If New Wave vs. Darkwave were a real battle, IDK who would have won. Last night, in the Loft at Catch One, where I DJed all night for Klub Nocturno’s fundraiser for those impacted by the recent wildfires, new wave was visibly the clear winner. Nothing packed the floor like the ‘80s jams last night. However, the requests were overwhelmingly for the darkwave bangers and the groups nearest to the DJ booth, some of whom were dancing virtually the entire night, definitely were into Boy Harsher, French Police, Molchat Doma, etc. , so darkwave was also a winner.
Anyhow, here’s the set list from the New Wave vs. Darkwave room at Klub Nocturno on January 17, 2025. The only new song— as in the first time I’ve played it out— in the set is “God Whispers” by Soft Vein, whose latest album, Through Blinds, came out on Friday. Check it out if you’re into dark, EBM-influenced synthpop, which you probably are if you’re reading this post.
Boy Harsher – Country Girl
Soft Vein – God Whispers
Ultra Sunn – Broken Monsters
French Police, Blood Club – Hate Me
New Order – Sub-Culture
Depeche Mode – Sea of Sin
Book of Love – Boy
Male Tears – Model Citizen
Linea Aspera – Attica
Glass Spells – Hechizos
Psychedelic Furs – Love My Way
The Cure – Let’s Go to Bed
Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia
Boy Harsher – Come Closer
Sextile. – Contortion
Crystal Castles – Suffocation
Pastel Ghost – Dark Beach
Real Life – Send Me an Angel
New Order – The Perfect Kiss
Duran Duran.- Planet Earth
Lebanon Hanover – Gallowdance
Twin Tribes- Monolith
The Cure – In Between Days
B-Movie – Nowhere Girl
Soft Cell – Sex Dwarf
Bloc Party – Banquet
She Wants Revenge – Tear You Apart
Blood Club – No Quiero Bailar
French Police – HER
Molchat Doma – Sudno (Boris Ryzhy)
Joy Division – Disorder
The Smiths – Bigmouth Strikes Again
Depeche Mode – Personal Jesus
Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams
Boy Harsher – Machina
Crystal Castles, Health – Crimewave
Nitzer Ebb – Join in the Chant
Ultra Sunn- Keep Your Eyes Peeled
New Order – Blue Monday
Trans X – Living on Video
The Flirts- Danger
Tapps – My Forbidden Lover
Stacey Q – Two of Hearts
Bronski Beat – Smalltown Boy
Pet Shop Boys- It’s a Sin
Boy Harsher – Pain (request)
Sextile – Disco
Mareux – Lovers from the Past
Q Lazzarus – Goodbye Horses
The Cure – Lovesong
Soft Cell – Tainted Love
Joy Division – Love Will Tear Us Apart
Depresion Post Mortem – Yo Voy
Berlin – The Metro
A-Ha – Take on Me
Peter Schilling – Major Tom (Coming Home)
The Smiths – Ask
The Cure – Boys Don’t Cry
French Police – Club de Vampiros (request 2 x)
Panther Modern – Creep
Dead or Alive – You Spin Me Round
My Mine – Hypnotic Tango
Pet Shop Boys – West End Girls
Yaz – Situation
New Order – Bizarre Love Triangle
Human League – Don’t You Want Me
Mr. Flagio – Take a Chance
Depeche Mode – Everything Counts
The Smiths – There Is a Light
The Cure – Just Like Heaven
Modern English – I Melt With You
Molchat Doma – Toska (request)
Twin Tribes – Sangre de Oro
OMD – Electricity
Blondie – Rapture
Tom Tom Club – Genius of Love
Men Without Hats – Safety Dance
Raf – Self-Control
Mareux – DTLA
TR/ST – Shoom
Liz O. is an L.A.-based writer and DJ. Read her recently published work and check out her upcoming gigs. Follow on Instagram for more updates.
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