OMD photo by Justin James, courtesy Darker Waves

Darker Waves Festival made its debut on Saturday in Huntington Beach with an amazing lineup that most fans of late ‘70s and ‘80s alternative music would consider ideal. Tears for Fears and New Order top-lined the bill, along with the B-52’s, Devo, Echo and the Bunnymen, Soft Cell, Psychedelic Furs, OMD, Human League, Violent Femmes, X, English Beat, the Chameleons, Clan of Xymox, and others.

All told, 33 acts – ranging from new wave, alt-rock and darkwave to punk, goth and beyond - performed across three stages during the 12-hour, sold out event. The two main stages were spread far apart on sand at each end of the festival. A smaller center stage was located on the parking lot.  

Early arrivals could play retro upright video games such as Donkey Kong and Ms. Pac Man in the mini arcade tent. Judging by the number of t-shirts and red energy dome hats spotted, a majority of people were there to see New Order and Devo.

Tears for Fears, still touring for 2022’s stellar album The Tipping Point, was definitely among the stronger performances. Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith opened with acoustic guitar-based ballad “No Small Thing” – the first of six newer songs. “The Tipping Point” was compelling, with dramatic dual vocals; the Smith-led earworm “Break the Man,” totally sublime. Longtime enthusiasts were rewarded early with the 1-2 punch of big hits “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” and “Sowing the Seeds of Love,” which prompted loud singalongs. Orzabal admitted to the crowd that there were bands on the lineup they admired and were jealous of, singling out Echo & the Bunnymen (whose own set sported a guest appearance by The Doors guitarist Robby Krieger). He obviously had fun doing the nonsensical bits at the end of “Seeds” too. Later, “Mad World” proved riveting.

“It’s nice to be playing by the seaside,” said New Order singer/guitarist Bernard Sumner. The influential electronic rock band often opens its regular concerts with the wistful 1993 single “Regret.” But seeing it performed here was perfect for those who recalled a music video the Mancunians shot that same year in conjunction with the TV series “Baywatch” on the sand at Venice Beach. New Order’s solid set was highlighted by Sumner’s riveting guitar solo during “Love Vigilantes,” the musicians’ intense interplay amid “Ceremony,” Gillian Gilbert’s stately keyboard washes on “Your Silent Face,” as well as Sumner’s melodica interludes and the updated intros to “Subculture” and “Bizarre Love Triangle.”   

Because festival audiences are not always regular fans, and the stage times are shorter, astute bands will sometimes make the most of it by doing their greatest hits. OMD were a perfect example. From the get-go, singer/bassist Andy McCluskey said, “We’re gonna be totally relentless…and do 10 singles.” The wonderful set was elevated by his boundless energy and jubilant delivery on songs such as “Tesla Girls,” “Locomotion,” “Enola Gay” and “If You Leave” (from the Pretty in Pink soundtrack). His frequent between-song banter was both humorous (“now the s*** bass-playing stops and you gotta dance like me”) and acerbic (“there’s nothing more heartening than hearing 25,000 people singing about the end of the world”). A definite festival standout.

Although a “farewell” label was added to current Devo tour ads, both keyboardist/singer Gerald Casale and lead singer/keyboardist Mark Mothersbaugh insisted that’s not necessarily the case in recent interviews. Good news there. The core original members (along with guitarist/singer Bob Mothersbaugh), still manage to rock like nobody’s business, even into their 70s. The shrewd use of video and theatrics adds to Devo’s unique visual presentation. Starting with the frenetic “Don’t Shoot (I’m a Man)” off 2010’s underrated Something for Everybody, Devo delivered taut new wave renditions of the manic “Peek-A-Boo,” major hit “Whip It,” and a crazed “Uncontrollable Urge,” where Mark Mothersbaugh tears away at his and the guys’ yellow disposable outfits while singing. Somehow the routine never gets old no matter how many times you’ve seen it.

Last time The Human League performed in Southern California, at the similar music-themed Cruel World Festival in Pasadena last May, its set was cut short when the venue had to be evacuated due to potential thunder. This time around, the Sheffield synth-pop trio got to do a regular festival set chock full of ‘80s US/UK hits. Phil Oakey, Susan Sulley and Joanne Catherall’s vocal harmonies were pristine as ever during the Motown-influenced “Mirror Man,” the idyllic synth strains of “Open Your Heart” (among five tracks played from major 1981 album Dare; a Pac-Man game was shown on a backdrop), luxurious ballad “Human,” a fun “(Keep Feeling) Fascination,” and the soulful “Tell Me When.” Oakey frequently mixed it up with the ladies onstage. An extended take on signature hit “Don’t You Want Me” prompted a loud singalong as more people than could fit in the Tiki Stage area tried to get a glimpse.

Before Blossoms appeared at Darker Waves, people on Facebook engaged in wishful thinking that the band would reprise its Smiths karaoke set with Rick Astley from Glastonbury over the summer. That didn’t pan out, but the Brits’ own tunes were quite memorable in their own right. One of a handful of younger artists on the bill, they came across like a breath of fresh air. Lanky long-haired singer Tom Ogden constantly roamed the stage. He and the other six musicians’ full-bodied, effervescent pop/rock sound fared best during “There’s a Reason Why (I Never Returned Your Calls),” the chiming guitar-led “Honey Sweet” off the 2016 eponymous debut album, an infectious “Oh No (I Think I’m in Love)” – where they stopped on a dime at one point - and the funky “Girlfriend,” complete with pedal steel and cowbell. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Violent Femmes is celebrating the 40^th anniversary of the classic eponymous debut album – Craft Recordings just released a highly-recommended expanded reissue with demos, 45 single B-sides, and live cuts – on tour by performing it from start to finish. In Orange County, they replicated the same order. The platinum-certified release conveniently contains Eighties college/modern rock radio staples “Blister in the Sun,” “Add it Up,” “Kiss Off,” and “Gone Daddy Gone.” The alt-folk band initially battled sound problems with the acoustic-leaning setup (including barbeque grill used as percussion), but it didn’t detract much from a highly entertaining set. Leader Gordon Gano even broke out the violin for “Good Feeling.”

Soft Cell, just Marc Almond for touring purposes while musical partner as Dave Ball recovers from an injury sustained last year, did three tunes from successful 1981 debut album Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret (now available in a deluxe expanded edition). He also touched upon other Soft Cell releases including last year’s long-awaited reunion album Happiness Not Included. Aided by two male backing singers, he gamely tried to drum up audience excitement, but people were really chatty, seemingly unfamiliar with the non-hits or more likely, waiting for the Psychedelic Furs to follow on that stage. Once Almond and company finally got around to Soft Cell’s big hit cover medley “Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go,” the energy level increased and continued for the naughty “Sex Dwarf” at the end.

Texas goth rock duo Twin Tribes impressed with a transfixing early afternoon set, particularly during The Cure-like allure of “Shadows” and “Fantasmas,” a sinister-sounding “Heart & Feather” and crystalline “Still in Still.”  

Devo photo by Zach Arquilevich; The Human League photo by MC Dub; Blossoms photo by Justin James. All courtesy Darker Waves/C3