GENDER ROLES AT LE SONIC IN LYON

I enjoy big, impressive concerts of rock stars, like everyone else, but I have to admit that I love even more to discover new up and coming bands on the small stage of a tiny venue.  The thing is, British and American “small” indie bands do not come to France that often. When they do, they mainly stop in Paris for just one concert. Even if there are many different people in the music industry in our area trying to change that, it is an irrefutable fact. That is why the Gender Roles concert at Le Sonic last Wednesday was a big deal. First, because I finally got to hear live songs that have been on repeat on my playlists for weeks, but also because, for once, one of these exciting indie bands finally stopped in Lyon. It was definitely a new occasion to show support to the local actors of the music industry. Shoutout to the venue, Le Sonic and the production team, Tous en Tong, for this organization!

Le Sonic is a tiny boat anchored in the city center of Lyon. The place itself is amazing. I had just enough time to buy some drinks before that the concert started. Gender Roles opened the night with bangers from their first album PRANG. “You Look Like Death” was an appropriate way to introduce themselves to a venue full of indie punk amateurs. The answer was immediate. The spectators were very happy to be able to launch mosh pits so early in the night. It was definitely the first time that I witnessed mosh pits on a boat, and let me tell you something: it rolls and pitches; not that stable! Obviously with such explosive songs such as “Always” and “Deep End”, it could not be different. There was no break for this intense set of roughly one hour, and the rhythm just kept on accelerating until the end. The end of the gig came a bit too early for everyone’s taste. Their European tour will bring them to Italy, Germany, and many other places. The future looks bright for Gender Roles!