In The Hague (NL) winters are dark and cold, which is exactly what Grauzone Goth & Post-punk Festival is about, dark and cold music.
And in these times of political turbulence and a war at Europe’s doorstep, could there be a more fitting soundtrack? For me, though, goth and punk are not just seasonal or situational—they’ve been part of my life since the ’80s. So, living just a few blocks away from the festival’s main venue, Paard concert halls, in The Hague city center, feels like a dream.
Grauzone owes much of its success to the incredible work of its director, Natasja , who year after year curates an exceptional program. The festival brings not only the best goth and post-punk bands from across the globe—Australia, the USA, Canada, the UK, Europe, and beyond—but also includes films, exhibitions, and performances. It’s a multi-sensory experience that grows bigger and better each year, now for four days in place of three, and showcasing tens of bands across multiple stages.
Fans travel from all over Europe to attend, and yet I’m consistently surprised that this festival doesn’t get the attention it deserves in major global music medias. Is it the music world’s best-kept secret? Or do we selfishly want to keep it that way?
The Grauzone brand is instantly recognizable, with its stunning cat illustrations serving as a symbol of the festival. But what really sets it apart is the personal touch. Natasja’s dedication to connecting with artists is unmatched—flying to the US to meet bands like The Soft Moon’s Luis Vasquez, whom we heartbreakingly lost last year and paid tribute to at the festival. This level of commitment is what makes Grauzone so special.
The festival draws a truly diverse crowd, from lifelong punk lovers like me, who’ve cherished the genre since the ’80s, to younger generations dancing wildly to acts like TR/ST during the last edition. Natasja and her partner even take the time to come on stage and speak to the audience daily, creating an intimate and inclusive atmosphere. Moments like walking in the street and watching Adult grab takeaway food backstage or sharing a cigarette with Clamm’s bass player make the experience even more memorable.
Below, you’ll find a few of my favorite moments from the last three editions.
Main venue, The Paard concert hall
Cats, Cats, Cats
Lambrini Girls, back when they only had one song on Apple Music but were already absolutely killing it on stage
Clamm delivers yet another pure post-punk moment, and honestly, they move so much it’s impossible to get anything but a blurry picture—ahah!
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Ditz in a cave—so dark, so powerful, pure rage!
Staadseinde—you don’t know them, neither did I—but they’re Dutch, and they completely blew our minds with their 80s-style dark dance music
Anika, unexpected brilliant “Portishead style” concert
Adult, dancing from start to finish, end-of-the-world music, perfectly in tunes with our times
TR/ST, among the many unforgettable headliners over the years—like She Past Away, Drab Majesty, Boy Harsher, Lebanon Hanover, A Place to Bury Strangers, and so many others
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