Hardcore for a Cause: Punks for Palestine Show Overview
Flyer from show - designed by @fleshfromtheacid
One thing I will never let people forget or ignore is that all music is political. All art is political; creating apolitical art is, in fact, a political statement. Artists, especially those with a platform, have a responsibility to speak up for those disenfranchised, whether through the content of their music, actions in their communities, providing resources, or inspiring people to make a change. This is exactly what I saw this past Sunday night at the Punks for Palestine show.
Hosted by Under The Sun Collective (fem-led Lenapehoking mutual aid group for Palestinian families and other communities affected by the capitalist and imperialist war machine), NYC Migrant Solidarity (Anti-Authoritarian collective empowering networks of community support in crisis & platforms for mutual aid with migrants), and Nate Show Bookings, Punks for Palestine served as both a benefit show and vendor market. All proceeds for the night went to fundraisers and aid for Palestine, Sudan, and migrant solidarity. Five hardcore and punk bands played throughout the night upstairs, featuring a performance by the Ballet de Tonantzin, while a market with eight vendors sold handmade clothing and jewelry to stickers and pins to educational zines, and free I.C.E. watch kits. It had a pretty awesome turnout and was definitely a space for community to grow.
I arrived at the event a bit late, as I was coming from work, but as soon as I walked up to The Broadway, there was a huge line to get in, as the show was just starting. The market started around two hours before the show and was full of people near the bar, with drinks in hand, interacting with vendors. I walked up the narrow staircase to the venue and was immediately surrounded by a variety of punks, both old and young. Behind the performers and space, there were flags of Caribbean countries. Behind the stage, the Palestinian and Puerto Rican flags, specifically the resistance flag, are up. Throughout the space, Jamaican and Dominican flags were hung, and I immediately felt welcomed.
Comply - Video by Uncharted Music
Fortunately, I caught the end of the NYC-based metalcore band COMPLY’s set. They were amazing as always, and as the rest of the bands did that night, they of course ended the set by calling for the abolition of I.C.E. and for the freedom of Palestine. Next up was No Values, a Brooklyn hardcore band making a big impact on the scene. They have been performing at benefit shows for different communities across the five boroughs. They started their set strongly by calling for solidarity of black and brown communities, and encouraged community involvement throughout the show (a big theme throughout the night), and to take action, not just use empty sentiments. One of my favorite parts of the set was when they performed their song “G.T.F.O.,” a song centered around gentrification. Lead singer Iyoub explained that they may have made a lot of people uncomfortable in the room (we were in Bushwick, of course), and it made me feel even more welcomed. A side note – as a native New Yorker, it makes me feel so good to see other native New Yorkers take the stage and talk about gentrification and transplants because, holy shit, almost everyone I meet at shows is not from here, and it disheartens me to say the least. Anyways, No Values really kicked off the event.
No Values - Photo by Ricardo Castelan
Finds from the market.
After their set, my friends and I went downstairs to check out the market. As alluded, the space was packed with a variety of vendors. The first table we visited was towards the back with a bunch of poli-ed goodies like zines, buttons and pins, flyers for volunteering, and how to donate to the organization, Crown Heights Bites Back. Then we stopped by the Moth 2 Flame Studios booth, which was selling beautiful pieces of handmade jewelry, and got some pins from another booth that had pro-Palestinian and anti-I.C.E. messaging and images. Lastly, we went over to the Angry Asian Womxn table and talked to them a little bit about their initiatives. They provided self-defense tools, free masks, and I.C.E. watch kits containing instructions on their use, which was super helpful, and also sold stickers and pins to further promote awareness.
Ballet de Tonantzin - Photo by Ricardo Castelan
Video by KHADIJAH (@untracklisted)
Afterwards, we went back upstairs, and the Ballet de Tonantzin was performing. I couldn’t see much of the performance in person because of limited space, which speaks to the high turnout of the event, and I got stuck on the stairs. However, seeing the videos afterwards was so beautiful; I love the way this show integrated Latin American cultures into the show, showing the solidarity between them and the Palestinian cause, as these problems, like those of other targeted communities around the world, interconnect in struggle. It was, truly, a wonderful experience.
Ballet de Tonantzin - Photo by Ricardo Castelan
FOCO - Photo by Ricardo Castelan
Then, a fan favorite came onto the stage, not only sharing their epic anti-colonial Nü-Metal sounds, but also wisdom for the audience: FOCO is a staple in the DIY music scene for a few years now, and dominated the stage. They had songs both in English and Spanish, and between songs, lead-singer, Nachi Conde-Farley, spoke on issues happening both nationally and globally,, specifically I.C.E., encouraging people to go out and create forward movement. He provided resources such as NYC Mirgrant Solidarity, an organization he himself volunteers for. After their set, one of the organizers from the host of the show, Under the Sun Collective, came out and gave a speech calling people out (including myself, to be honest), for not doing enough for our siblings and neighbors, whether it be hyper-locally or globally. We need to start taking boycotting more seriously, protesting, engaging in mutual aid, joining organizations, etc. By the next morning, it had honestly inspired me to look into local organizations I could join and how to make these a priority!
Under the Sun Collective Speech - Photo by Ricardo Castelan
FOCO - Photo by Ricardo Castelan
Kārtël - Video by KHADIJAH (@untracklisted)
Next was punk band Kārtël, an all-immigrant band whose songs were completely in Spanish (except for one in Portuguese). They rocked, the lead singer was amazing. She had such a strong, crazy energy on stage that definitely carried into the crowd and the mosh pit. They ended the set by speaking on how not only are they fighting for immigrants, but all oppressed people around the world.
“THEY WANNA KILL US ALL OFF” by Lake Lanier - Video by KHADIJAH (@untracklisted)
Last but definitely not least was No Weapons, another staple in the hardcore scene. Their drummer was sick, so their lead singer filled in for them. They played two songs, and then singer Cara-mia from Lake Lanier came onto the stage and performed songs with the band (as the line-up of No Weapons is basically Lake Lanier but without her). She came up onto the stage, easily bantering with the rest of the band, and then went straight into it. The crowd went insane, with the mosh pit going the hardest it had all night. Cara-mia has a gift of captivating the audience, as she goes into the crowd and shares the mic with fans. During the set, she gave a speech about the origins of the band’s name, how important black history is, and how even with I.C.E. ramping up, people have to realize this state violence is NOT new; it has always been this way for black and brown people. They rounded out the night with their two most-known and heaviest songs, “RESISTANCE!” and “THEY WANNA KILL US ALL OFF,” centered around resistance and unity.
Crowd - Photo by Ricardo Castelan
Crowd - Photo by Ricardo Castelan
This night was memorable for me, and I’m sure everyone as well. It definitely inspired me to get further involved in my community. I’ll for sure be looking for more events hosted by Under the Sun Collective and NYC Migrant Solidarity to support. Please look into each band and organization I mentioned in this article to donate to or volunteer for!
