Born in 2012, COLD WAVES began as a memorial concert for fallen Chicago musician and sound man Jamie Duffy. The original event, a 14-band affair over a single night, served as a springboard to what is now a multi-day festival-style show. The effort made that first September evening to raise money for Jamie's family has now grown into a global destination celebration of Chicago's relationship with industrial music, and a passionate fundraiser for suicide awareness and prevention causes. LAST YEAR: We expanded the Chicago event to 3 full nights in Metro, with 2 after-show events in Smart Bar, and a kick-off concert at the Empty Bottle (not to mention a closing night party at Gman)... then we debuted in Los Angeles with 2 nights at the Regent Theater. So in 2018, what else to do but go for broke? This year we are featuring THREE 3-Night affairs, in New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago... with sweet home Chicago, the flagship, carrying two additional Smart bar events and a pre-party kick off event. Proud to have joining us, for a 4th year in a row, WAX TRAX RECORDS! setting up shop in our Chicago lobby, along with Electronic Saviors, Music to Cure Cancer setting up a booth in all 3 cities! And of course... the music. Mr. Nivek Ogre, Bill Leeb and Jack Dangers at the headliner helm, along with a special extended-set from The Black Queen in LA... Chemlab performing their debut album "Burnout at the Hydrogen Bar" in full... C-tec, intact with JL DeMeyer (Front 242) and Marc Heal (Cubanate) hitting the stage for the first time in 20 years... an exciting CW debut for Continues, the latest project from Babyland's Dan Gatto, plus Vancouver post-punk darklings ACTORS, and NYC's mysterious and talented ANATOMY... CW gold-status members Paul Barker and Chris Connelly projects Lead Into Gold and Cocksure... the haunting and mezmerizing HIDE in support of their Dais Records debut "Castration Anxiety", along with Author & Punisher in support of his Relapse Records debut... and Chicago after-hours Live PA battles with the supreme Sara Taylor at the helm. And that's not allllll! A portion of the proceeds will benefit Darkest Before Dawn, who we are working with to bring support, community and resources to our closest allies: the late-night service industry staff and live music engineers who keep our clubs and bars humming. Relating back to Jamie Duffy, and through the recent passing of other much-loved and talented people in these industries, we feel a distinct calling to provide this oft overlooked group a chance for better access to mental health resources, emotional support, community and appreciation. Data supports this group being very susceptible to depression, isolation and suicide, as with other 3rd shift employee schedules, and having little to no mental health insurance options. We hope to help Darkest Before Dawn offer counseling, resources and more to our brothers and sisters who work tirelessly to deliver our nightlife.