New Goth and Post-Punk Bands to Watch

If anyone tells you goth is a nostalgia act, hand them this list. New goth bands are everywhere right now, mixing classic post-punk guitars, darkwave synths and deathrock attitude into music that sounds fresh, loud and very danceable.

These bands mostly formed in the 2010s and 2020s. Some are already headlining clubs around the world, others are cult favorites ready to break out. All of them are worth a listen.

Guitar-driven goth rock and post-punk

These bands lean on the classic sound: big basslines, chorus-soaked guitars and dramatic vocals.

Vision Video (Athens, Georgia)

Formed in 2020 by Dusty Gannon and Emily Fredock, Vision Video play heartfelt, punchy goth rock in the spirit of The Chameleons and The Cure. Gannon is an Afghanistan veteran and former firefighter, and his experiences shape the band's songs. Their first two albums were recorded with Tom Ashton of The March Violets, and their third, Modern Horror, came out in 2024. A great entry point for new goths.

Actors (Vancouver)

Jason Corbett's band formed in 2012 and makes slick, driving post-punk with a big synth shine. Start with their debut It Will Come to You (2018), then Acts of Worship (2021). Corbett also produces a lot of other bands in the scene, so you'll see his name everywhere.

Bootblacks (New York)

A Brooklyn band that blends post-punk, darkwave and new wave into moody, hooky songs. They've toured with Actors and are a fixture on the US goth circuit.

Then Comes Silence (Stockholm)

Swedish band formed in 2012 with a heavier, darker, noisier edge, drawing on goth, noise rock and a bit of psychedelia. Great if you like your goth with some teeth.

Rosegarden Funeral Party (Texas)

Led by singer Leah Lane, this band makes dreamy, dramatic gothic rock with big atmosphere. Start with their debut album Martyr (2019).

Soft Kill (Portland / Chicago)

Long part of the Portland scene and now based in Chicago, Tobias Grave's band plays melodic, melancholy post-punk that sits somewhere between goth and indie. Easy to love, especially if you're coming from shoegaze.

Grave Pleasures (Finland)

A punk-charged, death-obsessed post-punk band fronted by Mat McNerney. Fast, catchy and very fun live.

Unto Others (Portland)

Formerly known as Idle Hands, they mix heavy metal riffs with goth rock melodies and big hooks. Perfect for anyone who loves both Type O Negative and The Sisters of Mercy.

Synth-heavy and darkwave-leaning

These bands bring the drum machines and synths. For a deeper dive into this side, read our guide to darkwave artists.

Twin Tribes (Brownsville, Texas)

Luis Navarro and Joel Niño Jr. formed this duo in 2017 and quickly became one of the biggest names in modern darkwave and post-punk. Start with Ceremony (2019) or Pendulum (2024).

Kælan Mikla (Reykjavík)

An Icelandic trio making witchy, haunting darkwave in Icelandic. Robert Smith picked them to play his Meltdown festival in London in 2018. Spooky in the best way.

Sextile (Los Angeles)

A band that leans hard into dance music. Their 2023 album Push, released on Sacred Bones, mixes post-punk with rave energy. Get ready to sweat.

Nuovo Testamento (Los Angeles / Bologna)

A trio that mixes darkwave and post-punk with Italo disco and Hi-NRG. If you've ever wanted to dance at a goth night and a 1980s Italian disco at the same time, this is your band.

Riki (Los Angeles)

The dark synth-pop project of Riki Hidalgo, released on Dais Records. Cool, sleek and danceable.

Choir Boy (Salt Lake City)

Adam Klopp's project makes soft, dreamy, melancholic synth-pop with soaring vocals. A lovely change of pace on a playlist.

Ploho (Novosibirsk)

A Siberian post-punk band with a cold, jangly sound, often mentioned alongside Molchat Doma by fans of Eastern European post-punk.

Ultra Sunn (Brussels)

Sam Huge and Gaelle Souflet bring EBM and Belgian new beat energy to the goth dance floor. Pure stomp.

Why goth is so big again

A few things have helped the new wave of goth and post-punk:

• Streaming and social media let people find bands from Bursa, Reykjavík or Minsk with one tap.
• Club nights that mix old and new music keep the scene social and growing.
• Independent labels like Dais Records, Sacred Bones, Fabrika Records and Artoffact Records keep releasing great music.
• A welcoming scene: there's room for longtime goths and people who found The Cure last week.

How to find even more new goth bands

• Check the openers. When your favorite band tours, look up their support acts.
• Follow the labels. Bookmark the labels above and check their new releases.
• Listen to goth DJs. Club night playlists mix classics with fresh music.
• Read post-punk and darkwave music sites for new releases and premieres.
• Ask people. Goths love recommending bands.

That last one is the most fun. On Alt Chat, music is built into every profile with an Anthem, a song that plays when someone opens your profile. You can also post music videos to Realm, the app's feed, which is a great way to share a new band you've just found.

A quick starter path

Not sure where to begin? Pick the lane that matches what you already love.

• You love The Cure and The Chameleons: start with Vision Video, then Soft Kill.
• You love The Sisters of Mercy: try Then Comes Silence and Unto Others.
• You love Depeche Mode: go straight to Twin Tribes, Actors and Choir Boy.
• You love dancing until the lights come on: Sextile, Nuovo Testamento and Ultra Sunn.
• You love anything eerie and witchy: Kælan Mikla, then Rosegarden Funeral Party.
• You love Molchat Doma: Ploho is your next stop.

Give each band a full album, not just one song. A lot of these records reveal themselves on the second or third listen, usually at night, usually with headphones.

See them live

Most of these bands tour small and mid-size venues, which is the best way to hear them. Tickets are often easy to get, the crowds are friendly and you can usually say hi at the merch table after. Go with a friend, or go alone and make one there. Our tips on how to make friends at concerts will help.

Don't forget the roots

New bands make more sense when you know where they came from. Our list of the best goth bands covers the classics, our guide to post-punk bands explores the wider family, and goth music genres explained shows how all the branches fit together.

FAQ

Are there any new goth bands?

Yes, lots. Vision Video, Actors, Bootblacks, Then Comes Silence, Rosegarden Funeral Party, Twin Tribes and Kælan Mikla are just a few of the bands that formed in the 2010s and 2020s and tour regularly.

Is goth music popular again?

Goth and post-punk have had a big wave of new attention in recent years, helped by streaming, social media and packed club nights. Many newer bands now play to crowds that mix longtime goths with fans who discovered the music online.

How do I find new goth music?

Follow labels like Dais, Sacred Bones, Fabrika and Artoffact, check out goth club DJ playlists and look at who's opening for your favorite bands on tour. Music sites focused on post-punk and darkwave are great for new releases too.