When Patrick Rodgers’ Dancing Ferret brings industrial rock/EMB (Electronic Body Music) gods, Front 242, to Union Transfer on September 7, it is a massive and not-to-be-missed event for more than a few reasons – beyond the fact that 2024’s tour promises to be its last and that this Philly show is the icy trio’s only East Coast concert.
Quite frankly, there has never been another act such as Front 242, despite the wealth of EBM/industrial dance rock avatars such as Ministry, Skinny Puppy, Front Line Assembly, and even the earliest incarnations of Trent Reznor’s Nine Inch Nails.
As the early toast of hardcore and hard-driving (but often surprisingly subtle) electronic body music, since 1981, Front 242 propelled its niche sound (hell, they practically created it) via quirky, forceful rhythms and a high-toned brand of distortion-heavy synthesizers. Yes, their sound has forever been dark and dusky – never to be confused with pop despite its most danceable elements. But, whether we’re looking at its first full-length album’ Geography (1982), its genre-defining classics such as Front by Front (1988) and Tyranny (For You) (1991), or its final full-length project Pulse (2003), Front 242 forever balanced its provocative noise, propellent grooves, and rapturous synthesizer-sequencer-based melodies (they’re huge Kraftwerk fans, and it shows) with a need for originality.
Fact: nothing they did ever repeated what came before. Even from song-to-song, Front 242 was – and is until the end – always inventive. Plus, they have always been big on cool stage presentations and anonymous-looking costumes.
“It is with a heavy mix of emotion that we close this great adventure, some 40 years in the making,” said the Belgian trio’s collective membership by way of an announcement on International EBM Day in 2024. “We realize that ending our journey at this time, when we are still vibrant and full of energy is how the band should be remembered. We are excited to share these meaningful final performances with our wonderful fans who have been with us through it all.”
If you ever spent time at Revival and Asylum back in the day or ever looked over the legendary DJ Bobby Startup’s shoulder when he spun, you know and love Front 242.
What is even bolder about this closing-down-shop tour is that Patrick Rodgers’ Dancing Ferret Concerts got electro giants The Crystal Method and dark techno artist Madeline Seely’s Nuxx Vonica to open these shows. “I’m ecstatic and truly honored to be part of Front 242’s farewell tour,” the Crystal Method wrote on its website. Sharing the stage with the legends of electronic music will be a moment to be cherished! Don’t miss it.”
I second that emotion.
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