Nuovo Testamento and Dark Chisme: A Fresh Night of Dark Dance Music at DC9
Photos by Ben Eisendrath
Words by Mickey McCarter
A diverse group of people dressed for a night of dark pop music recently packed a sold-out show at DC9, headlined by Nuovo Testamento. Dark-wave duo Dark Chisme proved to be scene-stealers in an opening set, and a good time was had by all!
Italo disco trio Nuovo Testamento have performed in DC previously, most notably opening for Molchat Doma — and this DC9 gig was their second headlining turn in our city!
The band started with “Michelle Michelle” from their 2021 album, New Earth, setting the tone for a dance-floor friendly set. In 2025, the trio released Trouble, a new EP, and its songs constituted the heart of the set with peak dance pop selections “Picture Perfect” and “Dream On.”
Watch the official music video for “Dream On” by Nuovo Testamento on YouTube:
Nuovo Testamento scattered songs from 2023’s Love Lines throughout the set, including the title track in the middle of the show and “Perfect Storm” as the first number of a two-song encore. (You may have caught them in 2023 during their Love Lines Tour at Songbyrd Music House.)
Frontwoman Chelsey Crowley struck perfect notes with her dynamic range, and the crowd totally embraced her signature striking dark eyeliner. Much of the audience came made up in their own finest goth-friendly ensembles.
Dark Chisme, a Seattle-based dark wave band, featuring Latina DJ and producer Christine Gutierrez (vocals, synths) and E (bass, synths), opened the show, immediately setting the stage for a night of dark dancing. The band began their set with a few songs from their self-titled 2024 album, beginning with “Move” and “Fangs.”
A great complementary band while not being in exactly the same musical space, Dark Chisme proved a terrific act to accompany Nuovo Testamento. As a guy who appreciates classic post-punk sounds, I quite like what Latin-American bands are doing in that musical space today. Gutierrez proudly wears her Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage on her sleeve, and she’s making formidable dark wave music in a line of musicians that include the excellent Twin Tribes.
At DC9, we were treated to some songs with English lyrics but with Spanish titles like “Sombras” and “La Musica Oscura” — both of which also appear on their self-titled album. They also rolled out the catchy new song “Yo Puedo Vivir Sin Ti,” which follows the same mold.
Watch the official music video for “Yo Puedo Vivir Sin Ti” by Dark Chisme on YouTube:
Dark Chisme closed their set with “Beautiful Obsession Killer,” leaving the DC9 crowd wanting more! Surely, they will return soon as Christine and E seem to have big ambitions.
Here are some photos of Nuovo Testamento performing live at DC9 on Feb. 24, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Ben Eisendrath.
Here are some photos of Dark Chisme performing live at DC9 on Feb. 24, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Ben Eisendrath.
