Room 128’s latest showcase at Tone Lab marked a quiet milestone in the band’s seven-year journey, reflecting both their musical evolution and growing connection with the local indie scene. Supported by the youthful shoegaze sounds of 4our, the night blended dreamy atmospheres, emotional performances, and an intimate sense of community that made the small venue feel personal.
Scene Incubator #1 didn’t pack the room, but we’re not in the rush. With Route59, Lulaby, and ChipPunks splitting the night between thrashy punk and softer melodies, the show found its strength in closeness, where every riff, every chorus, and every shared smile landed harder for the smaller crowd.
Hanoi’s Ciggarats, a punk-rooted quartet formed in 2024 with members aged 14 to 20, drop their first music video for Dissolve. The lead single from debut EP The Night Never Ended, out May 20, the track introduces a band splitting time between school, Grab shifts, and Guitar Plus Studio.
Long Tranh Hổ Đấu struggled on Friday, so Ethos Collective scrambled to rescue the weekend. Um Ba La opened its floor for an emergency Saturday lineup of ElbowDrop, 9xacly, Cut Lon, Taiwan’s Infernal Chaos, and KINH, with power cuts and a sauna of bodies included.
Long Tranh Hổ Đấu’s first “Long” day brought together a packed lineup of rock, hardcore, metalcore and pop-punk acts, showcasing just how alive and diverse Vietnam’s heavy music scene has become. Despite organizational setbacks and shortened sets, the festival still delivered nonstop energy, from chaotic pits and heartfelt hardcore speeches to experimental industrial performances and massive singalongs. More than anything, the night felt like a celebration of community, youth and the growing passion keeping the local alternative scene thriving.
Đen Tình Đen Nhạc brought together a tightly curated lineup, with Cờ Lê, Bedlam Royals, and 9xactly setting the stage for France’s Celeste. Held on a rainy weekday, the show unfolded with a slower, more immersive pacing that leaned into atmosphere over chaos. By the end of the night, it was clear the focus wasn’t on spectacle, but on being fully pulled into the sound.
