- COLD WAVES XIV: Lineups announce Tuesday April 14
- Metro 3Day passes on sale Tuesday April 14
- Single-Day GA & VIP tickets on sale Friday April 17 @ 10AM CT
Every fall, Cold Waves turns Chicago into a gathering ground for darkwave, industrial, and post-punk devotees – and Cold Waves XIV: Chicago 2026 is shaping up to be one of its most stacked editions yet.
Set for September 24–27, the multi-day event once again takes over some of the city’s most beloved venues, kicking off at Bottom Lounge before expanding across Metro and GMAN. It’s a format that’s become part of the festival’s DNA – intimate rooms, loud sound systems, and a lineup that leans heavy into both legacy acts and rising names shaping the underground right now.
Check out this Cold Waves XIII (2025) Playlist:
Cold Waves XIV isn’t playing it safe. This year’s roster pulls from across generations and subgenres, creating a weekend that feels less like a nostalgia run and more like a living, breathing snapshot of the scene.
At the top of the bill, TR/ST brings their brooding, synth-heavy soundscapes, while Stabbing Westward taps into decades of industrial grit with a catalog that still hits hard live. King Woman adds a heavier, atmospheric edge, balancing the lineup with slow-burning intensity.
Elsewhere, expect high-voltage sets from Youth Code, the ever-unpredictable PIG, and returning favorites like 16 Volt and Acumen Nation.
And then there’s the deeper cut layer – the part Cold Waves fans live for. Artists like Spike Hellis, Die Sexual, Bragolin, and Black Cross Hotel round out a lineup that rewards anyone willing to dig a little deeper.
Also on deck: Tear Garden, NGHTCRWLR, HAUNT ME, Nuxx, Purest Form, Kaput, Clubdrugs, Insula Iscariot, Carrellee – and more, forming a lineup that spans everything from cold synth minimalism to full-on industrial assault.
Cold Waves has always been about more than just bands, and 2026 continues that tradition with DJ sets woven throughout the weekend. Expect sets from Scary Lady Sarah, Patrixia, and Flesh-Bot, helping bridge the gaps between live performances with late-night dancefloor energy.
It’s that balance – live music and club culture – that gives Cold Waves its identity. You’re not just watching bands; you’re stepping into a full environment where every hour has a pulse.
Dates, Tickets, and What to Know
• Kickoff Show: September 24 @ Bottom Lounge
• Main Festival: September 25–27 @ Metro + GMAN
• Lineup Announcement: April 14 @ 10AM CT
• 3-Day Passes (Metro Discount): On sale April 14 @ 10AM CT
• Single-Day GA & VIP Tickets: On sale April 17 @ 10AM CT
Cold Waves XIV isn’t just another festival drop – it’s a curated collision of eras, sounds, and scenes that rarely share the same stage. Whether you’re there for the legacy acts, the underground discoveries, or just to disappear into four days of dark-lit sound, Chicago is once again the place to be this September.
For more info:
