A night of neon synth sounds; a bleak look at the future through the lense of the past – coloured by the 1980s vision of a post-apocalyptic dystopia where we almost find ourselves today. The Yamaha-drenched sounds of recent years, with the Cubase-influenced heavy beats of today will provide the soundtrack, while DJ Vilkas (Shadowplay, Fimbulvetr, AbSynth) & special guest PUCK (Idlestates) entertain with images from prophetic visions of the future.

Ethan Anderson, AKA Puck, is the founder and creative force behind Idlestates Recordings, an imprint rooted in Scotland, UK. Emerging in the early 2020s, he developed Idlestates as a platform for experimental electronic music driven by a punk leaning ethos—bringing together the raw edges of electro, EBM and industrial. This identity runs through the label’s releases, his DJ sets, and an evolving archive of radio broadcasts. As both contributor and curator across the labels releases, he has connected a diverse group of rising and established artists, united by a commitment to raw, boundary pushing sound. His vision continues to steer Idlestates as it broadens its catalogue and global community, reinforcing the label’s reputation as a home for forward thinking electronic innovation.

DJ Vilkas co-founded Shadowplay Edinburgh in 2016, playing the new sounds of goth, coldwave, postpunk and deathrock in the capital. This industrial-themed spinoff, NO FATE, is now in its seventh annual incarnation. Usually reserved for Twitch and YouTube-based livestreaming, 2026 marks the third real life excursion.

An evening of music, film and appreciation of a particular scene in a particular time. Join us for the soundtrack to the apocalypse, as 1982 imagined in 2026. Check out the website for past sets and what you might expect this time.

Friday 31 July 2026 People’s Leisure Club, Lothian Street, Bristo Square, Edinburgh tickets via ra.co https://ra.co/events/2403734 Right Of Admission Reserved – this isn’t a fancy dress contest, but please respect the theme of the event and dress darkly – all black minimum or some kind of cyber/goth themed attire will be expected at the door.

shadowplayedinburgh.co.uk instagram.com/djvilkas https://www.mixcloud.com/DJVilkas/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2WlYBHLn-dlRP3qO-IArnw

instagram.com/ethan_idlestatesrecordings/ http://www.facebook.com/IdlestatesRecordings https://soundcloud.com/idlestates

Poster artwork by @poseformyvanitysoph