In the gothic scene there is a whole range of typical dance styles, often associated with its splinter groups. The classic goth is basically an anti-dancer, because he does not attach any importance to rhythmic movements and dance sequences, but often simply shuffles across the dance floor and accompanies the melody of the song with mystical arm movements. The classic
"gravedigger dance", which is hardly practised today, originates from the 80s and can be explained most simply with the following movement sequence: In a stooped or bent-over posture, the goth takes three steps forward, makes a deep bow and takes the same three steps back again. The deep bow was once described as "gravediggers digging a grave". This is where the dance gets its name from.
The neo-romantic is the dance floor waggler, its dance being very reminiscent of balls or dances at old castles and palaces in the age of the Renaissance. Especially the huge skirts are swung, the knees are bent and the arms caress the air surrounding the dancer.
In EBMler, things get rhythmic again and often martial, as people often stomp or march to the beat of the music. The arms follow precise and sharp movements and are always oriented to the rhythm of the music. EBMers often have a passion for the pogo, which actually comes from the punk scene. During very fast and aggressive pieces, they like to push each other from left to right, but without any bad intentions.
The cyber-goth is the most trained of all dancers, because his "industrial dance", which has nothing to do with the music style of the same name, is a complex and rehearsed sequence of movements that takes up a lot of space on any dance floor. What looks to the outsider like the uncontrolled swinging of arms and legs is actually a rehearsed choreography that is often performed in sync with other dancers. Perhaps this is why the cyber has fallen out of favour on the gothic dance floors, as this dance does not fit at all with the attitude of goths who want to shuffle or luxuriate in peace.