Pop Break Live: Cloak and Dagger Festival 2018 featuring: DAF (Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft), She Wants Revenge, The Faint, HEALTH, Boy Harsher, Tamaryn, BOAN, Christian Death, and Black Mare at Los Angeles Theatre
It’s been a dark few weeks in Los Angeles with natural disasters and unexpected violence on the streets, but luckily, the Cloak and Dagger Festival brought forth the type of darkness we all needed to get out of it. Down at the historic Los Angeles Theatre in DTLA under a smokey red sky, Cloak and Dagger boasted a whole day and evening of moody techno pop and goth rock from over a dozen entertaining acts.
With two stages, nonstop DJ sets, and even a couple of food trucks, the afternoon turned to evening real quick as fans filed in amidst the fog. Early performers Tamaryn, Death Bells, and Body of Light set the night’s tone with moody techno rock reminiscent of 80’s legends like Depeche Mode, the Cure, and even occasionally, Nine Inch Nails. Death Bells, despite hailing from Sydney, had such strong echoes of the Smiths that it felt like Morrissey and Johnny Marr might be in the building behind all the smoke and laser lights.
Local goth legends Christian Death turned up the theatricality of their performance from the main stage with moody lighting, decorative flowers, and ornate clothing. With Bowie-esque vocals, goth synth, metal drums, and the occasional violin, Christian Death truly became a living aesthetic for the crowd, ninety-five percent of which were decked out in black, leather, fishnets, or other appropriate attire.
Drab Majesty and Black Mare, though had a bit overlap on different stages, each took advantage of their own theatrics alongside their music. While Drab featured the androgynous alter ego of LA-based dark wave star Andrew Clinco (aptly named Deb DeMure) on guitar and synth, Mare is the solo project of Sera Timms. Although Black Mare was marred by technical issues, they eventually left quite the impression when Timms walked out on stage, dripping in fake jewels and wrapped in a velvety fringe shawl.
HEALTH, a Crystal Castles-esque trio also from LA, had one of the best sets of the day. With only a guitar, bass, drums, and a dozen effect pedals, HEALTH played the type of noise rock you’d want to jam to in preparation for the apocalypse. Every song was heart-pounding, thrilling, emotional – and their performance matched that perfectly.
While grief-wave singer SRSQ crooned surrounded by synths downstairs, Canadian dark electropop band TR/ST were delighting a huge crowd upstairs. Led by Robert Alfons, the upbeat and catchy group played more sugary tunes than most of the other bands that evening – but that definitely wasn’t a bad thing. Their high energy and neon-colored stage performance enlivened the crowd before the headliners finally took the stage.
By the time indie rock veterans The Faint made an appearance, it was nearing midnight. Luckily, no one was ready for bed as the Omaha-based quartet immediately tore through a barrage of hits, singalongs, and heavy tracks you can’t help but want to play on repeat. She Wants Revenge – also known as Justin Warfield and DJ Adam 12 – the true masterminds behind the Cloak and Dagger Festival, brought the evening to a spectacular close with smash hits like “Tear You Apart” and “Out of Control.”
Despite the late night, Cloak and Dagger provided a much needed outlet and fantasy escape for goth, rock, and techno fans alike. We can only anticipate what next year’s fest may bring, but I know I’m looking forward to it.
