The Linda Lindas rock the Black Cat in Washington, DC (concert review)

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Towards the conclusion of a lively, boisterous 70-minute performance at Washington D.C.’s Black Cat, The Linda Lindas featured ten musicians, creating a buzz in the now-congested stage, as they played their distinctive rendition of Bikini Kill’s “Rebel Girl.” Among her fellow performers on stage, bassist Eloise Wong was accompanied by approximately 700 enthusiastic fans joining in the chant.

Nonconformist lady, nonconformist lady – Nonconformist lady, you’re the ruler of my universe – Nonconformist lady, nonconformist lady – I believe I desire to bring you back – I long to wear your garments, if you don’t mind…

On their second trip within a year, the band from Southern California – comprising Wong on bass, Bela Salazar and Lucia de la Garza on guitars, and Mila de la Garza on drums – made a stop in Washington D.C. Previously last summer, they performed as the opening act for Green Day during their nationwide tour, which also featured a concert at Nationals Park.

Linda Lindas never cease to entertain

Although Salazar is 20 years old and Linda isn’t turning 15 until later this year, the band didn’t falter when performing in front of the massive crowd of 50,000 fans who attended Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, and Rancid last July. However, they truly shone as headliners at the legendary, cozy Black Cat venue.

From a young age, The Linda Lindas were deeply influenced by classic punk music. They’ve had the privilege of sharing the stage with Kathleen Hanna, the lead singer of Bikini Kill, one of their major influences. Moreover, they have warmed up for Green Day and embarked on tours accompanying Paramore. Over the summer, when The Rolling Stones performed in Southern California, the Lindas were chosen to open for them as well.

Since every band member contributes to songwriting and rotates lead vocals, they are able to produce a diverse array of music encompassed by the categories of punk and post-punk. Notably, Wong, who is the focal point with her dynamic vitality, usually assumes the role of the punk screamers. On the other hand, Lucia, who interacts most with the audience, typically manages the more melodious pop tracks.

Among the group members, Salazar, who tends to be more reserved, handled the majority of the singing duties, including their performance of three Spanish songs at the Black Cat. Meanwhile, Mila, stationed behind her drum kit towards the back, participated in multiple duets and even took charge as the lead singer for a couple of songs too.

The assortment of people who come here is remarkably varied. I must admit, I’ve never seen so many middle-aged parents, including moms and dads, at a boisterous punk concert, accompanied by their teenage and preteen children. The majority were young girls, often perched on their fathers’ shoulders or standing on stools, dancing throughout the night. While some parents joined in the dance, many were busy capturing their kids’ performances on camera instead.

Regarding their playlist, Linda’s band performed their entire 2024 album titled “No Obligations”, as well as roughly half of their first release, “Growing Up”. Eloise initiated the performance with an energetic version of the “No Obligations” title song, followed by Bela performing “Resolution/Revolution”. During that song, Eloise unfortunately snapped one of her bass strings.

Later on, I belted out a cover of “Found a Job” by Talking Heads, a track the Lindas had recorded as part of a tribute album titled “Stop Making Sense”, which dropped in May. Besides closing with Bikini Kill’s anthem, we also performed two other covers – “Tren al Sur,” originally by Chilean punk legends Los Prisioneros (Mila’s drums gave it that train-like rhythm), and “When I Come Around” by Green Day, a tune we might have picked up during our summer tour.

After that electrifying performance earlier, the remainder of the gaming session was all about Linda’s original tracks. From the intense punk metal assault of “Excuse Me” to the heartwarming tribute to their beloved cat, Nino, it was hands down the best dance number in an evening filled with fantastic beats. As the night came to a close, Eloise and Mila joined forces on our iconic track from years past – the fiery “Racist Sexist Boy.

1. Eloise’s T-shirt displayed the phrase, “What’s more punk than a public library?” This was the message it carried.

2. In 2021, The Lindas performed their song, “Racist Sexist Boy,” at a public library, which led to a viral video that catapulted them to fame.

Nestled among the Green Day and Bikini Kill encores, Lucia’s stunning rendition of “All in My Head” underscored why the Linda Lindas have transcended their novelty status. They can be boisterous and aggressive, yet they also possess a deep sense of introspection and melody. Balancing between these two extremes, they consistently appear genuine.

These musicians are continually growing and refining their skills, and they’re currently among the top rock and roll bands in the nation, with their talent only improving further.

Ashrita Kumar directed Pinkshift, a Baltimore-based rock band with diverse roots, in a lively, energetic opening act that lasted about forty minutes. Originally a trio of musicians who crossed paths while pursuing science and engineering at Johns Hopkins University prior to the pandemic, Pinkshift now takes the stage as a five-piece band.

Kumar, joined by Wong and de la Garza, enthusiastically encouraged the group of young dancers in the audience, stating something akin to “You have what it takes to do this as well!” They spiced up their encouragement with vibrant expressions for emphasis.

The ladies in the throng, be they strolling around accompanied by companions or perched up high on their parents’ shoulders, appeared to be well aware of it.

Over the next few days, The Linda Lindas will perform a few more concerts in the northeastern region, as most of them will soon head back to their high schools.

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2025-04-19 16:30