A long, overdue write up…
It was springtime. In Boston. And it was dark. Not darkness from the recent ending of daylight savings, but a sonic darkness emanating from the lower recesses of the Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub in Cambridge, Mass. A confluence of live bands and a more-than willing audience kicked off the first Dark Spring Boston, the first festival of its name to be held in Bean Town. Fourteen bands gathered over a two-day period to take one stage and share their sounds with an intimate crowd.
Founded by local concert promoter and musician Nichole Ferree (vocalist & guitarist of dreampop act The Spearmint Sea), Dark Spring Boston is a homage to the original Dark Spring Festival. Founded by the members of Berlin based Goth Rock group Golden Apes, the original Dark Spring Festival is a one day event featuring five to six up and coming bands all worthy of being headliners themselves. Impressed and inspired after attending the Berlin festival in 2019, Nichole wanted to bring this magical experience back to Boston. Golden Apes gave her their blessings and she began organizing the first Dark Spring Boston for an ill-fated and ultimately postponed date in April, 2020 as the world went into COVID lockdown.
Golden Apes at Dark Spring Boston 2022
A strange fortune was given to me in getting to attend this commemorative kick off. Living in Tampa and not knowing many in the Boston scene, it was a daunting challenge to make the May 7th-8th, 2022 dates. How would I get there? Who would I know at the festival? Would nightlife in Boston be as sophisticated and sleek as I envisioned it as a child? Ah! Yes, I had ties from childhood to the area and had fond visions of getting to hang out in Boston’s underground nightlife when I was older. Could this be part of that fulfillment?
Unbeknownst to me, I was about to find out. Tampa was getting hotter as spring pushed forward and luck would have it that DJ Azy was invited to spin at the inaugural event. This presented a perfect opportunity for a spooktacular road trip up the east coast for a reprieve that was cool figuratively and literally. Travel agreements were made between Azy, Krysta (my wife), and myself. The hotel room was booked, the car was fueled up, and tons of snacks and caffeine were purchased for the road. Once ready to depart, our little Chevy Trax was packed in tight with shoes, boots, heavy velvets, lace, chains, a plethora of makeup, and enough hairspray to cover the state of Florida. If we had been cramped in any further, someone would have ended on the roof ala Granny from The Beverly Hillbillies. While it left little room to move around comfortably, all we need for this long road trip was the good company, good tunes, and at least a few clean restrooms along the way.
Azy and Ian at The Witch House in Salem, MA
As we said peace out to Florida and the south, our 22-hour trek would be just what was needed. Azy, Krysta, and I talked about everything and anything, listening to all fashions of music and taking in some of the tackiest tourist sites along the way. Once in the Boston area, we ventured out to chow down on dinner at a local landmark Chinese restaurant, Kowloon. After our meal, we casually drove through downtown Boston, taking in the lively crowds and luminous skyline.
After a full night’s rest, we got to spend a chilly afternoon in nearby Salem, enjoying some of the local alternative shops, having some local brewed coffee at Gulu Gulu Cafe to keep us warm. Krysta found a dress she adored, while Azy & I found a few patches and pins at Die With Your Boots On. We hit up the coolest little shop with what I could only place as “1920s Goth” called Emporium 32. We popped into VampFangs and rant into Kuro, a long time DJ in the Boston scene who Krysta and I had the pleasure of meeting and hearing spin prior at Darq Salem. The Witch City provided a much-needed leg stretch after our long journey.
Oakland, CA based Yama Uba stunning the audience
Saturday evening had come, and we didn’t know what to expect from the festival. Parking was surprisingly easy to come by. The door staff were pleasant as they tried to figure out how the wrist bands would work for each night. And then we descended. Down into the wall of dark sound that we heard hinted at from street level. Down the stairs we went into the spacious venue, drenched only in the lighting from the stage. We spied the familiar face in our friend DJ Cinis, who had come up from Virginia to serve as one of the evenings DJs. Hugs were shared and introductions made to Seraph, sometime Obscura Undead contributor, local DJ and founder of the night “Goth As Fuck with DJ Seraph”. And while the DJs both pumped out banging tunes, the live music slayed. The first night’s line up was more than festival worthy with acts such as Mortal Boy, Yama Uba, Kiss of the Whip, Pilgrims of Yearning, and Golden Apes. Each band killed it and intermissions left little time between sets to have short conversations, meeting new people, and grabbing a quick refill at the bar. If there was anything negative to report, it was that this festival gave little room to breathe between acts. The organizers were so on their game in getting each band up on stage and ready to play!
The frenetic energy of Boston’s own The Pilgrims of Yearning
Reeling from an amazing night, Sunday daytime was recovery mode. We were fortunate enough to find a local diner just before their closing time to refuel on a hearty breakfast and ample coffee. Our waitress was the sweetest little old lady, not even blinking twice at a table of obviously hungover and tired looking goths.
It was then scramble mode to get Azy back down to the venue for them to get setup to play DJ for the evening. Krysta and I enjoyed a local favorite – a lobster (or as the locals say “lobstah”) roll with DJ Cinis at his hotel. There we met Michelle Shaw, the promoter behind Fatal Impact Events out of Baltimore, Maryland. She had just organized and pulled off a one-day version of the festival called Dark Spring Baltimore the weekend prior. It was great hearing how much fun that fest had been for her. Knowing the goth scene still carries on globally really helps in not feeling so isolated sometimes.
Un Hombre Solo providing an electrifying performance
We made it over to the show after our meal. Azy, who was spinning with local DJ talent DJ Brian L, had the tunes popping in between bands.And we were off for another evening of amazing music. As with the night before, each band was beyond amazing. Performances that we caught that evening were Shanghai Beach, Un Hombre Solo, and Secret Shame, though I can say I really enjoyed everyone who played. Not one of them left me distracted or wanting to leave. The surprise act of the evening was Winkie. Dressed in all-white suits with unsettlingly clear face masks, this duo out of New York tapped into heavy synths, guitar distortions, and vocals that were reminiscent for me of Tina Root of Switchblade Symphony fame. Our night ended on such a high note, cementing new friendships, and sharing in the communal affair of live music.
New York’s Winkie provided an eerie visage and sound with their performance
Our journey to return to Tampa came too quickly. Although we were able to whisk away up to Maine for lunch. We snagged Cinis and trekked off to have proper New England seafood. I snuck in a surprise for Azy on our way home, stopping in Sleepy Hollow, New York. Unfortunately, the cemetery was closed by the time we arrived, but they did get to see the famous bridge where the Headless Horsemen is fabled to have done-in Ichabod Crane. I had great travel partners, which plays so deeply into road trip experiences. This was more not only a chance to enjoy some great music in a new environment, a but a chance to build and strengthen friendships. After five days, thousands of road miles, and loads of new friends later, we finally made it back to Tampa.
Thanks for taking this reflective journey on what was truly a magical and spooky weekend for me. It feels like we’re in a renaissance of sorts with dark music festivals here in the States – Murder of Crows, Cold Waves, Absolution Fest, Darkside of the Con, and now Dark Spring Boston. And Dark Spring Boston is really great addition to this mix. Having spoken with the organizers further, they’ve shared they have plans on how to fine tune their next festival, because there will indeed be another Dark Spring Boston Festival!
Dark Spring Boston on the web: