The fantastic new punk-rock sensations The Linda Lindas recently hit the stage at the famous Black Cat for a sold-out show of great original songs intermixed with outstanding cover songs throughout the evening.
Before these youngsters took the stage on April 18, the Baltimore-area band Pinkshift set the momentum for the evening when they took the stage with a raging set of rock songs they have crafted since meeting and forming a band while going to school at Johns Hopkins University in 2019 in Baltimore. The evening would turn out to be a fast-paced evening of punk rockers combined with dynamic youthful energy by both bands.
Pinkshift played about a 45-minute set of nonstop, punk, indie, grunge driven music with the pace of their set established by outstanding lead vocalist Ashrita Kumar. This band, while opening for the powerhouse The Linda Lindas, actually made a statement for themselves as an opening band, and a band that I can see getting bigger and playing more mainstream shows in the future. The band consists of Kumar on vocals, Paul Vallejo on lead guitar, and Myron Hounjgbedji on drums. Pinkshift opened for Pussy Riot in 2023 and the Gaslight Anthem in 2024.
Watch the official music video for “Evil Eye” by Pinkshift on YouTube:
I first saw The Linda Lindas perform in 2024 when they opened for supergroup Green Day at Nationals Park. During that set, I saw firsthand the high-energy set they delivered with youthful enthusiasm, great vocals, and punk-driven rock. When it was announced that they would be headlining the Black Cat, I knew I needed to be at the show as their one of the best upcoming punk-rock bands in the world currently. To be youngsters delivering such a mature sound is a statement of how good they are at this young age, which should see them continue to grow musically and continue moving higher up the charts as their music becomes more known.
Hailing from Los Angeles, The Linda Lindas are made up of Bela Salazar on guitar and vocals, Eloise Wong on bass, Lucia de la Garza on guitar and vocals, and Mila de la Garza on drums — all below 20-years of age.
The Linda Lindas put on an outstanding performance at Black Cat, opening with new song “No Obligation” from the current No Obligation album. Some of the finer moments from the show were their original renditions of “Yo Me Estreso,” “Cartographers,” and “Lose Yourself.” However, not to be outdone by just playing originals, which I feel will continue taking them more mainstream as more persons become aware of this band, were cover songs they played such “Found a Job” by Talking Heads, “When I Come Around” by Green Day, and “Rebel Girl” by Bikini Kill.
Watch the official music video for “No Obligation” by The Linda Lindas on YouTube:
The on-stage dynamics of The Linda Lindas is superb with upbeat guitar playing, bass and drums, stage movement, and great vocals to help define The Linda Lindas sound.
Overall, the night of punk driven rock/pop music was outstanding, highlighted by two great performances that definitely left the crowd wanting more music from these two bands, not just on the night, but in the future. Let’s hope to see new albums from both bands in the near term, as they continue defining their sound, delivering new music, and continuing to tour around the globe.
Setlist
1. No Obligation
2. Resolution/Revolution
3. Too Many Times
4. Yo Me Estreso
5. Once Upon a Time
6. Found a Job
7. Growing Up
8. Tren al Sur
9. Cartographers
10. Don’t Think
11. Cuantas Veces
12. Nothing Would Change
13. Lose Yourself
14. Excuse Me
15. Nino
16. Stop
17. Oh!
18. Racist Sexist Boy
19. When I Come Around
20. All in My Head
21. Rebel Girl
Catch The Linda Lindas on tour!
Here are some photos of The Linda Lindas performing at Black Cat on April 18, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of James Todd Miller.
Here are some photos of Pinkshift opening The Linda Lindas at Black Cat on April 18, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of James Todd Miller.
