Scene Incubator #1 set up shop on a quieter Saigon night, and what could have read as a half-empty room turned into something the lineup quickly took advantage of. Three bands, plenty of space to breathe, and a crowd that genuinely wanted to be there. A slow start for the new Ethos‘ initiative, but most new things need some time to pick up the pace. The dim lights and open floor pulled the show closer to its core, and from the first chord, it was clear this one would lean toward connection.
Route59, Lulaby, và Chippunks split the bill between punk-thrash energy and softer melodic territory, with the closing moments stretching into a crowd sing-along of 9xacly’s cover. The sparseness gave each set room to do its own thing and made the audience feel less like spectators and more like part of the night itself.
ROUTE59: PUNK-THRASH RHYTHMS THAT HIT HARDER UP CLOSE
Route59 opened the night the way openers should, tight, loud, and fully committed. The band’s punk-thrash riffs cut through the room with the kind of intensity that wakes up an audience and pins it in place. Their playing stayed locked in even through the high-speed rhythm crossovers, and the inevitable breakdown landed with a bass drop sharp enough to rearrange ears.
None of this was muted by the smaller turnout. If anything, the close-quarters setup made every vocal line hit harder, every kick drum feel more direct, and every chorus more “slap-inducing,” as we couldn’t help phrasing it on the night. Route59 have just started, and for their official launch, it’s more than we’d expect from a newcomer in the scene. Most importantly, unlike many local hardcore bands, their style isn’t leaning to beatdown or metallic side, but is rooted in old street punk and more melodic scream lines.
LULABY: MELODIC CALM IN THE MIDDLE OF A PUNK NIGHT
Following Route59‘s opening burst, Lulaby stepped in to live up to their name. Their set settled the room with soothing, calming melodies that gave the night its softer counterweight. The second track stood out in particular, with slow, dreamy guitar lines paired with a smooth solo that evoked a long drive on a gloomy evening, melancholic in tone yet quietly charming. The lyrics throughout the set leaned light and emotional, with enough warmth to keep the audience drawn in rather than drifting off.
The band also introduced a brand-new track with poignant, thoughtful writing that gave the set added depth. The lead vocalist sounded slightly under the weather that night, but the rest of the band kept the song afloat with steady support, and the spirit of the piece remained intact from start to finish. A second new song followed, this time with a more energetic swing that pulled the room out of its quieter pocket and brought the floor back into gentle motion.
CHIPPUNKS: PUNK-THRASH CHAOS, FAMILY ENERGY, AND A SINGALONG CLOSER
When ChipPunks took the stage, the temperature jumped almost instantly. The band brought their familiar punk-thrash riffs and a stack of effects that pushed the set into chaotic, vibrant territory. The standout was Phấy Phấy on drums, a promising young face on the scene whose tight, dynamic, and energetic playing locked the room’s attention from the first hit. There was a precision and confidence to his drumming that anchored the whole set, and he carried that anchor straight through to the closer.
The vocal hooks did their part, too. The audience may have been smaller than ChipPunks‘ usual draw, but as soon as the songs kicked in, the room was cheering and moving on instinct. “Gia Đình” lifted the temperature further, settling into a joyful, warm pocket that made the kind of moment where you turn to whoever’s standing next to you and pull them closer. The third track introduced the “Moving Your Body” chant and slid into a heavy breakdown that made standing still genuinely difficult. By the fourth song, the lyrics turned more teasing and sarcastic, and the room laughed along with the satire baked into the writing.
The set closed in the best possible way. A wild but cozy finish, with audience members climbing onto the stage to join the band for a singalong of 9xacly’s “1000 Điều Ước.” The line between performer and listener disappeared completely, leaving only the singing, the smiles, and a strong reminder that nights like this are what keep the scene moving forward, regardless of how packed the room is.
The sparse turnout at the Scene Incubator #1 gave each band space to do their thing properly, and the intimate setup turned what could have been a flat night into something more. For us personally, this was a night to remember, as it marked the beginning of something beautiful we could put our stamp on. Route59 opened with the right kind of punch, Lulaby softened the air without losing the room, and ChipPunks tied everything together with a closer that pulled the audience onto the stage.
If anything, the night reminded us that the strength of a scene is rarely measured by attendance numbers. Bands that play their hearts out for a smaller crowd, and a crowd that shows up to actually listen, do more for the long-term health of the music here than any sold-out venue ever could. We left thinking it would be worth coming back for the next one, and we suspect plenty of others did too.
Words by: Chimin
