San Francisco’s Fillmore has seen its share of legendary chaos. But few nights in recent memory packed as much youthful fire and multigenerational resonance into one room as The Linda Lindas did during the first of their two-night sold-out stand at the historic venue. Part punk show, part coming-of-age diary, and part cultural moment, this set was more than a concert—it was an evolutionary checkpoint in the rise of what might be the most important young punk band of our time.
If you’ve been paying attention, this wasn’t a surprise. I’ve reviewed The Linda Lindas three times now—first at SF MoMA’s Art Bash in 2023, then again opening for Paramore. This band has always been impressive. But that night? They were undeniable.
Opening duties were expertly handled by Be Your Own Pet, who roared into their set with a chaotic, pop-fueled energy that fused the snarl of X-Ray Spex with the slick urgency of Destroy Boys. Female-fronted, punk-rooted, and unrelenting, their set was a perfect setup for what was to come.
As fans trickled in—a sea of teens, kids, parents, grandparents, and everyone in between—Eloise Wong and Mila de la Garza appeared in the balcony above, waving and filming content for social media. It was a sweetly modern moment of meta showmanship, a reminder that this is a band that lives at the intersection of punk and post-Instagram.
The lights dropped. The room buzzed. And then came the opening notes of “No Obligation“, a new track that kicked the set off with muscle. One of the most immediate takeaways? Eloise’s voice. Deeper, fuller, charged with the weight of transition and growth, it gave the new material a gritty edge. Dressed in a vintage J Church tee (a subtle but loud nod to the Bay Area), they commanded attention, especially on the band’s newer tracks that leaned heavier into hardcore stylings.
There’s a noticeable evolution happening here. The Linda Lindas have always been punk, but now they’re sounding harder, sharper, more gnarly. There were delayed drops, snarling vocals, and moments where the arrangements edged toward thrash territory. You could hear it in the blood-rush of “Broken Record,” and in the whiplash charm of “Big Mouth.”
But what was even more striking than the music was the individuality each member now brought to the stage. They’ve grown—literally and figuratively.
Bela Salazar, on guitar, played with the elegance and flair of a seasoned Spanish classical guitarist. Her intricate strumming and flourishes mid-set hinted at a soul steeped in heritage and tradition. There’s something sacred in her playing—a maturity that belies her years that foreshadows her growing as a guitarist; she’s clearly shaping a lane of her own.
Lucia de la Garza continues to hone her voice as a lyricist and front woman. At just 17, she’s already offering songs that reflect on the complexities of growing up, identity, and the existential blur of teen-hood. Her presence on stage was electric—not over-rehearsed, not aloof, but wide open. Her performance of “Why” was especially powerful, delivering emotional punch with punk precision.
And then there was Mila, still just 14, anchoring the band with a drum kit that seemed almost too large for her—until she started playing. Originally stepping onto the scene at just 8 years old with the viral blast that was “Racist, Sexist Boy,” Mila had now fully grown into her role. Her playing was punchy, tight, and expressive—like watching a kid grow into her drum kit the way other girls grow into their first pair of Doc Martens.
By the time they reached the pogo-fueled brilliance of “Oh!”, the crowd was a writhing, ecstatic blur. And then came the closer: a feral, fiery performance of “Racist, Sexist Boy” that featured Lucia leaping from the drum riser, and Eloise using their final breath to rally the crowd with a message:
“Protect government jobs! Protect trans folks! Free Palestine! Protect immigrants! Protect the Department of Education! “
It was pure catharsis. It was punk at its best.
The Linda Lindas have always been more than a novelty. Yes, they went viral. Yes, they’re young. But their music, their growth, and their fearlessness has now earned them a place as legitimate heavyweights in a genre that too often ages out its own innovators.
Seeing them three times over the past few years has been like flipping pages in the same punk-rock bildungsroman. And if this Fillmore gig was any indication, the next chapter is going to shred.
There’s no doubt in my mind: these are the future pop-punk legends of this generation. And we’re lucky enough to be watching the origin story in real time.
The Linda Lindas – Remaining 2025 Tour Dates:
April 18 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat
April 19 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Spirit Hall
April 21 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
April 22 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel
April 23 – Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
April 24 – Montreal, QC @ Théâtre Fairmount
April 26 – Toronto, ON @ The Opera House
