World Goth Day originated in the United Kingdom in 2009 as a small celebration of the Gothic subculture. It was inspired by a BBC 6 Music that focused on various musical subcultures over a week in May. The Gothic music special aired on May 22, 2009.
With the very positive reception of the BBC special, British gothic DJ Lee Meadows , currently known as BatBoy Slim , wrote on MySpace , suggesting the idea of starting a "Gothic Day". In 2010, together with fellow British DJ Martin Oldgoth , they decided to expand globally, not only as a form of entertainment, but also to create an environment of positivity and unity within the gothic community.
Therefore, it is hereby decreed that World Goth Day will be on May 22, 2010. "Goth Day is exactly what the title says: a day in which the goth scene celebrates its personalities and the opportunity to make its presence known to the rest of the world," states the official website.
Gothic culture emerged in the late 1970s in the United Kingdom as an evolution of punk rock, which dominated the British scene at the time. Unlike the rawness of punk, post-punk explored other musical and aesthetic nuances, with Bauhaus, Joy Division, Siouxsie & The Banshees, and Public Image Ltd. (the band of former Sex Pistols member Johnny Lydon) being the pioneers of the style.
Music is a fundamental component of Gothic culture – with genres like Darkwave, Gothic Rock, Post-Punk, and Ethereal Wave continuing to this day, with new bands and songs emerging. But beyond music, Gothic culture also expresses itself through literature, film, fashion, and so on. Like other musical subcultures, it goes beyond music, becoming a lifestyle.
Today marks the of World Goth Day , and Wikimetal has compiled a list of iconic songs to celebrate:
“She's In Parties” – Bauhaus, from the album Burning from the Inside (1983)
“Dominion/Mother Russia” – Sisters of Mercy, from the album Floodland (1987)
“Love Will Tear Us Apart” – Joy Division, from the album Closer (1980)
“Preacher Man” – Fields Of The Nephilim, from the album Dawnrazor (1987)
“Cities In Dust” – Siouxsie and the Banshees, from the album Tinderbox (1986)
“Romeo's Distress” – Christian Death, from the album Only Theater of Pain (1982)
"Lullaby" – The Cure, from the album Disintegration (1989)
“Durdu Dünya” – She Past Away, from the album Disko Anksiyete (2009)
“Just Like Honey” – The Jesus And Mary Chain, from the album Psychocandy (1985)
“Stranger” – Clan Of Xymox, from the album Clan of Xymox (1985)
READ ALSO: Peter Murphy, vocalist of Bauhaus, announces new album 'Silver Shade'
