Where does the black scene meet? Today, one would have to answer: On the internet ... and at a few festivals and parties spread throughout the year. The club death has also hit the goths and that's why real trendy discos are hardly to be found any more. Even in London, the stronghold of post-punk, Slimelight is still worth a mention. An important scene club in Germany was, for example, the Zwischenfall in Bochum, which was destroyed by fire in 2011. The "Domplattentreffen", where the goth scene gathered in front of Cologne Cathedral in the mid-90s and offered passers-by a creepy sight, has also long since ceased to exist in its original form. Many festivals like the Zillo Festival or the Blackfield Festival were cancelled after a few years.
Today the black scene meets mainly at the remaining big festivals like the Wave Gotik Treffen in Leipzig or the Mera Luna Festival in Hildesheim. The Amphi Festival in Cologne and the Autumn Moon in Hamelin have also made a name for themselves, with many non-scene visitors among the audience. Outside Germany, you can visit the Castle Party Festival in Bolków in Poland or the Goth Festival in Whitby. In addition, there are many small and medium-sized events that are organised by small organisers with a lot of commitment.
As the goth scene is still held together by music, people also very often meet at concerts of their favourite bands. These can be very large stages with The Cure or Depeche Mode, or small gigs with only a few spectators. Depending on the music genre, people meet here mainly in the corresponding sub-scene. Few black romantics come to a Cinema Strange gig, and only a few Batcavers stray into the audience at a Goethe's Heirs concert. Instead of real scene clubs, non-specialist discotheques are now offering gothic parties. The better known the location, however, the more visitors from outside the scene join them on the dance floor. However, since goths like to be among themselves and want to set themselves apart, many parties are not particularly well attended.
The internet provides a remedy and offers new meeting places for like-minded people. Goths exchange information and keep in touch with each other on social networks. There are also some blogs that offer places to go. Numerous Goth YouTube stars also provide the scene with news, entertainment and styling tips, although the line between scene and commerce is very thin here. In addition, there are Gothic flea markets in some cities or people meet privately for joint activities.
The cliché that goths meet in cemeteries is only fulfilled by a few members of the scene. Although there are always dates for picnics in the cemetery or photo shoots at graves, the cemetery is not a scene meeting place. However, it is quite likely that goths will also drop by the local cemetery on city trips and take part in appropriate guided tours. Bone houses, castles, mystical places and "rotten places" also have a magical attraction for the scene. However, not as a meeting place, but as a destination for inspiration and relaxation.