By: Darci Michon
CHICAGO—Since their start in 2018, The Linda Linda’s have taken the modern punk rock music scene by storm. The band is made up of Lucia de Garza (guitar/vocals), Mila de Garza (drums/vocals), Bela Salazar (guitar/vocals), and Elosie Wong (bass/vocals), whose ages currently range from 14 to 20 years old. The quartet has had a very impressive career, opening for bands such as Bikini Kill, Green Day, The Rolling Stones, and Paramore. In March, the teenage rockers set off on their first-ever headlining tour.
This past Sunday, April 13th, The Linda Linda’s stopped in Chicago, and took the Metro by storm. The night opened with Chicago’s own Adan Diaz and Baltimore-based band Pinkshift as the supporting acts. Between Diaz’s high energy indie-rock and Pinkshift’s fast-paced grungy pop-punk, the crowd was warmed up and excited for The Linda Linda’s to kick off their set.
As soon as the quartet walked onto the stage, the crowd erupted into a burst of energy, and the band launched into their song “No Obligation,” the title track of their latest album of the same name. The track, fronted by Wong, showcases the bassist’s raspy voice with uplifting lyrics that livened up the crowd and got them dancing.
While a lot of The Linda Linda’s songs have political undertones attached to it, they are able to provide inspiring insight that is wise beyond their years.
Throughout their career, The Linda Lindas have appeared on several musical projects including A24’s “Stop Making Sense” tribute album, which celebrates the 40th anniversary of “The Talking Heads’” concert documentary. During their performance, The Linda Lindas played their cover of “Found a Job” from the tribute album. The song, led by Salazar, was an example of pure, unbridled joy that absolutely wowed the audience
Throughout their set, the lyrics “We rebuild what you destroy” would appear on the backing screen in reference to their song “Racist, Sexist Boy.” With songs such as “Resolution/Revolution” and Bikini Kill’s “Rebel Girl,” The Linda Lindas not only signal a call for change, but encourage the audience to take action and stand up in the face of injustice.
Two standout moments of The Linda Lindas’ set were, “Too Many Things” fronted by Mila de Garza and “Don’t Think” fronted by Lucia de Garza. While both songs deal with the challenges and hardships of being in this world, there is something amazing about people from all different generations and backgrounds singing about these themes that makes one feel less alone.
A truly beautiful part of the show was the never ending pit that took place in the middle of the floor. However, this was not your traditional punk rock pit. Instead of moshing, everyone was dancing. The entire floor was made up of groups of friends holding hands, jumping, and dancing around, all while singing profound lyrics about growing up, empowerment, and friendship.
It is so important that in this chaotic world full of negativity, that we are able to build communities and connect over art and music such as The Linda Lindas to express ourselves and empower one another.
While watching the band, you can’t help but smile when thinking about how far they have come in such a short time and at such a young age. Each member is an integral part of the band and their stage presence both individually and as a whole is a force to be reckoned with. The Linda Lindas’ performance at the Metro was one of the most fun shows I have ever been to. They are not only speaking their minds to fight against injustice and discrimination, but the quartet is doing it with an optimistic energy and look on life that I think everyone could learn from.
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