Over two days of performances full of crowd surfing, mosh pits, and scream-singing, Tough Luck Fest gave the crowds at Brighton Music Hall a look into the local alternative scene.
This new festival created a unique experience for fans by showcasing two different genres: lighter, more melodic alternative rock on day one, and louder, heavier metal on day two.
Tough Luck, organized by current and former Berklee College of Music students and employees of artist management company Evil Eye Artists, featured many local musicians, both students and otherwise, including day one artists Jesse Deteor, Ringpop!, and Park National.
“My favorite part about this year’s debut show is the fact that it was brought together, supported, and represented by independent artists, creatives, and business owners,” said organizer Asher Thomas.
The event not only allowed the bands to meet fans but also gave them the chance to observe and connect with other artists. Throughout both days at Brighton, members of the bands could be spotted among the audience watching and cheering on the other acts, including the headliners Young Culture and Monochromatic Black. In addition, almost every act shouted out to the other artists in the lineup during their set.
“You could really feel the love in the room. I expected a great audience response, but what I didn’t expect was how overjoyed, grateful, and complimentary the bands were to our team,” said organizer Olivia Monarch. “In every corner of the venue, from the green room to the stage to the merch tables, you could hear new friendships forming and new fans emerging.”
While all the acts gave a lively, entertaining performance, some of the standouts over the two days were Ringpop!, Jesse Deteor, Slamwich, and Monochromatic Black.
Ringpop!, a Boston alternative band, featured many of the same members as the opening act for the festival Park National. Their set featured many catchy original songs with funny, witty lyrics such as in the songs “Do I Look Like Andrew Garfield” and “360 Skate Trick.”
Jesse Deteor, also a day one act, gave one of the most impressive vocal performances of the festival. Her high range and strong belt with a rock edge had a similar quality to Paramore vocalist Hayley Williams or No Doubt frontwoman Gwen Stefani. She and her entire band, composed of all women and non-binary musicians, gave a fun performance that showcased their immense talent as musicians. Her original songs “Juno” and “Sophia I’m Sorry” also showed her talent as a lyricist, specifically at conveying the struggles of relationships. To close her set, she covered Chappell Roan’s hit song “Femininominon” with a punk spin that the audience danced and shouted along to.
On day two of the festival, deathcore band Slamwich took the stage. Even while playing technically difficult parts, the musicians were perfectly in sync with one another down to the rhythm of their headbanging. The complexity of the music they performed did not diminish their energy on stage, as all the members moved and danced around with their hair flying.
Immediately following Slamwich was the day two headliner and final act of the festival, Monochromatic Black, a four-piece band from New York. Vocalist Tanya Elizabeth dominated the stage, constantly moving around as she sang, and even working her way into the crowd while she delivered powerful screams. Bassist Oliver Roach performed powerful slap bass, a style that involves hitting the string with your thumb, that rang out across the room.
From die-hard fans of the headliners screaming along to every word to people just looking to discover new artists, Tough Luck Fest was the perfect back-to-school welcome to the Boston music scene.
“We really wanted Tough Luck to be a celebration of not just music but community, and that’s exactly what it was,” said organizer Billie Bentil. “This was the first year of Tough Luck Fest, but it definitely won’t be the last.”
