Local Goth legends Redemption to reunite at the Dark Arts Festival

With October upon us, the cavalcade of spooky nights and cobwebbed mornings has finally arrived. The first event on my calendar is the Dark Arts Festival of Utah, a three-day event featuring visual arts, music, dance and fashion, taking place Friday, Oct. 2 through Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026 at Area 51.

I have fond, albeit vague, memories of being in the room when the original festival was imagined in the early ’90s. The festival as we now know it was revived in 2001 and has endured for 25 years as a labor of love by the local goth community.

This year’s festival features a mix of local and national bands, including Bellhead, Carphax Files, Riverhead, Image Down, Cathode, Brandon Callahan, Absynthe of Faith, Twilight Transmissions and Voicecoil, along with the reunion of Redemption, featuring the classic lineup of vocalist/guitarist Miah, guitarists Ashe and Jesse, bassist Matt and drummer James.

Redemption was a frequent performer during the early days of the Dark Arts Festival. They last played in 2018 at Club Area 51’s annual Goth Prom with a truncated lineup. This marks the first time since 2014 that the full band has played together.

Ahead of the show, I caught up with Miah to talk about the reunion.

SLUG: What inspired the reunion?

Miah: I mean, that part kind of came easy. People have been asking for a long time, and this seemed like the appropriate opportunity. We are excited to play the Dark Arts Festival again.

SLUG: Was it hard to get everyone back on the same page?

Miah: Yes and no. Aside from having to re-learn some key parts for each of us, there are always scheduling issues that make things difficult. That being said, this lineup played all of the songs we are going to be showcasing every week, several times a week, for 13 years together. So, it was mostly easy.

SLUG: Has it felt like returning to something old, or finding something new?

Miah: For me, mostly the former. However, there is certainly a new aspect in the fact that all of us are older, wiser and just better players. So, the familiarity helps, though what is new is there is a professionalism and polish that wasn’t quite so apparent in the past.

SLUG: Is this just a one-off?

Miah: At the moment, we don’t have further things planned, but you never know with this band.

SLUG: Is there anything else you would like to include?

Miah: Yes, of course. We would like to thank Jen, Alan, The Dark Arts Committee and the staff at Area 51 for encouraging us to come back. Our fans here at home and abroad for keeping the faith and keeping us in your hearts. Of course, we need to thank our partners and spouses, Alicia, Storm, Candace, Erin and Cara Jean, for being so understanding and supportive. See you Saturday.

The 2026 Dark Arts Festival takes place Oct. 2–4 at Area 51. Redemption is scheduled to play Saturday night. For more information, visit the Dark Arts Festival on Facebook. –Ryan Michael Painter

Read more artist interviews by Ryan Michael Painter:
Tea in the Tear Garden: Legendary Act Tour For The First Time
Venus Unbalanced: A behind-the-scenes conversation with the crew of Voodoo Theatre Company’s Venus in Fur

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