A show hosted at Tone Lab always carries a cozy and intimate feeling, with their showcases acting almost like a continuing series dedicated to spotlighting small local artists. Recently, the lineups have leaned more toward melodic and diverse genres. Watching bands perform on a small, humble stage beneath rows of hanging guitars gives the space a warm, homely atmosphere, like a music store opening its doors for the local scene to grow and support itself. Tone Lab showcases are usually compact, featuring a main act alongside one supporting band. The audience tends to reflect that same close-knit energy, too. Most people who come already know and actively follow the bands performing, rather than casually showing up for a random lineup. This time, Room128’s showcase was no exception. The event marked an important point in the band’s seven-year journey, from being relatively introverted and private to becoming more open, visible, and defined in their identity as a band. Supporting the night was the young local shoegaze band 4our, whose dreamy, alternative shoegaze sound fit naturally with the showcase’s atmosphere.
4our: Lovesick Shoegaze
Despite a late start and a modest crowd, 4our stepped on stage with positive energy. Formed in 2023, the band began humbly with members Tuấn Tú (guitarist) and Tuấn Bảo (vocalist/guitarist), who first met online before eventually starting the band together, writing music, hanging out at cafés, and performing with other bands along the way. Since the beginning, 4our has centered their music around themes of love, heartbreak, and youth. Beyond simply enjoying shoegaze, the band was drawn to the genre for the way it balances aggression and comfort, a contrast that closely reflects the emotional weight of their lyrics. Having already played a handful of indie gigs at venues like Yoko và Kobe, the band seems to have slowly built a small but genuine following among local youth. Even with a 30-minute set, many in the audience clearly knew the songs already and were immersed in the performance.
Musically, 4our leans into heavy reverb, washed-out guitar tones, and dreamy, garage-like atmospheres that feel youthful and nostalgic at once. The band also incorporates long, fading melodic vocals that blend naturally into their instrumental compositions. Their set this time included both older tracks and newer material, almost covering their entire current repertoire. With how consistently they’ve been releasing music, an album feels like the natural next step. The performance itself felt raw and honest. There were moments of technical difficulties, but instead of taking away from the set, it added to the feeling that this was simply a band playing exactly as they are, with no filter. Frontman Tuấn Bảo was especially engaging throughout the show, speaking warmly to the crowd and ending with a short speech thanking both the audience and the venue. Even with the minor issues, those who came genuinely seemed to enjoy the music and connect with the band’s atmosphere.
Room128: A 7-Year Journey
As usual, Room128 wasted no time getting started. By the time they stepped on stage, a larger crowd had already gathered. The set opened with a dreamy instrumental interlude that immediately established the mood, fitting naturally with the band’s indie and shoegaze-leaning sound. Stylistically, Room128 has always felt exploratory. Their music moves between indie rock, shoegaze, dream pop, and even touches of funk, while still maintaining a sound that feels distinctly their own. Live, the layers of effects, reverbs, and atmospheric textures came through clearly, giving the room a calm, immersive feel. Many of the members were also familiar faces within the local scene. Drummer Khoa Vàng and guitarist Oniks Lê, for example, can be seen performing with several other bands around the community.
One thing that stood out about Room128 was how lyric-driven their songs were. The lyrics, all sung in English, carried a personal, reflective tone, expressing thoughts and emotions naturally. The vocals matched that emotional range, shifting between soft, melodic singing and harsh, raspy screams. After a few opening tracks, the initially shy audience slowly moved closer to the stage as the band played one of their older fan favorites. The dimmed lighting made the room feel even more comfortable. The first half of the set focused more on songs from earlier releases like “Saigon Somersault”, while the second half introduced newer material. Midway through the show, several songs were personally introduced by the members who wrote them. Guitarist Oniks Lê explained that “Reflection of a Room” was written during the COVID lockdown period, inspired by the strange, almost hallucinatory feeling of being isolated in one room for so long. “Write Me in Your Song” was written by bassist Huyền Nga, while “But, Always” came from vocalist/guitarist Petit. Each half of the set ended on a more energetic note, with the first closing on “Saigon Somersault” and the second building toward “Here We Are”. By the end of the show, many people were sitting on the floor as the atmosphere mellowed, before one final emotional peak came during the closing song. It was also clear that many in the audience genuinely followed the band closely. During a small CD giveaway and quiz about the band, several people knew the answers.
Room128’s showcase at Tone Lab felt like a reflection of the band’s long musical journey. With 4our’s youthful and emotionally driven shoegaze set alongside Room 128’s introspective performance, the night showed just how diverse and distinctive the local indie scene has become. The audience, the conversations between songs, and even the small imperfections throughout the night all contributed to making the show feel personal and real. For Room 128 especially, the showcase felt like a quiet milestone. After seven years of building their sound and identity, the band now feels more open and confident in sharing their music with a growing audience that clearly understands and connects with it. In a venue as intimate as Tone Lab, that connection became the highlight of the night itself.
