FRONT 242 IN CONCERT:

Belgian electro-industrial outfit Front 242 helped pioneer the early-’80s rise of electronic body music, a hard, dark synth-based genre that contrasted with the bright, confectionary sound of European synthpop. Today they remain as acerbic and compelling as ever, treating fans at their rare live appearances to career-spanning sets full of sawtooth analog synths and dystopian tracks like “U-Men” and “Headhunter”. Performing with all of their core members still intact, Front 242 offers fans the rare pleasure of experiencing a piece of electronic music history at their must-see live shows. 

BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:

Front 242 was formed in Belgium in 1981 when two existing duos that were exploring new musical technologies joined forces. After building popularity with early singles like “Principles” and “U-Men”, the band released their 1983 debut album Geography, a benchmark effort regarded today as an electro-industrial classic. The band’s 1984 sophomore album No Comment cemented their position as a dominant force in electronic body music, leading to a deal with Wax Trax! Records and landing them on a US tour with industrial icons Ministry. The group scored their first club hit in 1988 with “Headhunter”, a futuristic cut off the album Front by Front that cracked the Top 20 of the US Dance/Club Play Songs Chart. Their success continued with 1991 LP Tyranny (For You), which appeared on the Billboard 200 and earned them a major label contract with Sony/Epic. Over the years the band has maintained its core members, releasing a string of albums throughout the ’90s before several hiatuses in the ’00s slowed their output. A live album released in 2008 proved that Front 242 remain a first-class live act — a reputation they continue to live up to with their unforgettable performances on tour.