Live music is a crucial cornerstone of NEON Retrofest; in 2018, we made history as the largest Synthwave festival in the world, with a genre-defining lineup of 22 acts that transformed the concept of what live retrosynth music could be. 

What is Synthwave?

Synthwave is a decade-old genre of electronic music that  incorporates the distinctive sounds and production techniques common in 1980s electronic music as embodied primarily in science fiction, horror, and action movie scores. Think of icons like John Carpenter, Vangelis, and Tangerine Dream, and you have a solid idea of the mood that Synthwave seeks to convey. It can bring to mind an auditory canvas of Miami Beach at night, a desperate car chase, or a nostalgic summer afternoon.

If you're familiar with popular media like Stranger Things, the 2011 film Drive, and countless 80s and 90s genre films, then you're already acquainted with Synthwave's unique soundscapes.

Listen to our 24 Hour Synthwave Station NEON.FM