Diamond Bodine-FischerThree days of Thrill Kill Kult, Front 242, members of Revolting Cocks, KMFDM and more, essentially, the anti-Coachella. Wax Trax! Retrospectacle (aka 33 1/3 anniversary-oh, we see what you did there) was planned and executed by Julia Nash-daughter of Wax Trax! co-founder Jim Nash-was more of a family reunion than a festival.
In case you were wondering (though we're sure you already knew) Wax Trax! Chicago opened their doors in 1978 and went on to release some of the most celebrated works of the 80's and 90's putting out albums from Front 242, KMFDM, My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult, Ministry, Revolting Cocks, Frontline Assembly, Sister Machine Gun and more. Possibly even more impressive was how they provided the open, encouraging environment for an enormous collection of side projects from their artists. Basically, they were exactly what a record label should be and every scene needs to flourish.
It's no surprise that when Nash gathered the Wax Trax! sweethearts to raise funds for the Center on Halsted the two night event sold out in minutes. Soon after a third night was added. We were lucky enough to get tickets for Saturday and Sunday night.
Read on for details and photos on the historic epicness of the event:
Saturday night Revolting Cocks (Luc Van Acker, Paul Barker, Chris Connelly, and others) played what may very well have been the greatest shows of the band's history.
My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult closed Saturday night's festivities. We've seen them maybe a dozen times and this was the best show we've ever seen. Playing fan favorites like X Communication, Swine and Roses, Daisy Chain 4 Satan, and Kooler Than Jesus, Groovie Mann proved to be everything a front man should be.
Thrill Kill Kult closing Saturday Night
KMFDM featuring Lord Voldemort, err… En Esch
Sunday opened with En Esch, Guenter Schulz and Raymond Watts gathering to play KMFDM songs. Strutting around the stage with intense command as they ran through their 55 minute set with Don't Blow Your Top, Juke Joint Jezebel, Flesh, Godlike, Brute and other beloved fan favorites.
Revolting Cocks repeated their show from Saturday with one enormous addition. Richard 23 of Front 242 joined them on stage to perform No Devotion. Yeah, it was awesome.
At last, the final day had to come to an end and Front 242 closed the weekend with a nearly 90 minute set that seemed to pass in a fraction of that time. Playing many fan favorites along the way, closing the set with Take One, an enormously appropriate end to the festivities.
Front 242 Set List
Schedules for Saturday and Sunday after the jump:
Saturday Night
Sunday Night
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