OH HAI MARC!: MODERN WAV IN FILM & MEDIA WITH MARC ACES
Marc Aces, Photography & Design by Javi Nunez
We are lucky to have our resident city correspondent, Marc Aces, to give you some helpful tips for those planning to attend Modern Wav. He will break down the event with one of his famous rants and dive into a few scenes that paint a picture of the evening.
Stefon - City Correspondent
Oh my God, you guys, this Event has everything...
If you’re tired of your usual night out at the goth club—one smoke machine, elites arguing over their favorite Sisters song, candles only there for aesthetic because, hello, fire hazard—why not step into Modern Wav? Do you remember the nightclub scene from The Matrix Revolutions? Picture this: instead of rolling greens and clinking martini glasses, you’ve got a black and red color-themed post-apocalyptic Dark Wave rave dungeon that’s like a Hot Topic on Trenbolone.
Street Fever at Modern Wav, photography by Chad kelco
This place has everything: leather trench coats, sunglasses worn indoors at night, a DJ called Soft Faith who only spins tracks made entirely of industrial noise, Dark Wavy beats, and pure existential dread. There’s a big bouncer, but instead of just checking IDs, he’s got body piercings that could double as USB ports, and he asks riddles about the nature of reality.
And the go-go dancers. Oh my God, the go-go dancers? They’re like... the fever dream of someone who just discovered bondage but hasn’t read the instruction manual.
These dancers have everything: platform boots so high they could step over traffic, fishnets so shredded they look like they were attacked by a pack of cyberpunk raccoons, and leather harnesses that scream, “I shop exclusively at the post-apocalyptic farmer’s market.” They’re gyrating in cages that they wish were suspended from the ceiling because nothing says “party,” like the constant threat of plummeting to your doom.
Modern Wav Go-go’s - Vannah Vicious,Venus Rx, Lady Sex Wax, and Bloody Wallflower, Photography by Mike Legend
And their moves? Honey, they’re not just dancing; they’re summoning the spirits of angsty poser ex-boyfriends and failed art school projects. It’s all hips, hair flips, and aggressive stomping—like someone taught them choreography by yelling, “BE SEXY BUT MAKE IT ANGRY!” While the lovely DOMS Gisella Thorn and Domina Death are there to let you know where you stand with them, and if you are lucky, maybe one of them will acknowledge you and make you a slave meat puppet like Salma Hayek in From Dusk Till Dawn. These dancers and Dom's are not here to make you comfortable. They’re here to remind you that PAIN is fashionable, and latex is breathable (it’s not).
And then we have the crowd. Oh, honey, they’re not wearing polos. These guys are decked out in outfits so tight they look vacuum-sealed. This crowd has everything: sweaty techno vampires straight out of Blade who are hoping for blood to fall from the ceiling but instead settle for drinking clamato juice, dudes in trench coats who spent three hours perfecting their brooding stares, and women wearing corsets so tight they’re internal organ rearrangers. There’s a guy and girl in the corner with a mohawk that looks like it was styled with engine grease, and someone else is wearing sunglasses inside at night because eye contact is apparently for the weak.
Stephi aka ohemgee_its_stephi & Jamie Ryckman aka 7th Stranger
And the conversations? Honey, if you’re not talking about Nietzsche, the heat death of the universe, or whether the Matrix is a metaphor for capitalism, then what are you even doing here? One guy is chain-smoking in a corner, probably named Lucian, saying things like, “Life is just a simulation, bro,” and you’re like, “Okay, but did you pay for those drinks, or is that simulated too?”
Venus Rx can & Domina Death, photo by Chad Kelco
Oh, and don’t forget the hardcore cosplayers. There’s always one Irish guy who comes dressed as a Neo/Blade and keeps dramatically adjusting his sunglasses, waiting for someone to notice, and a girl who showed up as Trinity but is clearly just here for the pics. Meanwhile, the randoms in the back are trying to blend in by wearing all black, but their sneakers are giving them away.
It’s a mix of theater kids gone goth, mall goths grown up, and philosophy majors who peaked in college, all writhing together under strobe lights that make you question if you’re having fun or just a mild seizure. Truly, it’s the who’s who of who hurt you.
The whole vibe? It’s like if Burning Man hooked up with a haunted escape room, then had a baby that was raised by a goth IT guy. But honestly? For all its chaos, pretension, and questionable fashion choices, this event somehow makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a living, breathing work of art—a wild, dark synth symphony where everyone’s playing their dramatic note, and for two strange, surreal nights, you get to be part of the performance. Modernwav is truly the place to be this weekend.
Panther Modern, Photo by Chad Kelco
1. First impression when entering Modernwav: “A Night at The Roxbury.”
Walking into Modern Wav for the first time reminds me of the Butabi brothers (yes, they’re brothers) as they enter the elusive Roxbury club for the first time. They are simply in awe and captivated by everything, from the people to the ambiance, the music, and the venue. Our lasers will be in motion, and Go-Go cages will be active, as the stage will be nonstop with both artists and kink performers, all while Soft Faith takes the DJ booth through the evening. It will be hottie overload, so be sure to pace yourself, Steve.
2. That moment you notice Domina Death or Giselle Thorn onstage: “Wayne’s World”
Picture this: you are at Modernwav, beverage in hand, mingling with the crowd in anticipation for the next act to take the stage, when you look up and notice that Domina Death / Gisella Thorn are center stage, engaging in one of their performances. You realize you are caught off guard yet cannot look away, captivated by what is unfolding. Whether it be Giselle Thorn elegantly weaving a web of rope around one of her performers or Domina Death executing a form of punishment on her sub, little by little, you become more immersed in their world. Your reaction will be similar to that of Wayne and Benjamin, where the only words you will be left with will be, to quote Wayne Campbell, “God, she’s amazing.”
3. Seeing the dancers at Modernwav: “Sin City”
You will see them at the event, whether walking amongst the crowd, enjoying the music, or dancing inside the custom steel cages draped in black chains. From the boots, fishnets, latex, and leather, they carry an exotic, intimidating presence. This presence reminds me of the “Women of Old Town” from the film Sin City. They all possess their distinct look and style while carrying a sense of strict confidence. Although they are friendly and kind, always be sure to be respectful, as in the case of Jackie Boy and deadly little Miho. Should you not come correctly, the consequences could be dire!
Don’t miss out on Modern Wav on November 22nd and 23rd! Join us for an unforgettable evening featuring sensational performances by IAMX, TR/ST, MATTE BLVCK, SPIKE HELLIS, LOUISAHHH, NOX NOVACULA, DIE SEXUAL, and VOID PALACE. Enjoy a captivating DJ set by Soft Faith and additional live acts from Gisella Thorn and Domina Death. Plus, be mesmerized by our stunning go-go dancers: Vannah Vicious, Bloody Wallflower, Venus Rx, and Lady Sex Wax. Get ready for an electrifying event you won’t want to miss! Click the Link BELOW!!
