Teen Gothic

I'd be curious if other countries face a similar decline in numbers on this front as Germany. Over the past one or two decades, many Goth Clubs have closed and respective events are exceeding rare – at least compared to how it used to be in the early 2000s. I've recently moved to Leipzig, which used to be the "Black Capital of Germany" and even here, there are some events every other week – which is still a lot more than in southern Germany, where I used to live before. And even in Leipzig, the last "pure" Goth Club, the "Darkflower", has closed for good in July, leaving only regular clubs with Goth themed nights.

I'm in my mid 30s now and still, whenever I visit some Goth Night in a Club, it feels like the average age drops when I enter the room. It seems like that these events are visited by the same people as 20 or 30 years ago. And outside of these events, in everyday environments, Goths seem to be as rare as black diamonds. (there never used to be "a lot" but you could encounter at least some every now and then)

So, how does it look on your country? Is there still an active Goth "community" or is it dying out as well?

I want to get many people involved such as bands, artists, small businesses, babybats, elder goths, just anyone with an appreciation for goth involved. Things such as interviews, fashion discussion, monthly releases and music reviews, concert photography and art, and general discussion about the subculture throughout the years will be present. I am only 18 and from California so I would need assistance from fellow goths of all ages, locations, and identities in order to represent the goth community as completely as I can. Much help is appreciated !

i feel like there's a stereotype around goth that all goths must be super miserable or smthn, but getting involved in the subculture has been helpful immensely for me. it acts not only as community, but also spending time discovering new music and creating my own music is a great outlet for any general frustrations. plus, as a trans and just generally gender nonconforming individual, i can be freely expressive with my appearance without getting judged for it, at least not within the community. it's also made me not feel as much of a need to mask symptoms of autism, since this subculture is much more accepting of autism and autistic traits than the general populus

tldr i love being goth and am just overall thankful for this subculture and every other person in it

I'm most interested in thoughts from those whose taste in music, aesthetic, hobbies, social circles, identities, and/or worldviews developed within the 80s-era goth subculture. Music is the most relevant point of focus, as this subreddit emphasizes.

I'll post something similar next week for people who encountered goth music in the 90s and 00s.

• When did you become involved in the subculture? When were you last significantly invested in it? (If you're part of this demographic and you're reading this post, I can assume some level of interest.)

• Related to previous: Where in the world do you live? Where have you lived?

• Were 80s goths as snarky as I've been told that you were?

• Did you seriously dislike people who smoked clove cigarettes? (I had an elder goth friend who could not STAND people who did.)

• What interests you about everything that's changed since the 80s/90s/00s?

• How often do you attend live shows and/or festivals?

• If you're familiar with post-2000 goth music, which newer bands do you recommend?

• Just for fun: Is your home decor gothic?

Point form answers are fine. So are long answers. Whichever you prefer.