Front 242 announces final concerts, and take that literally

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(Photo by Mothmeister) In a message posted on their Facebook yesterday evening at 7 PM, the Belgian cult EBM act Front 242 have announced that they will hold their last concerts ever.

Here’s the statement which is being announced as a ‘Black Out’: “Today, we reach out to you, our fans, with a heavy yet hopeful heart to share the news of our final concerts. Now, we are preparing to bring down the curtain on our live performances as FRONT 242, we find ourselves navigating a sea of emotions.

For nearly four decades, we’ve journeyed together, creating unforgettable moments and sharing the profound joy of music. You’ve been more than an audience; you’ve been a part of our extended family, witnessing our evolution and sharing in our highs and lows.

The decision to step back from performing live has not been easy, but we believe it’s important to end this chapter on a high note, preserving the essence of Front 242 that you’ve grown to love. We want to leave you with memories of our band at its peak, full of energy and passion.

So, we are extending our invitation to you: join us for one last adventure. Let’s make these final shows a celebration of the incredible journey we’ve shared. We promise to deliver performances that capture the heart and soul of Front 242, a fitting farewell to a story we’ve written together.”

The band has announced a string of concerts, which will serve as the band’s live farewell.

EU24

04 Aug LOKEREN – Lokerse Feesten – B
10 Aug HILDESHEIM – M’Era Luna – DE

US24

06 Sept TAMPA – Jannus Landing – US
07 Sept PHILADELPHIA – Union Transfer – US
08 Sept CLEVELAND – Agora Theater – US
13 Sept LOS ANGELES – Mayan Theater – US
14 Sept PORTLAND – Roseland Ballroom – US
15 Sept SAN FRANCISCO – Great American Music Hall – US

EU24

12 Oct HAMBURG – Markthalle – DE
17 Oct UTRECHT – Tivoli Ronda – NL
18 Oct BERLIN – Huxley’s Neue Welt – DE
19 Oct OBERHAUSEN – Turbinnenhalle – DE
25 Oct MÜNCHEN – Backstage Werk – DE
26 Oct LANGEN – Neue Stadthalle – DE

US24

08 Nov HOUSTON – Rise Rooftop – US
09 Nov DALLAS – Granada Theater – US
10 Nov DENVER – Reelworks – US
15 Nov CHICAGO – Metro – US
16 Nov CHICAGO – Metro – US

EU24

29 Nov GOTHENBURG – Film Studios – SE (FutureRetro)
30 Nov STOCKHOLM – Berns – SE (FutureRetro)
06 Dec LILLE – Black Lab – FR
07 Dec PARIS – Le Trianon – FR
08 Dec LONDON – UK
13 Dec BARCELONA – Sala Apolo – SP
14 Dec MADRID – Sala La Paqui – SP
25 Dec CHEMNITZ – Dark Storm Festival – DE

EU25

10 Jan COPENHAGEN – Pumpehuset – DK
24 Jan BRUSSELS – Ancienne Belgique – B
25 Jan BRUSSELS – Ancienne Belgique – B

About Front 242

Front 242, a vanguard Belgian electronic music group, emerged in the 1980s, pioneering a genre they dubbed “electronic body music” (EBM). Their innovative approach not only defined a new sound but also left a lasting impact on electronic and industrial music genres worldwide.

Founded in 1981 in Aarschot, near Leuven, Belgium, by Daniel Bressanutti and Dirk Bergen, Front 242 set out to explore music and graphic design with emerging electronic tools. Bressanutti’s prior engagement with Prothese laid a foundational stone for what was to become a monumental journey in electronic music. The duo named the project Front 242, embedding a vision of organized popular uprising within their name, which resonates universally across languages.

Their debut single, “Principles”, released in 1981, marked the inception of their distinctive sound. The addition of Patrick Codenys and Jean-Luc De Meyer in 1982, from the group Underviewer, enriched the band’s sonic and creative depth. This formation solidified Front 242’s lineup and set the stage for their groundbreaking work.

Front 242’s first album, “Geography”, released in 1982, showcased their unique blend of sound, which was further developed in their subsequent releases. Their pioneering sound was characterized by the innovative use of synthesizers, samplers, and sequencers, creating a powerful, danceable, and at times, confrontational sound that became synonymous with EBM.

The release of “No Comment” in 1984 was a critical moment, with the album’s liner notes introducing the term electronic body music for the first time. This period also saw the band’s expansion into international markets, signing with American label Wax Trax! and embarking on tours that included supporting Ministry, marking their rising global influence.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Front 242 continued to innovate and evolve. Albums like “Tyranny (For You)” reached new heights, charting in the United States. The band’s willingness to reinvent themselves was evident in their shift towards a more techno-oriented sound with the “Re:Boot” tour, acknowledging influences like The Prodigy.

Side projects and collaborations flourished during this time, with members engaging in diverse musical endeavors that included forming bands like Revolting Cocks, C-Tec, and Cobalt 60.

The band’s last studio album was “Pulse”, released in 2003 and re-released by Alfa Matrix in an extended version. Also check the various extended reissues and Front 242 live releases.

Front 242 studio albums

Geography (1982)
No Comment (1984)
Official Version (1987)
Front by Front (1988)
Tyranny (For You) (1991)
06:21:03:11 Up Evil (1993)
05:22:09:12 Off (1993)
Pulse (2003)

Bernard - Side-Line Staff Chief editor

Bernard Van Isacker is the Chief Editor of Side-Line Magazine. With a career spanning more than two decades, Van Isacker has established himself as a respected figure in the darkwave scene.

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