- Pelada
- Brutus VIII
- Agender
- Pod Blotz
- Mirror of Venus
- Touching Ice
DJ sets by:
- Silent Servant
- Smilegoth
- Eli Glad
- Basement 258
- Remy Marc
- VRK
Saturday, Nov. 4th / 6PM – 3AM:
- TR/ST
- Tempers
- Buzz Kull
- ACTORS
- Lust for Youth
- Harsh Symmetry
- Void Vision
- SDH
- Houses of Heaven
- INHALT
- Madeline Goldstein
- The Mall
DJ sets by:
- Malvada
- Robert Lane
- Gina Kuhn
- Baby Magick
- Rev.John
- Brian T.
Or via: