Substance 2025 is being held at The Belasco Theater on November 7th and 8th and we are giving away 2 pairs of tickets to one of our favorite festivals of the year.
You can buy tickets now or enter our giveaway below.
Substance Festival is back for 2025, ready to return to Downtown LA’s most spectacular cathedral- The Belasco Theater. The two-day event celebrates the best in post-punk, darkwave, EBM, industrial, death rock and techno, merging legacy acts with the new blood both foreign and domestic.
related: Becoming The Night- Substance 2019
Substance seems to be simultaneously reflecting and reshaping the underground. While having TR/ST play two iconic albums on back to back nights seems relatively safe compared to last year’s 3 weekend marathon of musical exploration at an iconic but now defunct venue, we couldn’t be more excited to see Qual and not wait half an hour to use the bathroom.
related: Cruel World 2025 at The Rose Bowl- We’re Only Happy When It Rains
Expect fog, strobe, sweat, and soundscapes to seed your dreams. This isn’t really a casual night out for most attendees. The Belasco’s art-deco bones, state of the art sound and gothic ambience make it the perfect sanctuary for this annual gathering of nocturnal life forms.
related: Model/Actriz- Pirouette – New Album/Bend Bodies/Break Brains
The 2025 lineup continues Substance and Restless Nites reputation for impeccable curation- headliners include TR/ST (performing their full albums TRST (2012) and Joyland (2014) across both nights) plus ADULT., A Place to Bury Strangers, Geneva Jacuzzi, QUAL, Martin Dupont, Xeno & Oaklander, Sacred Skin, Soft Vein, and Night in Athens.
If you’re a first timer our advice is, commit to the bit. If you’re trying to lose yourself to a pulsing beat or stand still in front of a wall of sound, Substance delivers ritual-level intensity.
How to Enter the Substance Festival Giveaway
- Tag a friend on our “Substance Festival Ticket Giveaway” post on social media (@jankysmooth) and make sure you both like the post.
- Follow us both on Instagram— @jankysmooth.
- Winner announced Wednesday, November 5 at Noon PST.
Two lucky winners will score two tickets each — pair up, grab your partner in crime, and get ready to drown in reverb, bass, and endless vibes. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, Nov 5th at Noon Pacific. Good luck!
About Substance Festival
Since its inception, Substance has become a cornerstone of the Los Angeles underground- a space where fans of every genre of music can vibe- but if you like like post-punk/ goth et al, you can really immerse yourself. The event’s reputation has only grown since its early years, evolving into a curated showcase of the genre’s most vital and visceral performers.
Its 2025 return to the Belasco promises to build on that legacy: a bold indoor experience steeped in sonic and visual immersion, drawing from the ever-evolving scenes of post-punk, darkwave, industrial, synth-pop, experimental and beyond.
related: Janky Fresh Friday- Record Release Shows by Patriarchy and Spiritual Cramp
Mark your calendar for November 7 & 8 at The Belasco Theater.
