Wave-Gotik-Treffen 2025 / 6-9th of June
This year’s Wave-Gotik-Treffen kicked off in the most magical way, drawing us once again into the unique atmosphere of gothic Leipzig. Friday, the festival’s official opening day, began with the much-anticipated Victorian Picnic at Clara-Zetkin-Park – a true highlight of every WGT. The park was brimming with elegantly dressed attendees, adorned in Victorian elegance, steampunk intricacies, and dark romantic flourishes.
But Wave-Gotik-Treffen isn’t just about music! It's a full cultural experience. During the festival, many of Leipzig’s museums open their doors with special exhibitions, discounts, and themed tours for WGT visitors.From the impressive Museum of Fine Arts to the rich collections at the Grassi Museum and the Medieval Museum in the Old Town Hall, there’s plenty to explore between concerts. These visits offer a calm, inspiring contrast to the intensity of the live shows—perfect for festivalgoers who want to immerse themselves deeper into art, history, and gothic culture.
The musical journey has just began. First stop: Taubchenthal, where The Sweet Kill delivered an emotionally charged performance, cloaked in post-punk melancholy and cinematic shadows. The venue was packed, with a crowd clearly ready to immerse themselves in the full celebration of alternative music.
Next, we headed to the historic Moritzbastei, where beloved Greek act Incirrina captivated the audience with their minimalist synth sounds and ethereal stage presence. Not long after, it was time for Selofan to take the stage at Felsenkeller – one of the most anticipated acts of the evening. The venue was surrounded by a large crowd outside, all hoping to make it in. It was a clear testament to Selofan’s global impact and the growing recognition of Greece’s darkwave scene.
As the night deepened, we made our way to the heart of the festival at Agra, where two legendary names lit up the stage: Alphaville, bringing their timeless synthpop grandeur, and KITE, who offered a stunning, emotionally intense performance full of sonic depth and emotion.
Meanwhile, across various venues throughout Leipzig, a multitude of other standout acts performed – including Then Comes Silence, The Nosferatu, Rur, Oberkampf, Nytt Land, and many more. The diversity of sounds was astonishing, with every genre of dark music finding its stage and its devoted following.
The first day of WGT ended as beautifully as it began – surrounded by old friends, new sounds, gothic silhouettes, and the undeniable feeling that something magical was once again unfolding in the heart of Leipzig with the after parties all over the town.
On Saturday we began our day at the majestic Volkspalast, to experience the ever-charismatic presence of Alexander Veljanov. His voice – deep, haunting, and timeless – transported us into worlds of melancholy and existential romance. A perfect start that reminded us why WGT isn’t just a festival, but a true immersive experience.
Next, we headed to the Felsenkeller, where two truly special performances awaited us: In Mitra Medusa Inri, with their distinctive darkwave mood, and Schneewittchen im November, who absolutely stole the show. Their performance was intense, theatrical, and deeply original – one of the unexpected highlights of the day.
A short break in the beautiful Felsenkeller garden, with a cold beer in hand, offered the perfect pause before continuing on to Taubchenthal. There, the legendary Eva O enchanted the audience with her mystique and raw presence, followed by Fangs on Fur, who brought fierce gothic punk energy that electrified the crowd.
The lineup was so rich that tough decisions had to be made. That same day, other favorites were also performing – including Whispers in the Shadow, Lovataraxx, Christ vs Warhol, Shrouds, and the unique performance of Lucas Lanthier’s Cinema Strange – a dark, theatrical experience that many didn’t want to miss.
The night came to a close with a mosaic of parties and afterparties across the city. In addition to the usual club nights, this year the Parkschloss also operated as an afterparty venue, offering a fresh, alternative option for the nocturnal wanderers of WGT.
Sunday at WGT was an explosion of sound and energy. Stages across Leipzig hosted some of the biggest names in the dark scene, as the flow of festivalgoers felt like a grand procession from venue to venue.Bands like Drab Majesty, Beborn Beton, Bleib Modern, Sturm Café, The Invincible Spirit, Calva y Nada, Plastique Noir, Silent Runners, and many more turned the city into an endless musical universe. Every corner offered a different atmosphere, each venue a unique sonic experience.
We started our day with Darkways, a performance full of depth and raw emotion, and continued with the ever-melancholic and atmospheric Soror Dolorosa, who once again proved why they remain one of Europe’s most beloved post-punk acts.
After that, we took a well-deserved break – and where better than the enchanting Medieval Village, where we strolled among stalls, performances, and flavors from another era. We enjoyed food and folk rhythms in this charming part of the WGT, which each year adds a fairytale touch to the festival’s darker tones.
Refreshed, we returned to the night’s sounds of Agra's stage with Silke Bischoff tribute. But the night didn’t end there – after midnight, we made our way to a special late-night show by the legendary Public Image Ltd. A rare opportunity to witness John Lydon’s iconic project live, in a performance that balanced between the historical and the intensely relevant.
The final day of the festival always brings a touch of melancholy—but at WGT, that melancholy becomes a driving force. One last chance to feel, to listen, to live.We began our Monday at the Felsenkeller, where a wild crowd had gathered for Torul. The energy was electric, and the band delivered an explosive performance full of rhythm, emotion, and that danceable darkness that moves both body and soul.
Later, we made our way to the legendary Agra Market—a tradition for every WGT visitor. As always, it was filled with wonders: unique clothes, jewelry, vinyls, handcrafted goods, masks, even curious antiques. A deep dive into the heart of alternative creativity and gothic aesthetics.
As the day unfolded, we moved toward the Agra Halle for two unforgettable shows: the emotionally charged synthpop of Camouflage, and the iconic, anthemic energy of New Model Army, who closed the night and for many, the entire festival...with a powerful, soul-stirring set. The crowd sang, shouted, embraced...everyone knowing this was the grand finale.
Alongside them, the day’s lineup also featured electrifying performances by Deus Ex Lumina, the legendary Vomito Negro, and many more hidden treasures across the city’s stages.
Fatigue meant nothing by then. In fact, it made the experience feel even more real. We stayed until the very end, hearts full of gratitude for being part—once again—of the one-of-a-kind ritual that is Wave-Gotik-Treffen.
See you in Leipzig!!
The 33rd Wave-Gotik-Treffen 2026 will be from
22nd May 2026 until 25th May 2026 in Leipzig/Germany
