SPIN Magazine
BPM
PAPER Magazine
NewCity
Time Out Chicago
Resident Advisor
DoNYC
Do312
“Wandering around in a new enthusiasm I checked out a bit of Dark Wave Disco. The Perry stage was an excellent touch to the festival’s attempt to bring some more dance music to the alt-rock scene… As you walked past it for the rest of the weekend you could always peek your head in to see what kind of mood was being made with the bass thumping this time around.”
In a 2009 Gapers Block recap of Lollapalooza, the festival’s inclusion of Dark Wave Disco on Perry’s Stage was highlighted as a distinctive and memorable slice of the weekend. The writer noted that the setup—situated among the trees on the north end of Grant Park—created an “other world” of bass-heavy dance music for festivalgoers passing through, reinforcing the cultural crossover between underground electronic sounds and a traditionally alt-rock lineup.
“Dark Wave Disco brought thumping electronic energy to Perry’s Stage at Lollapalooza 2009.” — Gapers Block
In a Newcity feature from July 2006, Dark Wave Disco was portrayed as a vibrant new monthly dance event in Chicago that brought an unexpected mix of musical influences and diverse crowds to the city’s nightlife. Conceived by Mark Gertz out of a desire to showcase more adventurous electronic music beyond the prevailing house scene, the night quickly drew enthusiastic attendance with its high-energy atmosphere and eclectic sound. The article highlighted the variety of people the party attracted and Gertz’s intent to expose clubgoers to broader musical possibilities—an early sign of the inventive and inclusive spirit that would help define the event’s legacy.
Newcity – “Manic at the Disco: The Dark Wave gang just wants to have fun”
“Mark Gertz describes his brainchild Dark Wave Disco as ‘indie rock/electro/disco punk,’ and the varied crowd the night brings in each month shows just how eclectic and wildly fun it can be.” — Newcity, July 2006.
“Mark Gertz describes his brainchild Dark Wave Disco as ‘indie rock/electro/disco punk,’ and the varied crowd the night brings in each month shows just how eclectic and wildly fun it can be.” — Newcity, July 2006.
In a 2007 Illinois Entertainer feature, Dark Wave Disco was highlighted as a rare and enduring force in Chicago nightlife, having sustained a two-and-a-half-year run at a time when most local parties quickly faded. Founded by DJ Mark Gertz and promoter Paul “In Chicago” Rodriguez, the party began as a monthly at Sonotheque and grew into a must-attend event with lines down the block and sets from prominent underground and indie-leaning DJs. The article emphasized the party’s solid team, its emergence from dissatisfaction with the dominant house scene, and its sustained personal connection with attendees rooted in shared love of music.
“So when a local DJ party crosses the two-year mark, it’s not only impressive…it’s almost unheard of.” — Illinois Entertainer on Dark Wave Disco
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