The event, originally named “Ngẩng Đầu Nhìn Trăng Sáng, Cúi Đầu Thấy Pề Đan” which roughly translates to “Look up to see the bright Moon, look down to see the pedals“ was an evening of many stares filled in disbelief of soundscapes created by guitar effects.
The lineup — Sunlotus (Indonesia), Cút Lộn, Bedlam Royals, Irihi, and Room128 — represented different corners of Asia’s independent scene. From math-rock intricacy to post-metal density and shoegaze haze, the night flowed with emotion, craft, and raw sincerity — everything Out The Run has come to stand for.
IRIHI — MATH IN MOTION
Opening with elegance and precision, Irihi’s set was a perfect slow ignition. Their blend of technical guitar play and soft yet determined female vocals pulled the crowd into shifting rhythms and delicate transitions.
The band’s sound balanced complexity with warmth, math-rock that invited emotion rather than alienating. It was an opener that didn’t just play songs, but established a feeling of anticipation and calm before the storm.
ROOM128 — INDIE MEETS INTIMACY
Room128 followed with indie-leaning math-rock that felt both familiar and personal. Their self-written tracks carried a youthful sincerity, lifted by clean melodies and understated confidence.
Short, natural introductions between songs gave the set a conversational charm, and their polished look and tight performance proved their dedication to the craft. Room128’s music didn’t demand attention; it earned it.
BEDLAM ROYALS — HEAVY WITH PURPOSE
When Bedlam Royals took the stage, the atmosphere thickened. Their post-metal and sludge influences came alive through dense, layered riffs that carried both aggression and intent.
Despite being a relatively new act, their experience was undeniable. The interplay between guitars, bass, drums, and vocals was tight and commanding. Each riff landed with purpose; each transition hit like a wave. It was a performance that demanded respect.
CÚT LỘN — CHAOS, CONTROLLED
Then came Cút Lộn, and all composure went out the window. The moment they launched into their first song, the floor erupted. Mosh pits, circle pits, sweat, and screams. The signature energy of one of Vietnam’s most seasoned acts.
Their set was relentless, the tempo barely dropping between songs. A perfect warmup for their upcoming SEA tour and a showcase of their latest release “Dzữa”. It was the kind of chaos only Cút Lộn could orchestrate, raw and cathartic.
SUNLOTUS — A LUMINOUS FAREWELL
Closing the night, Indonesia’s Sunlotus painted the stage in a haze of reverb and emotion. Formed in 2018, the band’s fusion of grunge warmth and shoegaze texture offered a gentle descent from the earlier storm.
Their use of unique vocal effects and the hollow-neck guitar gave the set an ethereal quality, floating, resonant, and quietly powerful. It was less of a performance and more of a dream sequence, closing the night with grace.
From Irihi’s intricate structures to Cút Lộn’s raw fury and Sunlotus’s calm release, Ngẩng Đầu Nhìn Trăng Sáng, Cúi Đầu Thấy Pề Đan was a reminder of what makes Vietnam’s independent music scene thrive: diversity, intent, and heart.
Out The Run once again proved their role as one of the most consistent curators of authentic underground experiences, nights that aren’t just heard, but felt.
Words: Doan Gia Huy
Photos: Razqoi
