It’s only been two weeks since Sát Rát Thrash, but Out the Run are already back again, this time with an even stronger lineup featuring the highly anticipated guest Celeste all the way from France. The setlist felt more intentional and wide-ranging, slightly stepping away from the usual hardcore-heavy direction and opening up space for more experimental sounds. Kicking things off with Cờ Lê, a psychedelic acid rock project, the night immediately shifted into a different mood. The atmosphere was slower and more immersive, something to drift with rather than jump straight into a mosh pit. Next up were Bedlam Royals, whose blend of prog, sludge, and post-metal fit naturally into the darker direction of the night and set the tone for what was coming. Still, this is an Out the Run show, so some hardcore energy had to be in the mix. 9xacly took on that role, setting things in motion before the final act. Finally, Celeste closed the night with their signature dark presence, filling the room with haze and shifting the focus almost entirely toward sound rather than movement or visuals.
Cờ Lê: The Trip After The Rain
Since the show was hosted on a Tuesday, it was never expected to get too chaotic. Earlier rain caused delays, so people arrived slowly, many still damp and a little drained from the weather. Even so, the crowd showed up ready, especially with such a special guest on the lineup. It felt fitting for Cờ Lê to open under these conditions. The band stepped on stage casually, picked up their instruments, and eased into a set that felt more like a loose jam than a fixed performance. Fully instrumental, their sound leaned heavily on reverb and delay, a signature of the psychedelic sound. The music felt dreamy and ethereal, matching the audience’s post-work mood. As the set went on, the band settled deeper into their groove, nodding along and moving naturally with the rhythm. For a small and low-key act, Cờ Lê managed to draw the crowd into a light trance. It was not heavy in the traditional sense, but the slow pacing and immersive textures quietly set the foundation for the rest of the night.
Bedlam Royals: Progression Into Darkness
Bedlam Royals carried the transition forward, pulling the room from the acid rock of Cờ Lê into something denser and more grounded. Their music came through as dark, slow-burning, and weighty, gradually building tension. The band recently released their new single “Ode to Not a King”, part of their upcoming debut album “The Gap”. The track reworks “Pulsira Minuli Dan” from their previous project LEER, with a stronger post-metal and sludge direction indicative of the current Bedlam Royals. As expected, Bedlam Royals delivered an immersive wall of sound driven by heavy instrumentation, textured riffs, and occasional harsh vocals. Their songs tend to unfold in waves, starting with ambient layers, moving into thick breakdowns, passing through somber bridges, and ending in crushing peaks. As more people arrived, the room became more engaged. Heads started nodding, then banging, and the energy steadily built. Some songs were cut short due to time constraints, but that did not diminish their impact. Near the end, the bassist jumped into the crowd, closing the distance between band and audience and pushing the atmosphere to a climax. With new music on the way, Bedlam Royals clearly have momentum, and this set gave a strong glimpse of what they are building toward.
9xacly: A Quick Hit of Adrenaline
An Out the Run show never feels complete without some hardcore energy, and that is exactly what 9xacly delivered. Even though their sound did not fully match the dark theme of Đen Tình Đen Nhạc, they brought what the crowd needed at that moment: a burst of intensity and movement. As regulars, 9xacly knew exactly how to handle the room. Their set was fast, gritty, and direct. Within minutes, the crowd broke into motion with moshing, pushing, and jumping between the stage and the floor. The harsh, expressive vocals kept everything moving with no room for stillness. Their set was also cut short by time constraints, but it was more than enough to reset the energy and prepare the crowd for the final act.
Celeste: Fumes of Black
Celeste are currently on their 20th anniversary Asia tour, with Ho Chi Minh City as one of their stops. For the local scene, this was a rare moment. International acts of this scale do not come through often, which made their appearance even more significant. The crowd continued to grow, though it remained relatively niche compared to larger markets. Before the set began, photographers were asked not to use flash so the atmosphere could remain intact. The band’s signature setup relied on darkness, smoke, and a single red light mounted on each member’s head. Their entrance was immediate and striking. The room filled with haze, the lights dropped, and only the red beams cut through the darkness. From there, the experience became fully immersive. The sound was bleak and intense, with piercing vocals layered over tremolo guitars and relentless drumming. The limited visibility removed distractions and pulled the audience deeper into the music. There was almost no moshing, which felt intentional given a setting that limits all senses apart from auditory. Instead, the crowd connected through steady headbanging and stark focus. The set flowed smoothly and seemed to pass quickly. By the end, people were still calling for more.
Đen Tình Đen Nhạc was a compact, efficient show with minimal wait time. Despite the earlier rain and tight schedule, everything ran smoothly with no interruptions or issues. This time, the energy did not rely on chaos. Instead, it showed in the crowd’s focus and reactions, and in the shared appreciation for the music, especially within a heavier, more niche space. Celeste‘s presence proved that international acts can find an audience here. The local scene may still be growing, but it is clearly supported by a dedicated community.
