Grrrl Gang energizes a Monday night at Soda Bar with Misfire and Mx Lonely
Last Monday night, March 23, Grrrl Gang brought the Clocking In At The End of the World Tour to Soda Bar, and gave the audience a powerful night of Indonesian pop and lyrics that address identity, social norms, and self-acceptance. The crowd quieted as Misfire took the stage as the first opening act.
Misfire is a newer band local to San Diego, who released their first single just last year. Their sound is shoegazey with post-punk inspiration. Lead singer and bassist Emilie Wizbowski brings her soft but strong voice to the high energy distorted guitar from guitarist Jayden Jackson. The music energized the crowd, who danced to their last song and left the stage ready for the next opening act, Mx Lonely.
Mx Lonely is a heavy alternative rock band who started out in 2020 and are still going strong having released their third studio album, ALL MONSTERS. Lead singer Rae Haas made the stage their own with guttural screams and interpretive movement of their body to the grungegaze sound, creating an incredible and unique live experience. Haas even made their way into the crowd to sing, letting the melody take over and transporting the crowd with them. With a dedication to trans people everywhere as an introduction to their song, Big Hips, the band delivered a special and moving performance. Next up our main act, Grrrl Gang.
Grrrl Gang is an indie pop band from Indonesia, bringing their tour to the US for the first time! Lead vocalist Angeeta Sentana charms with her bright voice and expressive face, she brings you into the world and story of the song. They bring an exciting energy to the stage with guitarist Edo Alventa and bassist Akbar Rumandung. The band has been around since 2016, aiming to create music that celebrates collective connection across cultures and countries, and the reality of the social battles many of us face.
Their most recent release is an EP that came out in February titled “Online 24/7.” In one song, “You & Me” Sentana sings, “It’s you and me, against the machine, that wants to grind us to oblivion.” Another song on the EP, titled “Lapdog” is a mostly spoken word song about conformity. Sentana takes an intense, speech-like approach to the performance, which enamored the audience as she preached, “If you keep your head down, say yes to any of their whims, applaud to their brilliant ideas, you’re guaranteed a seat at the table my friend… …A lapdog is all you’ll ever be.” All the while Sentana has been sporting a pin all night that’s reads “I don’t wanna be a lapdog.”
Grrrl Gang’s Clocking in at the End of the World Tour made a big splash at Soda Bar on Monday, giving the crowd a great night and inducting new fans from new countries into their Indonesian pop world.
