Valentine’s Day often conjures roses and candlelight and in the gothic world those symbols take on a deeper, shadowed beauty. Goth Night Valentines Day at Ding Dong Lounge is a night to gather in the dark, to celebrate love in its most haunting forms and to lose ourselves in music that is as visceral as it is romantic.
Plagueditch: The Breakdown
Save me… a spot in Hell! Dethheads behold: Plagueditch. The ferocious, chaotic industrial-metal band from Taranaki. Known for their unholy blend of death worship, anger, and blasphemy, they scream over walls of gothic-metal techno-industrial noise. Expect chainsaw guitars and thumping bass, all delivered with the kind of infectious chorus hooks that will have the entire crowd screaming along until the break of dawn.
Plagueditch’s live shows are a high-energy ritual attack. Punch after punch, no prisoners taken, no breaks offered. Looking like they crawled out of a bloody, underground vampire-ridden nightclub of the late 90s, they first appeared in January 2024 at the hugely successful goth festival Gathering Shadows in Aotearoa’s capital. Since then, they have built a devoted following within the goth-metal community, headlined the annual NZ Goth-Ball and opened for international touring acts. We are thrilled to be bringing Plagueditch up to Tamaki Makaurau, where the Goth Night crew can experience their ferocious live energy firsthand and those who have seen them before can revel once again in the chaos and distortion they deliver.
Lichtbeuger: The Return
Also taking the stage is the long-awaited return of Lichtbeuger, a Tamaki Makaurau-based industrial and EBM electronic duo formed in 2011. Comprised of Drew Lyon and Adam Colegrove, Lichtbeuger are known for their 90s-inspired dark electronic sound, blending art-noise with powerful, melodic tracks that dominate dancefloors and industrial radio. Their name, meaning “light bender” in German, reflects their bent-light style of performance and aesthetic.
Their releases, including a 6-track EP via DSBP Records, showcase punchy production, cynical lyrical delivery and a raw energy that fills the space far beyond what you expect from a two-piece. With angry synths, rasped vocals, thumping beats and synthetic melodies, Lichtbeuger embody the beauty of decay and the power of industrial music. Their return to the stage in Tamaki Makaurau is set to be a highlight of Goth Night Valentines Day, bringing back a duo whose presence has long been missed.
DJs of the Dark
The DJs run the main bar from 7:00 PM to 4:00 AM, delivering a relentless soundtrack of goth anthems, gothic metal, post-punk and darkwave. Expect sets from Passion Crypt, Gravedigger, The Doctor and Ravebat, each bringing their own unique flavour to the night. The dancefloor will be alive all evening, while the live bands take over the upstairs stage before midnight.
Live Bands Upstairs
Live performances by Plagueditch and Lichtbeuger will take place upstairs before midnight. Arrive early to catch the full force of both sets, then descend to the main bar to ride the night through with the DJs.
Ticketing Structure
General Admission: $15, available until Saturday 31 January
Next Release: $20, available until 7:00 PM on event day
Door Sales: $20 between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM, rising to $25 after 8:00 PM
A Night for the Goth Community
Goth Night Valentines Day is about gathering in the shadows to celebrate love, darkness and music together. Whether you bring a date or come on your own, you will find connection in the atmosphere, the sound and the people around you. Attendees are encouraged to embrace the aesthetic of the night: black attire, dramatic makeup, and a willingness to lose themselves in the music.
Safe Space and Community Care
The Ding Dong Lounge is committed to being a safe space for everyone. Goth Night is built on respect, inclusivity and care for one another. Look out for each other and if you see something that does not feel right, say something to staff or security. Harassment, discrimination, or unsafe behaviour will not be tolerated. We celebrate together and we protect each other.
Venue
The Ding Dong Lounge, a venue renowned for its intimate yet atmospheric vibe, provides the perfect setting for this Valentine’s descent into shadow. With its reputation for supporting alternative music and culture, it stands as the ideal home for an event that blends romance with rebellion.
